Hoosier Crossroads Conference Preview

By Colin Altevogt
Girls Coordinator

October 1, 2009

Participating schools: Avon, #14 Brownsburg, Fishers, Hamilton Southeastern, Harrison (Lafayette), Lafayette Jefferson, McCutcheon, #5 Noblesville, #10 Westfield, #24 Zionsville

Last year’s results
1. Westfield                  52
2. Noblesville               56
3. Fishers                     99
4. Brownsburg             106
5. Zionsville                  141

Last year’s top returners
1. Brooke Morgan (10) Hamilton Southeastern, 18:48
2. Maya Nagy (11) Avon, 18:51
4. Tiffany Cange (12) Noblesville, 18:53
5. Helen Willman (10) Noblesville, 18:54
7. Veronica Guduto (10) Brownsburg, 18:57

With October comes the most exciting time for the cross country season. Conference meets begin, chief among these being the Hoosier Crossroads Confere that features four ranked teams all with state finals hopes out of the Carmel Semistate. A handful of formerly ranked team as well as some good individuals should make for exciting racing across the board.

TEAMS TO WATCH

#5 Noblesville
Certain performances will be key for the Millers. Senior Tiffany Cange is rumored to be bouncing back from injury after being absent from the results at the FlashRock Invitational and well down the list of competitors last weekend. Her race could be telling for the remainder of Noblesville’s season, though the Millers are a heavy favorite here.

#10 Westfield
The Shamrocks are looking to bounce back from a poor showing at Culver last week, one that followed up a breakout race at FlashRock. Westfield is usually a team that runs its best later in the season, as five consecutive medal stand appearances will attest to, and should be a favorite to return to the state finals.

#14 Brownsburg
The Bulldogs had a great front trio at the Southport Invitational last weekend. After that, however, the depth is lacking. Brownsburg needs a good performance from its front group certainly, but the remaining four runners can make or break the ‘Dogs state finals dreams later in the month.

#24 Zionsville
The Eagles are ranked ahead of sectional and regional rivals Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern and will need a good race here to jumpstart a good tournament.

INDIVIDUALS TO WATCH

Maya Nagy, Avon (Carmel Semistate #6)
Sydney Lesko, Brownsburg (Carmel Semistate #12)
Maddie Webster, Brownsburg (Carmel Semistate #11)
Brooke Morgan, Hamilton Southeastern (Carmel Semistate #5)
Kendra Foley, Noblesville (Carmel Semistate #7)
Rachel Kacer, Noblesville (Carmel Semistate #16)
Helen Willman, Noblesville (Carmel Semistate #10)