2008-09 Boys Cross Country State Finals Recap

November 1, 2008

CARMEL TAKES TEAM CROWN, FISHERS’ SHIELDS WINS INDIVIDUAL AWARD
Fishers’ senior Drew Shields won the race and Carmel captured the team title in the 63rd annual IHSAA Boys Cross Country State Finals in Terre Haute on Saturday.

Shields had finished second to North Central freshman Futsum Zeinasellassie in each of the three state tournament races this month but came through when it mattered most. Shields (15:20.3) outkicked Zeinasellassie (15:25.4) and won by more than five seconds. Shields had finished fifth overall last year and helped Fishers win last year’s team championship.

Carroll (Fort Wayne) sophomore James Martin placed third in 15:33.9; Zionsville senior Dylan Sorensen was fourth in 15:39.9 and; Noblesville senior Blake Dircksen rounded out the top five finishers in 15:41.6.

The Carmel boys took the team title joining their female counterparts in sweeping the team awards this year. It was the seventh time a school has swept both genders and the fifth time for Carmel (1982, 1987, 1988, 1996). The Greyhounds accumulated 100 points and were followed by runner-up Carroll (Fort Wayne) with 110 points. McCutcheon was third with 153, North Central of Indianapolis was fourth with 155 and defending state champion Fishers placed fifth with 158.

J.D. Smith, a senior, finished 15th overall to lead Carmel’s scoring runners in 15:57.4. Senior Dan Kinn was 21st (16:02.6), junior Tom Ohlman was 27th (16:06.2), sophomore Chris Walden ended 37th (16:16.6) and junior Dan Porter finished 39th (16:18.8).

For Greyhounds coach Chuck Koeppen, it was his 11th title in boys cross country. He also guided the girls team to the crown this year for his 11th in that sport as well. He also has a boys track championship to his credit for a total of 23 championships – a state record across all sports. He has indicated this is his last year as coach.

ZIONSVILLE’S SORENSEN NAMED MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD WINNER
Zionsville senior Dylan Sorensen was named the winner of the Charles F. Maas Mental Attitude Award following the race by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

The award is presented annually to a senior participant in the state finals who was nominated by his principal and coach and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. It is named after the late IHSAA assistant commissioner.

Sorensen finished fourth among all individuals at Saturday’s state finals in a time of 15:39.9. Besides cross country, Sorensen has earned three varsity letters in track and field with two appearances in the state meet. He also has played two years of basketball for the Eagles.

Outside of sports, he has served with the Student Council, the Letterman’s Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Eagles as Leaders and the NCAA’s Stay in Bounds program. He also has been an attendee at the IHSAA Student Leadership Conference.

Undecided on his college choice to date, he’s considering studying international business.

He is the son of Monique Clupper of Zionsville.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Zionsville High School in the name of Sorensen.