Warsaw, Wawasee Win Cross Country Titles
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
DUNLAP - After winning the overall Northern Lakes Conference girls cross championship the past 10 seasons, the 2000 title was literally taken out of Northridge's hands at Ox Bow Park Saturday, a day that saw a mixture of ice and snow falling at times.
After going through the regular season round robin schedule with a 4-2 record, Northridge won Saturday's conference meet with a score of 35. The Raiders were awarded the trophy for winning the overall championship - round robin record and meet finish combined.
There was only one problem, Warsaw's 5-1 round robin record and second-place finish Saturday, a score of 65, made the Tigers the overall champion.
After a short meeting of officials, Warsaw was given the trophy.
"It was time for a change," Warsaw girls coach Paul Sibray, the 2000 NLC Coach of the Year, said. "After two losses they (Northridge) were a totally different team. We beat them earlier in the year, and they came back on a Tuesday and beat us. They showed they wanted it, and so did the Tigers."
Northridge won Saturday's boys meet with a score of 26. Wawasee was second with a 35. With the round robin records and meet finish combined, the two teams share the 2000 conference championship.
Goshen (76) and Plymouth (78) finished Saturday's girls race in third and fourth, respectively. They were followed by NorthWood (109), Wawasee (156) and Concord (198).
Northridge senior Natalie Ewing won Saturday's race with a time of 14:51, 28 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Hillary Barlow of Warsaw. Plymouth sophomore Morgan Uceny, who set the course record a year ago with a time of 14:29, finished third with a time of 15:32. Warsaw junior Jennifer Finch finished fourth with a time of 15:39, while Goshen senior Josie Caton rounded out the top five with a time of 15:44.
"The girls worked hard for this the last couple of years," Sibray said. "This was our year. We'll take it."
Other Warsaw finishers included Amy Roberston, 21st (16:49); Melonie Albert, 25th (16:57); Jessica Wehrly, 26th (17:00) and Jill Wehrly, 32nd (17:28).
"I knew the girls would give it a good shot, and they did," Sibray said. "Everybody's times were faster than they were earlier in the year. To have three girls on the all-conference team is quite an accomplishment."
Barlow, Finch and Rondeau made the all-conference team for the Tigers.
Wawasee freshman Brittany Winchester and NorthWood freshman Kara Huff were named honorable mention.
"I'm real happy for the seniors, especially Hillary (Barlow) and Amy (Robertson) who run up front all the time," Sibray said. "The way went into Goshen and beat them on their own course. That was a key to our success and a testimony to our spirit."
Wawasee's effort Saturday was led by Winchester's 11th place time of 16:13. Other Wawasee finishers included Jessica Lundgren, 31st (17:25); Kayla Auer, 36th (18:00); Meghan Lantz, 38th (18:10); Mandie Sawyer, 40th (18:29); Shannon Mumma, 41st (18:37) and Crystal Fawley, 43rd (19:02)
Senior Cort Sandy finished first for NorthWood in a 15th-place time of 16:28. Other Panther finishers included Kara Huff in 16th, Leslie Hawkins in 22nd, Heide Schneider in 27th, Nina Bearss in 29th, Andrea Jenkins in 34th and Terri Schuler in 37th.
For Wawasee boys coach Dave Stookey, it was a case where he knew it would be tough to beat Northridge twice in the same season.
"I thought the whole team ran well," Stookey said. "I knew when we beat them at NorthWood, we caught them when they were mentally down. I didn't know they would pack it in like they did today though. Normally 35 points will win it."
Warrior senior Rob Chalfant, who finished fourth a year ago, won the 5,000-meter race in a time of 16:19, one second ahead of sophomore teammate Flaco Perales.
Northridge won the meet by finishing its top five runners in third, fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth.
Wawasee's third runner, sophomore Ryan Stichter, came in seventh with a time of 17:04. Other Wawasee finishers included Luke Stoffel, 11th (17:27); Curtis Farrell, 14th (17:36); Matt Dunithan, 18th (17:56) and Eric Gingerich, 21st (18:00).
The conference championship was the third consecutive for Wawasee and fourth in six years. Wawasee, who finished the round robin with a 6-0 record, and Northridge, whose only loss was to Wawasee, also tied for the title a year ago.
