#1 – Columbus North Bull Dogs
Brown County Semi-state #1
State meet history: 24 appearances (last in 2019), 11 podium finishes (last in 2019), 2 runner-up titles (2001, 2013), 5 state championships (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2011)
2019 Results:
Brown County Sectional: 1st place (35 points)
Columbus North Regional: 1st place (25 points)
Brown County Semi-state: 2nd place (79 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 4th place (161 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-state)
Matthew Newell (11) – 15:56 (2nd place)
Reese Kilbarger-Stumpff (11) – 16:09 (6th place)
Andy Stohr (12) – 16:24 (16th place)
Evan Carr (11) – 16:47 (34th place)
Collin Pruitt (12) – 16:47 (36th place)
Austin Pulkowski (12) – 17:02 (49th place)
Will Kiel (11) – 17:36 (88th place)
2020 Outlook: The Bulldogs are a heavy favorite entering 2020, a near carbon copy of last year’s champion with two All-Staters (or one All-Stater and one very nearly so) and all seven back from a fourth-place team. Junior Matt Newell is already among the state’s very elite with junior Reese Kilbarger-Stumpff poised to join him after finishing inches shy of an All-State finish despite missing much of the early season in 2019. Senior Andy Stohr—the 24th returner from state meet results and a 9:48 performer over 3200 meters early in the track season—gives North three likely All-Staters. Junior Evan Carr also broke ten minutes indoors in the 3200. The Dogs aren’t a lock, but with everyone returning and two consecutive years of great state meet performances, they will be a tough out for anyone this season (and next).
#2 – Fishers Tigers
New Haven Semi-state #1
State meet history: 9 appearances (last in 2019), 6 podium finishes (last in 2018), 2 runner-up titles (2015, 2017), 1 state championship (2007)
2019 Results:
Pendleton Heights Sectional: 1st place (23 points)
Delta Regional: 1st place (27 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 3rd place (99 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 8th place (262 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-State)
Will Clark (12) – 15:58 (12th place)
Jaylen Castillo (12) – 15:59 (13th place)
Max McCollum (12) – 16:37 (41st place)
Matthew Leppert (12) – 16:51 (52nd place)
Alec Foster (11) – 16:59 (62nd place)
Tate Meaux (10) – 17:12 (83rd place)
2020 Outlook: The Tigers have a potentially scary-good team back in 2020, with six back from a group that looked like a contender at points last year before ultimately finishing eighth in Terre Haute. This is a senior-heavy roster with some potential for big improvement from the younger runners, including a promising freshman class from last season. Senior Will Clark, 19th at the state meet last season and 9:40 over 3200 meters in his track opener, gets Fishers off to a good start with classmate Jaylen Castillo a likely All-Stater as well. Senior Matthew Leppert, one of the state’s most improved runners in 2019, had some really good races in September and opened in the 3200 in 9:53 indoors. Fishers is consistently one of the top boys programs in the state with a four-year run of 2nd, 4th, 2nd and 3rd before last year’s eight-place finish. Perhaps this is the year they break through for the title.
#3 – Carmel Greyhounds
Shelbyville Semi-state #1
Noblesville Regional #1
State meet history: 46 appearances (last in 2019), 41 podium finishes (last in 2019), 12 runner-up titles (1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1992, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2019), 16 state championships (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1988, 1993, 1996, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018)
2019 Results:
Noblesville Sectional: 1st place (26 points)
Noblesville Regional: 2nd place (58 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 1st place (89 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 2nd place (112 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-State)
Kole Mathison (10) – 15:50 (6th place)
Hudson Alden (12) – 16:30 (36th place)
Charlie Schuman (11) – 16:49 (64th place)
2020 Outlook: The Greyhounds carry an eight-year streak of finishing in the top two at the state finals, the longest such run of its kind ever for a boys’ team. Routinely the biggest team in Indiana, and typically more than double the second largest, Carmel typically enjoys unmatched depth. For the foreseeable future, the ‘Hounds should also benefit from great frontrunning after sophomore Kole Mathison returns from finishing 11th at the state meet, the highest finish by a ninth-grader since 2008 and fourth-highest in the modern era. Behind Mathison, Carmel does look to have its aforementioned signature depth. Junior Charlie Schuman ran under 16 minutes on the LaVern Gibson course at the Nike Twilight meet, and the ‘Hounds had four returners run under ten minutes for 3200 meters in their only track meet. Carmel has the possibility of a contender in 2020, but the ‘Hounds will have their work cut out for them to maintain their streak of earning a ring.
#4 – Noblesville Millers
Shelbyville Semi-state #2
Noblesville Regional #2
State meet history: 9 appearances (last in 2019), 1 podium finish (2010), 1 runner-up title (2010)
2019 Results:
Noblesville Sectional: 2nd place (49 points)
Noblesville Regional: 3rd place (108 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 5th place (169 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 13th place (352 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-state)
Travis Hickner (12) – 15:46 (5th place)
Cole Kimmel (12) – 15:58 (12th place)
Evan Campbell (12) – 16:47 (60th place)
Asher Propst (10) – 16:54 (70th place)
Luke Shinneman (11) – 17:03 (81 place)
Kolby Kazmierski (11) – 17:57 (147th place)
2020 Outlook: This could be the Millers’ year. They have two potential top ten guys in seniors Travis Hickner and Cole Kimmel, the former of whom has already been All-State twice. Noblesville had a potential podium team last fall but lost two key runners—senior Andrew Anderson and junior Andrew Knight—before the conclusion of the tournament. The Millers still rebounded to qualify for the state finals, their first appearance in nearly a decade, and their adjusted rating (with missing runners inserted based on season average) on inccstats would have been good enough to land on the podium. The Millers have the frontrunning with Hickner and Kimmel and the depth to win the title.
#5 – Brebeuf Braves
Shelbyville Semi-state #3
Noblesville Regional #3
State meet history: 5 appearances (last in 2019), 3 podium finishes (last in 2019)
2019 Results:
Brebeuf Sectional: 1st place (69 points)
Noblesville Regional: 1st place (57 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 3rd place (119 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 3rd place (135 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-state)
Krishna Thirunavukkarasu (11) – 15:56 (11th place)
Ezra Burrell (10) – 16:38 (46th place)
Collin Stevens (11) – 16:52 (67th place)
Matteo Rosio (10) – 16:57 (74th place)
Eli Franklin (12) – 17:20 (112th place)
2020 Outlook: The Braves had their best state meet finish in school history last year when they ended the season third in Terre Haute. They bring five of those back for another potential podium team, which would be their fourth in eight seasons if they were to accomplish that. Junior Krishna Thirunavukkarasu is primed to join the state’s very elite if he isn’t already there. He qualified for the state meet individually as a freshman and finished 20th last year. Sophomore Ezra Burrell could be an All-Stater as well, giving the Braves one of the best 1-2 punches in the state. Burrell improved his semi-state placing by finishing 37th in Terre Haute. This is a team with strong podium potential.
