Top 10 Boys of the Decade (2000-2009) - Cross Country
By: Stephen Bain
While researching these individuals, I have had the pleasure of watching most of them in person, but not all. This made me have to dig a bit more, and even some of the races were a bit foggy in my memory. However, I never will forget how dominant some of these front runners have been that I have had the privelage of seeing and some of these names I wish I could have seen. They have been true gifts to the sport and deserve this recognition.
I primarily looked at State Meet and National Meet results for this. Many can be debated and I strongly encourage you to do so. Colin and I debated on many individuals and we do not agree on many of the rankings I am about to announce. Just remember that all of these individuals are extrodinary and are being compared to other elites. I tried to ignore PRs and things in those regards simply because times are very hard to compare year to year, due to weather patterns.
Honorable Mentions: Michael Hashel (Winimac), Kaleb Vanort (DeKalb), Steve Vrska (Chesterton), Ryan Byrne (North Harrison), Curtis Carr (Brown County), Robert Moldovan (Fort Wayne Northrop), Tyler Byrne (North Harrison), David Osborn (Chesterton), Adam Green (Franklin Central), and many other runners who finished the top 5 at the state meet.
#10
James Martin (Fort Wayne Carroll) – Class of 2011 – XC 2007-2010
National Appearances: 2008 @ NXN (39th)
State Appearances: 2007 (2nd), 2008 (3rd), 2009 (10th)
Martin has a very interesting pattern in development right now as his places are not improving over the years. However, these places are still very impressive and he has another year to try and get back into great form for a high state placing. His 10th place finish this year was in result to him not going for the win rather than running safe, which should not be held against him.
Martin was also able to advance to NXN as a sophomore and just missed qualifying for footlocker this year.
#9
Justin Roeder (Hamilton Southeastern) – Class of 2005 – XC 2001-2004
State Appearances: 2002 (20th), 2003 (12th), 2004 (Champion)
High School Bests: Mile: (indoor), 3200: 9:14
Justin had a very solid progression through the years on his way to capturing a state title. Roeder often found himself with great performances at the biggest meets, and that included his state title.
Justin is running for Butler University where he has continued to excel, especially at the regional meet.
#8
Futsum Zeinasellassie (North Central) – Class of 2012 – XC 2008-2011
National Appearances: 7th at Footlocker Nationals 2008, did not compete in 2009
State Appearances: 2008 (2nd), 2009 (Champion)
Futsum is still young in this decade and may be the most dominant cross country athlete Indiana has ever seen. However, given only two years and some asterisk next to a few credentials he is a bit lower than he possibly could have been on this list. He finished 2nd in freshman year after losing a shoe only 400 meters into the race putting himself well behind the entire pack. It is easily debatable that he could have won the state title as a freshman, but nonetheless the runner-up finish is nothing to frown upon. He went on to place 7th at the Footlocker National meet as the top freshman in the country at the time. Then this past year Futsum dominated the state in every meet other than to Wills (Ohio) at Culver. He chose not to participate in the Footlocker nor NXN races due to not wanting to miss school leading up to his finals. It would be easy to argue that he could have placed in the top 5 in either meet once again which would have bumped his credentials up even higher.
While criticized often for unknown reasons, Futsum spoils the spectators with victory after victory. He will continue to be a pleasure to watch as he continues to grow and eventually attempt to break state and national records alike.
#7
Drew Shields (Fishers) – Class of 2009 – XC 2005-2008
National Appearances: 2008 @ FLN (4th), 2008 @ NXN (7th)
State Appearances: 2006 (13th), 2007 (5th), 2008 (Champion)
High School Bests: 800: 1:54.14, Mile: 4:09.64v, 3200: , 5K (XC):
Drew is known as a track guy, after completing an impressive 4x8, 1600, 800 triple his junior year. However, his cross country accomplishments speak for themselves. He won his senior year, after suffering many losses leading up to the big day. What he did after that was even more impressive as he qualified for San Diego and then put himself up with the lead pack only to charge his way down the final hill at Balboa to grab a 4th place finish. Perhaps what is more impressive is that he was doing the “National Double” after also placing 7th at the NXN meet before that.
Drew is now a Wisconsin Badger but red-shirted this past cross country season.
#6
Brock Hagerman (Pendleton Heights) – Class of 2006 – XC 2002-2005
National Appearances: 2005 (34th)
State Appearances: 2002 (13th), 2003 (4th), 2004 (26th)***, 2005 (Champ)
Hagerman had an impressive high school campaign with his one bump in the road being 2004. He was the favorite going into the state meet until he was badly stricken with anemia and faded to 26th quickly and unexplainably at the time. He was able to get control of the deficiency and earn a crown in 2005. Brock also had success on the track. Brock finished 3rd at the Footlocker regional, but had an off day at Balboa where he could have added even more to his credentials.
