INDIANA RUNNER REGIONAL PREVIEWS!
- lidskins
- 2 days ago
- 14 min read
Updated: 2 minutes ago
Check back each day this week for a new regional preview. Today we add the Brownsburg Regional!
2025 Brownsburg Regional Preview
Boys Individual Predictions:
1. Aboubakar Ibrahim, 12, Ben Davis
2. Brandon Haas, 12, Brownsburg
3. Camden Raab, 12, Western
4. Jonah Kaul, 11, Carmel
5. Elroe Tafese, 12, Avon
6. Eli Balbach, 12, Brownsburg
7. Tesfaldet Hailu, 12, Ben Davis
8. Quinn Murray, 11, Avon
9. Zach Flint, 12, Carmel
10. Miles Rudy, 12, Western
11. Keegan Terry, 11, North Central
12. Gus Phillips, 12, North Central
13. Mitchell Ford, 12, Avon
14. Cooper Cage, 12, Kokomo
15. Aiden Miller, 11, Terre Haute South
How the Boys Individual Race Might Unfold
* Ben Davis senior Aboubakar Ibrahim is the highest rated runner this season, and he won this race last year. He’s also the highest returner in this regional from state meet results, by virtue of his 16th-place finish, and won the Brownsburg Invitational in early September in 15:16. Ibrahim won the Ben Davis Sectional, six seconds ahead of surprise runner-up (and former teammate) Avon senior Elroe Tafese. Brownsburg seniors Brandon Haas and Eli Balbach could push Ibrahim for the title on their home course after finishing fourth and third, respectively, in the most competitive sectional. Western senior Camden Raab is the number two returner from this regional last year and could finish All-State next week. Carmel junior Jonah Kaul is the number two returner at this regional from state meet results and has historically run much better in the tournament than early in the regular season. Raab and Kaul both won their sectional races in comfortable margins with teammates finishing second.
Boys Teams Predictions:
1. Avon
2. Carmel
3. Brownsburg
4. North Central
5. Ben Davis
6. Zionsville
7. Western
8. Harrison
9. Pike
10. Northview
11. Terre Haute South
12. West Lafayette
13. Herron
14. Plainfield
15. Northwestern
16. Chatard
17. Kokomo
18. McCutcheon
19. Clinton Central
20. Southmont
21. Faith Christian
22. Rossville
23. Clay City
24. Terre Haute North
25. South Putman
Boys Team Commentary
In the Mix to Win:
* Avon looked like a potential podium team at Nike Twilight, finishing as the fifth Indiana team and just a handful of points behind Carmel. The Orioles’ ceiling is very high if they can put it together on the same day. Tafese and junior Quinn Murray give Avon two potential All-Staters in a week. A combination of frontrunning and solid depth puts Avon at the top of the list of contenders for the regional title.
* Brownsburg has the frontrunning in Haas and Balbach. Beyond them, the Bulldogs have the best depth in the regional, but those role players have been up and down so far this fall, though the ‘Dogs did bounce back from a sub-par performance at Nike Twilight to beat Avon at the sectional. Brownsburg may have some additions to the lineup this week as well to help defend their regional title from last season.
* Carmel has potentially two in the top ten with Kaul and senior Zach Flint plus good depth. The Greyhounds very narrowly defeated Brownsburg on this course seven weeks ago at the Brownsburg Invitational and held off Avon by a similarly thin margin at Nike Twilight. In a mock meet of sectional performances, the Greyhounds were about thirty points clear of the field with seven in before Avon and Brownsburg’s four, though the margins are very narrow.
In Good Position to Qualify for State:
* North Central finishes second in a mock meet based on sectional performances, though the Panthers are behind these top three teams based on season average performances. The re-emergence of senior Grant Hostetler, who finished ninth in his sectional race, puts NC comfortably into the state meet after missing last year.
On the Bubble:
* Ben Davis lost a key athlete to transfer but the massive improvement of senior Tesfaldet Hailu gives the Giants a great second frontrunner to pair with defending regional champion Aboubakar Ibrahim. Those low points through two runners should help negate BD’s disadvantage at five.
* Western is a bit of a surprise contender. Raab and senior Miles Rudy get the Panthers off to a great start; Western’s fifth runner has improved dramatically in the last three weeks and continued performance at that level could put the Panthers in the mix.
