The New Haven Semi-State will see a new team champion crowned as Carroll (Allen), last year’s winner and eventual state runnerup, was heavily hit by graduation. Hoping to fill the void left by Carroll are Huntington North and Concord.
The Favorites
Huntington North
The Marion Regional champs are looking to advance to state for the fourth consecutive year. With seniors Ross Ochs and Josh Graham leading the way, a podium finish at state seemed possible after Huntington North finished 20 points behind Noblesville in the Green Division of the FlashRock Invitational. However, an injury to one of its key runners leaves the current status of the Vikings less uncertain.
Concord
Fourth at last year’s semi-state, Concord is virtually a lock for a return trip to Terre Haute. Fronted by junior Daniel Zelaya, the Minutemen have been solid all season and are now starting to peak during the tourney with a 26 point victory over South Bend St. Joseph’s at the Elkhart Central Regional.
Should Advance
South Bend St. Joseph’s
The biggest surprise of the 2009 season has been emergence of the Indians as a contender for the semi-state team title. Powered by senior Michael Bradley and a core group of four sophomores, this may be the start of a dynasty for South Bend St. Joseph’s.
Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger
Dwenger just missed advancing to state last year finishing 7th and will rely on pack running to take another shot at advancing in 2009. Senior Andy Brennan has been the front runner most recently for the Saints which include team championships over Fort Wayne Snider at conference, sectional, and regional.
Fort Wayne Snider
The Panthers tourney run came to an abrupt end at regionals last year and they are looking to avenge that miscue. Similar to Dwenger, Snider relies on pack running behind senior Ethan Wappes, but have so far have come up short in their meetings against the Saints. Keeping the Saints in sight at the Semi-State should ensure that Snider also advances to state.
Northridge
The Raiders are looking for their tenth consecutive trip to the state finals, the longest currently active streak from the New Haven Semi-State and its predecessor, the Manchester Semi-State. Known for peaking when it counts, Northridge finished just 11 points behind South Bend St. Joseph’s at the Elkhart Central Regional behind individual champion, junior Trevor Moore.
Hoping to Advance
Warsaw
Warsaw finished 9 points behind Northridge at the Elkhart Central Regional and are in a position to step into a state qualifying spot should any of the favorites falter. Senior Nate West leads the Tigers.
Carroll (Allen)
The Chargers were last year’s dominant team in Northeast Indiana, eventually placing second behind Carmel at state. Despite returning juniors James Martin and much improved Bradley Hess, Carroll lost several key runners to graduation and there is a relatively large gap to their 3rd runner.
Homestead
Similar to Huntington North and Carroll, Homestead has a strong 1-2 punch with junior Kodi Mullins and senior Andrew McClain and could surprise at semi-state.
Bellmont Braves
Braves’ sophomore Evan Boucher led his team to within 6 points of Homestead at the Marion Regional. Bellmont was 9th last year and could repeat a top 10 finish.
Pendleton Heights
The Arabians won the Delta Regional, typically the weakest regional advancing to the New Haven Semi-State. However, Nathan Hendershot will be among the leaders which should help Pendleton Heights finish in the top 10.
Fort Wayne North Side
The Redskins took the last qualifying spot to state last year and returned its top two runners, Charles Melton and Mackenzie Neukum, but has not been as consistent in 2009 and will have to peak to finish in the top 10.
West Noble
The Chargers were 10th last year and returned its top three runners so should be in the hunt for a top 10 finish again in 2009. However, West Noble looked flat at their own regional and time will tell if they were training through the meet or peaked too early.
Rounding Out the Field
Mishawaka
Sophmore Miguel Lozano paced the Cavemen’s fifth place effort at the Elkhart Central Regional.
Mt. Vernon (Fortville)
The Mauraders finished only 18 points behind Pendleton Heights at the Delta Regional and are led by senior Chris Hanson.
Whitko and Norwell
The Wildcats and Knights finished a distant 4th and 5th at the Marion Regional, but could still contend for a top 15 finish at semi-state. Junior Brian Menzie paces Whitko and junior Alex Cushman is the Knight’s top runner.
Muncie Southside, Yorktown, and Delta
The Rebels, Tigers, and Eagles finished a distant 3rd to 5th at the relatively weak Delta Regional and hope to stay out of the cellar at semi-state. Their frontrunners are juniors Ethan Evans, Joe Sours, and Seth Prince, respectively.
Predictions
1. Huntington North
2. Concord
3. South Bend St. Joseph’s
4. Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger
5. Fort Wayne Snider
6. Northridge
7. Warsaw
8. Carroll (Allen)
9. Homestead
10. Bellmont
11. Pendleton Heights
12. Fort Wayne North Side
13. West Noble
14. Mishawaka
15. Mt. Vernon (Fortville)
16. Whitko
17. Norwell
18. Muncie Southside
19. Yorktown
20. Delta
INDIVIDUALS
Clear Favorite
James Martin, Carroll (Allen)
Martin, a junior, will be racing for his third consecutive semi-state and knows how to peak as evidenced by his 2nd and 3rd place state cross country finishes the past two years. He was also runnerup to Futsum Zeinasellasie in the State 3200 last spring.
Fighting for Second
Nathan Hendershot, Pendleton Heights
The Arabian senior, was second to Martin at last year’s semi-state and went on to finish 13th at state. He has the best leg speed of the field as evidenced by his runnerup finish in the State 800 last spring.
Bradley Hess, Carroll (Allen)
Martin’s teammate, also a junior, was 16th at semi-state last year, but has improved to the point where he would is now in contention to be in the top three at this year’s meet.
Ross Ochs, Huntington North
Although the Viking senior was 2nd to junior Kodi Mullins at the Marion Regional, he was 3rd at the 2008 semi-state before earning All-State with his 21st place finish at Terre Haute. Ochs was likely training through regional and will be back up front at this year’s semi-state.
Kodi Mullins, Homestead
Similar to Hess, Mullins, a junior, has also stepped up to new level from his 40th place finish at last year’s Semi-State and should be in the running for a top five finish this year.
Trevor Moore, Northridge
The Raider junior has laid relatively low most of the season, but his win at the Elkhart Central Regional and then penchant for Northridge runner’s to peak at the end of the season makes him the X factor at semi-state.
Predictions
1. James Martin, Carroll (Allen)
2. Nathan Hendershot, Pendleton Heights
3. Bradley Hess, Carroll (Allen)
4. Ross Ochs, Huntington North
5. Kodi Mullins, Homestead
6. Trevor Moore, Northridge
7. Andrew McLain, Homestead
8. Josh Graham, Huntington North
9. Miguel Lozano, Mishawaka
10. Daniel Zelaya, Concord
11. Michael Bradley, South Bend St. Joseph’s
12. Nicholas Lagemann, Prairie Heights
13. Evan Boucher, Bellmont
14. Brian Willoughby, Concord
15. DJ Taylor, Anderson Highland