Culver Invitational Preview
By Colin Altevogt
Girls Coordinator
September 24, 2009
Participating schools: Blackford, Bloomington North, Brebeuf Jesuit, Bremen, Brown County, #1 Carmel, Carroll (Flora), Caston, Chesterton, #6 Columbus North, #18 FW Concordia, #10 Crown Point, Culver Academy, Fairfield, #20 Fishers, FW Snider, FW Wayne, Frankfort, Hamilton Heights, Hanover Central, John Glenn, Kouts, #13 Lake Central, LaPorte, #17 Lawrence Central, Lawrence North, Lewis Cass, Logansport, Maconaquah, McCutcheon, Michigan City, Mishawaka Marian, Munster, New Prairie, #15 North Central (Indy), Northfield, North Judson, #23 Northridge, Northview, Northwood, Oak Hill, #19 Pike, Pioneer, #12 Portage, Rochester, SB St. Joseph’s, SB Washington, #5 Terre Haute North, #21 Valparaiso, Warren Central, Wawasee, #24 West Lafayette, #7 Westfield, Winamac
Last year’s results
1. Carmel 97
2. Westfield 155
3. Columbus North 184
4. North Central 201
5. Lake Central 201
Last year’s top returners
1. Dana Payonk (12) Lake Central, 18:28
2. Renee Wellman (10) Carmel, 18:29
3. Waverly Neer (11) Culver, 18:31
4. Katelyn Devries (10) Valparaiso, 18:35
6. Alex Chitwood (11) Carmel, 18:50
Last year’s race at Culver proved the fortitude of eventual state champion Carmel as the top-ranked Greyhounds won handily without one of the squad’s top runners. This season’s Culver Invitational features 15 of the top 25 ranked teams in Indiana. Though Carmel appears to be a runaway favorite in this meet, the race should also feature a big showdown between two potential podium teams (No. 5 Terre Haute North and No. 6 Columbus North) as well as provide an opportunity for two highly-ranked preseason teams looking to get legitimize themselves (No. 13 Lake Central and No. 21 Valparaiso).
In last year’s individual race, Culver’s Waverly Neer held a big lead for most of the race on her home course before taking a small detour that may have cost her the race. A rematch this year between her and eventual winner Dana Payonk looms large, though many girls figure to be in the mix. Of the list of top 100 times, 38 of those athletes are scheduled to be in this race.
TEAMS TO WATCH
#1 Carmel
The Greyhounds weren’t as impressive as expected on a lightning fast course at the Trinity Invitational in Kentucky. Carmel is still the defending state champion, however, with a great pack that makes the ‘Hounds very difficult to beat. Word on the street is that typical number two runner Alex Chitwood is hobbled. If that is true, the ‘Hounds are very susceptible to being upended later in the state series.
#5 Terre Haute North
The Patriots were defeated by Columbus North at the Eagle Classic but didn’t have top runner Tapring Goatee in the line-up. With her and fellow freshman Chanli Mundy, the Pats get a jump on nearly every team in the state (Franklin Central notwithstanding). The question will be whether THN can clean up quickly enough at three, four and five before Columbus North’s pack closes the door.
#6 Columbus North
The Bull Dogs are coming off another solid performance at FlashRock with five runners under 20 minutes. Typical top runner Jessica Richardson is important but the Dogs need to get all their runners in before Terre Haute North ends its scoring. Two-time All-Stater Siri Retrum’s performance is very important to the Dogs, especially if she can tow freshman teammate Rachael Sollman with her.
#7 Westfield
After a slower start, the Shamrocks appear to be back to the classic form that has seen them roll to five consecutive podium appearances, including three state championships. With a lack of any legitimate frontrunner, how can the pack develop over the next five weeks? Is a sixth straight podium a possibility?
#10 Crown Point
The Bulldogs are riding high after a big win at New Prairie, including downing a shorthanded Fort Wayne Carroll team, formerly ranked at third. How can Crown Point carry this momentum into the most important regular season meet?
OTHER TEAMS OF INTEREST
#13 Lake Central
The Indians have been disappointing this season so far after entering ranked third. The two-time state runners-up have great frontrunning but lack depth to contend with teams like Terre Haute North, Columbus North and Westfield in order to make a legitimate podium run. Will someone emerge?
#21 Valparaiso
After running shorthanded for weeks, the Vikings may be getting some of their runners back soon. If this happens, Valpo may find themselves shooting up the rankings quickly. If not, the Vikes will be searching for answers that may leave them much further down the rankings than they are accustomed.
INDIVIDUALS TO WATCH
Renee Wellman, Carmel
The Carmel sophomore now holds the state’s best time by virtue of her performance in Kentucky, though she usually isn’t brought up in discussions for individual state favorite. An individual victory here against some of the state’s best could certainly change that.
Waverly Neer, Culver Academy
The three-time state runner-up was a winner in her only real test this season at the State Preview meet. Neer did not run at New Prairie last weekend so there is a chance that she could be absent in this meet. That’s unlikely, however, so look for Neer to take charge early on her own course.
Dana Payonk, Lake Central
Payonk, the defending champion in this meet, won handily at New Prairie last week and has only been beaten this year by Franklin Central’s Dani Sullivan, possibly the individual favorite right now. Another Culver win would be huge.
Tapring Goatee, Terre Haute North
The freshman phenom hasn’t been in action since finishing second to Neer at the State Preview. Neer’s margin of victory then was 16 seconds but three weeks will have passed between those races, an amount of time that could be more valuable to a developing runner rather than an established one.