#1 – Carmel Greyhounds
Shelbyville Semi-state #1
Noblesville Regional #1
State meet history: 39 appearances (last in 2019), 35 podium finishes (last in 2019), 8 runner-up titles (1981, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2009), 18 state championships (1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
2019 Results:
Noblesville Sectional: 3rd place (77 points)
Noblesville Regional: 1st place (58 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 2nd place (95 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 3rd place (162 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-state)
Brooklynn Edwards (12) – 19:06 (16th place)
Jamie Kavon (11) – 19:12 (20th place)
Brooke Waldal (12) – 19:22 (27th place)
Alivia Romaniuk (11) – 19:23 (28th place)
Roni Ledezma (12) – 20:04 (52nd place)
Lily Rose (11) – 20:09 (54th place)
2020 Outlook: Depth is the name of the game for Carmel in 2020. The Greyhounds have five in the top 50 on inccstats’ preseason projections, and they return seven who competed in either the semi-state or state meet in 2019. The above list of returners doesn’t even include sophomore Jasmine Klopstad who finished 28th in Terre Haute last fall. In addition to those with bona fide high school accomplishments, the number one ‘Hound this fall might be a freshman whose 10:19 3k performance at the Hamilton County middle school race would have been good enough for her to finish third in the boys race that day. Senior Annie Christie (2:21 and 5:06) and senior Abby Parker (11:30) both had promising starts to a track season that ended prematurely. Each ran in the state meet as sophomores in 2018 and figure to factor into the scoring at points this season. The ‘Hounds could be looking to end Carroll’s mini-dynasty by starting another of their own.
#2 – Fort Wayne Carroll Chargers
New Haven Semi-state #1
West Noble Regional #1
State meet history: 17 appearances (last in 2019), 8 podium finishes (last in 2019), 3 runner-up titles (2015, 2016, 2017), 2 state championships (2018, 2019)
2019 Results:
Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional: 1st place (25 points)
West Noble Regional: 1st place (34 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 1st place (50 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 1st place (101 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-State)
Zoe Duffus (12) – 17:33 (2nd place)
Ashlyn Minton (12) – 18:51 (16th place)
Shelby Christman (12) – 18:53 (17th place)
Brooke Hansen (11) – 19:10 (23rd place)
Madalyn Ruch (11) – 19:31 (30th place)
2020 Outlook: The hunt for a three-peat begins for the Chargers after dominating wins at the state meet the past two seasons. Like last year, Carroll enters the season ranked second after a championship, and similar to 2019, five return from the seven who competed in the state finals. With senior Zoe Duffus, Carroll enjoys the benefit of essentially scoring four runners. Senior Ashlyn Minton was also All-State last fall and has run on both of Carroll’s title teams along with junior Brooke Hansen. Senior Shelby Christman, the Chargers’ fifth runner at the state meet last fall, may take a leap forward in performance after running 5:20 and 11:15 indoors before the cancellation of the track season. The Chargers will also get at least one potentially impactful freshman, which could help shore up the depth. This will be the biggest challenge that Carroll faces over this three-year run in what could potentially be its last stand with such a senior-laden line-up.
#3 – Columbus North Bull Dogs
Brown County Semi-state #1
State meet history: 35 appearances (last in 2019), 18 podium finishes (last in 2019), 3 runner-up titles (1986, 2010, 2011), 1 state championship (2009)
2019 Results:
Brown County Sectional: 1st place (16 points)
Columbus North Regional: 1st place (20 points)
Brown County Semi-state: 1st place (57 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 5th place (195 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-State)
Mackenzie Barnett (12) – 19:05 (3rd place)
Brianna Newell (10) – 19:24 (6th place)
Lily Baker (10) – 19:24 (7th place)
Jessica Meza (10) – 20:13 (35th place)
Ellen White (10) – 20:44 (55th place)
Aric Tong (12) – 21:29 (7th place)
2020 Outlook: This is the first of our title contenders. The Bull Dogs return three potential All-State runners, possibly the top trio in the state. North has six back from a podium team, including the aforementioned three who all finished in the top 50 at the state meet last year. The Dogs were third last year in scoring through four runners at the state meet, only ultimately to finish fifth. To win this fall, North will need the trio of senior Mackenzie Barnett and sophomores Brianna Newell and Lily Baker to finish in or near the top 20 while developing its depths to finish scoring at four and five. With three other freshmen getting extensive varsity action last year, improving its roster behind the stars seems likely.
#4 – Hamilton Southeastern Royals
New Haven Semi-state #2
State meet history: 8 appearances (last in 2019), 4 podium finishes (last in 2018), 1 runner-up title (2013)
2019 Results:
Pendleton Heights Sectional: 2nd place (44 points)
Delta Regional: 2nd place (69 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 4th place (168 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 15th place (344 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-state)
Halle Hill (12) – 18:31 (7th place)
Lilly Patrick (12) – 19:36 (35th place)
Grace Newton (10) – 19:43 (39th place)
Ellie Johnson (12) – 19:59 (56th place)
Jenna McLean (12) – 20:02 (60th place)
Brooke Ratliff (12) – 20:39 (94th place)
2020 Outlook: The Royals return six from a state meet team, including two seniors who could be competing in a fourth state finals this fall. In fact, HSE can count 12 appearances among its returners this season. Senior Halle Hill has twice been All-State already in cross country. Behind her, the Royals have a formidable pack and a deep roster (51 participants in 2019). This is probably not quite a title contender based on what we know heading into the season, but Southeastern certainly has the look of a strong podium team this fall.
#5 – Bishop Chatard Trojans
Shelbyville Semi-state #2
Noblesville Regional #2
State meet history: 4 appearances (last in 2019)
2019 Results:
Brebeuf Sectional: 1st place (59 points)
Noblesville Regional: 4th place (107 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 4th place (149 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 11th place (309 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-state)
Lily Cridge (10) – 18:28 (2nd place)
Emily Loiselle (12) – 19:01 (15th place)
Mary Bea Sowinski (11) – 19:35 (34th place)
Alex Gantz (11) – 20:23 (63rd place)
Mayan Stickel (11) – 20:30 (72nd place)
Caroline Bell (10) – 21:49 (134th place)
2020 Outlook: The Trojans were the surprise team of 2019 but will not sneak up on anyone this fall. Sophomore Lily Cridge is an individual title contender after finishing eighth in her first high school season and looking improved from that to start the track season. Senior Emily Loiselle provides a steady number two, giving Chatard a great start to a potential podium team. The Trojans are not deep for a top five team—the drop off from their sixth to seventh runners in preseason projections was steep—but Chatard listed 68 participants in 2019 so it is possible that they find some help among the roster given the excitement surrounding the program after a trip to Terre Haute.
