The 5-foot-10, 135-pound junior won the Virginia Independent School Division 2 state meet this past season with a time of 15:55.5, breaking the tape 1:28.9 ahead of his next-closest competitor and leading the Bishops to the state team title. O’Brien finished third at the Foot Locker South Regional championships and he took 12th at Foot Locker nationals to earn All-American status. He did not lose to an in-state runner all season.
O’Brien has maintained an A average in the classroom. He will begin his senior year of high school this fall.
The head of the Virginia Episcopal Debate Club, O’Brien has volunteered as his dorm’s residential assistant, and he has donated his time helping build a cross country course on the Virginia Episcopal campus.