When Jack O’Brien tried to determine who his major competition would be in this year’s TAPPS state track and field tournament, he needed look no further than his own house.
Jack and Michael O’Brien finished first and second at the district track meet in the 800 meters respectively, and both competed in the state tournament last weekend.
Jack, who was awarded a full academic scholarship to Texas Christian University, was also given a spot on the university’s track team; something that Coram Deo Academy track coach Daryl Simon said is almost unheard of.
"Last year was Jack’s first year in track, and he went to state, and he got second," Simon said. "He won district in the 400 and 800 this year … and for a small school like Coram Deo, it would be a big deal just to get into a Division II or a junior college. To get into TCU is remarkable, and they are excited about his potential."
Jack is the first student from Coram Deo’s two-year old track program to run for a Division I college, and Simon said he has meant a lot to the Lions program.
"He’s inspirational," Simon said. "He sets a great standard for the rest of the kids to look up to. He is also number three in his whole class."
Jack also scored a combined 2050 on the SAT.
The Coram Deo senior said this year has been special for him having his younger brother Michael on the team.
"It’s been good," Jack said. "It’s been a lot of fun, because I have had somebody to train with for the last couple of weeks leading up to state."
Jack said he has always tried to provide a good example for his younger teammates and said he is looking forward to competing at the next level as well.
"I’m very excited about it," Jack said. "It’s a great opportunity, and I’m very blessed to have it … our coach contacted their coach, and then I talked to him a little bit, and he told me they would be happy to have me there."
Jack will run the 800 in his first year at TCU.
Michael said there is no sibling rivalry between him and Jack and said it has been a great learning experience running with his older brother.
"It’s really cool," Michael, a sophomore, said. "He has been encouraging me all year, and it was kind of my goal to run with him coming into district … he has kind of helped me all along, but we both know that he will probably win."
The O’Brien brothers had an excellent showing at state, as Jack took first in 800 with a time of 2:02.20, and Michael finished sixth with a time of 2:09.26.
Jack also finished fifth in the 400 with a time of 53.28.