Christopher McGarrigal


McGarrigal    Christopher McGarrigal


Cross Country, 1992

Over the past 25 years, Danbury High School’s track and cross country programs have established a tradition of excellence.  This year’s 2018 DHS Hall of Fame inductee, Christopher McGarrigal, was the first Danbury High School Cross country runner to win All-State honors in over 30 years.

Chris’s competitive spirit did not understand or accept defeat.  As team captain, he not only challenged his teammates to win, he went out and recruited more runners for the team.   In 1991, for the first time in 31 years, Danbury High School won the FCIAC Cross Country title.  Competing with a serious knee injury, Chris finished ninth that day, helping DHS win its first of many FCIAC titles.  The margin of victory that day was one point over Staples High School.

While competing for Danbury High School, Chris had many individual and team honors: captain of first DHS FCIAC cross country championship in 31 years; All-State cross country, 1990; All-State mile, indoor track, 1990-91; All-New England Mile, indoor track, 1990-91;  All-State Mile, outdoor track, 1991;  All-New England outdoor track, 1992; All-State 4 X 4 relay champions, 1991; All-New England 4 X 4 relay 2nd place, 1992; team captain for cross country, indoor track, outdoor track, 1991-92.

After graduating from Danbury High School in 1992, Chris, a National Honor Society student, continued his studies and athletic career at the University of Virginia.  Due to his knee injury, it was another two years before Chris was able to reach his full potential. In his third year at UVA, he finished 12th at the ACC Championship. In his last year at UVA, he was elected cross country team captain. Finishing first for the team in the majority of their races, he was honored as the team MVP.        

Chris graduated, with honors, from the University of Virginia in 1996.  In 1997, Chris completed his Master’s degree in Management Information Systems, graduating in the top ten of his UVA class. After graduation, Chris continues to run, completing several marathons, including the New York City Marathon.  He completed the Marine Corps Marathon in two hours and 41 minutes, placing him in 25th place.