Returning Runners:  (Based on results from the Carmel Semi-State)

Renee Wellman (12) – 18:04 (1^st place)

Sarah Bennett (12) – 18:06 (2^nd place)

Allison Jacobsen (12) – 18:35 (10^th place)

Kelcy Welch (10) – 18:43 (13^th place)

Lauren Kahre (12) – 18:50 (15^th place)

Gina Genco (10) – 18:50 (16^th place)

Ellen Schmitz (12) – 19:37 (43^rd place)

2011 Outlook:

Seven of seven are back for the champs, including perhaps the top two runners in the entire state. On paper, it appears that no one would be close to the Greyhounds this season, who may enter with “best team ever” hype. In fact, Carmel brings back 4 of the top 15 returners from the state meet. The ‘Hounds had an incredible amount of runners go under the 3200 standard of 11:17 in the track season. Carmel enters 2011 not only as the best team in Indiana, but perhaps the best in all of the United States.

#2 Noblesville Millers

            Carmel Semistate #2

            Brebeuf Regional #2

            Noblesville Sectional #2

State meet history: 6 appearances (last in 2010), 2 podium finishes (last in 2009)

2010 Results:

            Noblesville Sectional:  2nd place (69 points)

            Brebeuf Regional:  2nd place (82 points)

            Carmel Semistate:  3rd place (126 points)

            IHSAA State Finals: 8^th (266 points)

Returning Runners:  (Based on results from the Carmel Semi-State)

Helen Willman (12) – 18:24 (3^rd place)

Kendra Foley (11) – 18:42 (6^th place)

Rachel Kacer (11) – 18:49 (11^th place)

Renee Studt (11) – 19:46 (28^th place)

Hannah Pimley (12) – 20:12 (39^th place)

Michelle Hance (12) – 20:23 (45^th place)

Hannah Watson (12) – 22:46 (72^nd place)

2011 Outlook:

Noblesville enters the season as the second best team in Indiana, and the second best team everywhere along its path through the tournament. With Willman, Foley and Kacer, the Millers boast the only top trio capable of running with Carmel’s top three. If Noblesville is to compete with the best of the best, it will need to develop the talent beyond those top three. The Millers also need those three to run well late in the season.

#3 Valparaiso Vikings

            New Prairie Semistate #1

State meet history: 24 appearances (last in 2010), 11 podium finishes (last in 2008), 3 state runner-up titles (2001, 2005, 2006), 5 state championships (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005)

2010 Results:

            Chesterton Sectional:  1st place (21 points)

            New Prairie Regional:  1st place (34 points)

            New Prairie Semistate:  1st place (51 points)

            IHSAA State Finals: 6^th (239 points)

Returning Runners:  (Based on results from the New Prairie Semi-State)

Katelyn DeVries (12) – 18:39 (5^th place)

Tiffany Fortney (11) – 18:52 (9^th place)

Lauren Bigger (12) – 19:06 (13^th place)

Patricia Joll (12) – 19:31 (21^st place)

Sara Greenawald (10) – 20:42 (65^th place)

Marilee Tullis (10) – 21:55 (107^th place)

2011 Outlook:

The Vikings have a great front two with DeVries and Fortney, both of whom could place very high in the state meet. In fact, DeVries has already proven herself to be one of the state’s best, finishing fourth as a sophomore and 31^st as a freshman, despite an injury. There is a slight break after four, which was also what deterred Valpo from the podium last fall. With four potential individual qualifiers, the Vikes should be the class of the Region once again. A solid fifth runner would make them a podium lock.