Senior Jake Sweatland crossed the line first for Warsaw, finishing 10th in a time of 17:17. Other Tiger finishers included Matt Krallman, 16th (17:43); Zach Woodward, 20th (18:00); Rob Peters, 23rd (18:05); Michael Jenks, 24th (18:07); Matt Lankford, 28th (18:31) and Cory Gackenheimer, 40th (19:24).
Finishing with a 19th-place time of 17:56, senior Andy Yoder led the NorthWood effort. Other Panther finishers included Jody Sarber, 30th (18:40); Blain McDowell, 35th (18:59); James Galeske, 38th (19:09); Brent Paulus, 44th (19:50) and Aaron Emerick, 47th (21:05).
Local harriers to make the boys all-conference team included Chalfant, Stichter, Perales and Stoffel from Wawasee and Sweatland from Warsaw. Warsaw's Krallman was named honarable mention.
Boys and girls teams from Warsaw, Wawasee and NorthWood will compete at Ox Box Park again Saturday in the 11-team Elkhart Central Sectional.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE CROSS COUNTRY MEET
BOYS (5,000 Meters)
Course Record - Pete Beighler (Plymouth) 15:51, 1987
Team Scores - 1. Northridge (NR) 26, 2. Wawasee (WAW) 35, 3. Warsaw (WAR) 93, 4. Plymouth (P) 127, 5. Concord (C) 138, 6. NorthWood (NW) 156, 7. Goshen (G) 169
Top 15 Individuals - 1. Rob Chalfant (WAW) 16:19, 2. Flaco Perales (WAW) 16:20, 3. Kevin Yoder (NR) 16:39, 4. Ryan Nord (NR) 16:55, 5. Luke Fisher (NR) 16:59, 6. Jerad Craig (NR) 17:00, 7. Ryan Stichter (WAW) 17:04, 8. Ryan Toth (NR) 17:14, 9. Nick Ewing (NR) 17:15, 10. Jake Sweatland (WAR) 17:17, 11. Luke Stoffel (WAW) 17:27, 12. Mike Pillow (C) 17:31, 13. Robert Mertz (G) 17:31, 14. Curtis Farrell (WAW) 17:36, 15. David Sabo (NR) 17:38
Other Warsaw finishers - 16. Matt Krallman 17:43, 20. Zach Woodward 18:00, 23. Rob Peters 18:05, 24. Michael Jenks 18:07, 28. Matt Lankford 18:31, 40. Cory Gackenheimer 19:24
Other Wawasee finishers - 18. Matt Dunithan 17:56, 21. Eric Gingerich 18:00
Other NorthWood finishers - 30. Jody Sarber 18:40, 35. Blain McDowell 18:59, 38. James Geleske 19:09, 44. Brent Paulus 19:50, 47. Aaron Emerick 21:05
JV winner - Jon Stembel (NR) 18:11
Regular Season Round-Robin Records - 1. Wawasee 6-0, 2. Northridge 5-1, 3. Warsaw 4-2, 4. Plymouth 3-3, 5. Concord 2-4, 6. NorthWood 1-5, 7. Goshen 0-6
2000 Overall NLC Champions (tie) - Northridge, Wawasee
Coaches of the Year - Josh Fletcher (Northridge), Dave Stookey (Wawasee)
First Team All-Conference - Mike Pillow (C), Ryan Nord (NR), Kevin Yoder (NR), Jerad Craig (NR), Luke Fisher (NR), Ryan Toth (NR), Rob Chalfant (WAW), Ryan Stichter (WAW), Flaco Perales (WAW), Luke Stoffel (WAW), Jake Sweatland (WAR
Honorable Mention - Robert Mertz (G), David Sabo (NR), Matt Krallman (WAR), Nick Ewing (NR), Andy Yoder (NR)
Points towards all-sports trophy - Northridge 13, Wawasee 13, Warsaw 10, Plymouth 8, Concord 6, NorthWood 4, Goshen 2
GIRLS (4,000 Meters)
Course Record - Morgan Uceny (Plymouth) 14:29, 1999
Team Scores - 1. Northridge (NR) 35, 2. Warsaw (WAR) 65, 3. Goshen (G) 76, 4. Plymouth (P) 78, 5. NorthWood (NW) 109, 6. Wawasee (WAW) 156, 7. Concord (C) 198
Top 15 Individuals - 1. Natalie Ewing (NR) 14:51, 2. Hillary Barlow (WAR) 15:19, 3. Morgan Uceny (P) 15:32, 4. Jennifer Finch (WAR) 15:39, 5. Josie Caton (G) 15:44, 6. Brittany Fearnow (NR) 15:49, 7. Darlen Garmen (NR) 15:49, 8. Lynn Gruenwald (G) 15:49, 9. Tiffany Brenneman (NR) 16:04, 10. Carin Benge (P) 16:09, 11. Brittany Winchester (WAW) 16:13, 12. Missy Lantzer (NR) 16:14, 13. Rachel Rondeau (WAR) 16:15, 14. Stephanie Slemp (P) 16:20, 15. Cort Sandy (NW) 16:28