#6 – Goshen RedHawks
New Haven Semi-state #2
State meet history: 7 appearances (last in 2014), 1 podium finish (1976)
2019 Results:
Elkhart Central Sectional: 1st place (37 points)
Elkhart Central Regional: 2nd place (79 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 7th place (187 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-state)
Drew Hogan (11) – 16:00 (14th place)
Cole Johnston (11) – 16:03 (16th place)
Tommy Claxton (10) – 16:40 (43rd place)
Adrian Mora (11) – 17:12 (84th place)
Ryan Diaz (12) – 17:15 (88th place)
Tyler Weise (11) – 17:54 (137th place)
2020 Outlook: The RedHawks went from being unranked in our preseason top 50 to eight points from the state finals last year with two individual qualifiers. Drew Hogan was nearly All-State in finishing 27th, the seventh underclassman, and Cole Johnston came in 55th. With four sophomores and a freshman in last year’s varsity, Goshen could be in year two of a three-year progression. The ‘Hawks have a very likely state meet and a potential podium team this year, and they could be a legitimate title contender in 2021 with Hogan and Johnston teaming up at the very front of the race.
#7 – Center Grove Trojans
Shelbyville Semi-state #4
State meet history: 1 appearance (2019)
2019 Results:
Franklin Sectional: 1st place (34 points)
Shelbyville Regional: 1st place (31 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 2nd place (110 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 14th place (357 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-State)
Drew Costelow (10) – 16:04 (15th place)
Ty Garrett (10) – 16:15 (22nd place)
Jarrett Rockwell (10) – 16:38 (49th place)
Raef Sauer (11) – 17:04 (86th place)
Aidan Galt (12) – 17:09 (92nd place)
2020 Outlook: The Trojans are perhaps the state’s most intriguing team, coming off their best season ever in a first state meet appearance with four impactful freshmen. In addition to the returners listed, sophomore Parker Mimbella was the team’s third runner at the state meet despite not competing in the semi-state. A state-qualifying team so young is basically unheard of in the modern era. CG is the expected team of the future. Reports of sophomore Ty Garrett’s move will undoubtedly hurt the team’s potential this fall, although this is still a likely state meet group even without him. Sophomore Drew Costelow is a potential All-Stater, and the Trojans have a roster with experience and youth, a promising combination.
#8 – Hamilton Southeastern Royals
New Haven Semi-state #3
State meet history: 14 appearances (last in 2019), 3 podium finishes (last in 2012)
2019 Results:
Pendleton Heights Sectional: 2nd place (54 points)
Delta Regional: 2nd place (74 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 6th place (179 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 10th place (320 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-state)
Will Marquadt (11) – 16:30 (35th place)
Nolan Satterfield (11) – 16:31 (38th place)
Jack Struss (12) – 17:07 (73rd place)
Jack Patrick (12) – 17:19 (98th place)
2020 Outlook: The Royals bring back four that ran in last year’s state meet where they finished in the top ten, the seventh such finish of that decade. HSE is in a great position to continue that momentum into the 20s. Junior Nolan Satterfield finished 46th at the state meet, among the top 25 returners. He also ran in the state meet as a freshman and opened the track season with a 9:51 3200 indoors. Behind Satterfield, the Royals definitely have enough depth to qualify out of the tough New Haven Semi-state. A rumored high-level transfer could transform Southeastern from a possible state meet squad to a podium contender.
#9 – Zionsville Eagles
Shelbyville Semi-state #5
Ben Davis Regional #1
State meet history: 8 appearances (last in 2019)
2019 Results:
Ben Davis Sectional: 1st place (28 points)
Ben Davis Regional: 2nd place (60 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 3rd place (102 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 12th place (332 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-State)
Jesus Garcia (12) – 15:37 (2nd place)
Logan Cole (12) – 16:41 (52nd place)
Matthew Helton (10) – 17:13 (101st place)
Decatur Dell (11) – 17:15 (104th place)
2020 Outlook: The Eagles bring back four runners from their fourth straight state meet squad. Senior Jesus Garcia—twice All-State already—means Zionsville scores four every meet. He even scored just a single point last year in his fourth place finish at Terre Haute. Senior Logan Cole faded a bit down the stretch last year but had been performing at an All-State level at other points in the season. The Eagles are a very likely state meet team and could absolutely be a podium threat. The success of their season will largely be dictated by the development of the younger runners on their large (62 participants) roster.
#10 – Fort Wayne Concordia Cadets
New Haven Semi-state #4
West Noble Regional #1
State meet history: 7 appearances (last in 2019), 3 podium finishes (last in 2019), 1 state championship (2019)
2019 Results:
Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional: 1st place (34 points)
West Noble Regional: 1st place (36 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 1st place (49 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 1st place (93 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-state)
Karsten Schlegel (11) – 16:16 (24th place)
Luke Bentz (12) – 16:24 (29th place)
Daniel Adair (11) – 16:26 (30th place)
2020 Outlook: The Cadets dominated the entire last season, winning the state championship in November to cap an undefeated season. Three of those seven return this year to give Concordia a group of experienced, accomplished athletes upon which to build in 2020. Junior Karsten Schlegel had one of the most interesting seasons in recent history, running only the last three meets but finishing 29th at the state meet in a performance that, given how well the challengers ran, absolutely won the title for the Cadets. This is perhaps the most well-coached boys team in the state, a small school that has finished on the podium in three of the last four years. Replacing a trio of graduated All-Staters won’t be easy, but Concordia will still be very competitive this fall.
#11 – Floyd Central Highlanders
Brown County Semi-state #2
State meet history: 22 appearances (last in 2019), 1 podium finish (1991), 1 state championship (1991)
2019 Results:
Crawford County Sectional: 1st place (21 points)
Crawford County Regional: 1st place (43 points)
Brown County Semi-state: 3rd place (97 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 19th place (432 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-state)
Hunter Griffin (12) – 16:16 (8th place)
Mitchel Meier (11) -16:43 (28th place)
Justin McWilliams (12) – 16:59 (45th place)
Wade Woosley (12) -17:06 (53rd place)
2020 Outlook: The Highlanders have a very competitive group back that should be a lock for a third consecutive state meet and a longshot podium team. Senior Hunter Griffin had a breakout year that included a top-ten finish at the semi-state and a 9:59 performance in his first 3200 indoors. In addition to returners from semi-state results listed above, junior Weston Naville has run on both of Floyd’s state meet teams while in high school; he missed several weeks of racing late in the season but returned to score for the ‘Landers in Terre Haute. Griffin and Naville give Floyd a great top duo, and the depth could be there for a podium push.
