Meet Preview: MIC Chamionships

For those of you who don't know what "MIC" is, it is the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference. It was originally established as a football powerhouse conference. The conference quickly became a powerhouse in all sports. The participating schools include, Ben Davis, Carmel, Center Grove, Lawrence Central, Lawrence North, North Central, Pike and Warren Central. All 8 schools collectively have 8 team titles and 7 individual cross country champions on the girl's side. 22 team titles and 11 individual title on the boy's side. A good portion of these titles coming from Carmel High School. The conference consists of top level athletes competing across all of Indiana and the Midwest against top teams. Carmel's girls team has a longstanding history of making it to Nike Cross Nationals out in Portland OR, placing 4th at the 2016 meet.

With the course being slightly different than normal due to construction in the back part of the normal course, this year could prove a little bit of a learning curve to the athletes. Lawrence North, Ben Davis , Center Grove, North Central, and Pike have all raced here once this year at the Ben Davis Invite, so most of their athletes know the modified course, but a few still don't.

Alright let's get down to business with how this meet could be turning out this year. First up the ladies

The Carmel girls have been the star of the show for the MIC in cross country, having won the team title 17 times in the 20 years they have competed in the conference. It appears this year they will have no problem continuing that dominance. This year's team is led by sophomore Phoebe Bates, who holds a 17:39 PR set this year at the Brown County Invite. The Lady Hounds currently have 4 girls that have run under 19 minutes this season with Lindsey Roper right on the verge of going under that. Overall the hounds are well stacked this season and should easily be able to place all 7 of their varsity runners in the top 15.

Now Lawrence North is my 2nd favorite for this meet. Carmel is out of their reach to beat on Saturday but they are a team to keep an eye on. They may only have two girls that have run under even 20 this year, but they only have 2 seniors on their varsity squad. Grace Dean, a junior, raced at state last year and has run an 18:48 this year. Grace is also the top returner to this meet from last year. She placed 5th last year. Her along with Maddie Loughery, who has the same PR as Grace, should both have no problem placing in the top 10. Just look for the tall and short girl, running side by side in white, among the sea of the Greyhound's blue and yellow.

Phoebe Bates should have no problem taking 1st, followed by teammate Maddie Dalton. With their strength, the Lady Greyhounds should take home the win for the 18th time in school history.

Now the boys side of things is very similar to that of the girls. Carmel is the clear favorite to take the boys title as well. The squad is led by senior Colin Murphy, he was 8th at last year's state meet and for the most part has been their front man this season. The hounds over the years have remained strong and this season nothing is different. They are constantly ranked either #1 or #2 in IATCCC Weekly Polls. The boys should have no issue placing all 7 in the top 15 and easily winning the meet.

Not far behind them is the Panthers of North Central. They are within just a few places of Carmel. Led by senior Ian Hunter, the panthers should place a close 2nd behind Carmel. Hunter looks to be the man to go out and win the race with Colin Murphy right on his tail. North Central should have no competition really for 2nd place and will have to pull something big out to top the dominate Greyhounds. They have a shot at it but Carmel is a little stronger than NC. It would be an off day for the 'hounds is North Central won on Saturday.

Keep an eye on twitter for live updates from this meet and watch the website all weekend for coverage of this meet and many others throughout Indiana. The other notable big meet to watch is the Culver Academies Invite, tons of top teams and individuals competing up there as well.