#6 – Noblesville Millers
Shelbyville Semi-state #3
Noblesville Regional #3
State meet history: 10 appearances (last in 2019), 3 podium finishes (last in 2016)
2019 Results:
Noblesville Sectional: 1st place (42 points)
Noblesville Regional: 2nd place (74 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 5th place (154 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 7th place (243 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-state)
Brooke Lahee (10) – 19:12 (19th place)
Paige Hazelrigg (10) – 19:49 (42nd place)
Bella Sharples-Gordon (12) – 19:59 (49th place)
Sophie Stahl (12) – 20:46 (83rd place)
2020 Outlook: The Millers have potential to be one of the state’s top teams in 2020 with three in inccstats’ preseason top 100 plus an incredibly talented incoming freshman class with one of the feeders winning both the middle school state championship and the Hamilton County championship. With two incoming freshmen ready to contribute right away plus three solid returners, Noblesville has the foundation of a possible podium team perhaps for the foreseeable future. Aaron Becker takes over for longtime coach Dennis Scheele, but the transition should be seamless after Becker worked as an assistant on both the cross and track teams previously.
#7 – Bloomington South Panthers
Brown County Semi-state #2
State meet history: 22 appearances (last in 2019)
2019 Results:
Bedford North Lawrence Sectional: 2nd place (52 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Regional: 2nd place (73 points)
Brown County Semi-state: 5th place (156 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 22nd place (485 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-State)
Abby Beathea (11) – 19:55 (27th place)
Emma Callahan (10) – 20:06 (33rd place)
Olivia Brummett (12) – 20:23 (38th place)
Lily Myers (10) – 20:25 (40th place)
Isabelle Rauh (12) – 20:58 (59th place)
Josie Lobring (12) – 21:06 (67th place)
2020 Outlook: The Panthers bring back six of seven for what could be their best team in school history. This is one of the deeper teams in the state (17 on inccstats’ top 1000 and 39 participants in 2019), though the line-up is devoid of a frontrunner in the larger, more competitive meets. In addition to the six returners who competed in the state finals, South’s 13th in a row, the Panthers had three of their top seven runners from the regular season miss the tournament. A healthy line-up should be an easy state meet team, competing for the top spot in the south as well as a possible podium finish, which would be a first in school history.
#8 – West Lafayette Red Devils
New Prairie Semi-state #1
State meet history: 17 appearances (last in 2019), 8 podium finishes (last in 2018), 1 runner-up title (2012)
2019 Results:
Harrison (West Lafayette) Sectional: 1st place (16 points)
Harrison (West Lafayette) Regional: 1st place (45 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 1st place (93 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 12th place (321 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Haley Mansfield (12) – 19:04 (6th place)
Alli Steffey (11) – 19:18 (14th place)
Annabel Prokopy (11) – 19:58 (34th place)
Amelia Simpson (12) – 20:06 (43rd place)
Abigail Serra (12) – 20:10 (45th place)
2020 Outlook: Currently at a streak of ten consecutive state meet appearances, the Red Devils enter this new season as a favorite to win their third straight semi-state championship with a group that could finish on the podium in Terre Haute. Junior Alli Steffey, 30th at the state meet last year, headlines a team with eight state meet appearances on the roster including three athletes that competed on West Side’s third-place team in 2018. Senior Haley Mansfield could also serve as the team’s top runner after finishing sixth at the semi-state and opening her track season with an 11:34 3200. This is not a large school (enrollment 738) or an especially big roster (21 participants), but the Devils have always found a way to stay competitive among the state’s elite programs for a long time now.
#9 – Fishers Tigers
New Haven Semi-state #3
State meet history: 6 appearances (last in 2019), 1 podium finish (2019)
2019 Results:
Pendleton Heights Sectional: 1st place (18 points)
Delta Regional: 1st place (30 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 2nd place (139 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 4th place (192 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-state)
Vera Schafer (11) – 19:25 (26th place)
Elizabeth Barrett (11) – 19:42 (38th place)
Laura Masoni (11) – 20:35 (91st place)
2020 Outlook: The Tigers are coming off their best year ever, a season that culminated in the first ascension of the state meet podium in the school’s relatively short history. Juniors Vera Schafer and Elizabeth Barrett were the team’s top two runners in that state meet race, both finishing in the top 50. Four others from last year’s semi-state and state meet line-ups graduate, and they won’t be easily replaced. Fishers did have a somewhat deep team last fall, though, and two others not listed from the semi-state results got valuable experience at some point in the tournament.
#10 – Zionsville Eagles
Shelbyville Semi-state #4
State meet history: 7 appearances (last in 2019), 5 podium finishes (last in 2019), 2 runner-up titles (2018, 2019), 1 state championship (2017)
2019 Results:
Ben Davis Sectional: 1st place (22 points)
Ben Davis Regional: 1st place (32 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 1st place (86 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 2nd place (143 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-state)
Lydia Moore (11) – 19:13 (21st place)
Grace Gongwer (11) – 19:56 (46th place)
2020 Outlook: This is the start of a new era of Zionsville girls cross country after the retirement of coach Suzanne Rigg, who guided the Eagles to all seven of their state meet appearances including top two finishes the last three years. Despite returning just two from last year’s top seven, the cupboard isn’t bare for new coach Chelsea Patterson to get to work. One of the Eagles’ feeders finished second at the state meet for middle schools with three eighth graders in the top 15 of the big school race. It’s likely that the Eagles take a step back from the team that has contended for the title in the last three seasons, but with a deep roster and strong newcomers this could still be a podium squad.
#11 – Fort Wayne Homestead Spartans
New Haven Semi-state #4
West Noble Regional #2
State meet history: 19 appearances (last in 2019), 1 podium finish (2016)
2019 Results:
Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional: 2nd place (67 points)
West Noble Regional: 3rd place (75 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 3rd place (145 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 9th place (287 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-State)
Amelia Faber (11) – 18:33 (10th place)
Reagan Albers (10) – 19:57 (49th place)
Elise Peckinpaugh (10) – 20:11 (70th place)
2020 Outlook: The Spartans, state meet qualifiers for the last eight seasons, may be in a bit of a very short rebuilding phase after graduating four runners from last year’s varsity. With an All-Stater in junior Amelia Faber back alongside two sophomores with Terre Haute experience, we expect Homestead to make it nine in a row and could possibly even improve on last year’s state finish (making it a short rebuilding process indeed). In addition to that returning trio, the middle school state champion in cross country last fall, who blitzed the challenging 3k course at Northview Church in 10:40 to win by 21 seconds, attended a Homestead feeder. Senior Claire Weidler showcase great improvement with a 12:11 performance 3200 to begin her track season; she could also be a difference maker this fall.
