Kokomo Tribune - Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Between them the Western boys and girls cross country teams own 11 sectional championships, but today at the Logansport Sectional the Panthers have a chance to do something they've never done before — capture sectional tides in the same year.

The ladies are riding a five-year sectional win streak, dating back to the Marion Sectional in 2003, but the men haven't won one since 1985.

Western's boys yielded to Oak Hill last season, finishing second to the Golden Eagles at both Logansport and the Culver Academies Regional. This year the No. 19-ranked Panthers don't intend to play second fiddle to anyone.

The top five girls and boys teams and the top 15 individuals advance to the regional round. The girls race begins at 5 pm.

"We've had a tough schedule and both teams have weathered it rather well," Western boys coach Joe Orr said. "I think we're in a good position. For the last 11 months our guys have been waiting for this week. We feel like we should be one of the favorites."

The favorite, if previous results are to be believed.

The Panthers smothered the field at the Oak Hill Invitational about a month ago, scoring just 23 points. The Eagles, running without defending sectional and regional champion Cameron Balser, were fourth with 106 points.

Balser has since returned to the Oak Hill lineup and will be ready to defend his individual title.

Later last month Western finished four points behind No. 11 Huntington North on the Logansport Berry Patch course, beating other sectional foes Maconaquah, Kokomo, Logansport, Peru, Pioneer, Northwestern and Lewis Cass.

"I want to make sure we realize a lot of this [success] doesn't mean much at all until we run in the sectional, regional and semistate," Orr said. "That's when we want to show what we can really do'

Corey Scott has been sensational this season. In addition to winning the aforementioned races, the Panther senior finished third at the New Haven Invitational and eighth in the big-school Class AAA at the prestigious New Prairie Invitational.

"He's done a good job and has been real consistent," said Orr. "Right now, when he finishes some of these meets, he tells me he can run faster."

Last season the Wildkats managed to keep pace with Oak Hill and Western, finishing third at sectional and regional. Coach Ricke Stucker says a rash of injuries are threatening their 2008 postseason.

"We're a swim team rather than a cross country team," said Stucker, referring to a common rehab of getting injured runners into the water to train. Senior Drew Simon, their No. 2 runner, has plantar fasciitis, as other ailments have hampered Matt Wyss, Dylan Walker and Vince Calabro.

They are so far out of shape they probably just won't get back [in shape]. If we're not any healthier than we are now, we won't do that well. If [Simon] doesn't run we might not get out. "

Ian Holtson leads Kokomo. He was 12th at the Logansport Invite and eighth at the recent North Central Conference meet

Northwestern senior Kory Kennedy qualified for regional last year but had the onerous distinction of finishing 16th – one spot away from a semi-state berth.

"I still have that No. 16 card with me," said Tigers coach Dave Stevens. "I see it regularly to make sure I don't ever let that happen to him again."

Kennedy was seventh at the Logan Invite in 16:49.6 and fifth at last week's Mid4ndiana Conference meet.

"[Kennedy] has really worked hard this year," Stevens said. "We're hoping to get him down to the 1630s by regional time"

Panthers seek sixth straight

Western's girls haven't lost a sectional race since current seniors Jenn Elliott and Lacey Myer were sixth-graders.

They've been integral to the last three titles, and although Myer will give up her spot to freshman Krissy Durr this season, both have been rock-solid for four years.

"Jenn and Lacey have done this fora long time and they are both great leaders for the team," coach Heather Yentes said. "That helps with our success.

"They're great about talking to the girls who haven't run as much about what to do. [Winning a fourth sectional] is something they are looking forward to."

Elliott is a former Marion Sectional champion and was fifth at the Logansport Sectional a year ago. She leads a strong pack mentality at Western that has produced results similar to the boys.

"A huge part of the success we've had is [our girls] being able to stay in that pack to encourage and push each other," said Yentes. "As well as that, they also need to remember that the pack needs to be in front of the rest of the field."

One of the challenges – if there is to be a challenge –will come from Northwestern. The Tigers have run second to Western in three races this season, including last week's MIC race.

"It's a, privilege to run against a really good team [like Western], and that makes us better," Stevens says. "Right now the goal isn't necessarily who's in front of us, it's who's behind us. "We have to make sure we don't shortchange ourselves and get sixth or seventh. We're going for our best times and the girls are ready to go."

Sophomore Hannah Ault has held her own with anyone in the area this season. She was second at the MIC meet in 20:30. She was 21st at regional in 2007

"When [Ault] gets with faster competition she'll drop right down to 20:00, which is our school record," Stevens said. "She's pretty pumped up and wants to help her team advance as well."

Kokomo freshman Annika Taber has crafted an outstanding season while training on the job. Stucker said she came to the team with little experience.

Taber was second at the NCC meet and earlier finished third at the Logan Invite.

"She's learning every time out," says Stucker of Taber. "She had no due what cross country was all about, and she is learning all the time and getting better."