Boys Pre-Season Rankings (1-10)
by Brandon Jones
#1 Carmel Greyhounds
Franklin Central Semistate #1
2007 Results:
Carmel Sectional: 2nd place (43 points)
Brebeuf Jesuit Regional: 2nd place (38 points)
Franklin Central Semistate: 2nd place (93 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 3rd place (142 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Franklin Central Semistate):
Daniel Kinn (12) 16:03 (9th place)
J.D. Smith (12) 16:11 (16th place)
Logan Rosenberg (12) 16:16 (20th place)
Tom Ohlman (11) 16:32 (32nd place)
Brian Bates (12) 16:48 (46th place)
Daniel Porter (11) 16:57 (63rd place)
2008 Outlook:
Carmel will be looking to return to its rightful place atop the leader board at the cross country state finals. Though hard to believe, it has been 12 years since the Hounds last hoisted the championship trophy. With legendary coach Chuck Koeppen retiring after this season, what better storyline could there be? Carmel returns six runners that placed third in Terre Haute last season, including four seniors. If they stay hungry and run with their mentor in mind, Carmel is the team to beat in 2008.
#2 Carroll (Fort Wayne) Chargers
New Haven Semistate #1
2007 Results:
Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional: 1st place (33 points)
West Noble Regional: 1st place (51 points)
New Haven Semistate: 3rd place (96 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 6th place (212 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the New Haven Semistate):
James Martin (10) 15:37 (1st place)
Austin Kilmer (12) 16:29 (18th place)
Robert Kleber (12) 16:38 (25th place)
Michael Nussa (12) 16:52 (38th place)
Nickolas Card (12) 16:53 (40th place)
Bradley Hess (10) 16:56 (44th place)
2008 Outlook:
Sophomore phenom James Martins run to a runner-up finish at last years state finals was the overwhelming storyline after the race. In 2008, Martin hopes that people are talking about his team much more this time around. The Chargers are poised to make a state title run after missing the podium by only five points last season. They are ready to do so behind Martin and a great group of seniors. It will be interesting to see how the sophomore recovers after shutting it down this past track season. However, the state title will be decided long after Martin has crossed the line as it will be up to the remaining runners to steadily improve and drop time.
#3 Fishers Tigers
Franklin Central Semistate #2
2007 Results:
Carmel Sectional: 1st place (35 points)
Brebeuf Jesuit Regional: 1st place (35 points)
Franklin Central Semistate: 1st place (65 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 1st place (102 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Franklin Central Semistate):
Drew Shields (12) 15:45 (2nd place)
Alex Shields (12) 16:11 (18th place)
Josh Millares (10) 16:30 (30th place)
Omavi Ceasar (11) 16:44 (43rd place)
2008 Outlook:
Fishers won its first ever state championship in any sport last fall by holding off LaPorte for the state title. Back are four runners from that team, including senior Drew Shields. Shields, who is coming off of a tremendous track season, will have some high individual goals in 2008, but the team will have the goal of repeating. They have an excellent chance and only need to find one more complementary piece to finish the scoring. They had a nice group of guys after the top seven last season, so look for some new faces to step in and continue the excellence that Fishers showed in 2007.
#4 Franklin Central Flashes
Franklin Central Semistate #3
2007 Results:
New Palestine Sectional: 1st place (29 points)
Rushville Regional: 1st place (41 points)
Franklin Central Semistate: 4th place (160 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 11th place (321 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Franklin Central Semistate):
Scott Lasiter (12) 15:56 (6th place)
Joe Talhelm (12) 16:18 (22nd place)
Zach Jenkins (12) 16:22 (26th place)
Michael Whyde (11) 16:59 (68th place)
2008 Outlook:
Franklin Central has become a constant in the Indiana cross country world. The Flashes seem to reload very quickly and 2008 will be no exception. Franklin Central returns their top three athletes from last seasons state run including front runner Scott Lasiter who is poised for big things. Finding a fifth and final scorer should not be difficult as Franklin Central has been in this position before. A very talented group of incoming freshmen who won the middle school state championship in 2007 will figure into the mix and give the Flashes legitimate title hopes.
#5 Columbus North Bulldogs
Franklin Central Semistate #4
2007 Results:
Edinburgh Sectional: 2nd place (46 points)
Greensburg Regional: 3rd place (52 points)
Franklin Central Semistate: 5th place (188 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 10th place (287 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Franklin Central Semistate):
Evan Scruton (11) 16:39 (36th place)
Zach Gates (12) 16:40 (38th place)
Gabe Ocasio (10) 16:55 (60th place)
Tim Hofmeister (10) 17:04 (74th place)
Corbin Brooks (11) 17:19 (92nd place)
2008 Outlook:
Columbus North looks poised to make yet another run towards a state title. The Bulldogs are in the mix, but will miss the front running capabilities of graduated senior John Pence. The Bulldogs return five runners from last seasons 10th place state finals team and usually has a handful of talented junior varsity guys that are ready to step in to larger roles. Also, the Bulldogs are known for vast improvements as their athletes progress through the program so the younger runners from last time will be ready to take Columbus North to the next level.
