Maybe we have different definitions of "good", which is what he asked about. I don't think it's fair for you to call me negative. If you think I'm out of touch with reality, fine, but I gave an honest opinion, gave him a point of comparison to other beginning runners, and then told him he could run great times someday with hard work. How is that negative?
Here, let's see who's right about freshman cross country runners. This is the usually the first invitational of the year in my home state. For many freshmen, this will be their first race ever:
http://www.mysportsresults.com/Results/XC2007/Windham07.htmlThe freshman boys and girls run a 2.1 mile course. Let me convert his 21:35 and see how it compares. From McMillan's calculator, 21:35 = 13:15 for two miles. If he can hold that same pace for 2.1 miles over grass (a very generous assumption), that would be 13:55.
In the girls' freshman race...well, you are absolutely right, he would have won. I can only assume most freshman girls cannot run 21:35 their first time out as I initially stated. I was wrong about the girls.
Against the boys, 13:55 would place him 52nd out of 241 competitors.
So use that as your point of reference. You are faster than almost any 14 year old female beginner, but there are still many 14 year old male beginners who would beat you. You have a ways to go, but just like these freshman boys, with work you will definitely improve.