BOYS XC: MAC INVITE

Kokomo Tribune September 16, 2025

By Tribune Sports Staff

With Panthers taking the top three spots individually, Western placed its five scoring runners in the top 21 for a strong score of 36 to win the Maconaquah Invitational, which featured 10 complete teams, five incomplete squads and 119 total runners.

Camden Raab was the individual champ, covering the course in 16:04.66. Miles Rudy was second in 16:10.83 and Beck Bennett third in personal-best 16:36.25. Also for Western, Maddox Carver was ninth (17:16.58) and Avery Franklin 21st (18:03.22).

"It was good to get a win after competing against high-level teams the last couple weeks," Western coach Gary Jewell said. "Beck Bennett was an absolute beast on the course. We’ve grown accustomed to having two guys near the front, but taking the top three places wasn’t necessarily on the agenda.

"Maddox Carver was struggling early and knew he wasn’t going to finish where we thought he could be so he told Beck, 'Don't hold back for me. Just go!' That was an incredibly mature thing for Maddox to do and Beck ran his best race so far."

Bennett dropped 28 seconds from his previous personal-best time.

Northwestern was second with a score of 52, well ahead of third-placed McCutcheon (95). Maconaquah was ninth (226), Eastern 10th (248) and Taylor was incomplete.

Mason Broeker led Northwestern, taking sixth in 16:46.03, followed by a tight pack of Tigers in Ryland Barnes (10th, 17:19.99), Isaac Everson (11th, 17:26.11), Bryan Burkhalter (12th, 17:30.65), and Colen Lechner (13th, 17:31.65)

"We ran fantastic on Saturday," NW coach Josh Perry said. "Very few of the boys ran their two-mile splits but still ended up with great times. They are figuring out how to fight through in the last mile. We have several boys that are one good race away from dropping a lot of time. We look great as we get closer to championship season."

Abel Robinson led Maconaquah in 24th (18:12.19 and Joel Loshnowsky was 27th (18:17.6).

Braden Wunderlich led Taylor (37th, 19:02.0). Jakob Bertoline led Eastern (46th, 19:32.16).

GIRLS RACE

With Aftin Griffin setting the pace, Cass took first at the Maconaquah Invitational with a score of 79. All five scoring Kings were in the top 21 individually.

Griffin was first in a time of 19:19.7. Also for Cass, Hope Rush was seventh (20:55.73), AnnaLeigh Hedrick 11th (21:23.49), Brystalin Gillem 18th (22:36.74) and Kylie Logan 21st (22:57.82).

Maconaquah was second with 80, Northwestern third at 98, McCutcheon edged Rochester for fifth (both 107), and Eastern was incomplete. There were 10 full squads and five incomplete participants. There were 94 total runners.

Chloe Jordan took fourth to lead Maconaquah (20:16.88) and Zoie Laber was ninth (21:21.18).

Annabelle Brewster led Northwestern in third (20:03.59), followed by Vanessa Moorow (23rd (23:03.34), Joy Wasmuth (27th, 23:31.20), Meredith Kelly (28th, 23:51.07) and Bella Winrotte (24:08.34).

"We know we have some work to do but are pretty happy with where we are," NW coach Perry said. "We are running much better than the first few weeks but know that there’s more in the tank. The girls aren’t satisfied and are looking to improve. They do a great job managing attitudes and staying focused."

Eastern’s Emmelyn Alexander was 89th (35:09.47).