BOYS AND GIRLS XC: Raab leads locals at state

By Tribune Sports Staff

TERRE HAUTE — Western's Camden Raab led the local contingent of four runners who competed in the IHSAA Cross Country State Finals on Saturday.

Competing in the boys race at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course, Raab, a Western junior, finished 67th in 16:04.6. Teammate and classmate Miles Rudy was 89th in 16:15.9.

Cass sophomore Ben Jay was 159th in 16:41.9 in the boys race.

In the girls race, Cass junior Aftin Griffin took 103rd in 19:26.8.

There were 248 runners in each of the boys and girls races.

Western coach Gary Jewell was struck by how fast the boys race was.

"This year the state meet was hyper competitive," Jewell said. "Times that would ordinarily put you in the top 25 were another 35 places further back. Since 2010, the average time for the last All-State spot was 16:00. This year that would have put you 60th.

"Camden's time was the fastest ever for our program for the state meet on this course. The previous best was 16:09.7 by Corey Scott in 2008. Scott placed 29th overall that year."

Jewell contrasted this year with four years ago. Had Raab run in 16:04.6 four years ago, he'd have been just outside the top 20 and grabbed an All-State spot. With both Raab and Rudy being juniors, Saturday's experience will serve them well next season.

"Similar to four years ago, I told Miles and Camden that it's a little difficult to replicate what they're likely to see at the state finals. That's why it's so important to qualify before your senior year. It can be a rather rude awakening if you've never experienced that level of competition before."