Vol Spotlight: Dean Casey

How does a casual jog turn into a 3,000-mile move across the Atlantic Ocean? For that answer, you'll have to ask freshman Vol Dean Casey.

In his first season with Tennessee cross country, Casey has already proved himself an asset for the Big Orange, earning SEC Freshman of the Week during his collegiate debut and boasting the fastest time by a freshman during the SEC Championships this past weekend.

His early success, however, can't be attributed to the traditional path of a college athlete. Despite his status as one of the top-ranked Irish runners, Casey didn't grow up with the intention of running cross country in college.

"I only started running competitively about four or five years ago," said Casey. "I was a part of a hurling team as a kid. It involved a lot of running, and I wanted to get faster, so I started running to train."

Casey became increasingly serious about the traditional Gaelic sport, and as he got older, undertook running to stay in shape for matches. It wasn't long, though, before his informal runs turned into competitive races.

As a member of the Ennis Track Athletic Club for five seasons, Casey's athleticism flourished while training with the local team. He set a new U20 Irish record for the 10k and won bronze at the 2022 U20 European Cross Country Championships.

But with Ireland having few post-secondary school cross country opportunities and Casey's graduation approaching, the best option for continuing to run was to move abroad.

"After secondary school, there's not another level of running," said Casey. "So I decided to come to the United States to continue. It's such a high level, and that's what I wanted to do."

His ever-growing list of accomplishments caught the attention of Tennessee head coach Sean Carlson, and Casey reciprocated positive sentiments about UT after traveling to Knoxville for the first time. Once he saw Cherokee Farms Cross Country Course, he knew Tennessee was the right place for him.

"When I came to visit, I immediately fell in love with the trails," he divulged. "Not only that, but the people are so welcoming."

Casey officially signed with the Big Orange on January 24, 2023, and concluded his time with Ennis Track AC over the summer, transitioning to both a new country and a new team.

The Vols competed in two meets during September without Casey, but he certainly didn't disappoint when he made his Tennessee debut at Pre-Nationals, allotting the fastest time among freshmen and finishing the 8k eighth overall.

"I was very happy afterwards," he said. "Especially knowing I did well in a race that they're going to be holding at Nationals. There's nothing more I could ask for. It's a great stepping stone for my career."

A career that's on track to quickly warrant All-American status, one of many goals Casey's been striving to achieve since the beginning of the season. The next challenge on the path to earning that title was approaching soon – the SEC Championships – but Casey treated the next two weeks like he would any other.

"When it comes to race week, I don't really think about the race," Casey shared. "I don't want to overthink everything so I just focus on my preparation."

What might seem like an unorthodox mindset to many, paid off for the first-year Vol.

Casey made his first appearance at the 2023 SEC Championships, competing in the Men's 8k and posting the fastest time among freshmen with 23:15.0 – earning himself spots on the All-SEC Second Team and All-SEC Freshman Team.

Despite a strong 11th-place overall finish, Casey wasn't content with his personal best time. Coach Carlson, however, was pleased with his finish and is confident that Casey's performance was only a taste of what's to come.

"Dean wasn't happy with the race, which shows what he's going to be eventually," Carlson said. "It's an awesome start to his SEC career, and I think the sky's going to be the limit in the next couple of years."

University of Tennessee Athletics

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