#12 – Northview Knights
Brown County Semi-state #3
State meet history: 2 appearances (last in 2019)
2019 Results:
Terre Haute North Sectional: 1st place (30 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Regional: 3rd place (94 points)
Brown County Semi-state: 4th place (154 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 24th place (536 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-State)
Evie Noel (11) – 19:50 (22nd place)
Halle Miller (10) – 19:52 (25th place)
Maisie Eldridge (10) – 20:11 (34th place)
Katie Morrison (10) – 20:17 (36th place)
Briley Shillings (10) – 20:43 (52nd place)
Delaney Trout (10) – 22:19 (119th place)
Lindy Beery (12) – 22:39 (131st place)
2020 Outlook: The Knights qualified for the state meet for just the second time in program history last year and, with five freshmen in that line-up, could be ready to run off several trips in a row to Terre Haute. Under the direction of coach Tim Rayle, who once coached a similarly sized school in DeKalb to many state appearances and one podium finish, Northview is also getting an influx of talent with this year’s freshman class that could supply multiple scorers and a new number one runner. This is a state meet lock for 2020 and a team to keep an eye on for future years.
#13 – Bloomington North Cougars
Brown County Semi-state #4
State meet history: 29 appearances (last in 2019), 4 podium finishes (last in 2007), 1 runner-up title (1982)
2019 Results:
Bedford North Lawrence Sectional: 1st place (29 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Regional: 1st place (36 points)
Brown County Semi-state: 2nd place (76 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 10th place (290 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-State)
Bea Cakmak (11) – 19:31 (10th place)
Avery Njau (11) – 19:50 (21st place)
Olivia Kaiser (12) – 19:58 (29th place)
2019 Outlook: The Cougars are a mainstay at the state meet in cross country, qualifying in 12 of the last 14 seasons. Though they bring just three back from last year’s top-ten team, North is likely to qualify again this year. In addition to the above trio, the Cougars had a freshman and a sophomore just shy of making the team’s top seven last fall. A younger line-up typically means great improvement from one season to the next. North does not have an incredibly deep line-up with 17 participants in 2019 and only five in the top 500 on inccstats so the margin of error is relatively thin. A talented freshman or two would be exceptionally helpful here.
#14 – North Central Panthers
Shelbyville Semi-state #5
Noblesville Regional #4
State meet history: 16 appearances (last in 2008), 6 podium finishes (last in 1994)
2019 Results:
Brebeuf Sectional: 5th place (91 points)
Noblesville Regional: 7th place (161 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Noblesville Regional)
Ellen Baker (12) – 19:10 (23rd place)
Lauren Botts (10) – 19:25 (33rd place)
Rahiwa Tezera (11) – 19:29 (37th place)
Sophia Tipmore (10) – 19:40 (42nd place)
Mary Edwards (10) – 19:42 (43rd place)
Margot Grotland (10) – 19:50 (47th place)
2020 Outlook: The Panthers are a program on the rise. Thought it has been many years since NC advanced from the loaded Noblesville Regional, this is a team with a good chance to go the distance with the top six from last season back. Senior Ellen Baker showcased great potential as a frontrunner in her shortened track season, running 5:15 for 1600 meters and 11:17 for 3200 meters indoors. In addition to her, junior Rahiwa Tezera ran 11:52 in the 3200 with sophomore Sophia Tipmore debuting in the event at 12:17, both early season performances that signify readiness to contribute to a potential state finalist. Expect NC to have its best team in nearly a decade, and maybe ever.
#15 – Valparaiso Vikings
New Prairie Semi-state #2
State meet history: 32 appearances (last in 2019), 12 podium finishes (last in 2011), 3 runner-up titles (2001, 2005, 2006), 5 state championships (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004)
2019 Results:
New Prairie Sectional: 1st place (54 points)
Chesterton Regional: 1st place (46 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 2nd place (115 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 8th place (259 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Aubree Foreman (11) – 19:19 (15th place)
Lillian Maldia (11) – 19:45 (28th place)
Grace Thomas (10) – 20:13 (47th place)
Emily Worthington (12) – 20:16 (49th place)
Sarah Worthington (12) – 20:56 (90th place)
2020 Outlook: Valparaiso, third in state history for state meet appearances behind only Carmel and Columbus North, appears likely to make its usual trip to Terre Haute as a team this fall despite the graduation of two key contributors. The Vikings have ten combined state meet appearances on this year’s roster. Emily and Sarah Worthington could be key for the Vikes in their senior seasons; they’ve combined for half of those ten state meet races dating back to their freshman year.
#16 – Edgewood Mustangs
Brown County Semi-state #5
State meet history: 4 appearances (last in 2019)
2019 Results:
Bedford North Lawrence Sectional: 3rd place (62 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Regional: 4th place (101 points)
Brown County Semi-state: 6th place (236 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 23rd place (505 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-State)
Annalyssa Crain (12) – 18:02 (1st place)
Clara Crain (10) – 19:35 (14th place)
Emma Bitner (11) – 21:29 (78th place)
Olivia Werner (12) – 21:35 (85th place)
Claire Sherfield (11) – 22:29 (127th place)
Paige Perry (10) – 29:03 (174th place)
2020 Outlook: Despite losing a key runner halfway through the season, the Mustangs still qualified for their third consecutive state finals and fourth overall. Senior Annalyssa Crain—sixth, third and second at the state meet in high school thus far—gives Edgewood the distinct advantage of scoring four at each meet, one that such a small team desperately needs to compete for advancement from the semi-state. Crain’s sustained excellence provides the Mustangs some certainty at the top of its line-up, and sophomores Clara Crain and Ella Hayden, the latter of whom missed last year’s tournament, give Edgewood a top trio that very few teams in the south can match.
#17 – Brebeuf Jesuit Braves
Shelbyville Semi-state #6
Noblesville Regional #5
State meet history: 4 appearances (last in 2019), 1 podium finish (2017)
2019 Results:
Brebeuf Sectional: 2nd place (58 points)
Noblesville Regional: 3rd place (86 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 3rd place (135 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 6th place (201 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-state)
Madeline Keller (11) – 18:22 (1st place)
Kendall Martin (11) – 19:46 (40th place)
Audrey Sloan (10) – 20:18 (58th place)
Bella Stonitsch (12) – 21:44 (130th place)
2020 Outlook: The Braves bring back four from a team that was six points shy of the podium last fall in the team’s third straight trip to Terre Haute. Junior Madeline Keller, third at the state meet last year, gives Brebeuf a very distinct advantage early in scoring. Based on last year’s results, Brebeuf is excellent through three runners. To be competitive to advance out of the regional and semi-state, the Braves will need to develop two more scorers beyond that trio. Despite a smaller enrollment, Brebeuf had one of the larger teams in the state in 2019 (49 participants) so that certainly seems possible if not likely heading into 2020.