* Zionsville is a deep team but may start scoring in a hole compared to our other bubble schools. Senior Elijah Weaver had his best race of the season in the sectional, finishing fifth behind frontrunning duos from Carmel and North Central. Senior Andrew Schonlau did not race in the sectional but was the Eagles’ number one runner at Nike Twilight. To advance, Zionsville will probably need similar races from both those seniors to fend off the other two teams vying for the final spot.
Girls Individual Predictions:
1. Annabel Pollert, 11, Carmel
2. Julia Score, 12, Chatard
3. Sadie Foley, 12, Carmel
4. Larkin Taylor, 11, Carmel
5. Kelsey Rehmel, 12, North Central
6. Alena Wigger, 9, Avon
7. Kaitlyn Manfra, 12, Harrison
8. Lucy Wood, 12, Brebeuf
9. Isabel Garcia, 11, Brebeuf
10. Carla Rodriguez, 12, Harrison
11. Kathryn Green, 12, Zionsville
12. Letty Banwart, 10, Zionsville
13. Margo Halle, 10, Carmel
14. Addyson Bautista, 9, Terre Haute North
15. Aftin Griffin, 12, Cass
How the Girls Individual Race Might Unfold
* Chatard senior Julia Score is the defending champion; she won this race last year by 33 seconds, though she’s been selective with her racing and effort this fall. The Carmel trio of Annabel Pollert, Sadie Foley and Larkin Taylor have closed the gap on Score and then some in recent weeks. Foley won the sectional in a possible statement race, finishing more than twenty seconds ahead of Taylor and Score with Pollert farther back. There is a gap to the rest of the field, certainly. Avon freshman Elena Wigger won the Ben Davis Sectional over a strong field that included Brebeuf teammates Lucy Wood and Isabel Garcia. Harrison teammates Carla Rodriguez and Kaitlyn Manfra went 1-2 in their own sectional. Our committee (of one) projects a bounce back race from one of the state’s best in Pollert.
Girls Teams Predictions:
1. Carmel
2. Zionsville
3. North Central
4. Chatard
5. Harrison
6. Avon
7. Brebeuf
8. Brownsburg
9. Heritage Christian
10. West Lafayette
11. Northview
12. Plainfield
13. Terre Haute South
14. Lewis Cass
15. Pike
16. Faith Christian
17. Terre Haute North
18. McCtucheon
19. Lafayette Jeff
20. Logansport
21. Northwestern
22. Maconaquah
23. Western
24. Owen Valley
25. West Vigo
Girls Team Commentary
In the Mix to Win:
* Carmel certainly appears to be on its way to winning a second straight state championship and could take the top three spots here individually. In a mock meet based on sectional performances, Carmel scored just 37 points, nearly eighty points clear of second. Sophomore Margo Halle’s solid season makes the ‘Hounds clearly the best team in the state with just a couple races to go.
In Good Position to Qualify for State:
* Chatard has a great frontrunner in Score and the return of senior Ceci Jackson in recent weeks should give the Trojans enough to stay ahead of the deepest regional field in the state. In the mock meet, Chatard is thirty points clear of sixth and it seems likely will see improved performance from Jackson this week. Junior Grace Leppert should give Chatard at least two in the top 20 overall.
* Zionsville may have regressed in October from what looked like a potential podium team to start the season. Senior Kathryn Green and sophomore Letty Banwart could give the Eagles two in the top 20, and Zionsville has some subs to make that should ensure a top-two finish at this meet. The Eagles aren’t a lock to advance to Terre Haute, but it would be surprising if they didn’t finish in the top five.
On the Bubble:
* Avon has been rejuvenated by a strong freshman class, including the frontrunner Wigger, and new coach Zach Toothman combining the program with the boys’ team. The Orioles may miss out on Terre Haute this year–they are 12 back from qualifying in our mock meet–but with no seniors in the top seven this is a team to watch for the future.
* Brebeuf enjoys great frontrunning with Wood and Garcia, and the role players have stepped up in recent weeks. The Braves lost to Avon in the sectional, but Brebeuf’s superior depth projects better in a large field like the regional. The Braves were fifth in the mock meet and only 22 points back from second.
* Harrison finished nearly fifty points out of fifth in our mock meet based on sectional performances, but the Raiders had a distinct disadvantage in terms of the level of competition in that first round. Manfra and Rodriguez gives Harrison a great start, perhaps superior to any of the other contenders through two runners. At their best, the Raiders are clearly one of the five best teams in this regional, but they’ll need to return to that form to survive the most treacherous path to Terre Haute.
