2011 Carmel Classic
By: Colin Altevogt
8/20/2011
Participating schools: #1 Carmel, #13 Center Grove, Chesterton, #15 Hamilton Southeastern, New Haven, #5 North Central, North Harrison, South Dearborn, Warren Central, #11 West Lafayette
A meet that had become completely insignificant over the last few seasons has been reinvigorated by a new idea. The Carmel Classic will now be run as a cross country distance medley. Teams will be allowed to run 12 in the varsity race with four runners competing in either 3000, 4000 or 5000 meter races. The catch? The races are run concurrently and runners, presumably, will not know which distance their opponents are running.
The newly revamped Classic will feature five of the top 15 girls teams in Indiana, including the defending champions and another team that finished on the podium. The individual race should feature a host of returning and potential All-State talent, though we won’t know which distance they are racing until the meet has finished.
TEAMS TO WATCH
#1 Carmel
The consensus Indiana number one, and USA number five, gets a first look at some high level competition. Which girls will run which distances is anyone’s guess, and the significance of times over 3000 or 4000 meters in mid-August is inconclusive at best. Still, this will be the first preview of a group some are billing as possibly Indiana’s best girls team of all-time.
#5 North Central
A new era starts under a new coaching staff at North Central. The line-up is completely intact, however, as the Panthers return all seven from a team that was fifth at the semistate last season. All-Stater Brenna Poulsen also gets a chance to match-up against a handful of runners she will see often in October.
#11 West Lafayette
Back from last year’s third-place state finals finish, the Red Devils get a look at some of the best schools in central Indiana. West Side has five runners back from last season’s squad but has lost perennial All-Stater Kaisa Goodman.
#13 Center Grove
The Trojans will get an early fitness test against other aspiring state finalist teams in Hamilton Southeastern and North Central. Center Grove does has all seven back from a team that was once spot short of the state finals last season, and the emerging Tori Schoettmer could make them a tough test for most central Indiana teams.
#15 Hamilton Southeastern
The ever-intriguing Royals begin the season looking for their first state finals berth in school history. Established frontrunner Brooke Morgan and potential freshman phenom Rachel Nichwitz, the middle school state champion last year, look to lead the Royals against some of the area’s best this season.
INDIVIDUALS TO WATCH
Sarah Bennett, Gina Genco, Allison Jacobse, Kelcy Welch, Renee Wellman – Carmel
Early reports illustrate that these are the top five ‘Hounds at this early juncture (and that doesn’t even include Lauren Kahre, Ellen Schmitz and Aya Tomazawa, all of whom ran under 19:10 last season).
Victoria Schoettmer – Center Grove
After two seasons of falling just short of the podium, Schoettmer looks primed for a breakout season. She was the state runner-up in the 1600 in the spring; this will be her first test of how that success translate to the hills and grass.
Brooke Morgan, Rachel Nichwitz – Hamilton Southeastern
Morgan and Nichwitz are an interesting duo. Morgan has been a tragic hero recently, especially in her junior campaign of cross contry. Nichwitz is a middle school superstar about to try her hand at the high school level. These two should give HSE a formidable frontrunning duo.
Brenna Poulsen – North Central
Poulsen is frequently overshadowed by some of her nearby Hamilton County rivals. Still, she is a multiple-time All-Stater and will get a great look at some early season competition here.
Grace Lachmund – West Lafayette
Lachmund showed star potential last season with seventh and 26th place finishes in the semistate and state meet.