#18 – Westfield Shamrocks
Shelbyville Semi-state #7
Noblesville Regional #6
State meet history: 14 appearances (last in 2016), 6 podium finishes (last in 2008), 1 runner-up title (2004), 4 state championships (1998, 2005, 2006, 2007)
2019 Results:
Noblesville Sectional: 2nd place (69 points)
Noblesville Regional: 6th place (150 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Noblesville Regional)
Sophia Brown (12) – 19:12 (26th place)
Sophie Porter (12) – 19:37 (39th place)
Sydney Klinglesmith (10) – 19:39 (41st place)
Bea Perez (12) – 19:48 (46th place)
Julia Clark (12) – 20:17 (58th place)
2020 Outlook: The Shamrocks have five back from their sixth-place regional team last fall, one that was 42 points away from advancing to the semi-state. Westfield is an incredibly deep team, the ‘Rocks have 24 in the top 1000 on inccstats’ preseason rankings which is second only to Carmel’s 33 while the team had one of the biggest teams in the state with 52 participants. If the ‘Rocks can advance out of the regional, they could qualify for their first state meet since 2016, but that will be very tough to do without a frontrunner in the Noblesville Regional.
#19 – Pike Red Devils
Shelbyville Semi-state #8
Noblesville Regional #7
State meet history: 5 appearances (last in 2018), 3 podium finishes (last in 1987)
2019 Results:
Brebeuf Sectional: 4th place (88 points)
Noblesville Regional: 8th place (170 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Noblesville Regional)
Jessica Velez (12) – 18:54 (18th place)
Cara Karmolinski (12) – 19:11 (24th place)
Eleanor Holohan (10) – 19:43 (44th place)
Ella Garvin (12) – 19:57 (53rd place)
Chyane Dansby (12) – 20:16 (57th place)
Kristiana Read (11) – 20:49 (67th place)
Katelin Schwab (11) – 21:09 (71st place)
2020 Outlook: The Red Devils bring everyone back from a good team last year. Senior Jessica Velez gives Pike potential frontrunning; she was an individual qualifier to the state finals last year and ran on Pike’s state meet team in 2018 as a sophomore. The Devils could be one of the state’s twenty best teams, but their tournament path means they will be fighting an uphill battle just to qualify for the semi-state. Advancing out of the regional would grow Pike’s state meet chances exponentially, but doing so will be tough (though a talented freshman would really change the equation).
#20 – Northridge Raiders
New Haven Semi-state #5
State meet history: 25 appearances (last in 2019), 7 podium finishes (last in 2005), 2 runner-up titles (1993, 2002)
2019 Results:
Elkhart Central Sectional: 1st place (32 points)
Elkhart Central Regional: 1st place (34 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 5th place (169 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 16th place (367 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-State)
Haylee Hile (10) – 18:33 (9th place)
Tamenech Baylis (10) – 19:53 (47th place)
Claire Ritchie (11) – 19:59 (53rd place)
Emma Long (10) – 20:33 (88th place)
Keeton LeBaron (12) – 21:13 (126th place)
2020 Outlook: One of the most tradition-rich programs in the state, the Raiders return five from last year’s state meet team that made a trip pretty common for the program. Northridge has qualified for eight of the last nine and 25 of the last 28 state finals. The youth of the line-up is cause for optimism in 2020 and beyond. Haylee Hile was very nearly All-State in her freshman season last year, and two classmates joined her on that state meet team last fall. Expect the Raiders to continue their Terre Haute trip again this season.
#21 – Lowell Red Devils
New Prairie Semi-state #3
State meet history: 4 appearances (last in 2019)
2019 Results:
Hebron Sectional: 2nd place (43 points)
Crown Point Regional: 1st place (43 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 6th place (189 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 20th place (459 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Karina James (11) – 17:53 (1st place)
Reilly Boyer (10) – 20:00 (37th place)
Megan Kaczur (12) – 20:51 (82nd place)
Olivia Decker (10) – 21:00 (95th place)
2020 Outlook: The Red Devils have four returning from a state finalist team in 2019 with five total girls on the roster who have competed in the state cross country meet. Lowell does not have an especially large enrollment (1133 last school year), but typically fields an adequately sized roster (24 participants in ’19 and 28 in ’18) given the size of the school. The Devils will also benefit from scoring four every meet with individual title contender Karina James. Lowell, at a high point in program history after qualifying for all of its state meets over the last four years, will need to develop depth to round out scoring, but the Devils have been doing that well over the last half-decade.
#22 – Floyd Central Highlanders
Brown County Semi-state #6
State meet history: 25 appearances (last in 2019), 7 podium finishes (last in 1992), 1 runner-up title (1987), 4 state championships (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992)
2019 Results:
Crawford County Sectional: 1st place (15 points)
Crawford County Regional: 1st place (27 points)
Brown County Semi-state: 3rd place (124 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 19th place (456 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-State)
Sydney Baxter (12) – 20:04 (31st place)
Jaydon Cirrincione (11) – 20:19 (37th place)
Savanna Liddle (10) – 20:25 (39th place)
Natalie Clare (12) – 20:58 (60th place)
2020 Outlook: The Highlanders take some graduation hits this season but appear to return a group strong enough to qualify for an eighth consecutive state meet. The graduation of Sydney Liddle leaves Floyd Central without a real frontrunner for the first time in about five years, but the team’s depth should still make the ‘Landers one of the strongest team in the southern part of the state. Floyd has qualified for 25 state finals, tied for fifth among girls programs in the state currently.
#23 – Warsaw Tigers
New Prairie Semi-state #4
State meet history: 8 appearances (last in 2018)
2019 Results:
Culver Academies Sectional: 1st place (38 points)
Culver Academies Regional: 1st place (49 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 8th place (212 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Ava Knight (11) – 19:28 (21st place)
Wini Barnett (11) – 19:38 (35th place)
Erika Bugg (10) – 20:17 (51st place)
Adree Beckham (12) – 20:36 (69th place)
Regan Brouwer (11) – 20:43 (77th place)
Macelyn Marcuccilli (11) – 21:41 (128th place)
Amanda Lusinde (11) – 22:16 (151st place)
2020 Outlook: The Tigers return everyone from a team that was 23 points short of a state meet. Warsaw has been a steady contender for advancement to the state meet and a frequent finalist with seven appearances in the previous decade. Juniors Ava Knight and Wini Barnett give Warsaw two potential frontrunners at the semi-state level. Both ran in the state finals as freshmen, and Barnett finished 35th there. This seems a likely state meet team.
