Another Rhode Island native, having run at Bishop Hendrickson, Jake joined NE Distance in the Fall of 2015. He previously ran in nationally-recognized competitions for Columbia University, having been fortunate enough to represent the United States in the 2011 North American, Central American, and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Cross Country Championships. In the junior men’s 6-kilometer race, Jake recorded a 19:03 finish, good enough for 8^th overall in the field and second for the American team. His career at Columbia was also marked by multiple appearances at the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championship meet.

Upon joining NE Distance, Jake didn’t miss a beat in qualifying for the US Olympic Marathon Trials after running a 1:04:35 half marathon at the 2015 USA Half Marathon Championships in Houston earlier in the year. He ended up running a respectable 2:30.14 at the Olympic Marathon Trials, finishing in 71^st place.

Jake has ran all over the country and likens the Providence area to a smaller version of Eugene. In a Rhode Runner interview, Jake mentions that the NE Distance team along with the elite and collegiate runners in Providence create a “smaller running mecca” that can be overshadowed by larger communities. Nonetheless, it creates a perfect atmosphere to improve.