Boys Pre-Season Rankings (11-20)
by Brandon Jones
#11 Concord Minutemen
New Haven Semistate #3
2007 Results:
Elkhart Central Sectional: 2nd place (38 points)
Elkhart Central Regional: 4th place (120 points)
New Haven Semistate: 9th place (269 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the New Haven Semistate):
Daniel Zelaya (10) – 16:58 (47th place)
Andrew Witkowski (11) – 16:59 (48th place)
Benjamin Clark (12) – 17:21 (75th place)
Brian Willoughby (11) – 17:32 (84th place)
Todd Dion (11) – 17:35 (88th place)
Joel Contreras (11) – 17:44 (96th place)
Andrew Malcolm (12) – 17:53 (103rd place)
2008 Outlook:
Concord was one of the true surprise stories of last fall. The Minutemen will not be able to fly under the radar this time around as they return all seven runners that helped the team finish ninth last year at New Haven. The Minutemen utilize a runner by committee method that works well for them. All of their runners are interchangeable and strike quickly. Expect Concord to make a run towards Terre Haute this fall and make a podium run in 2009.
#12 Huntington North Vikings
New Haven Semistate #4
2007 Results:
Marion Sectional: 1st place (19 points)
Marion Regional: 1st place (38 points)
New Haven Semistate: 5th place (183 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 13th place (360 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the New Haven Semistate):
Ross Ochs (11) – 16:20 (10th place)
Josh Graham (11) – 17:07 (53rd place)
Sam Doughty (10) – 17:09 (59th place)
Austin Roberts (11) – 17:26 (78th place)
Isaiah Laatsch (12) – 18:34 (133rd place)
2008 Outlook:
Huntington North has a great front runner in Ochs and a nice supporting cast through four runners. The question begins with the fifth and final scorer. They only had six finishers at the New Haven Semistate last season, where they finished fifth. Then junior Justin Glancy (who does not appear in the semistate results) ran in the other two rounds and could provide some much needed help at that fifth spot. The Vikings are not only thinking about a repeat trip to Terre Haute, but a possible podium finish. If all goes well, they could be in the title mix in 2009.
#13 McCutcheon Mavericks
New Prairie Semistate #2
2007 Results:
Harrison (West Lafayette) Sectional: 1st place (30 points)
Harrison (West Lafayette) Regional: 1st place (25 points)
New Prairie Semistate: 2nd place (78 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 7th place (232 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the New Prairie Semistate):
Ross Russell (12) – 16:27 (13th place)
Robby Stewart (12) – 16:39 (19th place)
Albaro Escalera (12) – 16:45 (23rd place)
Jared Worthington (11) – 17:51 (89th place)
Mitchel Cox (11) – 17:56 (96th place)
2008 Outlook:
McCutcheon had a great season in 2008, but has a sour taste in their mouths after a disappointing seventh place finish in Terre Haute. Few teams in the state can match the Mavericks through three runners and that should bode well for another state finals bid. However, the lack of depth after three is too large for any team with podium aspirations. Worthington had a great track season, so perhaps that will carry him to an equally solid cross country campaign. If so, expect McCutcheon to compete for the New Prairie Semistate title and a top 10 spot.
#14 Seymour Owls
Bedford North Lawrence Semistate #2
2007 Results:
Bedford North Lawrence Sectional: 1st place (27 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Regional: 1st place (34 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Semistate: 2nd place (134 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 19th place (410 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Bedford North Lawrence Semistate):
Nolan Fife (11) – 16:39 (21st place)
David Schultz (12) – 17:01 (44th place)
Steven Turner (11) – 17:03 (46th place)
Zach Toppe (11) – 17:04 (48th place)
Mark Fisher (12) – 18:32 (126th place)
Kyle McCauley (11) – 18:48 (135th place)
2008 Outlook:
The Owls had a tremendous postseason and benefited greatly from three consecutive runs on the Bedford North Lawrence Semistate course. Last time out, Seymour had a nice mix that included a nice 1-2 punch followed by a tight knit pack in the middle. Now Fife assumes the front running duties and three other scorers from last year are back. However, no one in the state needs a #5 man as bad as Seymour. They can get away with it until state time, when a #5 over 18 minutes usually spells doom.
#15 Perry Central Commodores
Bedford North Lawrence Semistate #3
2007 Results:
Jasper Sectional: 1st place (44 points)
Crawford County Regional: 3rd place (82 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Semistate: 6th place (198 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 24th place (602 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Bedford North Lawrence Semistate):
Jake Schwartz (11) – 16:43 (22nd place)
Michael Ernst (11) – 17:14 (59th place)
Eric Scheiber (10) – 17:16 (62nd place)
Ian Bashor (10) – 17:27 (74th place)
Neal Schwartz (10) – 17:47 (89th place)
2008 Outlook:
Perry Central’s run to the state finals last fall was astounding not only because of their small enrollment, but because of their overall team youth. Two sophomores and three freshmen made up the squad that snuck into the final position at Bedford North Lawrence. Furthermore, the Commodores ran poorly at the state finals and will be motivated to get back and improve on their last place finish. The scary part about Perry Central lies in that they are still young. 2009 could be a very special year for the Commodores should they buy in and go for it.
