JIM THORPE — Senior Johnathan Condly has gotten stronger and faster every season of his high school career.
Now he’s eager to see if he can do the same at the next level — the NCAA Division I level, to be exact.
Jim Thorpe’s cross country standout recently signed his letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic careers at Temple University.
“I definitely think I could improve,’’ Condly said. “The coaches really know what they’re doing.
“Being around that kind of talent, Division I athletes will help me improve as I get older.’’
Condly is coming off a cross country season in which he won his second straight Schuylkill League championship, finished second at the District 11 Class AA Championships and 14th at the PIAA Championships.
The state finish marked the first time he earned a PIAA medal. He placed 26th as a junior, one spot off the All-State podium.
The best part of the experience was that Condly got to share his time at states with his teammates. The Olympians qualified as a team in both 2013 and 2014.
“I’m really happy with how it turned out, going two years to states with my team,’’ Condly said. “It was great. I’ll miss running for Jim Thorpe, but I can’t wait to see what college athletics is like.’’
Condly said he had been in contact with Temple before states.
After earning a medal in Hershey, the recruiting interest increased.
“I went down to visit after the state meet. I liked the coaches and the team, and I thought I’d fit in there,’’ Condly said. “I’ll spend a lot of time with them. That was a big part for me.’’
Going to college in a vibrant city like Philadelphia appealed to him, too.
“I like the big-city atmosphere and a big school,’’ Condly said. “It’s different from the small town I grew up in and something I want to experience.
“They showed us around the city when I was down visiting,’’ the Jim Thorpe resident added. “It seems like there’s always something to do down there and I liked that.’’
In the end, Temple just seemed like the right fit — right school, right location, right program. Running on a Division I team was his goal.
Condly has an interest in studying engineering, perhaps electrical engineering.
More importantly, he knows he’ll be a member of the Owls’ athletic program and a Temple University student next fall.
“It’s really nice to have that done and focus on the rest of my senior year — track and my schoolwork,’’ Condly said. “It’s nice not to have to worry about where you’re going.’’
