Marion Invitational Boys Recap

In the Boys Terry Lakes Elite race, Mt. Vernon's Ahmed Saleh led Warsaw's Jackson Gackenheimer and Westview's Noah Bontrager through the mile at 4:45. Lapel's Simon Nickelson was just off the lead, coming through at 4:48, with three more runners at 4:50. Bontrager took a comanding lead by 4K mark, coming through at 12:00 and on pace for a 15-minute finish. He closed hard with a final 2:59 kilometer to earn his first sub-15-minute mark, finishing in 14:59.3.

This was Indiana's first sub-15-minute performance of the season, with only three boys achieving this last year. Behind Bontrager, Gackenheimer and Saleh finished in 15:29 and 15:39, respectively, both achieving personal bests. A wave of PRs followed, with 8 additional boys breaking the 16-minute barrier, led by Pendleton Heights' Benson Davis and Chesterton's Spencer Martin.

The team race was even more dramatic than the Girls Elite race, with three teams finishing within 11 points of each other. Mt. Vernon pulled off the win with 78 points, beating Warsaw (82 points) and Franklin Central (89 points). Mt. Vernon, ranked 11th in the coaches poll, had contributions from Ahmed Saleh (3rd), Caden Cassada (12th), Xaiden Jenson (14th), Brayden Strantz (21st), and Landon Willis (33rd).

Boys Gold Race Individual Winner: Hayden Kemple, Clinton Prairie (15:21.21)

Boys Gold Race Team Winner: DeMotte Christian - 52 points

Boys Purple Race Individual Winner: Graysen Ruch, West Noble (16:40.5)

Boys Purple Race Team Winner: West Noble - 76 points

Boys JV Race Individual Winner: Dorian Hall, Mt. Vernon (17:23.6)

Boys JV Race Team Winner: Mt. Vernon - 40 points

Top 10 Boys Times from the Day