#24 – Fort Wayne Concordia Cadets
New Haven Semi-state #6
West Noble Regional #3
State meet history: 13 appearances (last in 2019), 2 podium finishes (last in 2011), 1 state championship (1983)
2019 Results:
Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional: 4th place (98 points)
West Noble Regional: 4th place (87 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 6th place (189 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 14th place (338 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-State)
Keller Whicker (10) – 19:34 (32nd place)
Abigail Mays (12) – 19:41 (37th place)
Madelyn Borchelt (11) – 20:13 (71st place)
Callie Hoover (12) – 20:21 (74th place)
Rhaya Kaschinske (12) – 20:42 (98th place)
Katelyn Nix (12) – 21:00 (113th place)
2020 Outlook: The Cadets bring back all but their All-Stater from last year’s team. This is a well-coached and experienced group (nine state meet appearances on the roster). Without a true frontrunner, Concordia will need to rely on its depth to make it three state meets in four years, but even in the very strong New Haven Semi-state, the Cadets have a great chance to make it back to Terre Haute. To do so, Concordia will need to develop the depth across its roster, and recent history shows us that’s likely.
#25 – Harrison (West Lafayette) Raiders
New Prairie Semi-state #5
State meet history: 1 appearance (2019)
2019 Results:
Harrison (West Lafayette) Sectional: 2nd place (51 points)
Benton Central Regional: 2nd place (52 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 3rd place (162 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 17th place (442 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Caitlin Williams (11) – 19:28 (19th place)
Makenna McCartney (12) – 19:50 (31st place)
Emma Beimfohr (11) – 19:55 (32nd place)
Jaylie Lohmeyer (11) – 20:02 (40th place)
2020 Outlook: The Raiders return four scorers from their first ever state finals, giving them a good chance to make it consecutive trips to Terre Haute. Even with those four key contributors back, Harrison will need to develop depth or hope for a talented freshman to finish scoring. While the Raiders weren’t a gigantic team in 2019 (20 participants), they do have eight in the top 1000 on inccstats so the cupboard isn’t bare to find someone to help close the door this season.
#26 – Franklin Central Flashes
Shelbyville Semi-state #9
State meet history: 9 appearances (last in 2018), 4 podium finishes (last in 2012)
2019 Results:
Mt. Vernon Sectional: 2nd place (43 points)
Rushville Regional: 2nd place (40 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 14th place (331 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-state)
Brianna Lawson (12) – 19:30 (32nd place)
Cami Farmer (11) – 20:48 (85th place)
Olivia Keller (11) – 21:13 (106th place)
Abigail Adams (11) – 21:29 (120th place)
Anna Coney (10) – 21:34 (123rd place)
Cara Eby (12) – 21:58 (144th place)
2020 Outlook: The Flashes have six back from last year’s varsity that finished in the back half of the semi-state. FC did qualify for Terre Haute in 2018 so the top returning trio all have state finals experience. Heading into 2020, FC appears to be a team in the middle; the current group should have no problems advancing to the semi-state along an easier tournament path and could finish in the top ten there. A strong incoming freshman class, however, could catapult the Flashes back to the state meet. We certainly think that’s a possibility this year.
#27 – Penn Kingsmen
New Haven Semi-state #7
State meet history: 19 appearances (last in 2018), 6 podium finishes (last in 2014)
2019 Results:
South Bend Riley Sectional: 1st place (29 points)
Elkhart Central Regional: 2nd place (53 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 7th place (194 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-State)
Mackenzie Holland (11) – 19:35 (33rd place)
Haley Makowski (12) – 19:49 (43rd place)
Ava Gillis (12) – 20:08 (64th place)
Morgan Gannon (11) – 20:11 (69th place)
Nicole Marshall (12) – 20:28 (81st place)
2020 Outlook: The Kingsmen fell five points shy of the state meet last fall, snapping an eight-year streak. Penn certainly returns a team capable of qualifying this year, even in a very competitive New Haven Semi-state. For the first time in a long while, Penn does not have a real frontrunner, which gives the Kingsmen less margin of error in a large meet. The depth, however, is there to go the distance in the tournament, and Penn seems a contender to do so in 2020.
#28 – Lake Central Indians
New Prairie Semi-state #6
State meet history: 14 appearances (last in 2019), 2 podium finishes (last in 2008), 2 runner-up titles (2007, 2008)
2019 Results:
Hobart Sectional: 1st place (22 points)
Crown Point Regional: 3rd place (59 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 5th place (185 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 18th place (448 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Taylor Kosiek (11) – 20:06 (42nd place)
Abigail Martisek (12) – 20:24 (57th place)
Emily Thomas (12) – 20:33 (66th place)
Carly Davis (11) – 20:41 (74th place)
2020 Outlook: Lake Central has qualified for Terre Haute in 11 of the last 14 years and returns four from last year’s state finalist team. In addition to those four, sophomore Natalie Kransky ran primarily as the team’s number two runner for the first half of last fall but did not compete after the New Prairie Invitational. Those five provide LC with the foundation of another state meet squad, and the depth (43 participants in an enrollment of 3268) should be there to weather any minor storms like last year.
#29 – Brownsburg Bulldogs
Shelbyville Semi-state #10
State meet history: 2 appearances (last in 2017)
2019 Results:
Brownsburg Sectional: 1st place (31 points)
Ben Davis Regional: 2nd place (75 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 8th place (206 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-state)
Alivia Gustrowsky (12) – 20:17 (56th place)
Isabella Maihofer (12) – 20:25 (66th place)
Kiley VanNess (11) – 20:26 (68th place)
Olivia Limbil (11) – 21:30 (121st place)
Sophie Britton (11) – 21:50 (137th place)
2020 Outlook: The Bulldogs weren’t terribly far away from qualifying for Terre Haute last year, though they graduate two key scorers from a team that was not especially deep by the standards of potential state meet teams. Two potential difference makers this year—sophomore Emily Baker and junior Lindsay Huston—did not run in the tournament last year but started their track seasons off with good 3200 races this last spring. If they can contribute and senior Abby Lynch decides to run her senior season after electing to concentrate on soccer in the fall of 2019, this could turn into a state meet team in a hurry.