#4 Franklin Central Flashes

            Carmel Semistate #3

State meet history: 6 appearances (last in 2010), 3 podium finishes (last in 2010)

2010 Results:

            New Palestine Sectional:  1st place (30 points)

            Rushville Regional:  1st place (26 points)

            Carmel Semistate:  4th place (135 points)

            IHSAA State Finals: 4^th (202 points)

Returning Runners:  (Based on results from the Carmel Semi-State)

Jasmine Al-Anzi (12) – 18:35 (9^th place)

Meredith Jackson (12) – 19:19 (27^th place)

Natalie Nolting (11) – 19:49 (54^th place)

Kirsten Taft (12) – 20:08 (70^th place)

Carolyn Talhelm (11) – 20:45 (94^th place)

2011 Outlook:

Like some other teams on the list, the Flashes are better than they appear in their semistate results. FC certainly has a knack for running well in the state meet, including three podium finishes in the last three years. Seniors Jasmine Al-Anzi and Meredith Jackson seem ready for breakout seasons and junior Carolyn Talhelm could be looking to return to her sub-19 minute form. With an incoming freshman class rumored to be among the best in the state, the Flashes could be making a fourth consecutive ascent up the podium.

#5 North Central Panthers

            Carmel Semistate #4

            Brebeuf Regional #3

            Brebeuf Sectional #1

State meet history: 16 appearances (last in 2010), 6 podium finishes (last in 1994)

2010 Results:

            Brebeuf Sectional:  1st place (37 points)

            Brebeuf Regional:  3rd place (83 points)

            Carmel Semistate:  5th place (148 points)

            IHSAA State Finals: 10^th (291 points)

Returning Runners:  (Based on results from the Carmel Semi-State)

Brenna Poulsen (12) – 18:18 (3^rd place)

Marissa Stephens (12) – 19:07 (23^rd place)

Allie Rogers (12) – 19:32 (39^th place)

Annie Lohrstoffer (10) – 19:37 (42^nd place)

Meghan Fox (12) – 19:52 (56^th place)

Caroline Hawes (12) – 20:11 (74^th place)

Madison Long (11) – 20:38 (89^th place)

2011 Outlook:

The Panthers bring back all seven from last year’s team. The senior-laden squad may feel a sense of urgency this year, having qualified in two of the past three seasons but fallen shy of the podium each time. Poulsen should fill the role of frontrunner well after finishing 11^th at last year’s state meet and enjoying another good track season. The Panthers will be under a new coach.

#6 Columbus North Bull Dogs

            Carmel Semistate #5

State meet history: 26 appearances (last in 2010), 13 podium finishes (last in 2010), 2 state runner-up title (1986, 2010), 1 state championship (2009)

2010 Results:

            Edinburgh Sectional:  1st place (18 points)

            Greensburg Regional:  1st place (18 points)

            Carmel Semistate:  2nd place (97 points)

            IHSAA State Finals: 2^nd (118 points)

Returning Runners:  (Based on results from the Carmel Semi-State)

Rachael Sollman (11) – 18:54 (17^th place)

MacKenzie Caldwell (10) – 19:22 (31^st place)

Erin Shuffett (12) – 19:26 (33^rd place)

MacKenzie Harris (12) – 19:27 (35^th place)

Jaclyn Gill (12) – 20:26 (82^nd place)

2011 Outlook:

The epitome of a perennial contender, the Bull Dogs have qualified for 26 of the last 28 state finals. With a very good top four remaining and a deep pool to fill out the remaining varsity spots, North may once again be among the state’s best. The Dogs have a history of running their best races in the state finals, where runners often match or better their placing at the semistate level. That’s exactly what frontrunner Rachael Sollman did last year. With her at the lead, North is again a podium contender.

#7 Terre Haute North Patriots

            Brown County Semistate #1

            Brown County Regional #1

State meet history: 11 appearances (last in 2010)

2010 Results:

            Terre Haute North Sectional:  1st place (19 points)

            Brown County Regional:  1st place (43 points)

            Brown County Semistate:  1st place (65 points)

            IHSAA State Finals: 11^th (302 points)

Returning Runners:  (Based on results from the Brown County Semi-State)

Chanli Mundy (11) – 18:30 (2^nd place)

TaPring Goatee (11) – 18:43 (7^th place)

Jessi Conley (10) – 18:44 (8^th place)

Mallory Sanders (10) – 19:47 (26^th place)

Annie Mullican (11) – 19:56 (28^th place)

Katherine Loebker (11) – 20:07 (33^rd place)

Brandi Roshel (12) – 20:09 (34^th place)

2011 Outlook:

The Patriots have a phenomenal top trio with Mundy, Goatee and Conley. With three potential All-Staters, North has the beginnings to a podium team. With all seven returning, the Pats definitely look to be the best team in the south and could challenge the top teams in all of the state. If North can put three in the top 25 at the state meet, it seems unlikely that they wouldn’t be one of the five best teams on that day.