* North Central has had a solid season with a great opportunity to make a sixth consecutive state meet appearance. Senior Kelsey Rehmel has at times finished very close to Carmel’s top trio. The Panthers also have some runners to insert into the lineup that did not race last weekend. If senior Elizabeth Rocchio races at a similar level as she did in the sectional, NC should comfortably finish in the top five.
2025 New Haven Regional Preview
Boys Individual Predictions:
1. Zander Ritenour, 11, Lakewood Park Christian
2. Jace Trevino, 11, Homestead
3. Jackson Gackenheimer, 12, Warsaw
4. Cooper Knoblauch, 12, Homestead
5. Sam Sweet, 10, Carroll (FW)
6. Bryan Garcia, 12, New Haven
7. Andrew Strong, 12, Eastside
8. Wyatt Turner, 11, Yorktown
9. Memphis Martin, 11, Lakeland
10. Riley Lembke, 12, Homestead
11. Branson Birkey, 11, Homestead
12. Jacksan Slater, 12, Snider
13. Thomas Loney, 10, Yorktown
14. Hunter Panning, 12, Concordia Lutheran
15. Graysen Ruch, 10, West Noble
16. Kai Feasel, 9, Carroll (FW)
17. Isaiah Loney, 11, Yorktown
18. Ezra Church, 11, Wabash
19. Connor Creutz, 10, Concordia Lutheran
20. Chase Wilson, 11, Northrop
How the Boys Individual Race Might Unfold
There are a lot of sub-16:00 runners in this field. Ritenour and Gackenheimer both have season best times under 15:00 (Ritenour 14:57 at Nike Twilight and Gackenheimer 14:59 at Marion Invitational). Jace Trevino probably has the best pure leg speed in this field, so if it comes down to the final 400 meters he can certainly win. Knoblauch, Sweet, and Garcia all have season best times in the 15:20s and 15:30s. There are numerous podium-level runners in this field.
This race will likely go through the mile in the 4:40s and through 2 miles around or under 9:40. It will be interesting to see how many runners are still together heading into the final kilometer. We give Ritenour the slight edge to pull away over the final few minutes of the race.
Boys Teams Predictions:
1. Homestead
2. Yorktown
3. Carroll (FW)
4. Concordia Lutheran
5. Wabash
6. Angola
7. Norwell
8. Northrop
9. Lakewood Park Christian
10. Snider
11. Delta
12. Oak Hill
13. Bishop Dwenger
14. West Noble
15. Warsaw
16. Columbia City
17. South Adams
18. Plymouth
19. Bluffton
20. Wapahani
21. Marion
22. Culver Academies
23. Central Noble
24. Muncie Central
25. Mississinewa
Boys Team Commentary
In the Mix to Win:
* Homestead- The Spartans are the clear team favorite and a state meet podium contender next week. They have 4 runners ranked in the top 11 individually heading into Saturday’s regional meet. They have elite frontrunners, experienced juniors and seniors, and great depth. This is a really good team.
In Good Position to Qualify for State:
* Yorktown- This is an outstanding Yorktown team, with elite frontrunners and great depth. They could finish as high as 2nd place in this meet. Yorktown has never had a boys cross country team advance to the state finals, just missing one spot a year ago. We believe they are about to make school history! They looked great at sectional.
* Carroll (FW)- The Chargers have been consistently good all fall and Sam Sweet has developed into a legitimate state-level frontrunner. This is a team with experience, having qualified for the past two state meets. We expect them to make it 3 in a row.
* Concordia Lutheran- The Cadets advanced to the state meet last year and after graduating 2 of their top 3 they are right back in the mix again this year. Hunter Panning is having a solid senior campaign. Connor Creutz and Austin Panning are both likely top 25 finishers in this race.
On the Bubble:
* Wabash- If they are at full strength, they are likely top 5 team. However, they have had some injury issues throughout the season and they did not have their full roster at sectional. If Cordes and Unger are both back in at regional, they are in a good spot to advance. There is a big gap from their #5 to #6, so they cannot afford any mishaps.
* Angola- The Hornets have been a top 10 team most of the season, but over the past few weeks they have been pushing up closer to the top 5 bubble. They were a strong 2nd place at West Noble Sectional and are squarely in the mix to go to state. This group of seniors made it to state as sophomores and they would love to punch their ticket again.
* Norwell- The Knights are surging late in the season. Their top 5 runners averaged 17:18 at the NE8 Conference Meet and then put up a 17:12 top 5 average to win the Delta Sectional. It has been 25 years since Norwell has qualified a boys team for the state finals. They lack an elite frontrunner, though, which keeps them on the outside of the bubble. They would need a near-perfect 1-5 team race.