Other Warsaw finishers - 21. Amy Robertson 16:49, 25. Melonie Albert 16:57, 26. Jessica Wehrly 17:00, 32. Jill Wehrly 17:28,
Other Wawasee finishers - 31. Jessica Lundgren 17:25, 36. Kayla Auer 18:00, 38. Meghan Lantz 18:10, 40. Mandie Sawyer 18:29, 41. Shannon Mumma 18:37, 43. Crystal Fawley 19:02
Other NorthWood finishers - 16. Kara Huff 16:34, 22. Leslie Hawkins 16:51, 27. Heide Schneider 17:04, 29. Nina Bearss 17:12, 34. Andrea Jenkins 17:41, 37. Teri Schuler 18:02
JV Winner - Pam Swineheart (NR) 16;54
Regular Season Round-Robin Records - 1. Warsaw 5-1, 2. Goshen 5-1, 3. Plmouth 4-2, 4. Northridge 4-2, 5. NorthWood 2-4, 6. Wawasee 1-5, 7. Concord 0-6
2000 Overall NLC Champions - Warsaw
Coach of the Year - Paul Sibray (Warsaw)
First-Team All-Conference - Josie Caton (G), Lynn Gruenawald (G), Natalie Ewing (NR), Brittany Fearnow (NR), Darlene Garman (NR), Morgan Uceny (P), Kourtney Beckham (P), Hillary Barlow (WAR), Rachel Rondeau (WAR), Jennifer Finch (WAR)
Honorable Mention - Jenna Rozelle (G), Kristina Trcka (G), Tiffany Brenneman (NR), Kara Huff (NW), Carin Benge (P), Brittany Winchester (WAW)
Points towards all-sports trophy - Warsaw 14, Goshen 11, Northridge 11, Plymouth 8, NorthWood 6, Wawasee 4, Concord 2 [[In-content Ad]]
DUNLAP - After winning the overall Northern Lakes Conference girls cross championship the past 10 seasons, the 2000 title was literally taken out of Northridge's hands at Ox Bow Park Saturday, a day that saw a mixture of ice and snow falling at times.
After going through the regular season round robin schedule with a 4-2 record, Northridge won Saturday's conference meet with a score of 35. The Raiders were awarded the trophy for winning the overall championship - round robin record and meet finish combined.
There was only one problem, Warsaw's 5-1 round robin record and second-place finish Saturday, a score of 65, made the Tigers the overall champion.
After a short meeting of officials, Warsaw was given the trophy.
"It was time for a change," Warsaw girls coach Paul Sibray, the 2000 NLC Coach of the Year, said. "After two losses they (Northridge) were a totally different team. We beat them earlier in the year, and they came back on a Tuesday and beat us. They showed they wanted it, and so did the Tigers."
Northridge won Saturday's boys meet with a score of 26. Wawasee was second with a 35. With the round robin records and meet finish combined, the two teams share the 2000 conference championship.
Goshen (76) and Plymouth (78) finished Saturday's girls race in third and fourth, respectively. They were followed by NorthWood (109), Wawasee (156) and Concord (198).
Northridge senior Natalie Ewing won Saturday's race with a time of 14:51, 28 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Hillary Barlow of Warsaw. Plymouth sophomore Morgan Uceny, who set the course record a year ago with a time of 14:29, finished third with a time of 15:32. Warsaw junior Jennifer Finch finished fourth with a time of 15:39, while Goshen senior Josie Caton rounded out the top five with a time of 15:44.
"The girls worked hard for this the last couple of years," Sibray said. "This was our year. We'll take it."
Other Warsaw finishers included Amy Roberston, 21st (16:49); Melonie Albert, 25th (16:57); Jessica Wehrly, 26th (17:00) and Jill Wehrly, 32nd (17:28).
"I knew the girls would give it a good shot, and they did," Sibray said. "Everybody's times were faster than they were earlier in the year. To have three girls on the all-conference team is quite an accomplishment."
