Regional #9 - Ben Davis
Boys Teams: Brownsburg, Avon, Crawfordsville, Plainfield, Danville, Zionsville, Ben Davis, Cardinal Ritter, Southport, Perry Meridian
Boys Individual Race: Should be a good one as Ethan Goddard came back strong to win his sectional by 27 seconds, and when you add the mix of Stuff, Gared, and Stamm, it's looking like an interesting race up front. Last week Andrew Stuff got the best of Gared, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the order switch this week.
Top 5 Prediction:
Ethan Goddard (Avon)
Shewaferahu Gared (Ben Davis)
Andrew Stuff (Zionsville)
Paul Stamm (Cardinal Ritter)
Nathaniel Beeler (Avon)
Team Race: Brownsburg came through with an impressive win over Avon last week and will be going for the regional crown over Zionsville. Avon can bounce back if they get a better race from their 4-5, but Zionsville might have too much for the Bulldogs and Orioles to handle. The last two spots should come down to the wire as well.
Top 5 Teams Prediction:
Zionsville
Brownsburg
Avon
Ben Davis
Crawfordsville
Girls Teams: Zionsville, Cardinal Ritter, Southport, Ben Davis, Perry Meridian, Brownsburg, Avon, Plainfield, Greencastle, North Putnam
Girls Individual Race: Emma Wilson had another dominating performance last weekend as no one provided any competition in her sectional. Things will be different this race as Katelyn Watson and Mary Wehrle will provide a better challenge this week. I still see Wilson winning by a good amount, but not in the same fashion as last week.
Top 5 Prediction:
Emma Wilson (Greencastle)
Katelyn Wasson (Zionsville)
Mary Wehrle (Cardinal Ritter)
Brooke Dixon (Brownsburg)
Lydia Moore (Zionsville)
Girls Team Race: This race should be a battle between Zionsville and Brownsburg for the team title. Both won their respected sectionals by a decent amount, but Zionsville is on another level right now. Cardinal Ritter and Avon should advance with ease, but that 5th spot is up for grabs.
Top 5 Team Prediction:
Zionsville
Brownsburg
Avon
Cardinal Ritter
Southport
Regional #10- Noblesville
Boys Teams: Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield, Guerin Catholic, Western Boone, Cathedral, North Central, Brebeuf Jesuit, Pike, Bishop Chatard
Boys Individuals: Once again, U.S. #6 Cole Hocker is the favorite to win and we may see a big performance with the weather cooling down. Hocker pulled off the win here last year over Gabe Fendel and will more than likely run 100% solo this year as he attempts to go for more than just a win. The course record, of 14:53.60 set by Ben Veatch in 2015, is definitely in jeopardy this weekend. Quinn Gallagher and Calvin Bates looked good last weekend as well and should battle for a 2nd place finish.
Top 5 Prediction:
Cole Hocker (Cathedral)
Quinn Gallagher (Guerin Catholic)
Calvin Bates (Carmel)
Ryan Pehlman (Cathedral)
Travis Hickner (Noblesville)
Team Race: The three standouts are Carmel, Cathedral, and North Central. North Central gave Cathedral a race last weekend while Carmel rested their #2-5. Right now the Greyhounds are the team to beat, but if they choose to rest anyone else I'd be shocked if Cathedral and North Central don't knock them off. And as always, it will be a battle for those last couple spots in a stacked Noblesville Regional.
Top 5 Team Prediction:
Carmel
Cathedral
North Central
Brebeuf Jesuit
Noblesville
Girls Teams: Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield, Hamilton Heights, Guerin Catholic, Pike, Brebeuf Jesuit, Cathedral, North Central, Bishop Chatard
Girls Individuals: Phoebe Bates was one second off from winning the sectional by a whole minute last weekend and should provide another big race this Saturday. That is if Carmel runs her, and doesn't give her the weekend to rest as she prepares to race Emma Wilson at semi-state and then go for a state title in two weeks. Zoe Simmons won by a good margin as well and is one of the top runners in the race. After those two, I can see 3-5 play out in many different ways.
Top 5 Prediction:
Phoebe Bates (Carmel)
Zoe Simmons (Brebeuf)
Madeline Keller (Brebeuf)
Elizabeth Stanhope (Pike)
Maria Mitchell (Hamilton Heights)
Team Race: The top 4 teams are loaded with talent as the top 4 teams are all ranked in the top 10 in the state! Carmel still has the edge as of now, but it's looking like the best girls race this weekend for sure. The team 1-4 teams could all be separated by just a couple points and the results be up in the air until they are officially announced. The last spot should be a battle between Westfield and Cathedral.
Top 5 Prediction
Carmel
Pike
Brebeuf
Noblesville
Cathedral