Carving a path

Kokomo Tribune August 20, 2025

Western's boys cross country team packed a lot of accomplishments into the 2024 season including winning the Hoosier Conference and Logansport Sectional titles and advancing Camden Raab and Miles Rudy to the State Finals as individuals.

The Panthers return Raab and Rudy, along with their Nos. 3 and 4 runners, giving them hopes for a strong encore in 2025.

"Nothing comes easy," Western coach Gary Jewell said. "Last year we seemed to dominate the field, but there was a lot of hard work involved. We got to check some accomplishments off of the list. So, yes, 2024 was fun, for sure, but we still have a few more items to cross off the list."

The Panthers have their most potential since the 2020 team, which became the first in program history to reach the state finals as a team.

"Similar to our 2020 team, this team is full of competitors, probably some of the most competitive kids at our school. … These guys have high expectations heading into the season," Jewell said.

Raab and Rudy, the team's only seniors, anchor the lineup. Raab won the boys XC runner of the year award at the KT's Howard County Sports Awards program after winning the Hoosier Conference title, finishing runner-up in the sectional and reaching state where he took 67th place in a field of 248 runners. He also had a big track season, reaching state in that as well. Rudy was the HC runner-up, fourth-place finisher at sectional and a state finalist.

"Camden is a student of the sport and not just from a fan's level but from that of a competitor. He probably understands the training as well as most college-level runners," Jewell said. "He's the ‘conversation starter' for all discussions about our team.

"Miles is a great athlete. If we invented a game, he would be the one you want on your team if you want to win," he added.

The Panthers also return their Nos. 3 and 4 runners, junior Maddox Carver and sophomore Beck Bennett.

Jewell has three other runners. Sophomore Avery Franklin, Carver's cousin, is new to cross country after previously playing football. Freshman Ethan Echelbarger was the top runner on the Panthers' middle school team. Freshman Kaiden Griswold is a first-time runner.

"A big concern for us heading into the season is we only have seven guys on our roster, which is probably the smallest team we've had in a generation or more," Jewell said, noting the Panthers must guard against injuries.

"Our top six guys worked really hard during the off-season — both during the long winter months and again this summer and now they're carrying that work ethic into the regular season. They recognize the opportunities ahead. But we sometimes have to remind them that the tournament is in October, not August."

Beyond staying healthy, Jewell points to the possibility of the Panthers lowering their cumulative time under 82:00 as a goal.

"That gets you into the top conversation at [the Brownsburg] regional. Five years ago at New Prairie [semistate], that number was 85 minutes," he said.

Of course, the Panthers hope to repeat as conference and sectional champions too. Perennial power West Lafayette looms large in the conference. As for the Brownsburg Regional, it looks loaded again. Jewell noted IndianaRunner.com has Western ranked No. 44 in the state — but there are nine possible regional opponents ahead of them.

Western finished 12th in the regional last year. The top five advanced as full teams to the state meet.

KOKOMO

The Kats return five of their top seven runners from last season's sectional runner-up squad.

Seniors Cooper Cage, Preston Arreola and Ben Wallace lead the squad.

Cage gives the Kats a strong No. 1 runner. He was the North Central Conference runner-up last season.

"Cooper had a great junior season, as he qualified again for the regional. Unfortunately illness prevented him from racing, so he is eager to get back this year and compete for a chance to advance to the state meet," Kokomo coach Jordan Ousley said. "He is coming off another good track season and summer of training, so he is ready to go for his senior year."

Arreola and Wallace are penciled into the Nos. 2 and 3 spots in the lineup. Arreola joined Cage on the All-NCC team.

"These three [seniors] have meant a lot to me and our program, and I am excited to see how they do this season," Ousley said.

Sophomores Reece Wright and Leo Serra also return from the Kats' top seven last season and seniors Ethan Lytle, Trevor Nelson and Tyler Anderson and sophomores Owen Downing, Henry King-Brown, Gaius Cooper and Odin Salinas all have experience as well.

New to the team are senior Ethan Tran, junior Joey Randolph, sophomore Phenix Bray and freshman Monty Bunn and Tanner Workman. Ousley likes the progress he has seen from that group.

Kokomo is looking to move up in the NCC. In last year's meet, the Kats finished third, one point behind the runner-up.

NORTHWESTERN

The Tigers finished fifth in the sectional last year, advancing as a team to the regional. Senior Ryland Barnes and the junior trio of Mason Broeker, Bryan Burkhalter and Isaac Everson are back from that team.

"This group had an excellent track season in the spring and have been pushing each other hard to keep getting better," coach Josh Perry said.

From there, Perry has a collection of new runners vying for the remaining spots. That group includes Henry Neher and freshmen Colen Lechner, Mitchell Schmidt, Hunter Boxell, Louie Matson and Maxwell Mitchell.

"We are lucky to have so many runners fighting for varsity spots," Perry said. "We know who are top four runners should be, but those last three spots are being fought for by six athletes. We are going to have runners in JV races this season that would be varsity runners for almost every other team. I wouldn't be surprised to see our varsity lineup change weekly as they battle for spots."

Perry said Wabash looks tough in the Three Rivers Conference and Western looms large in the sectional, but the Tigers are keeping their focus on making weekly improvements.

"We are focused on doing our best and we will see what happens in October," he said.
.

EASTERN

Former Eastern coach Brandon Mink is the Comets' new coach.

"I feel a bit like "Welcome Back Kotter," he said. "The names have changed among other things, but much remains the same."

Mink last coached the Comets in 2013.

"Coaching again wasn't on my radar and I really didn't take the reins until sometime in July. I'm a bit older, my hair is thinner and grayer, but I guess cross country is in my blood," he said. "I love getting to know these young men and women. It might be my 14th year in total of coaching high school cross country, but it's all new to many of my runners. It's fun teaching and guiding them as they gain experience."

Eastern finished 11th in the sectional last year. Junior Will Kuntz and senior Jacob Bertoline are the Comets' top returning runners and senior Reagan Long and sophomore Samuel Thomas also return with experience. Those four runners will fill the top four spots in the lineup.

From there, Mink has senior Chase Roseberry, junior Alex Leopard and freshmen Kolten Melton and Jackson Barrett, all with some experience, and sophomore Quinn Schlabach, who is new to distance running.

"We will have a much better gauge of where we stack up in the conference and sectional in a few weeks," Mink said. "It's gonna take some time to get to know my runners and their strengths. Trying to figure out how to get each team member to reach their potential is one of the things I love most about coaching. I'm excited to see how much we can improve over the season."

TAYLOR

The Titans have five runners, which means they can score in meets. That is a step forward for the program.

Senior Braden Wunderlich is the Titans' top runner.

"Braden is coming off an injury during season last year and a good track season to build off of and make a run at getting out to regionals this year," Taylor coach Julian Wallace said. "Xander Snow is my other returner who had a great freshman campaign, almost making it out to regionals missing by just two spots. Those two push each other so much and will continue to do so throughout the season."

The roster is rounded out by three freshmen — Blaine Challis, Kayden Overton and Snow's younger brother, Xayden.

"The team will grow greatly over the year after a hardworking summer and I couldn't be more excited for the potential that this team holds," Wallace said.