#12 – Westfield Shamrocks
State meet history: 3 appearances (last in 2015), 1 podium finish (2015)
2019 Results:
Noblesville Sectional: 3rd place (75 points)
Noblesville Regional: 6th place (149 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Noblesville Regional)
Kai Connor (11) – 16:02 (11th place)
Tyler Smith (12) – 16:44 (41st place)
Kyler Koning (12) – 16:45 (42nd place)
Garrett Mowry (11) – 16:51 (50th place)
2020 Outlook: The Shamrocks have an exciting team coming back this fall. Junior Kai Connor, an individual qualifier as a sophomore, provides Westfield with a clear frontrunner and number one. Senior Jacob Beene, a JV runner for much of last season, flashed brilliant potential in the track season by running under 2:00 over 800 meters and 4:30 for 1600 meters indoors. Some of the other returning varsity runners had great openings to their shortened track season with seniors Tyler Smith running 9:57 and Kyler Koning running 10:05 over 3200 meters. If the ‘Rocks can transition their track prowess onto hill and dale this fall, they have a great chance to return to the state meet for the first time since 2015, but it’s also possible that they may not make it out of the tough Noblesville Regional.
#13 – Bloomington South Panthers
Brown County Semi-state #3
Bedford North Lawrence Regional #1
State meet history: 28 appearances (last in 2019), 3 podium finishes (last in 2018)
2019 Results:
Bedford North Lawrence Sectional: 1st place (24 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Regional: 1st place (43 points)
Brown County Semi-state: 1st place (77 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 9th place (284 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-state)
Neal Alderson (12) – 16:35 (21st place)
Zander West (11) – 16:51 (39th place)
John Asplund (12) – 17:00 (46th place)
2020 Outlook: The Panthers are coming off three consecutive years of top-ten finishes at the state finals, the only such stretch in the last thirty years. South has done so with some elite talent, certainly, but also demonstrating an ability to develop and progress athletes over the course of a high school career. Senior Neal Alderson provides an excellent example of progress, scoring on the Panthers’ podium team as a sophomore and finishing 44th as a junior at the state meet. South has made 13 of the last 14 state meets; expect that trend to continue in 2020.
#14 – Westview Warriors
New Haven Semi-state #5
West Noble Regional #2
State meet history: 11 appearances (last in 2018), 3 podium finishes (last in 2017)
2019 Results:
West Noble Sectional: 2nd place (52 points)
West Noble Regional: 3rd place (87 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 9th place (218 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-state)
Spencer Carpenter (12) – 15:52 (5th place)
Remington Carpenter (12) – 16:23 (28th place)
Anthony Sanchez (11) – 17:11 (81st place)
Dominic Hostetler (12) – 17:57 (142nd place)
Andrew Cupp (12) – 19:16 (175th place)
2020 Outlook: This is a team brimming with potential. Senior Spencer Carpenter should make his fourth appearance in the state meet this fall after running with the team for two years and qualifying individually last season. His twin Remington seems poised for a strong senior year. Junior Anthony Sanchez did score on a state meet team in 2018 and should contribute this season. Behind those three, the Warriors don’t have an especially deep squad, not surprising for a school of under 400 students. Help may be on the way, though, as Westview’s feeder dominated the big school race at the middle school state meet with four eighth graders in the top 20.
#15 – Penn Kingsmen
New Haven Semi-state #6
State meet history: 10 appearances (last in 2017), 1 podium finish (1999)
2019 Results:
South Bend Riley Sectional: 1st place (27 points)
Elkhart Central Regional: 1st place (61 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 8th place (215 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-state)
Mariano Retzloff (11) – 16:30 (34th place)
Carter Kaser (11) – 16:40 (44th place)
Dillon Pottschmidt (12) – 17:04 (69th place)
Ben Boardley (12) – 17:10 (77th place)
Jason Juarez (10) – 17:17 (92nd place)
2020 Outlook: The Kingsmen were a young team with two sophomores atop their line-up that finished within striking distance of the state finals. With five total back from that semi-state team, Penn is favored to get back to Terre Haute as a team this fall. Penn should even have a younger varsity this year with four of the five projected scorers on inccstats being non-seniors so this may be a team a year away from its apex.
#16 – Crown Point Bulldogs
New Prairie Semi-state #1
State meet history: 27 appearances (last in 2019), 4 podium finishes (last in 1981), 3 runner-up titles (1975, 1976, 1977)
2019 Results:
Hebron Sectional: 1st place (39 points)
Crown Point Regional: 1st place (55 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 1st place (93 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 7th place (243 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Quinton Bock (12) – 16:15 (6th place)
Cole Simmons (12) – 16:29 (13th place)
Anthony Saberniak (12) – 17:02 (45th place)
Matthew Bates (12) – 17:11 (62nd place)
Cameron Zimmerman (11) – 17:24 (81st place)
2020 Outlook: The Bulldogs return five from their semi-state championship that had their best state meet finish since 2003 in their seventh straight appearance in Terre Haute. With those five back, it seems likely that CP will make it eight in a row and will again be one of the top teams in the area. This is an especially deep team, and in a down year for the New Prairie Semi-state, we are willing to call this our first state meet lock in the countdown.
#17 – North Central Panthers
Shelbyville Semi-state #7
Noblesville Regional #5
State meet history: 31 appearances (last in 2018), 11 podium finishes (last in 2010), 2 runner-up titles (1967, 1968), 1 state championship (1969)
2019 Results:
Brebeuf Sectional: 3rd place (86 points)
Noblesville Regional: 4th place (113 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 9th place (213 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-State)
Nate Kileen (10) – 16:24 (29th place)
Aaron Broderick (12) – 17:13 (100th place)
Jonathan Petersen (12) – 17:14 (103rd place)
Dominik Hickman (12) – 17:23 (118th place)
Sawyer Husain (11) – 17:35 (132nd place)
2020 Outlook: The front-loaded Panthers lose two of their top three from last year, but they return 12 of their 14 best runners based on their 2019 profile on incctats. Three of NC’s nine best runners last season were freshmen, and with the expected sophomore jump, the Panthers could have another state meet team. Sophomore Nate Kileen could be an All-Stater after a great freshman season in which he was somewhat close to qualifying individually in cross country and ran 9:52 in his first 3200. Junior Hayden Monk also had a promising start to the track season with a 10:00 performance.
