COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — Just hours after the 2023 Florida Python Challenge concluded Sunday evening, a soon-to-be college freshman made a catch that could have won the tournament. 

“It was an adrenaline rush like no other,” described Jack Cronin, the recent Bishop Verot High School grad who wrangled the massive reptile. 

Cronin, on his first python hunt alongside experts and record-holders “The Glades Boys,” was able to spot and control one of largest snakes seen in recent memory. 

“That was my first python I ever jumped on. I’ve caught little snakes, that was my first python I’d ever seen,” said Cronin. 

A final examination showed the snake was 15-foot 6-inches long, and weighed about 86 pounds. 

“Of course I wanna jump on it. So I jumped on it, grabbed its head. Then the thing went nuts and it turned into a wrestling match,” added Cronin. 

The catch was made about five hours after the Python Challenge had concluded. 

“There were hundreds of people out there looking for these snakes. Right after the tournament ended… this would have won the tournament for sure,” said Cronin.