2012-13 Cross Country State Finals Recap

October 27, 2012

Rohrer, Sorrells Take Cross Country Individual Crowns, Carmel Sweeps Team Titles
Carmel swept the boys and girls team titles in Terre Haute but Mishawaka's Anna Rohrer was the talk of the day setting a girls state finals record while Barr-Reeve's Connor Sorrells took the boys crown.

Rohrer, just a sophomore and making her first appearance in the state finals, battled defending state champion Ashley Erba throughout but then pulled away from the Warsaw senior down the final straightaway. She crossed the line in 17:13.2 destroying the state finals record set by Erba last year in 18:05.6. Erba finished as the runner-up in 17:29.2.

West Lafayette’s Bobbie Burgess finished third in 17:51.6, Columbus North’s Mackenzie Caldwell was fourth in 17:55.8 and Eastern’s (Greentown) Bethany Neeley came home in fifth in 18:04.2.

In the boys race, Zach Panning of Fort Wayne Concordia moved out to a sizeable lead through the first 3,000 meters but Barr-Reeve’s Connor Sorrells caught him and pulled away late to win in 15:21.3. The Barr-Reeve senior became the first runner from his school to win a cross country state title.

Panning finished as the runner-up in 15:26.5, Troy Reeder of Hamilton Southeastern was third in 15:28.8, Jackson Bertoli of Terre Haute South was fourth in 15:34.2 and Kyle Eller of Lowell ended fifth in 15:35.2.

In the team competition, Carmel swept both boys and girls crowns.

It was the third consecutive state championship for the girls team coached by Mark Ellington. Gina Genco led a trio of Greyhounds in the top 10 overall finishing sixth overall in 18:31.3. Kelcy Welch was ninth in 18:38.8 and Haley Harris was 10th in 18:45.5.

The boys team, coached by Erhard Bell, captured the crown for the first time since 2008 ending Columbus North’s run of three straight years. Three Greyhounds finished 15-16-17 oveall to lead the way including Bobby Browning in 15:55.2, Charlie Watson in 15:56.9 and Ben Veatch in 15:58.2, respectively.

Warsaw’s Erba, Carmel’s Watson named Mental Attitude Award Recipients
Following the races, Warsaw’s Ashley Erba and Carmel’s Charlie Watson were announced as the winners of the respective mental attitude awards by the IHSAA Executive Committee.

The Committee annually presents the awards to the seniors they determined best demonstrated mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability.

Ashley is the daughter of Scott and Karen Erba of Winona Lake and Charlie is the son of Andrew and Gretchen Watson of Carmel.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the proud corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented both individuals’ school with a $1,000 scholarship in the name of the recipients.