#18 – Franklin Central Flashes
Shelbyville Semi-state #8
State meet history: 9 appearances (last in 2012), 4 podium finishes (last in 2006), 2 runner-up titles (2000, 2006), 1 state championships (1998)
2019 Results:
Mt. Vernon Sectional: 1st place (39 points)
Rushville Regional: 1st place (31 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 10th place (239 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-State)
Jackson Andry (12) – 16:33 (40th place)
Justin Healey (12) – 16:43 (53rd place)
Samuel Masih (12) – 17:01 (80th place)
Nicholas Hutt (12) – 17:11 (93rd place)
Brayden Henkle (10) – 17:18 (105th place)
Jacob Abshire (12) – 17:28 (125th place)
2020 Outlook: The Flashes were a top-ten semi-state team last fall with six of those seven back. FC will be an experienced, senior-laden squad with no dominant frontrunner but an abundance of depth (16 in inccstats’ preseason top 1000 and 51 participants in 2019). This has been a program on the rise back to the state’s elite teams in the last couple of years, a team that ran five sophomores in the semi-state two years ago who are all now heading into their senior season. A mix of these many seniors and one very talented sophomore have the Flashes looking poised to make their first state meet since 2012.
#19 – Austin Eagles
Brown County Semi-state #4
State meet history: 1 appearance (1992)
2019 Results:
Southwestern Sectional: 2nd place (55 points)
Columbus North Regional: 3rd place (70 points)
Brown County Semi-state: 9th place (239 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-state)
Philipp Tabert (12) – 16:34 (20th place)
Wyatt Beck (11) – 16:41 (25th place)
Brandon Rice (10) – 17:25 (74th place)
Chance Craig (11) – 17:27 (77th place)
Brady Watts (10) – 18:00 (120th place)
Kyler Davidson (10) – 18:28 (146th place)
Xavier Rahe (12) – 18:58 (167th place)
2020 Outlook: The Eagles are one of our more intriguing teams heading into the 2020 season. They have all seven runners back from a team that was 43 points away from the state meet last fall, a large gap but close enough for optimism with everyone returning. Austin is a very small school (enrollment 378 last year), but the Eagles did have 20 participants in 2019. State meet chances will rely largely on the development of last year’s freshmen and sophomores, with the widespread hiatus from practice complicating that dynamic on such a young team. Austin ran five underclassmen in the semi-state last year, and if they progress well, this could be a Terre Haute-bound team for the next two seasons.
#20 – Warsaw Tigers
New Prairie Semi-state #2
State meet history: 10 appearances (last in 2013), 1 podium finish (2012)
2019 Results:
Culver Academies Sectional: 1st place (36 points)
Culver Academies Regional: 1st place (39 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 9th place (213 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Jacob Kissling (12) – 16:31 (16th place)
Tanner Stiver (12) – 17:05 (49th place)
Samuel Lechlitner (12) – 17:08 (56th place)
Harrison Phipps (11) – 17:23 (77th place)
Luke Nier (10) – 17:24 (82nd place)
2020 Outlook: The Tigers are looking to end a six-year state meet drought after falling just 19 points short last year. With five back from that team, including the top three, Warsaw is in a great position to qualify out of the New Prairie Semi-state this fall. Jacob Kissling, an individual qualifier last year, gives the Tigers a frontrunner, and classmate Sam Lechlitner ran as a close number two in many of the meets earlier in the season.
#21 – Bloomington North Cougars
Brown County Semi-state #5
Bedford North Lawrence Regional #2
State meet history: 33 appearances (last in 2019), 6 podium finishes (last in 2006), 1 state championship (1980)
2019 Results:
Bedford North Lawrence Sectional: 2nd place (52 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Regional: 2nd place (67 points)
Brown County Semi-state: 4th place (156 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 18th place (414 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-state)
Mason Childers (12) – 16:42 (26th place)
Nolan Bailey (11) – 16:49 (37th place)
Eli Norrick (11) – 17:22 (71st place)
Nic Kaiser (10) – 17:45 (97th place)
Elliott Campbell (12) – 17:53 (114th place)
2020 Outlook: The Cougars bring back four that ran in last year’s state meet (and five in the semi-state) on a team that made its eighth consecutive trip to Terre Haute. With that sort of foundation coupled with longstanding tradition—North has the fifth most state meet appearances of any school and one of three active boys head coaches to have guided a team to a state title—it seems likely the Cougars will qualify again this season despite losing two-time All-Stater Paul Rushton to graduation. Junior Liam Arthur (10:17 indoors over 3200 meters) did not compete in the tournament last fall but could factor into the scoring this season.
#22 – Northview Knights
Brown County Semi-state #6
Bedford North Lawrence Regional #3
State meet history: 3 appearances (last in 2019)
2019 Results:
Terre Haute North Sectional: 1st place (34 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Regional: 3rd place (108 points)
Brown County Semi-state: 6th place (196 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 24th place (589 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-state)
Thomas Chapman (12) – 16:44 (30th place)
Stuart Bennett (11) – 16:45 (31st place)
Corbin Butts (12) – 16:49 (38th place)
Carter Mullenix (12) – 17:25 (73rd place)
Jared Parkey (11) – 17:53 (112th place)
Braeden Knerr (12) – 18:42 (158th place)
2020 Outlook: The Knights ended a nearly two-decade hiatus by making the state meet last fall, and the school seems in the midst of a renaissance with the girls program ranked even higher in this preseason. Northview got to the state finals last year with good pack running despite lacking a frontrunner, and that will need to be the method again this fall. Corbin Butts (10:12) and Stuart Bennet (10:24) had good starts to their track seasons. This is not an especially deep team, but if all returners run up to their potential, this is certainly a state meet team.
#23 – Chesterton Trojans
New Prairie Semi-state #3
State meet history: 36 appearances (last in 2019), 4 podium finishes (last in 2009), 1 runner-up title (2009)
2019 Results:
New Prairie Sectional: 2nd place (48 points)
Chesterton Regional: 2nd place (71 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 3rd place (112 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 16th place (377 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Matthew Streeter (12) – 16:30 (14th place)
Cole Dolson (11) – 17:08 (54th place)
Jackson Tuck (10) – 17:24 (79th place)
2020 Outlook: The Trojans return just three from its state meet team last year, but this was a deep roster in 2019 that should help in reloading its line-up for a potential fourth state meet in five seasons. This is a team without a dominant number one runner, though senior Matt Streeter did run exceptionally well in the semi-state after missing the first half of the season. The Tuck brothers, Jackson and Josh, could improve into difference makers in their sophomore campaigns after getting pretty extensive varsity experience as freshmen. Just three back from a state meet qualifier doesn’t typically merit “lock” status the next year, but Chesterton is pretty close.