Brock went to Notre Dame initially, where he ran in the national meet as a team qualifier. He then transferred and is currently running for the New Mexico Lobos.
#5
Christian Wagner (Columbus North) – Class of 2004 – XC 2000-2003
National Appearances: 2003 (7th)
State Appearances: 2001 (10th), 2002 (2nd), 2003 (Champion)
This may seem like a low ranking to many on Christian because of how simply dominant he was his senior year. However, his curse was that Nef simply had his number the previous year on the grass to keep him from having two state titles.
Christian went on to Wisconsin where he deserves notice in his academic success while obtaining a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was All-Big Ten multiple times and a 10k All-American in 2008. He is now training with the Hansons-Brooks program with a focus on the 2012 Olympic games in the 10k.
#4
De’Sean Turner (Warren Central) – Class of 2007 – XC 2003-2006
National Appearances: 6th @ NTN (2005), 2005 (15th), 2006 (32nd)
State Appearances: 2003 (22nd), 2004 (3rd), 2005 (2nd), 2006 (Champ)
High School Bests: 400: 49.9, 800: 1:51.9, 1600: 4:08.34, 3200: 9:01.15, 5K (XC):
While being well known on the track, it may be a shocker to some to see how good De’Sean was on the grass from his freshman year on. Perhaps one of the greatest things to watch in the 2006-2007 seasons was Turner getting his first state titles after being so close so many times. He had been edged out in the previous track season in a historic 1600 race, 
but was able to come away with the win in a muddy Terre Haute his senior year. He also had a large number of national appearances including leading the last Indiana team to qualify for the NTN/NXN meet.
De’Sean has put up some very impressive numbers including being on Indiana University’s All-American DMR. He continues to improve on the grass and has been becoming a very formidable steeplechaser.
#3
Neftalem Araia (Lawrence North) – Class of 2003 – XC 1999-2002
National Appearances: 2001 (18th), 2002 (4th)
State Appearances: 2000 (27th), 2001 (Champion), 2002 (Champion)
Nef was given very heavy consideration as being the number one guy on this list with two big state titles, and holding off a charging Christian Wagner. Not only that but he placed 4th in a very tough year of 2002 at the Footlocker meet, after getting 18th as a junior. Nef lead the Lawrence North Wildcats to great team performances that they have not seen since he left.
Nef went on to be a well decorated collegiate runner, which would have put him at the top of this list if taken into consideration. He placed 11th or higher in this first-three national meets, including a runner up finish in 2006.
#2
Aaron Fisher (Franklin Central) – Class of 2001 – XC 1997-2000
National Appearances: 2000 (18th)
State Appearances: 1997 (6th), 1998 (Champion), 1999 (Champion), 2000 (Champion)
Aaron may have hardly been in this decade, but his resume still exists for this list. With 3 state titles, anybody could make the case for him to be #1. Making an immediate impact on the sport from the get-go, Aaron also grabbed a Mental Attitude award, which should never be over-looked as a great achievement. Perhaps the one scratch on Fisher’s credentials is his one national appearance and getting 18th place… which is only a scratch on this type of a list.
Aaron went on to become an All-American steepler chaser at Ohio State
#1
Michael Fout (LaPorte) – Class of 2008 – XC 2004-2007
National Appearances: 2007 Footlocker National Champion
State Appearances: 2007 State Champion
High School Bests: 800: 1600: 4:13 (indoors), 3200: 9:03.49, 5k (XC):
Michael’s career has been plagued with injuries, and has continued to be. However, with one season of relatively good health (he still trained on the elliptical), Mike put together one of the most dominant performances seen in our sport. Winning races by large amounts, while completing the dreaded DAC Tuesday meet schedule, he broke numerous course records. He suffered one defeat to Chris Derrick at Culver, but then went on to dominate the state meet as well taking over with a commanding lead by the mile mark and never looking back.
What makes Mike #1 on this list is obviously his national title. While others have placed very high, no others have one. Winning and just placing high are two entirely different things. Beyond that, Mike was never a favorite going in but always had a race plan to win, and executed it perfectly. At the footlocker national meet, he beat one of the best fields ever as well including German Fernandez, Chris Derrick and Colby Lowe. These guys went on to break junior age records and are making big names for themselves at the collegiate level as well now.
While Mike has yet to complete a healthy and productive season at Florida State, everybody following him knows that he has the ability to be one of the best in the country.
I do believe that Michael helped guys see how it was possible for Indiana guys to make a big splash on the national scene. Since Mike won, Indiana has been better represented at the national level. This is the X-Factor on why he is ranked #1 on this list.
Once again, I would like to remind you that all of the athletes listed here are truly remarkable athletes and people. Also, ALL of these rankings are debatable. I had a lot of fun looking through these guys and pulling my own hair out trying to decide who was better than who. Post your opinions on our message board!