Eastern girls punch ticket to state finals

Comets finish second in XC semistate

Kokomo Tribune - October 21, 2012

New Carlisle — Eastern’s girls cross country team is going back to the state finals.

The Comets took second place in the New Prairie Semistate on Saturday to secure passage to their second straight state meet. The top six teams in the 20-team field move on. No. 2-ranked West Lafayette won the semistate title with a score of 38. The other advancing teams from New Prairie are No. 6 Eastern (93), No. 15 Valparaiso (167), No. 13 Chesterton (172), No. 14 Warsaw (180) and Portage (184).

Last year, Eastern was fifth at semistate.

“We were very pleased [Saturday],” Eastern coach Brandon Mink said, noting the Comets accomplished a goal of posting a score of less than 100. “We had a nice, solid run and we had people nail down the spots that we needed.

“We’re really excited to be moving on. Last year, we were biting our nails to see if we’d even make it. This year, we’re able to be runner-up. I’m just really proud of the girls for being able to accomplish that.”

Bethany Neeley led the Comets in Saturday’s meet with a third-place finish. She covered the course in 18:18.3. Brittany Neeley (14th place, 19:17.3) and Sarah Wagner (19th, 19:39.6) also cracked the top 20 and Avery Ewing (29th, 20:05.8) and Carly Jones (35th, 20:15.3) rounded out the Comets’ team score. Also running for Eastern were Jessica Sprinkles (71st, 21:02.7) and Breann Donson (139th, 23:46.4).

“They ran well as a team,” Mink said. “We had some good efforts. Sarah managed to get a PR, even when it was a little slippery with some mud on the course. She did a great job.

“Our three seniors who have been leading us for four years now [the Neeleys and Wagner] led us once again with solid performances and the other girls followed in nicely behind them.”

The state finals are Saturday at Terre Haute. The Comets took 15th place last year.

“We’re excited to go for the second time, “ Mink said. “This time, we’re in the mix for hopefully being in the top five. It’s definitely going to be a shootout with several teams capable of making that top-five podium. That’s what we’re shooting for, but we’re just excited to even be in that conversation at this point. We’re looking forward to it and we’re hungry.”

Warsaw’s Ashley Erba, who is the defending state champion, won the semistate with a time of 17:06.9. West Lafayette’s Bobbie Burgess was second in 17:38.

Lewis Cass’ Gabi Carney, who qualified for the semistate as an individual, was 116th in 22:09.8.

Boys race

No. 2-ranked Valparaiso (45) edged No. 6 Warsaw (60) for the boys title and McCutcheon (189), No. 24 Hobart (189), No. 20 West Lafayette (207) and Lowell (209) took the other state qualifying spots.

Western finished 16th in the 20-team field with a score of 402. The Panthers’ top five runners were: Matt Grider (24th place, 16:35); Jacob Bradshaw (90th, 17:40); Riley Worl (96th, 17:45); Caleb Maddox (119th, 18:18); and Austin Elliott (130th, 18:37). Worl is the only senior in the group.

“I thought we could finish as high as 15th. That’s where I scored it and we ended up being one place behind it,” Western coach Gary Jewell said.

Jewell noted the course was “a little soft in places” from recent rain.

Grider was running in the top 10 with a mile to go, but Jewell noted the junior’s hypoglycemia kept him from a strong finish.

“He said all of a sudden, his legs started burning. When he got done, he checked his glucose level and it was way low,” Jewell said. “He was probably on track to run 16:05 to 16:10, which would have been comfortably in the top 15. [The top 15 individuals advance to state.] Twenty-fourth, he is not happy with that, but at the same time, we know he’s plenty capable of running up there with these guys. He is easily one of the top 10 in our semistate.”

Carroll finished 20th. The Cougars’ top five runners were: Brian Bordner (57th, 17:10.3); Tallis Bowers (123rd, 18:25.4); Patrick Lewis (141st, 19:03.4); Cameron Conn (146th, 19:19) and Dustin Denmark (150th, 20:00.9).

Eastern had a pair of individuals in the boys race. Lewis Duke was 31st in 16:41 and Adam Schaaf was 51st in 17:07.

“Unfortunately, Lewis lost a shoe after about 200 meters so it was a little tough, especially considering the slippery conditions, for him to get much grip in some places, but he still did a great job. He had a smile on his face at the end of the race. He had a good experience,” Mink said. “We lose Adam as a senior. He had a good season also. Lewis will be coming back. They had a good season overall and I’m proud of the way they ran [Saturday].”

Kokomo’s Jeremy Breedlove was 89th in 17:38.6.

Morgan Township’s Alec Kostelnik won the boys race in 15:45.9.