#30 – Batesville Bulldogs
Shelbyville Semi-state #11
State meet history: Never qualified
2019 Results:
South Dearborn Sectional: 1st place (43 points)
Franklin Regional: 1st place (53 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 11th place (288 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-state)
Lily Pinckley (11) – 19:13 (23rd place)
Ava Hanson (10) – 20:27 (70th place)
Maria Lopez (11) – 20:44 (80th place)
Madison Rahschulte (10) – 21:20 (111th place)
Sophie Myers (10) – 21:21 (113th place)
Trysta Vierling (12) – 21:21 (114th place)
2020 Outlook: The Bulldogs return six from their team in school history last fall. This year’s group, led by individual state finalist Lily Pinckley, could be even better. Behind Pinckley, Batesville brings back enough depth to be very competitive in their conference, sectional and regional. This is potentially a top ten team at the semi-state that would need a good amount of help to make a push for its first ever state meet.
#31 – Fort Wayne Dwenger Saints
New Haven Semi-state #8
West Noble Regional #4
State meet history: 3 appearances (last in 2018)
2019 Results:
Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional: 3rd place (93 points)
West Noble Regional: 2nd place (72 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 8th place (197 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-State)
Kaitlyn Woods (11) – 19:30 (29th place)
Ella Grashoff (11) – 20:10 (67th place)
Nora Steele (12) – 20:15 (72nd place)
2020 Outlook: The Saints were eight points from what would have been their third consecutive state meet last fall. They lose four from that roster, including the individual state champion in Erin Strzelecki, but retain enough to make it back to Terre Haute this year potentially. It will not be easy in a strong regional and semi-state path, though Dwenger does have five state meet appearances on this roster. For a school barely eclipsing a thousand students, the Saints did have a very large roster last year with 33 participants.
#32 – Crown Point Bulldogs
New Prairie Semi-state #7
State meet history: 15 appearances (last in 2018), 1 podium finish (2013)
2019 Results:
Crown Point Sectional: 1st place (39 points)
Crown Point Regional: 2nd place (72 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 9th place (240 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Jaelyn Burgos (12) – 19:09 (9th place)
Caitlyn Derwinski (11) – 20:32 (64th place)
Ashley Dyrkacz (10) – 20:55 (87th place)
Brianne Eaton (11) – 20:56 (89th place)
Kloe Kiran (11) – 21:15 (106th place)
Nora Carpenter (10) – 21:15 (107th place)
2020 Outlook: The Bulldogs have an excellent frontrunner in senior Jaelyn Burgos, a three-time state meet participant who finished 17th in Terre Haute as a sophomore. Beyond her, CP has an experienced roster with enough potential to make another run toward a third state meet in four years after a few sub-par races at the semi-state may have cost them last season. Based on what we know in the preseason, the New Prairie Semi-state seems particularly bunched from about third to ninth.
#33 – Avon Orioles
Shelbyville Semi-state #12
State meet history: 5 appearances (last in 2014), 2 podium finishes (last in 2014), 1 runner-up title (2014)
2019 Results:
Brownsburg Sectional: 2nd place (57 points)
Ben Davis Regional: 5th place (114 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 12th place (307 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-state)
Isabella Wall (12) – 20:20 (59th place)
Claire Wigger (11) – 20:23 (62nd place)
Hannah Taylor (10) – 20:51 (90th place)
Jaiden Davis (11) – 21:19 (110th place)
Juliana Wall (12) – 21:24 (116th place)
Addison Walker (11) – 21:33 (122nd place)
2020 Outlook: The Orioles bring back six of last year’s seven from what has been a team in the middle of the semi-state the last few years. With a path through the Ben Davis Regional, it seems likely that Avon will advance to the semi-state again and should battle Brownsburg and perhaps Plainfield for sectional supremacy.
#34 – Chesterton Trojans
New Prairie Semi-state #8
State meet history: 19 appearances (last in 2018), 7 podium finishes (last in 2003), 3 runner-up titles (1995, 1997, 2003)
2019 Results:
New Prairie Sectional: 2nd place (68 points)
Chesterton Regional: 3rd place (86 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 7th place (202 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Bailey Ranta (11) – 19:11 (11th place)
Bree Gentry (11) – 20:30 (62nd place)
Kaitlyn Van Kley (12) – 20:37 (71st place)
2020 Outlook: The Trojans were just shy of their third straight state meet and could make it three of four this fall. Junior Bailey Ranta, 16th at the state meet as a freshman and a two-time qualifier, leads the charge for Chesterton. Certainly, the Trojans will need to develop their depth to remain competitive, but they had one of the biggest teams in the Region (41 participants) in 2019 with 15 in the top 1000 in inccstats preseason rankings.
#35 – DeKalb Barons
New Haven Semi-state #9
West Noble Regional #5
State meet history: 15 appearances (last in 2010), 1 podium finish (2003)
2019 Results:
Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional: 3rd place (72 points)
West Noble Regional: 5th place (147 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 14th place (382 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-State)
Lydia Bennett (10) – 19:04 (20th place)
Riley Winebrenner (12) – 19:49 (44th place)
Abby DeTray (10) – 20:45 (99th place)
Penelope Swift (12) – 22:10 (148th place)
Ally Hammer (11) – 26:19 (176th place)
Mia Armey (11) – 28:08 (177th place)
2020 Outlook: The Barons have an interesting team returning in 2020. Sophomore Lydia Bennett was All-State in her first year of high school cross country and should provide DeKalb with stable frontrunning at every meet. Her classmate Abby DeTray could give the Barons a good number two; DeTray’s semi-state performance was a sub-par race and not indicative of her potential this season. DeKalb does lack depth with only four runners ranked in inccstats.com’s top 1000 for the preseason. Some new talent (just nine participants in 2019) could help the Barons to their first state meet in the last ten seasons, but DeKalb could also be out in one of the state's most competitive regionals.
#36 – Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles
Shelbyville Semi-state #13
Noblesville Regional #8
State meet history: 1 appearance (2016)
2019 Results:
Noblesville Sectional: 4th place (117 points)
Noblesville Regional: 9th place (226 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-state)
Bridget Gallagher (10) – 18:38 (12th place)
Sophia Woods (12) – 20:24 (59th place)
Rosie Barrett (10) – 20:34 (62nd place)
Raegan Bohbrink (12) – 20:36 (63rd place)
Joelle Klavon (11) – 20:43 (65th place)
Allison Wozniak (11) – 20:46 (66th place)
Emma Hubbard (11) – 21:09 (72nd place)
2020 Outlook: The Golden Eagles are an improving team with all seven runners back from last year’s varsity. Sophomore Bridget Gallagher gives Guerin a great frontrunner and potential All-State individual. She was close to making the state meet as an individual last fall, and her track season got off to a great start with an 11:20 3200 indoors. The restructured tournament paths (as of now) provides the Eagles a virtual guaranteed advancement out of the sectional, but alas, the regional still has seven of this year’s top 20 teams in Indiana, making a deep tournament run a longshot.