#16 Heritage Christian Eagles
Franklin Central Semistate #7
2007 Results:
Brebeuf Jesuit Sectional: 4th place (114 points)
Brebeuf Jesuit Regional: 9th place (242 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Brebeuf Jesuit Regional):
Nick Thompson (12) – 16:48 (37th place)
Kimber Shaw (12) – 16:55 (40th place)
Colin Cummins (12) – 17:15 (52nd place)
Taylor Story (10) – 17:19 (57th place)
2008 Outlook:
The Eagles gained some valuable experience in competing in the Brebeuf Jesuit Regional last season. Heritage Christian placed a disappointing ninth, but that experience should make them even more hungry entering 2008. They were not extremely deep last time around, but do return the nucleus of front runners that got the job done last fall. If they can find one more piece, Heritage Christian could be a compelling story line in the always competitive Franklin Central Semistate.
#17 Valparaiso Vikings
New Prairie Semistate #3
2007 Results:
Chesterton Sectional: 4th place (80 points)
New Prairie Regional: 4th place (112 points)
New Prairie Semistate: 11th place (285 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the New Prairie Semistate):
Brendan Pope (12) – 17:03 (39th place)
Kevin Costalunga (12) – 17:28 (59th place)
Matthew Burgess (12) – 17:40 (74th place)
John Nuppnau (11) – 17:48 (85th place)
John Miller (12) – 17:59 (99th place)
John Westmoreland (11) – 18:01 (103rd place)
2008 Outlook:
Valparaiso had the unfortunate circumstance of following three of the six teams that qualified out of the New Prairie semistate throughout the entirety of the tournament series. They took their lumps and placed fourth in the first two rounds before just missing out on the top 10 at the semistate. The 2008 edition of the Vikings is eerily similar to the state runner-up squad they put on the course in 2005. They do not have a scary front running threat, but have a handful of athletes that will strike quickly and will improve steadily. Valparaiso qualifying for the state meet is almost an expectation year in and year out and the Vikings should return in 2008.
#18 Fort Wayne Northrop Bruins
New Haven Semistate #5
2007 Results:
Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional: 2nd place (48 points)
West Noble Regional: 2nd place (69 points)
New Haven Semistate: 2nd place (94 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 8th place (266 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the New Haven Semistate):
Cedrick Hannah (11) – 16:43 (28th place)
Erin Milton (11) – 16:48 (31st place)
Cyrus Brinegar (11) – 17:08 (57th place)
2008 Outlook:
Fort Wayne Northrop will be another squad searching for an identity early on in 2008. The Bruins lose four of seven athletes from their eighth place finish last fall. Sam Bird is now gone and his brief tenure as the Bruins’ top runner goes along with him. The three remaining athletes must all push one another to be the best they can be. Fort Wayne Northrop usually has the luxury of a great reserve squad which could help them, especially early on this season. They appear to be right in the mix for another trip to state, but a repeat top 10 performance is unlikely.
#19 Warren Central Warriors
Franklin Central Semistate #8
2007 Results:
New Palestine Sectional: 2nd place (37 points)
Rushville Regional: 2nd place (55 points)
Franklin Central Semistate: 7th place (210 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Franklin Central Semistate):
Caleb Pack (12) – 16:04 (12th place)
Ryan Daugherty (12) – 17:04 (72nd place)
Sean O’Brien (10) – 17:28 (99th place)
2008 Outlook:
Warren Central suffered some key graduation losses from last season’s seventh place semistate finishing squad. It does not appear that the Warriors are in position to make the leap to the state finals as they will be searching the lineup for missing pieces early on this season. Pack is the only remaining member of Warren’s back to back state championship squads and should qualify individually if all goes well. If he wishes to take his team along with him, some soul searching will have to take place, but Warren usually does boast a fairly solid core of junior varsity runners willing to step up.
#20 Indianapolis Cathedral Fighting Irish
Franklin Central Semistate #9
2007 Results:
Brebeuf Jesuit Sectional: 3rd place (72 points)
Brebeuf Jesuit Regional: 8th place (175 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Brebeuf Jesuit Regional):
James Ricker (11) – 16:12 (13th place)
William O’Herren (11) – 16:51 (37th place)
John Gibbons (12) – 17:07 (46th place)
2008 Outlook:
Indianapolis Cathedral returns four of the seven athletes that represented the Fighting Irish at last fall’s Brebeuf Jesuit Regional. Ricker and O’Herren (who had a poor race at the regional) are one of the state’s best 1-2 punches and will make some noise in 2008. They need a couple more complementary pieces if they wish to compete in the tough central Indiana area. If the Irish can improve down the line and find a fourth and fifth man, they will be right in the mix for a state finals berth this season.
( Boys 21-30 Teams )