#8 Westfield Shamrocks

            Carmel Semistate #6

            Brebeuf Regional #4

            Noblesville Sectional #3

State meet history: 10 appearances (last in 2010), 6 podium finishes (last in 2008), 1 state runner-up title (2004), 4 state championships (1998, 2005, 2006, 2007)

2010 Results:

            Noblesville Sectional:  4th place (94 points)

            Brebeuf Regional:  4th place (116 points)

            Carmel Semistate:  6th place (210 points)

            IHSAA State Finals: 12^th (304 points)

Returning Runners:  (Based on results from the Carmel Semi-State)

Briana Leonard (10) – 19:02 (18^th place)

Shelby Wilson (10) – 19:14 (25^th place)

Shannon Webb (11) – 20:01 (63^rd place)

Karli Koning (10) – 20:07 (67^th place)

2011 Outlook:

The Shamrocks returned to the state meet last season for the sixth time in seven years. With last year’s top two heading into just their sophomore seasons and at least one stellar incoming freshman, Westfield looks to be in great shape for another state finals run this year. Leonard and Wilson are both potential individual state qualifiers. In the past, Westfield has always put together competitive teams, including finishing fifth at the ’08 state finals with a somewhat ragtag mob a year after losing three All-State runners. 2011 should be no different.

#9 Brownsburg Bulldogs

            Carmel Semistate #7

            Ben Davis Regional #1

State meet history: 1 appearances (2009)

2010 Results:

            South Putnam Sectional:  4th place (85 points)

            Ben Davis Regional:  2nd place (78 points)

            Carmel Semistate:  10th place (279 points)

Returning Runners:  (Based on results from the Carmel Semi-State)

Sydney Lesko (12) – 19:36 (41^st place)

Veronica Goduto (12) – 19:48 (53^rd place)

Carissa Damler (10) – 20:02 (65^th place)

Kyra Jo Gaerke (11) – 20:47 (95^th place)

Rachel Smith (12) – 22:55 (136^th place)

Jamie Wieder (11) – 23:11 (140^th place)

2011 Outlook:

Ignore last year. The Bulldogs may have the second most talented team in Indiana, starting with a girl whose name is not on the list of returners. Senior Laura Bess sat out nearly all of last season with an injury. Sixth at the state meet her sophomore year while running for Harrison in West Lafayette, Bess appears to be back to her old form after a great track season. With her and Lesko (12^th at the ’09 state meet) back from injury-plagued junior campaigns, Brownsburg will have a great frontrunning duo. The depth could be enough to make a healthy Bulldog team a top contender, especially since Brownsburg will add a top freshman.

#10 Fort Wayne Carroll Chargers

            New Haven Semistate #1

            West Noble Regional #1

State meet history: 8 appearances (last in 2010), 3 podium finishes (last in 2010)

2010 Results:

            Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional:  1st place (33 points)

            West Noble Regional:  1st place (56 points)

            New Haven Semistate:  1st place (72 points)

            IHSAA State Finals: 5^th (206 points)

Returning Runners:  (Based on results from the New Haven Semi-State)

Coral Whaley (10) – 19:18 (17^th place)

Olivia Hippensteel (11) – 19:22 (21^st place)

Kathryn Morris (10) – 19:38 (28^th place)

Amy Poynter (11) – 19:47 (29^th place)

Alexis Norris (11) – 20:31 (64^th place)

2011 Outlook:

It’s official: Carroll has surpassed Northridge as the premiere program in the northeast. The Chargers had a mildly shocking ascent to the podium, finishing fifth in what was definitely their best race of the season. Brianna Johnson is gone after a four-year career in which she never finished lower than 11^th at the state finals. In a school where talented runners always develop into solid contributors, the Chargers are never too far away from a podium appearance.