#37 – New Palestine Dragons
Shelbyville Semi-state #14
State meet history: Never qualified
2019 Results:
Mt. Vernon Sectional: 1st place (29 points)
Rushville Regional: 1st place (29 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 9th place (227 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-state)
Brenna Shaw (12) – 19:00 (14th place)
Emma Mann (11) – 19:30 (31st place)
Kendall Mann (12) – 20:18 (57th place)
Emily Adam (11) – 21:27 (118th place)
Caitlin Urrutia (11) – 22:11 (151st place)
Megan Collins (12) – 22:20 (154th place)
2020 Outlook: The Dragons were close to the state meet two years ago and a fringe contender to advance to Terre Haute last year. New Pal still has much of the nucleus of those two teams, including senior Brenna Shaw who has qualified for the state finals as an individual the last two years in addition to success on the track. Graduation has eroded New Pal’s depth over the course of the last couple of seasons without an influx of young varsity runners, but the Dragons have run their best race of the season at the semi-state the last two years (per inccstats.com’s performance ratings) so this should still be a pretty competitive team this fall.
#38 – Plainfield Quakers
Shelbyville Semi-state #15
State meet history: Never qualified
2019 Results:
Brownsburg Sectional: 3rd place (59 points)
Ben Davis Regional: 4th place (102 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 10th place (246 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-state)
Veronica Hargrove (10) – 19:19 (25th place)
Mackenzie VanBibber (11) – 20:23 (61st place)
Addison Dockery (11) – 20:36 (77th place)
Riley Mehringer (10) – 21:43 (128th place)
Lydia Fenley (12) – 23:18 (170th place)
2020 Outlook: The Quakers bring back five of seven from last season’s tenth-place semi-state team. Sophomore Veronica Hargrove gives Plainfield a potential frontrunner; she missed the state meet individually last year by just a couple of places at the semi-state race. The Quakers do lose two key scorers on a team that was not especially deep so replacing them will be key to Plainfield’s ability to return to a similar level of success this season. With adequate improvement and potentially a difference-making newcomer, the Quakers could challenge county giants Avon and Brownsburg this fall.
#39 – Pendleton Heights Arabians
New Haven Semi-state #10
State meet history: 6 appearances (last in 2016)
2019 Results:
Pendleton Heights Sectional: 3rd place (77 points)
Delta Regional: 3rd place (82 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 12th place (347 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-state)
Katie Jones (11) – 20:11 (68th place)
Laney Ricker (11) – 20:23 (75th place)
Gloria Richardson (10) – 20:23 (77th place)
Catherine Dudley (11) – 20:34 (90th place)
Madison McKee (12) – 21:04 (117th place)
Berkeley Lord (11) – 21:35 (136th place)
Hailee Brunnemer (11) – 22:20 (151st place)
2020 Outlook: The Arabians have everyone back from last year’s varsity and could move up the standings in a competitive semi-state. This is still a young team that ran five sophomores and a freshman in last year’s semi-state. Better than average improvement throughout the squad could put Pendleton in the realm of state meet advancement, though that is always going to be a tall task with so many of the state’s top programs in this semi-state.
#40 – Franklin Community Grizzly Cubs
Shelbyville Semi-state #16
State meet history: Never qualified
2019 Results:
Franklin Sectional: 3rd place (86 points)
Franklin Regional: 4th place (101 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 15th place (373 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-State)
Jenna Newton (11) – 19:52 (45th place)
Lillian Lacy (12) – 19:58 (48th place)
Sydney Clements (12) – 21:09 (103rd place)
Allison Lacy (10) – 21:57 (143rd place)
Amelia Tisdale (10) – 22:27 (157th place)
Madison Gregory (10) – 23:17 (169th place)
Mallory Luse (10) – 23:22 (171st place)
2020 Outlook: The Grizzly Cubs bring everyone back on a team that ran four freshmen in last year’s semi-state. The duo of senior Lillian Lacy and junior Jenna Newton get Franklin off to a competitive start at any size and quality of meet, and Lacy could be important in particular. She got off to a great start last year but missed four meets in the middle of the season before returning for the regional and semi-state. Another athlete at that level, whether a newcomer or big-time improvement from the young line-up, could potentially make the Cubs a top ten semi-state team.
#41 – Brown County Eagles
Brown County Semi-state #7
State meet history: Never qualified
2019 Results:
Brown County Sectional: 2nd place (74 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Sectional)
Hadley Gradolf (10) – 19:43 (8th place)
Emelia Koester (12) – 20:31 (11th place)
Anna Fleetwood (12) – 20:37 (12th place)
Emma DeBord (12) – 20:47 (17th place)
2020 Outlook: The Eagles are a tough team to get a handle on in the preseason, and last year’s tournament is just as confusing. BC was second in the sectional with five finishers, and when the Eagles had only four finishers in the regional they did not acquire a score so they didn’t advance to the semi-state. Sophomore Abigail Fleetwood was the team’s number two runner for most of the season, and her presence will be helpful for the Eagles’ hopes.
#42 – Wheeler Bearcats
New Prairie Semi-state #9
State meet history: Never qualified
2019 Results:
New Prairie Sectional: 4th place (113 points)
Chesterton Regional: 5th place (109 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 12th place (343 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Hailey Orosz (12) – 19:01 (4th place)
Emma Hellwege (11) – 19:27 (20th place)
Emily Enright (10) – 21:43 (131st place)
Emily Gaylord (12) – 22:01 (143rd place)
Dottie Heuring (12) – 22:03 (144th place)
Sarah Gerbick (12) – 22:56 (163rd place)
2020 Outlook: The Bearcats are not an incredibly deep team, but they did have two individual state qualifiers, including All-Staters Hailey Orosz. Even on a small team, the ‘Cats have a good chance to make the state finals. The key for Wheeler perhaps advancing to its first ever state meet could be getting senior Amaya Turner, who ran as a freshman and sophomore but not as a junior, to compete in her senior year. She had a great start to the track season and would be a very good third runner.
#43 – Cathedral Fighting Irish
Shelbyville Semi-state #17
Noblesville Regional #9
State meet history: 11 appearances (last in 2015), 2 podium finishes (last in 2015)
2019 Results:
Brebeuf Sectional: 3rd place (71 points)
Noblesville Regional: 2nd place (72 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 7th place (179 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-state)
Eliotte Thor (12) – 19:49 (41st place)
Dearbhla Delaney (10) – 21:45 (131st place)
2020 Outlook: The Irish are a hard team to project. They were just short of the state finals last year even after running perhaps their worst race of the season at the semi-state. Just two of those seven return for 2020, and depth was an issue. Still, Cathedral always fields a huge team (85 last year, per ihsaa.org’s participation numbers) so rebuilding a competitive roster won’t be too much of a task, but to get out of the regional, the Irish will need to bring in some talented newcomers.
