BOYS XC: Hoosier Conference Meet

Kokomo Tribune October 7, 2024

By Tribune Sports Staff

BOYS XC

WESTERN WINS HC

Western swept the top three spots and put five runners in the top 11 to finish with a superb score of 22 and put distance on second-placed West Lafayette (43) in the nine-team Hoosier Conference Meet at Hamilton Heights. Tipton was eighth (213).

Panthers Camden Raab, Miles Rudy and Beck Bennett set the pace, going 1-2-3. Raab finished in 15:37.2, Rudy clocked 15:55.0, Bennett 16:23.1, Maddox Carver was fifth in 16:34.8 and Avery Franklin 11th in 17:01.0. The latter four each scored a personal best.

"We went out aggressively," Western coach Gary Jewell said. "Our top four runners were all under five minutes at the mile. But that's how the regional is going to be and we have to be prepared for that.

"Placing four guys in the top five was huge. Before the race, Beck Bennett said he thought we could take the top three spots, which we did. Our top three guys ran great times without the benefit of someone else sharing the pace. That's not easily accomplished. It requires a lot of heart.

"Maddox and Avery ran great races. Maddox cracked the top five with a strong closing kick. After playing football last year, Avery seems to have this thing figured out. He's improved by over a minute since his first race back in August."