2019 XC all-state finishers I Photo by Kent Graham
This weekend marks the first official week of XC meets in Indiana so it's time to give you guys a preview of the season! First up is the individual boys!
Individual Boys Preview
1.) Lucas Guerra - Highland - Senior
Notable PBs: 4:17 1600, 9:06 3200, 15:31 XC 5K
State XC Meet History: 2nd in '19, 11th in '18
New Prairie Semi State #1
Preview: Lucas Guerra will be the top returner from this 2nd place finish at the state finals last fall, which should give him the confidence that he's the man to beat not only in the region but in Indiana this fall. His win over eventual state champion Gabe Sanchez at the New Prairie semi state last fall was a career changing race and will look to continue to build off his junior season into his senior campaign where he looks to win his first state championship.
2.) Jesus Garcia - Zionsville - Senior
Notable PBs: 4:23 1600, 15:26 XC 5K
State Meet XC History: 4th in '19, 23rd in '18
Shelbyville Semi State #2
Preview: Jesus Garcia is someone not a lot of people talk about when you think of guys who can win a state title this fall. But Garcia should be someone who's high on your list when talking about individual state title contenders. His cross country season last fall was one of the best in the state, earning a 4th place finish at last year's state finals while also winning HCC and a runner up finish at the Shelbyville Semi State against loaded fields. While he doesnt have the flashy track times like some people in the state have (mostly due to not having a track season). His great cross season last fall should make him someone to definitely look out for all year long.
3.) Izaiah Steury - Angola - Junior
Notable PBs: 1:56 800, 4:12 1600, 9:11 3200, 15:38 XC 5K
State Meet XC History: 7th in '19, 38th in '18
New Haven Semi State #1
Preview: Izaiah made major strides throughout last fall and ended last cross country season with a 7th place finish at the state finals along with a 25th place finish at NXR with a 15:38 PR and also a 14th place finish at Foot Locker Midwest Regionals on a muddy day. Look for Steury to continue making big strides in his junior campaign and potentially someone to look out for in a possible state title favorite come october.
4.) Kole Mathison - Carmel - Sophomore
Notable PBs: 9:10 3200, 15:32 XC 5K
State Meet XC History: 11th in '19
Shelbyville Semi State #1
Preview: Mathison shined real bright in his first season of high school, boasting great performances at the state finals where he was 11th and the number 1 man on a state runner up Carmel team. Mathison also competed at the Team Midwest Regional where he was 22nd. During his sophomore track season, he ran 9:10 for 3200 meters. Freshmen usually make big jumps to their sophomore year, and if Mathison can develop under the guidance of a State Title contending Carmel team. He should be a name in the conversation for an individual title and should be a household name for the years to come when talking about state championships.
5.) Will Jefferson - Whiteland - Senior
Notable PBs: 4:17 1600, 9:06 3200, 15:28 XC 5K
State Meet XC History: 85th in '18
Shelbyville Semi State #3
Preview: Before the month of July, you probably only saw Will Jefferson as a potential allstate guy for this upcoming fall cross country season. But now, after dropping a solo 4:17 (1600) and a 9:06 (3200) win over Lucas Guerra and Kole Mathison just in the month of July, you now have to consider Jefferson as a State title contender. He does lack state meet experience more than the other contenders due to an off race at the Shelbyville semi state last fall to where he did not qualify for the state finals last fall. But Jefferson's string of track races this july should give him the confidence that he can run with the best all season long.
6.) Travis Hickner - Noblesville - Senior
Notable PBs: 9:27 3200, 15:22 XC 5K
State Meet XC History: 13th in '19, 21st in '18
Shelbyville Semi State #4
Preview: Travis Hickner has strung together two very good fall cross country seasons the past two years. Boasting two all state finishes the past two years. While he doesnt have the flashy track times (mostly due to not having a track season), he is the leading returner in the entire state based on PRs based on 5K CC PRs as he went 15:22 on the grass this past fall. If he can continue to develop and progress throughout the season he is definitely someone who should be in the front pack racing for a state title as he'll be leading a State title contending Noblesville team.
7.) Matt Newell - Columbus North - Junior
Notable PBs: 4:17 1600, 15:36 XC 5K
State Meet XC History: 14th in '19, 77th in '18
Brown County Semi State #1
Preview: Newell took great strides from his freshman year of cross country to his freshman year of track where he went from 77th at the state cross country finals to running 4:17 for 1600 meters and nearing an all state finish on the track. He followed that up with a 14th place all state finish last fall on a podium team who are the state title favorites as a team this fall. Look for Newell to continue to make improvements this fall under a great columbus north program.
8.) Paul Stamm - Cardinal Ritter - Senior
Notable PBs: 9:40 3200, 15:39 XC 5K
State Meet XC History: 16th in '19, 78th in '18
Shelbyville Semi State #5
Preview: Stamm took a big jump last fall and ended up with a 16th place all state finish last fall. While his track accolades are very slim. His 15:39 5K XC Pr shows he can run with the best in Indiana and should be someone to lookout for when talking about top 10 finishers at the state meet in October.
9.) Reese Kilbarger-stumpff - Columbus North - Junior
Notable PBs: 4:24 1600, 15:48 XC 5K
State Meet XC History: 26th in '19, 127th in '18
Brown County Semi State #2
Preview: Reese was near allstate last fall as is one of the top runners in his class as he ran 4:24 as a freshman. Under a Columbus North Program and having someone like Matt Newell to train with, Kilbarger-Stumpff should continue to make big improvements going into his junior season and be a huge impact in Columbus Norths title hopes as he's someone to watch for in regards to a top 10 finish in Terre Haute this fall.
10.) Spencer Carpenter - Westview - Senior
Notable PBs: 4:15 1600, 15:42 5K XC
State Meet XC History: 45th in '19, 55th in '18, 56th in '17
New Haven Semi State #2
Preview: Carpenter early on was considered the top runner in the class of 2021, winning the flashes showcase freshman mile, and also running 4:15 for 1600 on the track and running 15:42 on the grass in just his sophomore year. Carpenter has a lot of potential going into his final high school cross country season. Going into last year, lots of people had Carpenter as a potential top 7 guy at the state meet. But struggled last fall getting 45th place at the state finals last fall. If Carpenter can put it together this fall, he should be in the front of the race in Terre Haute this fall.
Watchlist:
Cole Kimmel - Noblesville
Krishna Thirunavukkarasu - Brebeuf Jesuit
Drew Costelow - Center Grove
Will Clark - Fishers
Ezra Burrell - Brebeuf Jesuit
Cael Light - Terre Haute South
Drew Hogan - Goshen
Karsten Schlegel - Concordia
Braden Sweet - Southwood
Jaylen Castillo - Fishers