#24 – Homestead Spartans
New Haven Semi-state #7
West Noble Regional #3
State meet history: 5 appearances (last in 2019)
2019 Results:
Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional: 2nd place (39 points)
West Noble Regional: 2nd place (74 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 2nd place (98 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 6th place (215 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-state)
Donald McArdle (12) – 16:10 (23rd place)
Ethan Baitz (11) – 16:30 (37th place)
Aidan Sheppard (12) – 17:28 (111th place)
2020 Outlook: The Spartans were one point short of the state meet podium last year and are coming off their two best teams in school history. Two scorers from last season return this fall, and the Spartans certainly have a chance to make it three consecutive state finals for the first time in the history of the program. Senior Donald McArdle, a state meet veteran after scoring for Homestead the last two years in Terre Haute, and junior Ethan Baitz are both potential All-Staters. This year’s challenge will be developing the depth behind that pair to advance from very competitive regional and semi-state rounds. In a school of nearly 2500 that had 56 participants in 2019, that is a strong possibility.
#25 – Harrison (West Lafayette) Raiders
New Prairie Semi-state #4
State meet history: 2 appearances (last in 2019)
2019 Results:
Harrison (West Lafayette) Sectional: 1st place (36 points)
Harrison (West Lafayette) Regional: 1st place (27 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 5th place (165 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 15th place (374 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Leonel Ramirez Soriano (12) -16:17 (7th place)
Dieubeni Baributsa (12) – 17:24 (80th place)
George Hufendick (10) – 17:43 (106th place)
Ben Obert (12) – 18:00 (125th place)
2020 Outlook: The Raiders are coming off consecutive state meet appearances, the only two in school history, and return four that ran in Terre Haute last fall. Graduation hits will have an effect for sure, but this is a well-coached group at its program’s absolute apex. In addition to those who ran in the state meet in 2019, senior Isidore White competed in the 2018 state finals and scored for the team most meets last year prior to the tournament. Senior Leo Soriano gives Harrison a valuable frontrunner, and with seven state meet appearances on the roster depth should not be an issue. This is a likely state meet team.
#26 – Brownsburg Bulldogs
Shelbyville Semi-state #9
Ben Davis Regional #2
State meet history: 1 appearance (2019), 1 podium finish (2019)
2019 Results:
Brownsburg Sectional: 1st place (26 points)
Ben Davis Regional: 1st place (58 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 4th place (120 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 5th place (214 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-State)
Trevor Nolan (12) – 16:11 (19th place)
Jacob Kodrick (12) – 16:26 (30th place)
Kole Kelley (12) – 16:44 (56th place)
Adin Rademacher (12) – 17:19 (107th place)
2020 Outlook: The Bulldogs enjoyed their best season in school history, qualifying for their first ever state meet and earning a podium finish in Terre Haute. Despite graduation of some difference makers, Brownsburg could have its second best year in 2020. Senior Trevor Nolan (32nd at the state meet in 2019) and senior Jacob Kodrick (56th at the state meet) give the ‘Dogs two solid frontrunners as a foundation. Brownsburg enjoys the advantage of four seniors with state meet experience, and while cross country scores five, getting one more competitive runner in a school of 2643 on a team with 40 participants last fall shouldn’t be too tall of a task.
#27 – Jasper Wildcats
Brown County Semi-state #7
State meet history: 4 appearances (last in 2019)
2019 Results:
Jasper Sectional: 1st place (28 points)
Crawford County Regional: 2nd place (52 points)
Brown County Semi-state: 5th place (173 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 17th place (377 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-state)
Abe Eckman (11) – 16:57 (43rd place)
Jaryn Weinel (10) – 17:07 (55th place)
William Gubbins (10) – 17:18 (67th place)
Harrison Hulsman (10) – 17:58 (118th place)
2020 Outlook: The Wildcats ended one of the longest state meet droughts in history (56 years!) by qualifying for Terre Haute last fall. Though Jasper loses some frontrunning, the ‘Cats return four total including three freshmen. With potential upside from dramatically improving younger runners, Jasper could find itself back in the state meet for a second consecutive year, although that won’t be easy this year in what could be the most competitive Brown County Semi-state ever.
#28 – Lake Central Indians
New Prairie Semi-state #5
State meet history: 14 appearances (last in 2019), 2 podium finishes (last in 1983), 1 runner-up title (1983)
2019 Results:
Highland Sectional: 1st place (38 points)
Crown Point Regional: 2nd place (83 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 7th place (195 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 25th place (608 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Logan Russell (12) – 16:41 (26th place)
Zakaria Mouhiuddin (12) – 16:49 (36th place)
Vince Vanderveen (11) – 16:53 (39th place)
Hayden Podlin (12) – 17:21 (70th place)
Jordan Duggan (12) – 17:23 (74th place)
Kaden Smith (10) – 18:21 (146th place)
2020 Outlook:
Lake Central brings back all five scorers from a team that qualified for the state meet last fall (albeit under unique circumstances). This is a senior-laden group with state finals experience. In a typical year, we would consider a team like this to be a state meet lock. The past four months have been anything but typical for high school sports, but LC still has a great chance to return to Terre Haute. Senior Logan Russell (10:04) and junior Vince Vanderveen (10:16) had good starts to their track season, and the rest of the team should provide adequate depth.
#29 – Fort Wayne Carroll Chargers
New Haven Semi-state #8
West Noble Regional #6
State meet history: 11 appearances (last in 2017), 5 podium finishes (last in 2016), 2 runner-up titles (2008, 2012), 1 state championship (2016)
2019 Results:
Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional: 4th place (120 points)
West Noble Regional: 6th place (162 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the West Noble Regional)
Preston Sloffer (11) – 17:13 (33rd place)
Ian Gongwer (12) – 17:30 (45th place)
Robert Lohman (11) – 18:30 (68th place)
2020 Outlook: The Chargers have missed the last two state meets after qualifying for eight consecutive prior to that. Carroll could end that mini-drought this year, even after bowing out in the regional in 2019. Juniors Robert Lohman and Preston Sloffer could both develop into true frontrunners after getting another year to grow into the role. Lohman ran 9:57 indoors this past track season, and Sloffer ran 4:32 over 1600 meters as a freshman. Finding complementary scorers should not be too challenging in school of nearly 2500 steeped in cross country tradition.