Girls Individual Predictions:
1. Mallory Weller, 12, Concordia Lutheran
2. Kenya Leitch, 11, Columbia City
3. Daphne Weller, 10, Concordia Lutheran
4. Caterina Perego, 12, Homestead
5. Clare Lebrija, 10, Homestead
6. Samantha Rastrelli, 12, Warsaw
7. Chloe Gibson, 12, East Noble
8. Leighton Archer, 9, Concordia Lutheran
9. Rowyn Norris, 11, Leo
10. Hannah Suvar, 12, Blackhawk Christian
11. Alice Friesen, 11, Huntington North
12. Lucy Hogue, 9, Concordia Lutheran
13. Daisy Niezer, 12, Homestead
14. Maren Wilson, 12, Northrop
15. Georgia Leininger, 9, Snider
16. Vivy Miller, 11, Plymouth
17. Dani Rastrelli, 9, Warsaw
18. Hannah Clark, 12, Concordia Lutheran
19. Olivia Conlon, 10, Carroll (FW)
20. Lucy Kramer, 11, Homestead
How the Girls Individual Race Might Unfold
* Mallory Weller is the defending state champion, but she is clearly dealing with an injury. She did not run at sectional and was in a walking boot. She was observed running before the meet, which leads us to believe she will be racing in the regional. Kenya Leitch and Daphne Weller are both returning podium runners from last fall. Caterina Perego has been running very well in October to give Homestead a great 1-2 punch with Clare Lebrija.
We expect the Wellers and Leitch to break away from the rest of the field midway through the race and finish 1-2-3 just like they did in this race last year.
Girls Teams Predictions:
1. Concordia Lutheran
2. Homestead
3. Carroll (FW)
4. Columbia City
5. Warsaw
6. Bishop Dwenger
7. East Noble
8. Huntington North
9. Snider
10. Leo
11. Plymouth
12. West Noble
13. Norwell
14. Oak Hill
15. Northrop
16. Bluffton
17. Culver Academies
18. Yorktown
19. Jay County
20. Angola
21. Wapahani
22. Monroe Central
23. Mississinewa
24. Marion
25. Southwood
Girls Team Commentary
In the Mix to Win:
* Concordia Lutheran- The Weller sisters are arguably the best 1-2 duo in the state (it is either Concordia or Carmel). Freshmen Leighton Archer and Lucy Hogue both ran great at the sectional meet last week. With Mallory Weller back in the lineup, we expect Concordia to win the regional.
* Homestead- The Spartans beat Concordia last week at sectional and they are a legitimate podium-level team that will likely put their entire top 5 in the top 25 at regional. That will be enough to secure a strong top 2 finish.
In Good Position to Qualify for State:
* Carroll (FW)- The Chargers were the 5th and final team to make the state finals a year ago. We expect them to be advance with more room to spare this year. Olivia Conlon is having a great sophomore campaign, freshman Cate Sunderlin is running well, and senior Natalie Blume has had strong races recently.
On the Bubble:
* Columbia City- The Eagles are likely to finish 4th or 5th, but we are putting them on the bubble because top 5 is not a certainty. Leitch is an elite frontrunner, but likely their only top 25 runner on Saturday. They need a solid team race up and down the lineup.
* Warsaw- The Rastrelli sisters give the Tigers a great 1-2 and Eden Metz is running well. Then there is a sizeable gap back to their 4-5 runners. They need great performances from these final scorers if they want to head back to Terre Haute again.
* Bishop Dwenger- This is a true pack running team, putting their 1-5 all within 30 seconds at sectional. For them to crack the top 5, they will need some of those runners to push into the top 30 positions this weekend. If their top 5 are all between 25th and 50th, they can make it to state.
* East Noble- The Knights are squarely on the bubble once again. Chloe Gibson is racing well, and classmate Johanna Carpenter is, too. Macey Colin did not run sectional; she is key for East Noble to push for a top 5 spot. They lack depth, so they need all of their top 5 runners to perform well at regional.
