Boys Pre-Season Rankings (31-40)
by Brandon Jones
#31 Martinsville Artesians
Bedford North Lawrence Semistate #6
2007 Results:
Brown County Sectional: 3rd place (79 points)
Brown County Regional: 7th place (159 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Brown County Regional):
Matt Astleford (12) 17:04 (22nd place)
Taylor Lowry (11) 17:11 (24th place)
Nick McGrew (10) 17:13 (25th place)
Jace Lowry (10) 17:54 (48th place)
Curtis Craven (12) 17:54 (49th place)
Clifford Marr (11) 18:16 (58th place)
2008 Outlook:
Martinsville will be looking to return to the state finals for the first time in a long while in 2008. The Artesians appear primed to do so behind six of the runners who toed the line at last seasons Brown County Regional, where they finished a disappointing seventh. Martinsville has all of the ingredients to take the next step as they have a solid top three returning, along with a couple of complementary parts. Jace Lowry, a freshman last time out, narrowly missed advancing to the state finals in track this past spring, so expect big improvements on his part.
#32 Goshen Redskins
New Haven Semistate #8
2007 Results:
Elkhart Central Sectional: 5th place (125 points)
Elkhart Central Regional: 7th place (167 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Elkhart Central Regional):
Cameron Miller (12) 16:34 (11th place)
Luke Jacobs (10) 17:26 (44th place)
Tyler Wynn (10) 17:29 (46th place)
James Minier (11) 17:44 (57th place)
Gustavo Hernandez (12) 18:18 (69th place)
2008 Outlook:
Goshen narrowly advanced from the sectional round in 2007, and failed to advance beyond the Elkhart Central Regional where they placed seventh. The Redskins are looking to take the next step this time around and perhaps even more. They return five of their top seven runners including two who were freshmen last time around. If they can grow up and narrow the gap to their front runner Miller, Goshen could be in the mix for a berth out of New Haven to Terre Haute.
#33 Ben Davis Giants
Franklin Central Semistate #16
2007 Results:
Ben Davis Sectional: 1st place (35 points)
Ben Davis Regional: 1st place (58 points)
Franklin Central Semistate: 10th place (233 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Franklin Central Semistate):
Traishaun Johnson (11) 16:25 (28th place)
Joshua Williams (11) 17:14 (88th place)
Luke Thomas (11) 17:58 (124th place)
Ryan Taylor (11) 18:05 (126th place)
2008 Outlook:
Ben Davis had a resurgence to prominence in 2007 topping it off with a top 10 semistate finish. A lack of depth ultimately cost to Giants a state finals bid. This season, that lack of depth (former 6-7 runners) turns into critical scoring points. Those athletes must narrow the gap on teammate Joshua Williams if the Giants are going to be competitive in central Indiana. However, Johnson, coming off a tremendous track season has an excellent chance to grab a top 15 spot and earn an individual trip to Terre Haute.
#34 Indianapolis Roncalli Rebels
Franklin Central Semistate #17
2007 Results:
New Palestine Sectional: 3rd place (73 points)
Rushville Regional: 3rd place (76 points)
Franklin Central Semistate: 15th place (396 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Franklin Central Semistate):
Alex Shoettle (11) 16:58 (65th place)
Zach Zobel (12) 17:26 (98th place)
Jason Taulman (12) 17:31 (101st place)
Nathan Luebbehusen (11) 17:41 (108th place)
Devin Roach (11) 17:58 (123rd place)
2008 Outlook:
Indianapolis Roncalli had a respectable 2007 campaign. They follow perennial powers Franklin Central and Warren Central all the way through the tournament series, which makes titles tough to come by. However, the Rebels not only held their own, but also turned some heads along the way. 2008 should be another good year for Indianapolis Roncalli. They return five of their top seven runners from last seasons semistate finishing squad. The Rebels should have hopes of returning there this season.
#35 Fort Wayne Snider Panthers
New Haven Semistate #9
2007 Results:
Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional: 4th place (106 points)
West Noble Regional: 6th place (165 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the West Noble Regional):
Ethan Wappes (11) 17:11 (34th place)
Isaiah Ordaz (11) 17:27 (42nd place)
Bisrat Desta (10) 17:33 (44th place)
Eric Hunkler (11) 17:44 (48th place)
Alex Clore (12) 18:02 (55th place)
Cody Sengthong (11) 18:12 (56th place)
2008 Outlook:
The 2007 West Noble Regional was a tough day for Fort Wayne Snider. The team missed out on advancing to the semistate by a mere four points. Also, front runner Colin Vance was in the position that all runners hate to look back on
16th. After a great track season, Vance is gone, but back are the remaining six runners that toed the line last postseason. Expect the Panthers to take the next step this time and possibly challenge for a state meet berth. If not, they will gain valuable experience for a great 2009 campaign.