#30 – Terre Haute South Braves
Brown County Semi-state #9
Bedford North Lawrence Regional #5
State meet history: 15 appearances (last in 2016), 1 podium finish (2013)
2019 Results:
Terre Haute North Sectional: 2nd place (54 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Regional: 4th place (109 points)
Brown County Semi-state: 7th place (211 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-state)
Cael Light (12) – 16:04 (3rd place)
Matt Gambill (11) – 16:22 (12th place)
Mason Cranford (11) – 17:41 (91st place)
Tim Smith (10) – 17:51 (107th place)
Isaac Hults (11) – 18:12 (130th place)
Eric Haworth (11) – 18:20 (138th place)
2020 Outlook: The Braves were within 15 points of the state meet and return an encouraging contingent back from that team. Senior Cael Light and junior Matt Gambill both qualified for Terre Haute individually and could both be All-Staters this fall. Returning both of them is a huge starting point for THS; the security of two established frontrunners would give any team a higher margin of error in developing depth. Certainly, the Braves will need to improve beyond that pair, but with two of the top six returning runners from semi-state results, South will essentially only be scoring three runners at the semi-state.
#31 – Terre Haute North Patriots
Brown County Semi-state #9
Bedford North Lawrence Regional #5
State meet history: 18 appearances (last in 2014), 4 podium finishes (last in 2010), 1 state championship (1972)
2019 Results:
Terre Haute North Sectional: 3rd place (75 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Regional: 6th place (140 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Bedford North Lawrence Regional)
Anthony Adams (12) – 16:45 (20th place)
Ian Gadberry (12) – 16:51 (22nd place)
Dylan Zeck (10) – 17:00 (26th place)
Hayden McCarty (12) – 17:28 (36th place)
Patrick O’Connor (12) – 17:36 (43rd place)
Alex Ross (10) – 17:55 (52nd place)
2020 Outlook: The Patriots were ousted at the regional last year, just three points away from the semi-state. With the first six back from last fall, THN should advance further this year without issue and could make it to the state meet for the first time in a decade. The Pats are essentially dead-even with cross-town rival Terre Haute South, the difference being that North is a little deeper while South has a distinct edge in frontrunning. Senior Ian Gadberry could develop into a frontrunner for North; he opened the season with a 10:11 performance in the 3200 indoors.
#32 – Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles
Shelbyville Semi-state #10
Noblesville Regional #6
State meet history: Never qualified
2019 Results:
Noblesville Sectional: 4th place (115 points)
Noblesville Regional: 7th place (149 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Noblesville Regional)
Austin Callahan (12) – 16:05 (17th place)
Thomas King (12) – 16:09 (19th place)
Nicholas Schramm (12) – 16:41 (38th place)
Dominic Stein (12) – 16:50 (49th place)
Gavin Morrow (12) – 17:12 (64th place)
Ethan Hines (10) – 17:17 (66th place)
2019 Outlook: The Golden Eagles could be a surprise team of 2020. Guerin ran very well in one of the state’s most competitive regionals last year, finishing just ten points shy of advancing behind a Cathedral team that almost qualified for the state meet the next week. Returning five seniors with tournament experience should spur Guerin to new heights, and though track results are sparse, the Eagles did have three in this rising senior class run 9:59, 10:13 and 10:14 over 3200 meters in the first weekend of indoor meets. Steady improvement could make Guerin a contender to advance from the loaded Noblesville Regional, and if that happens, a trip to Terre Haute could become realistic possibility.
#33 – West Noble Chargers
New Haven Semi-state #9
West Noble Regional #5
State meet history: 13 appearances (last in 2019), 2 podium finishes (last in 1993)
2019 Results:
West Noble Sectional: 1st place (39 points)
West Noble Regional: 3rd place (75 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 4th place (163 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 21st place (456 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-state)
Cameron DuPuy (11) – 16:58 (60th place)
Grant Flora (10) – 16:58 (61st place)
Austin Cripe (10) – 17:08 (74th place)
Isaac Flora (12) – 17:15 (87th place)
2020 Outlook: The Chargers are one of Indiana’s great cross country traditions, qualifying for the last three state finals and seemingly always contending to advance to the end of the tournament. West Noble loses its top three runners to graduation, but this will be both a young and experienced team in 2020. Younger runners often have potential for higher improvement, and the school’s tradition of tournament success should help fuel continued achievement even on a smaller team at a smaller school (14 participants with enrollment of 689).
#34 – Jennings County Panthers
Brown County Semi-state #10
State meet history: 3 appearances (last in 2018)
2019 Results:
Southwestern Sectional: 1st place (15 points)
Columbus North Regional: 2nd place (50 points)
Brown County Semi-state: 8th place (223 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-state)
Gavin Hedrix (12) – 16:21 (10th place)
Drew Stroud (12) – 17:10 (59th place)
Lane Elsner (11) – 17:47 (101st place)
Logan McIntosh (11) – 17:51 (110th place)
Ian Campbell (11) – 18:04 (126th place)
2020 Outlook: The Panthers appeared to be one of the six best teams in their semi-state all last season, but an untimely sub-par performance prevented Jennings County from qualifying for a fourth straight state finals. Five of those seven do return, including senior Gavin Hendrix, who qualified individually after his team finished eighth. The Panthers do bring back the foundations of a potential state meet squad with junior Lane Elsner providing a great number two behind Hendrix, but advancing will be tougher than usual in an unusually deep southern semi-state this fall.
#35 – Fort Wayne Dwenger Saints
New Haven Semi-state #10
West Noble Regional #6
State meet history: 9 appearances (last in 2013), 1 podium finish (1977)
2019 Results:
Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional: 5th place (138 points)
West Noble Regional: 8th place (185 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the West Noble Regional)
Liam Row (12) – 17:26 (42nd place)
Jason Wiseman (12) – 17:31 (46th place)
Evan Smith (11) – 17:32 (47th place)
Brendan Nix (10) – 17:43 (51st place)
Pablo Sutter (10) – 17:54 (55th place)
John Garcia (12) – 18:19 (63rd place)
2020 Outlook: The Saints return six of last year’s seven on a team that could possibly make the state finals this season for the first time since 2013. This is a pack running team with all five projected scorers within thirty seconds of each other at last year’s regional. Dwenger has a very tough route through the tournament, even advancement from the sectional is not guaranteed, so the Saints would need to be on all three rounds to make it to the end. Steady improvement through the roster could turn Dwenger into a state meet group.
#36 – Valparaiso Vikings
New Prairie Semi-state #6
State meet history: 46 appearances (last in 2019), 20 podium finishes (last in 2017), 1 runner-up title (2005), 6 state championships (1966, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1997, 2000)
2019 Results:
New Prairie Sectional: 1st place (39 points)
New Prairie Regional: 1st place (34 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 2nd place (107 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 11th place (331 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
William Miltenberger (12) – 16:44 (28th place)
2020 Outlook: This is another tradition bump. The Vikings have just one back from last year’s seven, but Valpo has a deep team (59 participants in 2019) and lengthy historical success to help for 2020. The Vikes have qualified for 12 consecutive state finals appearances and are tied for most state meet appearances ever. Even with a roster depleted from experienced athletes, inccstats’ preseason projections still give the Valpo just shy of a 50% chance to continue its streak. We like them even above that much.
