Congratulations to two Indiana Head Cross Country Coaches who were named USTFCCCA "Coach of the Year" in Indiana for their team's successes in the fall cross country season.
Noblesville girls head coach Aaron Becker and Zionsville boys head coach Gabe Porras both were named along with two coaches from all 50 states through the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Indiana Girls USTFCCCA Coach of the Year - Aaron Becker - Noblesville
Coach Becker's Noblesville team won the IHSAA state championship in October earning the school's first ever state title in cross country. The Millers were dominant all season on their way to conference, sectional, regional, and semi-state championships before ultimately winning the State Title.
Noblesville's strength over the course of the season was their tight pack and their depth. The Miller's consistently had their scorers grouped all together while placing very well in meets. This was no more apparent than at the state finals when their 2-6 runners all placed between 34th and 45th to help push Noblesville to the State Championship win over Columbus North.
In 2021 the Millers placed 5th at the State meet in one of the closest podium finishes in state history. In 2022 Noblesville claimed the first cross country state championship in school history. Under Becker, the Millers won't be going away anytime soon as Noblesville is set to bring back 5 of their top 7 from the state meet, and 10 of the top 12 overall.
Indiana Boys USTFCCCA Coach of the Year - Gabe Porras - Zionsville
The Zionsville Eagles had an incredible season on their way to State Meet runner-up honors. Under Coach Porras, Zionsville ascended the podium for the first time in school history placing 2nd just three points behind heavy pre-race favorite and State Champion Carmel. The Eagles were sectional and regional champions, and semi-state and state meet runners up placing behind the Greyhounds in both meets.
Just like the Noblesville girls, Zionsville's strength was in the pack. At the Brown County Eagle Classic in September, Zionsville had a 20 second spread of their top 5 runners on their way to a runner-up finish. To make matters more impressive, those five runners were all in between 15:28-15:48 and averaged a 15:40. The Eagles consistently had the best 1-5 spreads of all teams in the state and they were always running consistently fast as well.
Zionsville's first podium finish in school history comes off a stretch where the Eagles were knocking on the door with 3 Top 10 finishes in a four year span. Under Coach Porras, the Eagles will look to continue the tradition of competing in the state meet and contending for podium spots for years to come.