#36 Silver Creek Dragons
Bedford North Lawrence Semi-State #7
2007 Results:
Southwestern (Hanover) Sectional: 1st place (25 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Regional: 2nd place (65 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Semistate: 7th place (206 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Bedford North Lawrence Semistate):
Brendan Chwalek (12) 16:05 (7th place)
Spencer Robinson (12) 17:18 (64th place)
Jack Eckert (11) 17:19 (65th place)
Aaron Beck (11) 17:47 (90th place)
Cole Rice (11) 18:04 (110th place)
2008 Outlook:
Eight points. That is all that separated Silver Creek and a state finals berth in 2007. The Dragons had an up and down campaign and just missed out on the big show. Chwalek went on his own as an individual and needs to light a fire in his teammates if they wish to take the next step. They are solid through three runners, but their 4-5 need to close the gap and approach the 17 minute barrier. An insurance policy would not hurt either in the form of a reliable 6-7. If so, the Dragons have an excellent chance to make it to Terre Haute. If not, Chwalek is probably taking the lonely bus ride once again.
#37 LaPorte Slicers
New Prairie Semistate #4
2007 Results:
Chesterton Sectional: 1st place (18 points)
New Prairie Regional: 1st place (28 points)
New Prairie Semistate: 1st place (74 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 2nd place (112 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the New Prairie Semistate):
Matthew Miller (12) 16:17 (6th place)
Corbin Slater (12) 17:45 (81st place)
2008 Outlook:
The Slicers will definitely be reeling in the absence of 2007 state champion Michael Fout. However, Fout is not the only one departing. Gone is Kiel Lovekin and Tyler Toll, two staples in LaPortes run to the runner-up spot in Terre Haute last season. Fouts absence this spring allowed Matthew Miller to gain some key experience as a top runner and he rode all the way to a solid 3200 meter finish. Miller is the only scorer back from last season, but incoming freshman Mitch Hubner is expected to contribute immediately. Add some hungry junior varsity runners into the mix and who knows? Another podium finish is probably out of reach, but LaPorte could still make the trip to Terre Haute for the second year in a row.
#38 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger Saints
New Haven Semistate #10
2007 Results:
Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional: 5th place (115 points)
West Noble Regional: 5th place (161 points)
New Haven Semistate: 13th place (333 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the New Haven Semistate):
Luke Momper (11) 17:14 (64th place)
Ryan McAleavey (11) 17:38 (90th place)
Patrick Brunner (12) 17:47 (97th place)
Andy Brennan (11) 17:59 (110th place)
Doug Bennett (11) 18:00 (116th place)
2008 Outlook:
The Saints are riding high after a strong finish in 2007. After finishing fifth in the Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional, Bishop Dwenger came back to avenge losses to Fort Wayne Snider and Fort Wayne North Side a few days later to advance to the New Haven Semistate. They return five runners from that team and are looking to improve upon their 13th place finish. They can do so, if all runners do their job and drop about 20-30 seconds. A top ten finish this time around is a definite possibility.
#39 Edgewood Mustangs
Bedford North Lawrence Semistate #8
2007 Results:
Brown County Sectional: 4th place (87 points)
Brown County Regional: 5th place (154 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Semistate: 14th place (330 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Bedford North Lawrence Semistate):
Blake Hover (12) 16:48 (14th place)
Cole Reinhold (10) 16:59 (41st place)
Harrison Carmichael (12) 17:54 (100th place)
Caleb Goss (11) 17:56 (101st place)
Justin Sherwood (11) 18:13 (115th place)
Ethan Loeper (12) 18:29 (123rd place)
Matt Mest (12) 19:31 (149th place)
2008 Outlook:
The Mustangs are one of few teams in the state to return all seven runners who toed the line at last years semistate level of competition. They have a solid 1-2 punch in Hover and Reinhold. Hover could challenge for a state berth on his own, but would like to take his team along with him. For Edgewood to do so, they need their remaining athletes to close the gap on the top two. Carmichael and Goss need to step it up and bring the rest along with. Expect Edgewood to be in the mix for a trip to Terre Haute If all goes well.
#40 Mount Vernon (Fortville) Marauders
New Haven Semistate #11
2007 Results:
Pendleton Heights Sectional: 2nd place (56 points)
Delta Regional: 5th place (99 points)
New Haven Semistate: 16th place (390 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the New Haven Semistate):
Mike Mead (12) 16:55 (43rd place)
Austen Barnes (11) 17:20 (72nd place)
Jalen Mayney (11) 17:32 (82nd place)
Alek Cappelletti (11) 18:00 (114th place)
Jordan Mattick (12) 18:12 (120th place)
Keegan Vail (11) 18:40 (141st place)
2008 Outlook:
Mount Vernon (Fortville) has an excellent group of runners back from last years 16th place semistate squad. They expect to improve upon that as their top six runners all return. Mead must improve steadily to grab a low number as the meets get larger. It will be up to the other five guys to do their part in dropping time as well. A state bid is probably out of reach, but a top ten semistate finish is not out of the question and should be the Marauders goal.
( Boys 41-50 Teams )