Connor Hibell didn’t burst onto the high school cross country scene with loud expectations or bold predictions.

Instead, his career unfolded the same way he ran — steadily, quietly and with purpose — building toward a legacy that now includes a third straight Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year honor.

For Hibell, the recognition reflects a four-year journey shaped by growth, consistency and perspective rather than any single race or result.

“In a way, yeah, it has sunk in,” Hibell said when asked to reflect on his career. “Freshman year, at first, I didn’t expect I would do too well because most of my competition on the team was other seniors. I kind of proved myself wrong in a way.”

Hibell first reached the state level as a freshman while running alongside his older brother, Owen, on a Palmerton team that captured the program’s first District 11 title in 35 years. From there, his career continued to evolve — both individually and within a program that experienced change before rebuilding around his class.

“Once that wave of seniors left, the team was kind of in an odd place,” Hibell said. “But then it built up again. There’s a lot of us. I’m happy I started with a good, built-up team and finished with a good, built-up team as well.”

Michael Horvath, who had been Hibell’s coach since seventh grade, saw that growth firsthand.

“When I started coaching him in seventh grade, I remember saying to the head coach, ‘It’s my first year coaching, but I think this kid is going to be phenomenal,’” Horvath said. “Then in eighth grade, I always tell the story of how he started beating me. We’d go out for runs and I was like, ‘Man, I’m having trouble keeping up with this kid.’”

By the time Hibell reached high school, Horvath said the trajectory was clear.

“Come freshman year, it was like, ‘I didn’t stand a chance — I’ll see you later,’” Horvath said. “Just the progression from seventh grade to eighth grade to ninth grade and then 10th grade — we were always trying to push it even further.”

Hibell became one of the most consistent runners in the area, winning back-to-back Colonial League and District 11 titles as a sophomore and junior, while also embracing the responsibility that came with being the standard for the program.

“Palmerton’s a small school,” said Hibell, who was second at leagues and third at districts this season. “You don’t really expect too much from a small mountain town, so to subvert those expectations and give it some recognition is pretty neat — especially in a sport that’s not always well represented.”

That recognition also brought pressure, something Hibell said he learned to manage over time.

“Family expectations and community expectations — I don’t want to let people down,” he said. “And I mainly do cross country to stay in shape and stay healthy. That motivates me, too.”

Horvath said that mindset was tested throughout Hibell’s senior season, especially as statewide competition continued to intensify.

“The competition across the board is just insane,” Horvath said. “The times are getting faster every year. What do you say to a kid who’s running 15- or 16-minute 5Ks and still finishing top 10? You tell him he’s doing great. We knew what we were coming into for states.”

When it mattered most, Hibell delivered his strongest performance at the PIAA Championships, finishing 26th, the best state showing of his career.

“He didn’t find it early on in the season, but he found it at states when it mattered the most,” Horvath said. “That was a reminder of how great he truly was.”

Hibell described the moment with characteristic restraint.

“I wasn’t ecstatic, but I was definitely satisfied,” he said. “It was nice to end on a smooth, good race. I’m proud of my performance. I’m glad that race went well.”

Horvath pointed to the mental side of that effort as one of Hibell’s defining traits.

“When you’re that talented, there’s a lot of mental pressure over the course of a career,” Horvath said. “This season, he proved he could overcome those mental obstacles and still put himself in position to succeed.”

As Hibell closes his high school career, Horvath believes the impact will last well beyond results.

“He’s going to be on the Mount Rushmore of Palmerton cross-country runners,” Horvath said. “His name absolutely deserves to be on those banners.”

For Hibell, the lasting memories go beyond times and finishes.

“Give cross country a shot,” he said. “The team is really close. It’s a good way to stay healthy, too. If you want to stay fit and have a good team bond, cross country is a good sport to go with.”

And when he looks back on the journey as a whole, his answer is simple.

“I’m happy with my cross-country career,” Hibell said. “I wouldn’t change it for any sport. I’m definitely happy it happened.”