Wednesday, October 13, 2004
MARION -- Marion runner Josh Foss held off a strong challenge from Eastern's Tony Martin as he led the Giants to the IHSAA Marion Boys Cross Country Sectional title Tuesday.
Foss' time of 15 minutes, 48 seconds, broke the sectional record of 16:01 set by Western graduate Kyle Walsh in 2002 on the Indiana Wesleyan University course. Foss was the first of four Giants among the top six places and they finished with 29 points.
Second went to Oak Hill which narrowly edged Kokomo 78-80. After being nipped for the Mid-Indiana Conference championship by Eastern last week, Western turned the tables and took fourth with 104. The Comets were the final qualifier for Saturday’s regional here with 108. Northwestern was sixth with 162 while Tipton was seventh at 202 and Tri-Central was llth with 322.
Earning spots in the regional as individuals were Christopher Sinnett of Taylor, who finished fourth, seventh-place finisher Matt Ullmer of Northwestern and the Blue Devils' Sam Compton-Craig who was 10th.
The host's margin of victory surprised Kokomo coach Ricke Stucker.
"We didn't know Marion would run this well. I told the kids I wanted them to shoot for Oak Hill," he said. “The last thing I told them before getting off the bus was every person they pass picks you up two points and everyone who passes you picks up two points. It came down to two points.
"I was screaming 'Oak Hill, Oak Hill' the whole race and they responded well. This is a young team.”
Ryan Perry ran first for the Kats in 12th at 17:12 while Brandon Sheline was 15th in 17:20. Cameron Cunningham and Mason McGovern ran back-to-back in 18th and 19th and Devin White was 21st. Perry and Cunningham are sophomores while Sheline, McGovern and white area freshmen.
The Panthers were led by Michael Marley's eighth and Luke Minor in 14th. Eric Walsh was 20th and Trevor Mann and Moshe Rison came in 33rd and 34th.
“This was another duel with Eastern. This is the seventh year in a row of moving on and that was a streak we wanted to keep alive," Panthers coach Dana Neer said. “Luke ran a strong and strageic race. Moshe got his his cast off and cut some time with a solid race. Eric made a strong showing"
Entering the large loop just past the mile, Martin was fourth. By the time he emerged, the Comet senior had closed to second, 12 seconds behind Foss.
“Tony ran well. It was great for him to have a challenge,” Eastern Coach Brandon Mink said. "At one point, he was only about six feet behind Foss, but he didn't have the kick Josh does. It was great for Tony to have a challenge.”
Classmate Jonathan Fansler came through in llth while Trevor Young and Drew Parton followed in 27th and 29th respectively. Kedric Athan was 41st to finish the team.
“The guys ran well and they were solid. Johnathan had a super finish,” Mink said.