El Dorado cross country runner sidelined by injury

Under the guidance of Coach John Koonce, El Dorado’s cross country program has taken major steps forward and will host the first cross country meet in school history today.

Senior Hayden McDiarmid, who has been in the program since he was a freshman, will start the senior boys’ race at today’s El Dorado Wildcat Invitational, but not as a competitor.

McDiarmid was diagnosed last week with a torn hip labrum, ending his high school cross country career.

“My initial reaction to the injury was that it was not that serious, and I just needed some time to allow for my body to heal.I had been pushing it for the past few months,” McDiarmid said.

“I trained and ran the Little Rock Marathon after cross country season last year, then when right into track, then off season training for this year. After a visit with Dr.(Kenneth) Gati and MRI, I was informed it was a little more serious, I have a torn labrum in my hip joint, and I was going to need surgery. I didn't really know how to react.

“I had spent the last six years running cross country every season. I saw that I had improved greatly this season and high hopes and goals. On the bright side, running has taught me so much.

“It's not just about what's in the moment, it is about making it through the long run. You not only prepare for long runs, you diet and keep yourself healthy so that you can have a successful run. I have applied this logic to life. I can't really do anything about this injury, I just have to stay healthy, keep a good mindset, and get back to running as soon as I can.”

McDiarmid opened the season with a third-place finish in the Warrior Invitational, running a time of 18:17.30.

In his last race at the Moro Bay Invitational, he was ninth with a time of 18:27.2.

“He dropped about 20 pounds. Last year he was an upper 19, lower 20 guy. First meet this year he ran an 18:20. He dropped nearly two minutes from last season,” said Koonce.

“It’s tough, not just for the team. He made the team much better. But, to see what it means to him as an individual, he loves this sport so much. You could see it in his face when he would try to run on it and to know it’s just not the same. It’s very devastating. It’s something being taken away from him.”

McDiarmid has been a three-sport athlete, also competing in swimming and track and field. His best results have come in cross country.

“Cross Country has been my sport for the past four years. I run in the mornings and after school. I live and breathe the sport,” he said. “All my coaches have been so supportive and incredible. Coach Koonce has brought so much knowledge about the sport. His passion for our team and love for the sport has been such a positive influence for our team, or I should really say family.

“I have witnessed this program grow from 7-10 runners, when my older siblings ran high school and I tagged along and convinced Coach (Sharonda) Brooks to let me run, to now.

“There's nearly 50 people and we have to take two buses to travel to meets. It is amazing to me because I have witnessed the program grow five times in size.”

Today’s race will be the most important event in the sport’s history at El Dorado.

McDiarmid will be apart of it, only not as a runner. He will be the official starter for the senior boys’ race.

“I thought it would be good for his teammates to see him doing this. He is loved by the whole team and this will be something that they appreciate,” said Koonce.

“You couldn’t ask for a better kid. You couldn’t ask for a harder worker. That’s what makes it so tough.”

The gesture is symbolic of McDiarmid’s role in cross country at El Dorado. He said he appreciates the opportunity.

“When coach told me I was going to be starting the race on Saturday, I was excited. I have always been on the starting line with my teammates preparing mentally for three miles of running and now for this race I can still be at the start and feel that adrenaline rush at the start,” he said.

“I will continue to be on the sidelines encouraging and cheering on all of my teammates in their races. I am honored to be asked to start the varsity guys race at the first meet El Dorado High School has ever hosted. This is the start of a legacy and I am glad that I can still be involved in the program.”

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