2002 IHSAA Girls Cross Country State Finals

2002 IHSAA Girls Cross Country State Finals

Saturday, November 2, 2002, Indiana University Cross Country Course, Bloomington

Valparaiso Girls Team; Carmel’s Harrington Are Indiana’s Best In 2002

The Valparaiso girls team and Carmel junior Katie Harrington won state championships in the 22^nd annual IHSAA Girls Cross Country State Finals on Saturday, November 2, 2002 at the Indiana University Cross Country Course in Bloomington.

Valparaiso, who had three runners finish in the top 30 among team qualifiers, was led by Racheal Marchand’s sixth place finish overall in 14:34.6 and helped the Vikings land their third cross country state title in four years (1999, 2000). Valpo’s other scoring runners were junior Julie Martz (15:20.2) in 31st; junior Brigitte Brissette (15:29.6) in 41^st; senior Kristina Gordon (15:38.1) in 52^nd and; sophomore Lisa Floran (15:38.9) in 53^rd.

The Vikings totaled 121 points to runner-up Northridge’s 127. The six-point difference was the second-closest finish between the top two teams in the history of the meet. The closest was Floyd Central’s two-point victory over Carmel in 1991. Chesterton finished third in this year’s meet with 143 points, while Columbus North was fourth at 154 and West Lafayette fifth with 172.

Valparaiso, as it was in its two previous state championship campaigns, was coached by Karen DeVries.

Among the individual competitors, Harrington caught and passed Lake Central senior Tiffany Redlarczyk in the final straightaway to win the blue ribbon medal with a winning time of 14:13.2. Redlarczyk, who finished second for an unprecedented third straight year, crossed the line in 14:18.4. Columbus North junior Julie Eckerly placed third in 14:19.5; junior Magin Kebert of Harrison (West Lafayette) was fourth in 14:29.0 and; Northridge senior Tiffany Brenneman rounded out the top five in 14:31.1.

Harrington, who placed 10^th in this meet a year ago in 14:38 and helped the Greyhounds to the team title, became the second Carmel girls runner to claim the state’s top prize following Julie Ham who finished in 14:50 on a snow-laden Conner Prairie course in Fishers in 1996.

North Putnam’s Cassie Hunt Earns Mental Attitude Award

Cassie Hunt, a senior from North Putnam High School, was named this year’s winner of the Mental Attitude Award in Cross Country by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

Hunt, competing in this year’s state meet as an individual qualifier, placed 14^th overall in a time of 14:54.5. She had placed 13^th overall a year ago.

Hunt rates second in her class of 110 students with a 3.9 GPA winning numerous academic awards in art, humanities and mathematics in her school. Athletically, she has been the county, conference and sectional champion for three consecutive years, won regionals twice and finished as semi-state runner-up twice. She has also competed in track and basketball during her four-year prep career.

Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s proud corporate partner, presented the traditional $1,000 scholarship, to North Putnam High School in the name of Cassie Hunt.

Team Posters And Individual Action Photographs Available

Visit 20-20 Photographic, the IHSAA’s photographer and the Midwest’s Leader in Sports Action Photography, for images captured during this weekend’s cross country state championships! Action photos and team photos from the awards stand as well as the 20-20’s Ultimate Sports Poster will be available for purchase later in the week following the state finals.

State Finals Programs Available

Couldn’t be there for the cross country state meet? You can still purchase a copy of the official state finals program while supplies last! Programs are $2.00 if you purchase in person at the IHSAA Office (9150 N. Meridian Street in Indianapolis) or $4.00 by mail (postage included). To order, send a check for $4.00 made payable to the IHSAA, a note with your return address and brief description of your request and mail to: IHSAA Programs, PO Box 40650, Indianapolis, IN 46240-0650. Sorry, no credit cards. To further inquire, e-mail Assistant Sports Information Director Jason Wille at jwille@ihsaa.org.