Sunday, November 02, 2003
BLOOMINGTON -- Kyle Walsh fully expected to be walking across the platform when the awards were handed Out at the IHSAA Boys State Cross Country Championship Saturday afternoon.
And with 50 yards left, he was right in position for a top-five finish.
Yet, as the runners were being honored, Walsh was still in the Western camp, trying to regain his energy. Just 25 yards from the finish of the 3.1-mile. race, Walsh fell, tried to recover and get up, but couldn't. He crawled to the line before officials were able to help him. In the 40 seconds it took him to cover that distance, he fell from fourth to 32nd with a time of 16 minutes, 29.9 seconds.
"I felt great all the way. I was fifth with a half mile to go and was exactly where I wanted to be" the Panther senior said. "In my mind, I said I was going to go for second and was going to give everything I had. I was going to pass the three guys in front of me and get second.
"I think it was the best race I've ever run - for 3.09 miles. I was that close and then my legs gave out."
Walsh wasn't sure what happened.
"My legs were going hard as they could but I went face first into the mud. I tried to get up and go but I couldn’t I kept trying to get up," he said afterward.
"I told my teammates and coaches [Saturday] morning 'I'm going to try harder than any runner in the state today. I think I did that."
That, Panthers coach Dana Neer says, is typical Walsh.
"If every athlete had Kyle's heart, determination and work ethic, they would excel in whatever sport they choose. It's phenomenal he has that ability to try hard at everything he does," the coach said. "If Kyle is an outstanding runner, and he is, he's an even more outstanding person. He's exemplary in every part of his life.
"I'm trying to look for him afterwards and I finally find Kyle propped up in the tent. He sees me and puts arm around me and then is apologizing because he's sweaty and muddy."
Afterward, Walsh, who admitted he was still feeling drained and having a tough time getting his energy back, was philosophical about what had happened.
"I know sometimes things don't work out the way you plan them. [Saturday] didn't go exactly the way I wanted. I'll learn from it and grow," he said. "I'll go on to basketball and I'll be running the FootLocker in Wisconsin in three weeks. I still have my senior track season and I plan to run for four years in college.
"This is a race I'll remember - not for my place - but for the effort. I enjoyed this season, but I'll look to the future."
Columbus North's Christian Wagner won the individual title in 15:37.4 off the soggy and muddy course as the Bulldogs defended their 2002 championship. The Bulldogs finished with 43 ,points. In second, 103 points hack' at 146, was Fort Wayne Northrop. Hamilton Heights' Blaine Zimmerman finished 16th in 16:11.7.
Panther sophomore Annina Gruber said she learned a lot in her first state meet, finishing ll2th in 16:22.7.
"It was really weird. There was no one I knew running with me," she said. "I'm happy with what I did, but I know I could have done better.
"This was a big learning experience for me and it has me ready for next She covered the year course in 16:22.7. I felt really lonely and that's something I have to get over".
While cross country is considered an individual sport, the Panthers approach it from a team aspect.
"That's how close our kids are, it's completely team-oriented. That may be why Annina didn't have the closure she would have had in another race," Neer said.
Gruber's emotions were pulled in opposite directions. Pleased with her performance, she was fighting back tears following Walsh's finish.
"I was so proud of him, but I felt so sad for him at the same time," the sophomore said.
That didn't surprise Neer.
"All of our kids are running for each other," he said. "Our kids are very developed in their appreciation and respect for each other as friends. When one hurts, they all hurt. When one rejoices, they all rejoice."
Neer felt she got off to a good start and was in good shape at the mile mark.
"She was doing well, but then it got harder for her to find seams and increase her spot," he said. "I think the older and stronger girls came back on her at the end. She did the best she could in getting here.
Valparaiso won its second straight championship with 78 points, beating Porter County-rival Chesterton, who was next at 120.
Alissa McKaig of Fort Wayne Concordia, who ran away with the New Haven Semistate title, knocked off defending champion Katie Harrington of Carmel by three seconds.