#37 – Bellmont Braves
New Haven Semi-state #11
State meet history: Never qualified
2019 Results:
Bellmont Sectional: 1st place (21 points)
Marion Regional: 1st place (30 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 11th place (270 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-state)
Jordan Garlinger (12) – 16:30 (36th place)
Isaac Fuelling (12) – 16:43 (45th place)
Deion Guise (11) – 17:01 (66th place)
2020 Outlook: The Braves are a very interesting team entering 2020. They return the top three from last year’s 11th place semi-state team, all of whom are good enough to score on a state meet qualifier. Two more at the level of that trio would make Bellmont a contender for advancement pretty quickly. That is no easy task, especially in school of 684 last year, though the Braves did have a fairly large roster (25 participants) for an enrollment of that size.
#38 – Pendleton Heights Arabians
New Haven Semi-state #12
State meet history: 4 appearances (last in 2017)
2019 Results:
Pendleton Heights Sectional: 3rd place (123 points)
Delta Regional: 3rd place (104 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 18th place (486 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-State)
Kyle Drinkut (12) – 17:15 (89th place)
Avry Carpenter (11) – 17:21 (102nd place)
Andrew Blake (10) – 17:55 (138th place)
Elijah Creel (11) – 18:10 (154th place)
Riley Keller (12) – 18:11 (157th place)
Nicholas Bronnenberg (10) – 19:36 (177th place)
Jason Lyst (10) – 19:42 (178th place)
2020 Outlook: The Arabians return all seven from last year’s varsity. Pendleton had just one runner finish in the top half of the 180-athlete field at the semi-state, but with three freshmen on the team it seems possible that the Arabians’ improvement curve may be a little steeper than some of the other teams on this list. Pendleton’s current tournament path coinciding with perennial state meet teams Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern is a good chance to compare to some of the state’s best all October.
#39 – Ben Davis Giants
Shelbyville Semi-state #11
Ben Davis Regional #3
State meet history: 24 appearances (last in 1998), 7 podium finishes (last in 1996), 1 runner-up title (1996), 4 state championships (1961, 1989, 1990, 1995)
2019 Results:
Ben Davis Sectional: 2nd place (80 points)
Ben Davis Regional: 5th place (131 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 13th place (283 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-State)
Yosef Solomon (12) – 16:38 (48th place)
Kace Rhoades (12) – 16:53 (68th place)
Christopher Hutto (12) – 16:57 (73rd place)
Sharmarke Ali (11) – 17:24 (120th place)
Ernest Momodu (12) – 17:56 (145th place)
2020 Outlook: The Giants bring back five of last year’s squad, including top runner Yosef Solomon. This is a team that doesn’t have an easy route to the semi-state and also runs against top competition throughout the season, giving BD a great chance to measure up often. This probably is not quite a team competing to advance to the state meet but could definitely be a top-ten semi-state team, something the Giants have not done in over a decade.
#40 – Northridge Raiders
New Haven Semi-state #13
State meet history: 13 appearances (last in 2015), 4 podium finishes (last in 2007), 1 state championship (2004)
2019 Results:
Elkhart Central Sectional: 1st place (37 points)
Elkhart Central Regional: 3rd place (106 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 14th place (352 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-state)
Jack Moore (11) – 16:08 (21st place)
Jaxon Miller (10) – 16:54 (56th place)
Nathan Perez (11) – 17:38 (120th place)
Michael Canfield (11) – 17:45 (125th place)
Jan Spicher (10) – 17:58 (144th place)
Noah Zmuda (10) – 17:58 (145th place)
Byrce McMann (12) – 18:01 (149th place)
2020 Outlook: The Raiders were a very young team last fall with three freshmen and three sophomores running in last year’s tournament, and Northridge returns all of their semi-state line-up this season. Junior Jack Moore already has state meet experience when he qualified for Terre Haute as an individual. Advancing from the New Haven Semi-state as a team will be incredibly challenging moving forward based on current tournament alignment, but the Raiders could have a great chance a year from now.
#41 – Fort Wayne Snider Panthers
New Haven Semi-state #14
West Noble Regional #7
State meet history: 15 appearances (last in 2011), 3 podium finishes (last in 2004)
2019 Results:
Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional: 6th place (162 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Northrop Sectional)
Kobe Milledge (12) – 16:47 (13th place)
Jaime Mendoza (12) – 17:22 (26th place)
Julian Slater (12) – 17:24 (28th place)
Ethan Lacroix (10) – 17:57 (46th place)
Jonathan Spuller (12) – 17:58 (49th place)
Brett Taylor (12) – 18:04 (50th place)
William Maciejewski (12) – 18:20 (54th place)
2020 Outlook: The Panthers were by far the best team in the state not to advance out of the sectional last year, and with all seven runners back they should do so easily this season. Geography continues to be perhaps Snider’s biggest opponent in the most competitive sectional, regional and maybe even semi-state in Indiana. Senior Kobe Milledge was very nearly All-State, and with a team full of seniors, the Panthers should have a lot of urgency in 2020.
#42 – West Lafayette Red Devils
New Prairie Semi-state #7
State meet history: 18 appearances (last in 2019), 5 podium finishes (last in 2015), 1 runner-up title (1963) 2 state championships (1964, 2014)
2019 Results:
Harrison (West Lafayette) Sectional: 2nd place (37 points)
Harrison (West Lafayette) Regional: 2nd place (34 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 4th place (140 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 20th place (455 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Elijah Stenburg (10) – 16:46 (31st place)
Henry Balagtas (11) – 17:40 (103rd place)
2020 Outlook: This is a relatively big tradition bump as the Red Devils bring back just two of last year’s seven. Still, West Lafayette has not missed a trip to Terre Haute since 2011, and the Devils have qualified for 11 of the last 12 state finals. With a potential frontrunner in sophomore Elijah Stenburg, expect the Devils to reload a competitive roster in a hurry, especially in a down year in the New Prairie Semi-state.
#43 – Oak Hill Golden Eagles
New Haven Semi-state #15
State meet history: 4 appearances (last in 2005)
2019 Results:
Marion Sectional: 1st place (41 points)
Marion Regional: 3rd place (78 points)
New Haven Semi-state: 12th place (283 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-state)
Solomon O’Blenis (11) – 16:57 (59th place)
Jacob Winger (12) – 17:06 (71st place)
Landon Ashley (11) – 17:24 (106th place)
Landon Biegel (10) – 17:33 (113th place)
2020 Outlook: The Golden Eagles return four of seven from their middle-of-the-pack semi-state team. Junior Sol O’Blenis was never the team’s top runner last year but should fill that role this season; he ran 10:22 for 3200 meters in his one race in the track season. This is a young team that could be a year away from being competitive for a state meet berth.