2025 Shelbyville Regional Preview
Boys Individual Predictions:
1. Liam Powers Hamilton SE
2. Simon Nickelson Lapel
3. John Libs Noblesville
4. Banner Barnes Noblesville
5. Zach White Pendleton Heights
6. Isaac Smith Hamilton SE
7. Nate Thomas Fishers
8. Conrad Schumacher Lawrence North
9. Liam Fennig Franklin Community
10. Justin Reedus Franklin Central
11. Jack Combs Lapel
12. Isaiah Vos Noblesville
13. Jayden Salo Center Grove
14. Tyler Lenze Lawrence North
15. Tanner Paddock Union County
How the Boys Individual Race Might Unfold
* Liam Powers (HSE) has had a tremendous senior season, winning the HCC and the Noblesville Sectional. Look for him to head a lead pack that could be thick for the first 2K. As it strings out over the middle kilometers it will be interesting to see how many (if any) Noblesville boys are in the hunt for the win.
Boys Teams Predictions:
1. Noblesville
2. Hamilton Southeastern
3. Fishers
4. Center Grove
5. Lawrence North
6. Franklin Central
7. Westfield
8. Whiteland
9. Franklin Community
10. Greenfield-Central
11. Pendleton Heights
12. Mount Vernon
13. Mooresville
14. New Palestine
15. Indian Creek
16. Madison
17. Richmond
18. Northeastern
19. Hagerstown
20. Union County
21. Batesville
22. Austin
23. Charlestown
24. Crothersville
25. Milan
Boys Team Commentary:
The Noblesville Millers have been the top team in this regional all year and look to be the favorite for Saturday. They handily dispatched a strong Hamilton Southeastern team and have the front running and depth to handle this rugged regional. After HSE it looks to be quite close for the next five spots. Fishers, Center Grove, Lawrence North, Franklin Central, and Westfield are all capable squads and have legitimate chances to advance to the state finals. Lawrence North probably had the best sectional performance from this grouping but the tradition of Fishers and Center Grove can’t be ignored. Franklin Central usually performs well at this regional and Westfield is strong, though might be a year away from advancing.
In the Mix to Win:
* Noblesville
*
In Good Position to Qualify for State:
* Hamilton Southeastern
* Fishers
* Center Grove
On the Bubble:
* Lawrence North
* Franklin Central
* Westfield
Girls Individual Predictions:
1.Libby Dowty Indian Creek
2.Anya Zoeller Pendleton Heights
3.Alivia Lozier Westfield
4.Caitlin Hawkins Fishers
5.Lilly Rollings Greenwood
6.Allie Bushey Hamilton Heights
7.Jayde Stamm Noblesville
8.Ava Wade Batesville
9.Chloe Tragesser Guerin Catholic
11.Callie Bentley East Central
12.Hailey Pardieck New Palestine
13.Josie Kinnaman Greenfield-Central
14.Natalie Vandesteene Franklin Central
15.Mia Brinkuff Greenfield-Central
How the Girls Individual Race Might Unfold
*What a showdown the spectators at Shelbyville should witness. Two state title contenders should go head-to-head and both could challenge the 17:00 barrier. Indian Creek senior Libby Dowty (2023 IHSAA state cross country champion) and Pendleton Heights sophomore Anya Zoeller (third place at the 2024 IHSAA state finals) should clear the field early and battle for the coveted Blue River blue ribbon. There are some other fantastic runners in this field (including Westfield's Alivia Lozier, Fishers' Caitlin Hawkins, and Lilly Rollings from Greenwood) however, they will be chasing the one point team score.
Girls Teams Predictions:
Westfield
Fishers
Franklin Central
Noblesville
Guerin Catholic
Hamilton Southeastern
Batesville
New Palestine
Greenfield-Central
Whiteland
Cathedral
Center Grove
East Central
Franklin Community
Mount Vernon
Greenwood
Roncalli
Southwestern
Northeastern
Charlestown
Madison
Switzerland County
Hagerstown
Rushville
South Dearborn
Girls Team Commentary
While it appeared that Westfield had a stranglehold on this regional for the last few weeks, they showed some vulnerability at the Noblesville Sectional. Fishers and Noblesville were right on their tails. The Franklin Central Flashes had a strong sectional victory and appear to be in the mix as well. The depth of the Shamrocks coupled with their lead runner gives them the slight edge. The last spot could come down to two evenly matched and well-coached squads from Guerin Catholic and Hamilton Southeastern. The gap to 7th appears to be pretty far back.
In the Mix to Win:
*Westfield
*Fishers
*Noblesville
*Franklin Central
In Good Position to Qualify for State:
*Hamilton Southeastern
*Guerin Catholic
On the Bubble:
*Hamilton Southeastern
*Guerin Catholic