Indiana Runner

Northridge has been among the state’s elite for most of the decade, especially during the middle portion that included three podium appearances in four years. Near misses, however, tell the tale of the Raiders in this decade, including falling just six points shy of the title in 2002 and a host of sixth and seventh places that were just short of the podium. Still, the Raiders were incredibly dominant in their area of the state, including ten straight sectional titles in the decade and five semistate championships.

Megan Jackson, who went on to a career at Arkansas, is the face of Northridge in the ‘00s. Jackson was a four-time medalist, including her freshman year when the Raiders six points behind team champion Valparaiso. Tiffany Brenneman finished fifth in ’02, the best place at the state finals by any Raider in the decade. Northridge has had a plethora of other All-State runners over the last ten seasons, with the most recent being Allie Pladson just this past year.

Over the last few seasons, the Raiders appear to be in a somewhat downward spiral. The 2009 12th place team finish was the program’s worst since 2001. One year after that showing in 2001, however, the Raiders finished second at the state finals, just six points from winning the whole deal. Certainly, in a community that values cross country and in a program with such a rich tradition, the Raiders are never too far away from a return to the podium.

 Megan Jackson was a four-time individual medalist, finishing 13th, 8th, 6th and 11th in her career.

Photos courtesy Jed Pearson