#44 – Plainfield Quakers
Shelbyville Semi-state #12
Ben Davis Regional #4
State meet history: Never qualified
2019 Results:
Brownsburg Sectional: 3rd place (72 points)
Ben Davis Regional: 3rd place (114 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 14th place (315 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-State)
Caden McClure (12) – 16:58 (75th place)
Hayden Schmidt (11) – 17:00 (79th place)
Sam Thomas (12) – 17:28 (124th place)
Emerson Nehring (10) – 17:28 (126th place)
Cole Smith (12) – 17:52 (140th place)
2020 Outlook: The Quakers lose Dalton Kane, the semi-state champion, to graduation but otherwise bring back their team for 2020. Without him, Plainfield will be more of a pack team, but with typical improvement the Quakers could still improve upon last year’s semi-state. Senior Caden McClure had a good start to his track season before its premature end, running 10:17 over 3200 meters indoors.
#45 – LaPorte Slicers
New Prairie Semi-state #8
State meet history: 21 appearances (last in 2015), 2 podium finishes (last in 2007), 1 runner-up title (2007)
2019 Results:
New Prairie Sectional: 3rd place (102 points)
New Prairie Regional: 3rd place (84 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 10th place (222 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Cole Raymond (11) – 16:19 (8th place)
Sam Bell (12) – 17:09 (59th place)
Jonathon Groth (11) – 17:41 (105th place)
Jeremy Groth (11) – 18:08 (135th place)
Janan Pillai (10) – 18:49 (159th place)
2020 Outlook: The Slicers were less than thirty points from the state meet last fall and have a good opportunity to make amends this season. Junior Cole Raymond, a state finalist in track as a freshman and cross country as a sophomore, provides a good frontrunner for LaPorte as the fourth returner based on semi-state results. To snap its four-year hiatus from the state finals, the Slicers will need to improve the depth behind Raymond and senior Sam Bell.
#46 – Munster Mustangs
New Prairie Semi-state #9
State meet history: 5 appearances (last in 2014), 1 podium finish (2014)
2019 Results:
Highland Sectional: 2nd place (66 points)
Crown Point Regional: 5th place (132 points)
New Prairie Semi-state: 13th place (345 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)
Maxwell Lindenmayer (11) – 16:33 (18th place)
Ari Arzumanian (12) – 17:05 (48th place)
Gabriel Tienstra (11) – 17:43 (107th place)
Juan Angel Olivencia (12) – 17:45 (112th place)
Anthony Young (11) – 18:49 (158th place)
Michael Collins (11) – 19:14 (167th place)
2020 Outlook:
The Mustangs have their top six back from a team that was 13th at last year’s semi-state, and in a weakened New Prairie Semi-state it is conceivable that this could be a group that competes to advance out this season. Junior Maxwell Linenmayer should lend valuable frontrunning and experience after qualifying for the state finals as an individual in 2019.
#47 – Whiteland Warriors
Shelbyville Semi-state #13
State meet history: Never qualified
2019 Results:
Franklin Sectional: 3rd place (104 points)
Franklin Regional: 4th place (123 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 17th place (463 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-State)
Will Jefferson (12) – 17:06 (88th place)
Michael Perkins (11) – 17:12 (97th place)
Ashton Spoonamore (11) – 17:18 (106th place)
Jayden Hawkins (12) – 18:04 (151st place)
David Fox (12) – 18:14 (158th place)
Gavin Likens (11) – 18:43 (168th place)
Rohit Dubb (12) – 18:50 (170th place)
2020 Outlook: The Warriors have several components of a competitive team heading into 2020. They return all seven runners from last season’s semi-state team, all experienced upperclassmen at this point. Senior Will Jefferson, the sectional and regional champion who has run 9:22 over 3200 meters, gives the Warriors a strong start in a meet of any size or quality. He will probably make the trip to Terre Haute individually, but he may also be leading Whiteland’s best team ever.
#48 – Batesville Bulldogs
Shelbyville Semi-state #14
State meet history: Never qualified
2019 Results:
South Dearborn Sectional: 1st place (20 points)
Franklin Regional: 3rd place (84 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 12th place (281 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-State)
Ean Loichinger (11) – 16:40 (50th place)
Ben Moster (11) – 17:11 (94th place)
Daren Smith (11) – 18:13 (157th place)
Dillon Murray (12) – 18:22 (164th place)
Nathan Villani (12) – 18:38 (167th place)
2020 Outlook: The Bulldogs have seen a resurgence in recent years with last year’s squad the top team in school history, per inccstats.com. Batesville loses its top two but returns the other five. Junior Ean Loichinger, who has run some very good races in high school, could provide the ‘Dogs with a serviceable frontrunner, especially in more local meets. Batesville has won its sectional three consecutive years.
#49 – Mt. Vernon (Fortville) Marauders
Shelbyville Semi-state #15
State meet history: 5 appearances (last in 2015)
2019 Results:
Mt. Vernon Sectional: 3rd place (79 points)
Rushville Regional: 4th place (111 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 16th place (460 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-State)
Reyce Morgan (11) – 17:03 (84th place)
Colin Brown (12) – 17:21 (114th place)
Austin Rush (12) – 17:22 (117th place)
Evan Rappe (12) – 17:43 (137th place)
Tyler Stranz (12) – 18:06 (153rd place)
Sam Wilson (11) – 18:15 (159th place)
2020 Outlook: The Marauders return six of seven from last year’s semi-state squad. With an older line-up, Mt. Vernon should be better this season and again advance to the semi-state. The Marauders qualified for the state meet as recently as 2014 and 2015, albeit from a different semi-state at the time, so the tradition of high level competition at the school does exist.
#50 – Avon Orioles
Shelbyville Semi-state #16
Ben Davis Regional #5
State meet history: 5 appearances (last in 2018)
2019 Results:
Brownsburg Sectional: 2nd place (49 points)
Ben Davis Regional: 4th place (118 points)
Shelbyville Semi-state: 8th place (204 points)
Returning Runners: (Based on results from the Shelbyville Semi-State)
Sam Crook (12) – 16:45 (58th place)
Griffin O’Neill (11) – 17:12 (98th place)
Levi Beeler (11) – 18:16 (160th place)
2020 Outlook: The Orioles snapped a five-year state meet streak, encompassing all of Avon’s boys appearances, and bring just three back from last season’s varsity. A top 50 without the Orioles just seems incomplete, though, and we give them a bit of a bump for an appearance on our list. The O’s certainly ran well at the right time last fall, coming just thirty points shy of a state meet trip that would have been an extreme longshot based on preseason. Given that history, we like Avon’s chances to be competitive in 2020.