Terre Haute Savings Bank State Preview
By: Stephen Bain
Boys Coordinator
September 3, 2009
With a title like “State Preview” it is only appropriate that this would be the meet of the week for a very busy day of racing across the state. These teams will take to the state meet course that they all hope to toe the line again in October, but first they have to take care of business here. Three of the top five teams are here, and eight of the top 25.
Let’s look at a competitive team line-up:
Barr-Reeves, #24 Ben Davis, Brownsburg, #3 Carmel, Carroll, Castle, Cathedral, Clay City, Clinton Prairie, Culver, Danville, Evansville Memorial, Evansville North, First Baptist, Franklin Central, Franklin Community, Greencastle, #7 Hamilton Southeastern, #2 Huntington North, Mt. Vernon, #14 New Albany, Northview, Plainfield, Riverton Parke, Roncalli, Seymour, Shakamak, Signature, Southport, Sullivan, #4 Terre Haute North, Union County, #11 Valparaiso, Vincennes Lincoln, #16 Westfield, West Vigo
Question to be answered:
Who is second best?
At this point in the season, North Central has established a lead over the rest of the teams in the state. It is just the beginning of September of course, but this meet may show who is going to begin the charge of chasing them back down. With #2 Huntington North (formerly #1), #3 Carmel, and #4 Terre Haute North, it should help organize some thoughts on the front of the state meet field.
How good are they?
This meet will not only show the top teams how good they are, but many other ranked teams are here as well with something to prove. Cathedral is still looking to crack into the Top 25, and Franklin Central recently fell out. The other teams ranked are looking to move themselves up and establish themselves as podium contenders.
A quick look at the Top Teams:
#2 Huntington North – These guys came into the season ranked #1, and have done nothing to lose that spot. However, North Central did something to take it. These guys are still the real deal.
#3 Carmel – After splitting their squads last week, they get to come back together and try to get a win.
#4 Terre Haute North – We all finally get to hear from the south favorite Patriots. They have a home course advantage and will be looking to keep themselves in state title talks.
#7 Hamilton Southeastern – These guys beat a lot of good teams at Brebeuf, and also performed well at the Hamilton County meet. They have momentum and will look to move up even farther this weekend.
#11 Valparaiso – The Vikings are looking to be another version of the state runner up squad from a few years back. With a lot of young talent, it will be nice to see them get on LaVern Gibson for the first time and try to make a statement and push toward the podium.
#14 New Albany – This has been a great pack-running squad that has not received much talk. It will be interesting to see how they do in their first big meet.
#16 Westfield – Lead by one of the strongest front runners in the state after Tuesday’s performance, Connor Martin will look to lead his team into position to place high and move up the ranks this week.
#24 Ben Davis – They got a disappointing third place finish to SB St. Joe and West Lafayette last week, but did enough to earn a top ranking. They will work on continuing to test and prove themselves here.
Franklin Central – They just got bumped out of the rankings but will have a chance to earn their way back in. Their young athletes need to be taking form soon if they are going to be real contenders in October.
Race team favorite: Huntington North
Team that may surprise: Valparaiso
A look at the front of the race:
Traishaun Johnson (12) – Ben Davis [FC #9]
James Ricker (12) – Cathedral [FC #11]
John Mascari (11) – Terre Haute North [BC #2]
Hale O’Herren (12) – Cathedral [FC #4]
Tom Ohlman (12) – Carmel [FC #3]
Chris Walden (12) – Carmel
Dan Porter (12) – Carmel
Connor Martin (11) – Westfield [FC #13]
Joe Ebling (12) - Hamilton Southeastern [FC #14]
Scott Vicenzi (12) - Brownsburg [FC #2]*
Traishaun Johnson (12) - Ben Davis [FC #10]*
James Martin (11) - FW Carroll [NH #1]*
Bradley Hess (11) - FW Carroll [NH #5]*
Alejandro Arroyo (12) - Culver [NP #7]
Jason Crist (10) - Franklin Central [FC #9]*
Ross Ochs (12) - Huntington North [NH #2]*
Josh Graham (12) - Huntington North [NH #4]*
Tate Sheinbein (10) - Union County [FC #7]*
Drew Gambill (12) - Shakamak [BC #5]*
Nolan Fife (12) - Seymour [BC #4]*
Martin just got an impressive win over Ohlman this week at the Hamilton County meet, which should be an interesting match up. However, TOP representatives from every corner of the state will be here on the state course. Whoever wins this race will probably be the favorite to be runner up at the state meet (at this point in time).
***Corrections made to this on 9/4/09 due to A LOT of missed information.***