Mishawaka boys' cross country team had a great showing at the state meet in 2011. The Cavemen finished fourth behind Carmel, Hamilton Southeastern, and champion Columbus north. It will be more a difficult task in 2012 after losing four of their top seven from that team including Miguel Lozano who placed sixth and is now running at IUPUI. Coach Kowalewski returns a solid 1-2-3 punch, but will need to find depth at the end of the roster. Seniors Jordan Annis, Austin Ganger,and Patrick Wagner return with state meet experience and provide low numbers up front. Annis the team's number four runner last year is the highest returning placer from state where he finished 49th. Annis also has the best 3200 meter time coming in at 9:40.22 which he set at the Penn Sectional during the outdoor season. Ganger and Wagner have the top 1600 meter times running 4:31.00 and 4:46.15 respectively. Coach "Kov" knows the team needs to dig deep and find a solid number four and five or it will hurt them in big meets. Look for incomng freshman AJ Glick and junior Troy Bradly, a 400 meter runner, to compete for that fifth spot throughout the season.
Recently the Cavemen kicked off their 2012 season by heading to nearby ichigan to compete in the Viking Stampede in Dowagiac. Mishawaka was led by senior Jordan Annis who won individual honors in a personal best time of 15:57.00. Fellow seniors Austin Ganger and Patrick Wanger gave the team three runners in the top after placing 7th and 9th. The team brought fourteen runners to the meet, but had some trouble in the middle of the order, causing a one thru five split of 3:12, the highest of any team. The team placed fourth behind Laporte, Northridge, and champion St. Joe.
Coach Kowalewski Says...
"We will be in a battle with Riley and Penn for the conference and Sectional title. With a very inexperienced back pack, New Prairie and Culver Invites will give an idea how we're progressing."