#44 – Portage Indians
New Prairie Semi-state #10
State meet history: 20 appearances (last in 2019), 2 podium finishes (last in 1996), 1 runner-up title (1988)
2019 Results:
New Prairie Sectional: 3rd place (75 points)
Chesterton Regional: 2nd place (70 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 4th place (171 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 21st place (464 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Morgan McCulloch (12) – 19:19 (16th place)
Emilee Craigin (12) – 20:18 (54th place)
Soraya Loubriel (11) – 20:54 (85th place)
Amanda Purnick (11) – 21:49 (137th place)
2020 Outlook:
Portage ended a three-year state meet drought in 2019 with a squad that included three key seniors. Senior Morgan McCulloch, who has run in two state cross country meets already, is a foundational athlete for Portage. Though Portage loses three of its scorers on a team of just 15 athletes (per ihsaa.org’s participation figures), it is possible the team could contend for advancement out of the New Prairie Semi-state with some incoming help.
#45 – Greensburg Pirates
Shelbyville Semi-state #18
State meet history: Never qualified
2019 Results:
South Dearborn Sectional: 2nd place (53 points)
Shelbyville Regional: 5th place (117 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 16th place (395 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-state)
Brenner Hanna (12) – 18:38 (6th place)
Emily Mangels (11) – 20:29 (71st place)
Elizabeth Pavy (12) – 21:17 (109th place)
Olivia Colson (12) – 23:11 (167th place)
Sophie Nobbe (11) – 23:16 (168th place)
Mollie Pumphrey (12) – 23:57 (174th place)
Emma Wilmer (12) – 26:26 (180th pace)
2020 Outlook: The Pirates have been a consistent semi-state team recently. That looks likely to continue this season, and with an older team there may be more urgency to capitalize on this year’s potential. Senior Brenner Hanna, a three-time individual state meet qualifier, gives Greensburg a good start. To improve on last year’s semi-state finish, the Pirates would need to see some progress deeper into the line-up.
#46 – Benton Central Bison
New Prairie Semi-state #11
State meet history: Never qualified
2019 Results:
Harrison (West Lafayette) Sectional: 1st place (31 points)
Benton Central Regional: 3rd place (62 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 13th place (350 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Janell Robson (10) – 19:43 (27th place)
Liza Cooley (10) – 20:40 (73rd place)
Natalie Williams (11) – 21:13 (104th place)
Courtney Tolen (11) – 21:16 (108th place)
2020 Outlook: The Bison are an interesting team heading into 2020. They had a young line-up with a semi-state team that had two freshmen and two sophomores at the top last year followed by three seniors. Those four make up the start of a competitive team, and in a weaker New Prairie Semi-state it is not inconceivable that BC could make a push to contend for an advancing spot to the state finals for the first time in school history.
#47 – Oak Hill Golden Eagles
New Haven Semi-state #11
State meet history: 3 appearances (last in 1992)
2019 Results:
Marion Sectional: 1st place (28 points)
Marion Regional: 2nd place (68 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 10th place (279 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-State)
Selah Jackson (12) – 20:08 (65th place)
Grace Geller (11) – 20:09 (66th place)
Kinzie Robey (12) – 20:16 (73rd place)
Kate Hornocker (12) – 21:24 (134th place)
2020 Outlook: The Golden Eagles seem to have been in the mix for a state qualifying spot the last several years and could be in that position again. Subtracting four-time individual state qualifier and two-time All-Stater Mollie Gamble certainly won’t help the cause, but Oak Hill does bring back four from last year’s top-ten semi-state team. The Eagles will need to develop their depth to compete at the same level this year, but this is an experienced team that typically performs above expectations based on enrollment and team size.
#48 – Norwell Knights
New Haven Semi-state #12
State meet history: 5 appearances (last in 1995)
2019 Results:
Bellmont Sectional: 1st place (45 points)
Marion Regional: 1st place (67 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 9th place (242 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-State)
Sarah Mahnensmith (12) – 18:43 (14th place)
Lauren Bales (12) – 19:07 (21st place)
Kiley Crow (12) – 21:15 (128th place)
Addison Dirig (12) – 21:21 (130th place)
Maeli Cassel (11) – 21:46 (139th place)
Paige Cox (12) – 23:24 (162nd place)
2020 Outlook: The Knights had an excellent top trio last year on a team that was not too far away from qualifying for the state finals. Two of those three are back for a projected line-up that is senior dominated, perhaps giving Norwell its last good chance at the state meet in a while. Senior Sarah Mahnensmith (40th at the state meet) and Lauren Bales (top runner at the semi-state not to advance) are the best returning duo in the semi-state outside of powerhouse Carroll.
#49 – Center Grove Trojans
Shelbyville Semi-state #19
State meet history: 7 appearances (last in 2011), 1 podium finish (2006)
2019 Results:
Franklin Sectional: 1st place (32 points)
Franklin Regional: 2nd place (84 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 13th place (323 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-State)
Mercedes Schemmel (12) – 20:24 (65th place)
Hudson Gilstorf (11) – 20:44 (81st place)
Rebecca Stockman (11) – 20:56 (97th place)
Jillian Schemmel (10) – 22:42 (164th place)
2020 Outlook: The Trojans bring four back from last year’s semi-state squad. With one of the larger enrollments in the state (2611 for the 2018-2019 school year), CG is always a threat to bring in a couple of talented newcomers that could shift the team’s potential north in any given season. Located just south of Indianapolis, this is a team that should be very competitive in the sectional and regional rounds and easily advance to the semi-state.
#50 – Jasper Wildcats
Brown County Semi-state #8
State meet history: 6 appearances (last in 2014)
2019 Results:
Jasper Sectional: 2nd place (46 points)
Crawford County Regional: 3rd place (84 points)
Brown County Semi-state: 10th place (279 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-State)
Andi Van Meter (11) – 19:24 (5th place)
Kelsea Skorge (12) – 21:19 (69th place)
Amanda Schnell (12) – 21:20 (70th place)
Kathryn McCoy (10) – 21:52 (100th place)
Alexis Christiansen (11) – 22:22 (121st place)
Niya Zazzetti (10) – 23:39 (149th place)
2020 Outlook: The Wildcats are on a bit of a state meet drought, missing the last five years after qualifying six times in 12 seasons prior to that. Jasper looks to have an outside chance to return to Terre Haute this fall if it could get some improved depth to pair with its frontrunning. Junior Andi VanMeter, a two-time individual qualifier, gives the ‘Cats a good start, and the top four runners back from a top-ten semi-state team provides reason to think a better finish is in order this year.