IR TOP 50 GIRLS TEAMS PRESEASON COUNTDOWN!!

Our annual tradition continues! IR has ranked the preseason top 50 teams in the state for each gender. Check back frequently as we update our list every few days!

#46 – Mt. Vernon Marauders

Shelbyville Regional #15

State meet history: Never qualified

2024 Results:

Mt. Vernon (Fortville) Sectional: 4th place (122 points)

Shelbyville Regional: 20th place (526 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Regional)

Chesnie Willis (11) - 20:10 (56th place)

Lillian Quinn (12) - 22:01 (149th place)

Hannah Hauser (12) - 22:12 (158th place)

Galyn Moore (11) - 22:51 (184th place)

Kendall Cagnet (11) - 23:46 (208th place)

2025 Outlook: The Marauders return five from a team that qualified for the regional last year and had seemingly been in contention for a state meet berth the season before that. This year’s roster certainly has strong upside; senior Hannah Hauser ran 5:21 for 1600 meters and went well under 12:00 for the 3200 with junior Mackenna Laffey close to 5:30 in the 1600. The Marauders have never qualified for the state meet, and unfortunately the new tournament alignment makes that much more difficult being in the most treacherous path to Terre Haute.

#47 – Jasper Wildcats

Mater Dei Regional #6

State meet history: 10 appearances (last in 2024)

2024 Results:

Jasper Sectional: 1st place (38 points)

Mater Dei Regional: 4th place (138 points)

IHSAA State Finals: 25th place (616 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Mater Dei Regional)

Andyn Lampert (12) - 19:35 (22nd place)

Molly Isaacs (11) - 19:44 (30th place)

2025 Outlook: The Wildcats are in the midst of one of the best stretches in program history with state finals appearances in four of the last five years. Jasper will take some graduation hits this year, though the ‘Cats should be able to fill some of that void with a strong incoming freshman class that finished fourth at the middle school state meet big school division. A great transition from those incoming ninth-graders could put Jasper into the mix for state in a regional that does not project to be very strong this fall.

#48 – Plainfield Quakers

Brownsburg Regional #9

State meet history: Never qualified

2024 Results:

Ben Davis Sectional: 4th place (112 points)

Brownsburg Regional: 10th place (326 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brownsburg Regional)

Katherine Campbell (12) - 20:03 (50th place)

Adisyn Gorrell (12) - 20:18 (61st place)

Madison Weaver (11) - 20:26 (66th place)

Reese Woodson (12) - 20:58 (90th place)

Hailey Kelley (10) - 21:15 (109th place)

Hailey Nehring (11) - 21:16 (110th place)

Gabby McHone (11) - 22:07 (151st place)

2025 Outlook: Perhaps the best program in the state never to have qualified for the state meet, the Quakers’ new tournament path could be the change needed to end that drought at some point in the future. That is very unlikely to be this year with five of the state’s top ten teams in the Brownsburg Regional. Plainfield should be better than last year with seven runners back. Senior Katie Campbell could be in the mix for individual qualification to the state meet after a track season that included 5:21 for 1600 meters, and Plainfield had a top 20 finisher in the middle school state meet big school race who is going into her freshman year.

#49 – Corydon Central Panthers

Mater Dei Regional #7

State meet history: 2 appearances (last in 2023)

2024 Results:

Crawford County Sectional: 2nd place (59 points)

Mater Dei Regional: 7th place (270 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Mater Dei Regional)

Lilli Pavey (12) - 19:42 (28th place)

Ella Taylor (10) - 19:55 (35th place)

Peri Leghart (12) - 20:58 (58th place)

Cora Broom (11) - 21:41 (96th place)

Haelley Shearer (12) - 22:02 (108th place)

Evelyn Sevilla (10) - 22:14 (121st place)

2025 Outlook: The Panthers missed the state meet last fall after the first two appearances in program history prior to that. It is possible Corydon could get back to Terre Haute as a team, though that’s predicated on the Panthers getting production from newcomers. That is possible as Corydon’s junior high team finished third in the small school division at the middle school state meet. Senior Peri Leghart could be much improved after running 5:32 in the track season. 

#50 – West Noble Chargers

New Haven Regional #8

State meet history: 8 appearances (last in 2010), 2 podium finishes (last in 1999)

2024 Results:

West Noble Sectional: 3rd place (88 points)

New Haven Regional: 11th place (337 points)

Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Regional)

Trinity Parson (12) - 20:39 (58th place)

Lanie Martin (12) - 21:06 (76th place)

Karyme Barrientos (10) - 21:14 (82nd place)

Mya Emmert (11) - 21:21 (87th place)

Victoria Mendoza (10) - 21:49 (115th place)

Abigail Ruch (11) - 22:59 (180th place)

Maryanna Troxel (10) - 24:12 (212th place)

2025 Outlook: The Chargers return all seven from an 11th-place regional team that could move into the top ten this fall. Senior Lanie Martin had a strong track season, running 5:27 for 1600 meters. West Noble should have no problems advancing out of the sectional but getting to the school’s first state meet in 14 years would probably require some newcomers making a big difference.