Sherry Brothers Follow In Footsteps Of Other Prominent Connecticut Runners To Choose Stanford

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

The allure of a top academic and athletic program, combined with the opportunity to be together for another four years was too good to pass up for twin brothers Gavin Sherry and Callum Sherry. The standout senior distance runners from Conard High of West Hartford, Ct. made their official announcement via social media this week, committing to run for Stanford University. 

“After almost a year-long process that enabled Gavin and Callum to meet coaches of some of the top programs in the country, they each made their decision early last week to further their academic and running careers at Stanford,” Conard head coach Ron Knapp said. “Although they had a few different preferences from each other about what they wanted from their collegiate experience, it should come as no surprise that the advantages they will receive while attending Stanford influenced both of them to commit to the same school.”

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Gavin and Callum have made significant impacts not only on the Connecticut running scene for the past four years but nationally as well. Gavin finished the 2021 spring season with the top junior class time in the 1,600 meters of 4 minutes, 1.88 seconds, which was also Connecticut state record. He was also ran 8:47.20 in the 3,200.

Callum ended the spring season with a strong showing at The Nike Outdoor Nationals, clocking 9:14.22 in the 2-mile. 

“At Conard, their combination of dedication and hard work to their academics and athletics as well as their affable personalities and level-headed perspectives provide our program with ideal role models for their teammates,” Knapp said.

The pipeline of Connecticut standout distance runners to Stanford extended with the Sherry brothers'  commitment. Darien High graduate Alex Ostberg, Staples’ Hannah DeBalsi and Claire Howlett of Westhill are all recent examples and 1980s legend Ceci Hopp made the cross-country move from Greenwich to run for the Cardinal. 

After an abbreviated 2020 fall season that saw Gavin and Callum finish 2-3 at the East Coast Cross Country Championships at Holmdel Park, NJ, an official cross country season returned in Connecticut on Tuesday.  

Gavin begins the season as the runner to beat as the reigning State Open champ from 2019. He was also the highest finishing sophomore at Foot Locker Nationals in 2019, running 15:36.8 for 14th place.

At the State Open, Callum finished in seventh place in 2019, and helped guide Conard to a runner-up team finish. 

“I'm relieved that they were able to follow their plan to make an early decision before our season has started so that they can focus on their training and competition to help realize individual and team goals,” Knapp said.

Stanford also received a verbal commitment Thursday from Caroline Wells of Winter Springs High in Florida. Wells set state records of 10:08.77 in the 3,200 meters and 16:16.02 for 5,000 meters during the outdoor track season, in addition to winning the 3A state cross country title in the fall and leading the Bears to a team title.