SYRACUSE - Messages on the marquees outside Augsburger's Plus and Bart's Water Sports in North Webster might single Rob Chalfant out as the only Wawasee cross country runner to advance to Saturday's state finals at the Indiana University Golf Course.

But after talking to Chalfant one might have to see the signs to know for sure he is.

In an interview Thursday night after practice, after he was done answering questions and coach Dave Stookey was giving comments, the 16-year-old junior was standing with senior Jerid Stoffel and assistant coach Kevin Gilbert. He begged them to jump right in and answer some questions, saying that he wanted them to get the recognition more than he did. Stoffel was one of his best friends he said, and he deserved to be credited because he'd given his time to still train with him after school, the rest of the team not practicing after not making it out of the regional round.

But any way you look at it, Chalfant is the lone Wawasee representative slated to run in Saturday's 1:45 p.m. race in Bloomington. The girls' race is set to begin at 1 p.m.

In fact, Chalfant is the only Warrior harrier to advance past the semistate round since Jason Douglass did in 1989. The last time the Warriors went as a team was 1988.

"It's the 10-year anniversary," said the humble Chalfant. "I kind of like that. I wish the team was there, that's the most important part. I'd like to break the (school) record. I still have a chance Saturday."

The school record that Chalfant is referring to is a time of15:56, owned by Douglass. Chalfant has been as close as 16:08, the time he ran at the Manchester Semistate where he finished 10th. If Chalfant is to break this record Saturday, as he says he wants to, he'll have to be on top of things. The competition will be the best he's seen. Only 31 runners in the state advanced individually.

"It's the biggest meet in the state," said Chalfant. "But I'm not going to get caught up in it and get nervous. I'm lucky to have Jerid (Stoffel) help me practice and be there for me. Him and coach are going to keep me from getting nervous."

How well must Chalfant run for him to be satisfied with his effort?

"I'll be satisfied with the low 16s (minutes)," said Chalfant. "It depends on the type of day it is. I'll have to make up my mind to speed up or slow down. Hopefully I'll speed up."

And what kind of day is Chalfant talking about that would make the conditions more suitable to his style?

"I don't like the sun when I run," said Chalfant. "I like the summer and spring but I like it when it rains or it's cold. When it's cold I always seem to have more energy. I like bad weather because everybody else hates it."

Chalfant finished fourth in the sectional, second in the regional and 10th in the semistate. Stookey was asked what kind of performance would satisfy him.

"The top 25 is a great accomplishment," Stookey, who has coached cross country for 36 years, said. "Individually that's considered All-State. College coaches look at that."

The good thing for Chalfant is that he's only a junior. It's been 10 years since someone advanced, but with the experience he'll gain Saturday, he may be back in his final prep season.

"Obviously it's a good experience for Rob," said Stookey. "It's good for everyone to be a part of it. In a way he's kind of the guinea pig. I'm more concerned about doing too much than not enough."

In Chalfant's favor, it should also be mentioned that he's only in his third cross country season ever.

"I first started my freshman year," said Chalfant, "but I ran track in middle school. I never really knew about cross country because I played football. Then I got good at track and got into cross country." [[In-content Ad]]