#6 Northridge Raiders
New Haven Semistate #2
2007 Results:
Elkhart Central Sectional: 1st place (30 points)
Elkhart Central Regional: 1st place (26 points)
New Haven Semistate: 1st place (39 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 4th place (151 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the New Haven Semistate):
Andrew Albert (12) 15:59 (4th place)
Mitch Keyser (12) 16:18 (7th place)
Trevor Moore (10) 16:22 (15th place)
Taylor Bontrager (12) 16:36 (22nd place)
Thomas Fearnow (12) 18:44 (143rd place)
2008 Outlook:
Northridge was close to shocking the state last season as they dominated the first three rounds of the tournament series before running a bit subpar in Terre Haute. The Raiders feature the states 1-4 punch and if cross county only scored teams through four athletes, Northridge would undoubtedly be the team to beat. However, that is not the case and Northridge is hurting at the fifth spot. The Raiders used a couple of different combinations last season at the 6-7 spots and those runners will be forced into a scoring role this season. Northridge will be in the hunt for the title, but could become a favorite to win it if their fifth man can drop considerable time.
#7 Chesterton Trojans
New Prairie Semistate #1
2007 Results:
Chesterton Sectional: 2nd place (58 points)
New Prairie Regional: 2nd place (55 points)
New Prairie Semistate: 4th place (152 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 14th place (373 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the New Prairie Semistate):
David Osborn (11) 16:23 (11th place)
Thomas Halpin (10) 17:01 (38th place)
Shane Kenney (11) 17:12 (48th place)
Jon Rogers (11) 17:28 (60th place)
Ian Smith (11) 17:41 (75th place)
Chris Noel (11) 17:44 (79th place)
2008 Outlook:
Chesterton looks like the team to beat in northwest Indiana. The Trojans return six of their top seven runners from last seasons 14th place state finals team. Osborn will continue to lead Chesterton after a nice run in 2007. The Trojans should have podium expectations in 2008 with a possible run at the title in 2009 as all of the above runners will once again return. Chesterton needs Osborn to do his thing and have the rest of the pack drop about 20-30 seconds if they want to be in the mix for medals in Terre Haute.
#8 Westfield Shamrocks
Franklin Central Semistate #5
2007 Results:
Carmel Sectional: 6th place (126 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Carmel Sectional):
Colby Shiver (11) 16:30 (18th place)
Dustin Neff (12) 16:37 (20th place)
Connor Martin (10) 16:44 (21st place)
Shay McDowell (11) 17:15 (30th place)
Ethan Fry (11) 17:21 (37th place)
Jonathan Cintas (12) 17:26 (38th place)
Nathan Crum (12) 18:13 (48th place)
2008 Outlook:
No team is looking forward to the 2008 season more than Westfield. After finishing sixth at the ridiculously difficult Carmel Sectional, the Shamrocks return all seven runners this time around. They will be looking to make a statement of their own after their girls squad has taken Indiana by storm recently. The Shamrocks are in great position to make a run to the state finals and possibly challenging for a podium spot. If they can stay hungry all season long, it is tough to see anyone keeping Westfield from achieving all of their team goals in 2008.
#9 Noblesville Millers
Franklin Central Semistate #6
2007 Results:
Carmel Sectional: 4th place (114 points)
Brebeuf Jesuit Regional: 4th place (130 points)
Franklin Central Semistate: 6th place (195 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 12th place (336 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Franklin Central Semistate):
Collin Ginebaugh (10) 16:41 (39th place)
Blake Dircksen (12) 16:46 (45th place)
Cody Marowski (11) 16:52 (56th place)
Jake Waterman (12) 17:36 (104th place)
2008 Outlook:
Noblesville had an up and down campaign in 2007. The ups were more prominent than the downs as Noblesville was left for dead following a disappointing sectional performance. But the Millers regrouped and grabbed the last spot at the Franklin Central Semistate. Expect Dircksen to have a tremendous campaign and be among the states best. The Millers have a great chance to make another state meet run and help should come from a good group of junior varsity runners from last season.
#10 Terre Haute North Patriots
Bedford North Lawrence Semistate #1
2007 Results:
Terre Haute North Sectional: 1st place (29 points)
Brown County Regional: 1st place (54 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Semistate: 4th place (151 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 16th place (380 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Bedford North Lawrence Semistate):
Brandon Query (12) 16:34 (17th place)
John Mascari (10) 16:54 (32nd place)
John Davis (11) 17:09 (53rd place)
Brian Depasse (10) 17:33 (79th place)
Milton Brinza (10) 17:43 (84th place)
2008 Outlook:
Undoubtedly, Terre Haute North will miss the front running services provided by the graduated Zach Mayhew. However, the Patriots have an excellent chance to improve on last seasons 16th place state meet finish. Query now takes over the front running duties and has a nice core group of youngsters in tow. He will be counted on heavily as a senior leader and has a great shot at scoring a single-digit figure at the semistate level. If the Patriots improve behind him, expect them to represent themselves well on their home course in the 2008 edition of the state finals.
( Boys 11-20 Teams )