Barlow, Finch and Rondeau made the all-conference team for the Tigers.
Wawasee freshman Brittany Winchester and NorthWood freshman Kara Huff were named honorable mention.
"I'm real happy for the seniors, especially Hillary (Barlow) and Amy (Robertson) who run up front all the time," Sibray said. "The way went into Goshen and beat them on their own course. That was a key to our success and a testimony to our spirit."
Wawasee's effort Saturday was led by Winchester's 11th place time of 16:13. Other Wawasee finishers included Jessica Lundgren, 31st (17:25); Kayla Auer, 36th (18:00); Meghan Lantz, 38th (18:10); Mandie Sawyer, 40th (18:29); Shannon Mumma, 41st (18:37) and Crystal Fawley, 43rd (19:02)
Senior Cort Sandy finished first for NorthWood in a 15th-place time of 16:28. Other Panther finishers included Kara Huff in 16th, Leslie Hawkins in 22nd, Heide Schneider in 27th, Nina Bearss in 29th, Andrea Jenkins in 34th and Terri Schuler in 37th.
For Wawasee boys coach Dave Stookey, it was a case where he knew it would be tough to beat Northridge twice in the same season.
"I thought the whole team ran well," Stookey said. "I knew when we beat them at NorthWood, we caught them when they were mentally down. I didn't know they would pack it in like they did today though. Normally 35 points will win it."
Warrior senior Rob Chalfant, who finished fourth a year ago, won the 5,000-meter race in a time of 16:19, one second ahead of sophomore teammate Flaco Perales.
Northridge won the meet by finishing its top five runners in third, fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth.
Wawasee's third runner, sophomore Ryan Stichter, came in seventh with a time of 17:04. Other Wawasee finishers included Luke Stoffel, 11th (17:27); Curtis Farrell, 14th (17:36); Matt Dunithan, 18th (17:56) and Eric Gingerich, 21st (18:00).
The conference championship was the third consecutive for Wawasee and fourth in six years. Wawasee, who finished the round robin with a 6-0 record, and Northridge, whose only loss was to Wawasee, also tied for the title a year ago.
Senior Jake Sweatland crossed the line first for Warsaw, finishing 10th in a time of 17:17. Other Tiger finishers included Matt Krallman, 16th (17:43); Zach Woodward, 20th (18:00); Rob Peters, 23rd (18:05); Michael Jenks, 24th (18:07); Matt Lankford, 28th (18:31) and Cory Gackenheimer, 40th (19:24).
Finishing with a 19th-place time of 17:56, senior Andy Yoder led the NorthWood effort. Other Panther finishers included Jody Sarber, 30th (18:40); Blain McDowell, 35th (18:59); James Galeske, 38th (19:09); Brent Paulus, 44th (19:50) and Aaron Emerick, 47th (21:05).
Local harriers to make the boys all-conference team included Chalfant, Stichter, Perales and Stoffel from Wawasee and Sweatland from Warsaw. Warsaw's Krallman was named honarable mention.
Boys and girls teams from Warsaw, Wawasee and NorthWood will compete at Ox Box Park again Saturday in the 11-team Elkhart Central Sectional.
NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE CROSS COUNTRY MEET
BOYS (5,000 Meters)
Course Record - Pete Beighler (Plymouth) 15:51, 1987
Team Scores - 1. Northridge (NR) 26, 2. Wawasee (WAW) 35, 3. Warsaw (WAR) 93, 4. Plymouth (P) 127, 5. Concord (C) 138, 6. NorthWood (NW) 156, 7. Goshen (G) 169
Top 15 Individuals - 1. Rob Chalfant (WAW) 16:19, 2. Flaco Perales (WAW) 16:20, 3. Kevin Yoder (NR) 16:39, 4. Ryan Nord (NR) 16:55, 5. Luke Fisher (NR) 16:59, 6. Jerad Craig (NR) 17:00, 7. Ryan Stichter (WAW) 17:04, 8. Ryan Toth (NR) 17:14, 9. Nick Ewing (NR) 17:15, 10. Jake Sweatland (WAR) 17:17, 11. Luke Stoffel (WAW) 17:27, 12. Mike Pillow (C) 17:31, 13. Robert Mertz (G) 17:31, 14. Curtis Farrell (WAW) 17:36, 15. David Sabo (NR) 17:38
Other Warsaw finishers - 16. Matt Krallman 17:43, 20. Zach Woodward 18:00, 23. Rob Peters 18:05, 24. Michael Jenks 18:07, 28. Matt Lankford 18:31, 40. Cory Gackenheimer 19:24
Other Wawasee finishers - 18. Matt Dunithan 17:56, 21. Eric Gingerich 18:00
Other NorthWood finishers - 30. Jody Sarber 18:40, 35. Blain McDowell 18:59, 38. James Geleske 19:09, 44. Brent Paulus 19:50, 47. Aaron Emerick 21:05
JV winner - Jon Stembel (NR) 18:11
Regular Season Round-Robin Records - 1. Wawasee 6-0, 2. Northridge 5-1, 3. Warsaw 4-2, 4. Plymouth 3-3, 5. Concord 2-4, 6. NorthWood 1-5, 7. Goshen 0-6
2000 Overall NLC Champions (tie) - Northridge, Wawasee
Coaches of the Year - Josh Fletcher (Northridge), Dave Stookey (Wawasee)
First Team All-Conference - Mike Pillow (C), Ryan Nord (NR), Kevin Yoder (NR), Jerad Craig (NR), Luke Fisher (NR), Ryan Toth (NR), Rob Chalfant (WAW), Ryan Stichter (WAW), Flaco Perales (WAW), Luke Stoffel (WAW), Jake Sweatland (WAR
Honorable Mention - Robert Mertz (G), David Sabo (NR), Matt Krallman (WAR), Nick Ewing (NR), Andy Yoder (NR)
Points towards all-sports trophy - Northridge 13, Wawasee 13, Warsaw 10, Plymouth 8, Concord 6, NorthWood 4, Goshen 2
GIRLS (4,000 Meters)
Course Record - Morgan Uceny (Plymouth) 14:29, 1999
Team Scores - 1. Northridge (NR) 35, 2. Warsaw (WAR) 65, 3. Goshen (G) 76, 4. Plymouth (P) 78, 5. NorthWood (NW) 109, 6. Wawasee (WAW) 156, 7. Concord (C) 198
Top 15 Individuals - 1. Natalie Ewing (NR) 14:51, 2. Hillary Barlow (WAR) 15:19, 3. Morgan Uceny (P) 15:32, 4. Jennifer Finch (WAR) 15:39, 5. Josie Caton (G) 15:44, 6. Brittany Fearnow (NR) 15:49, 7. Darlen Garmen (NR) 15:49, 8. Lynn Gruenwald (G) 15:49, 9. Tiffany Brenneman (NR) 16:04, 10. Carin Benge (P) 16:09, 11. Brittany Winchester (WAW) 16:13, 12. Missy Lantzer (NR) 16:14, 13. Rachel Rondeau (WAR) 16:15, 14. Stephanie Slemp (P) 16:20, 15. Cort Sandy (NW) 16:28
Other Warsaw finishers - 21. Amy Robertson 16:49, 25. Melonie Albert 16:57, 26. Jessica Wehrly 17:00, 32. Jill Wehrly 17:28,
Other Wawasee finishers - 31. Jessica Lundgren 17:25, 36. Kayla Auer 18:00, 38. Meghan Lantz 18:10, 40. Mandie Sawyer 18:29, 41. Shannon Mumma 18:37, 43. Crystal Fawley 19:02
Other NorthWood finishers - 16. Kara Huff 16:34, 22. Leslie Hawkins 16:51, 27. Heide Schneider 17:04, 29. Nina Bearss 17:12, 34. Andrea Jenkins 17:41, 37. Teri Schuler 18:02
JV Winner - Pam Swineheart (NR) 16;54
Regular Season Round-Robin Records - 1. Warsaw 5-1, 2. Goshen 5-1, 3. Plmouth 4-2, 4. Northridge 4-2, 5. NorthWood 2-4, 6. Wawasee 1-5, 7. Concord 0-6
2000 Overall NLC Champions - Warsaw
Coach of the Year - Paul Sibray (Warsaw)
First-Team All-Conference - Josie Caton (G), Lynn Gruenawald (G), Natalie Ewing (NR), Brittany Fearnow (NR), Darlene Garman (NR), Morgan Uceny (P), Kourtney Beckham (P), Hillary Barlow (WAR), Rachel Rondeau (WAR), Jennifer Finch (WAR)
Honorable Mention - Jenna Rozelle (G), Kristina Trcka (G), Tiffany Brenneman (NR), Kara Huff (NW), Carin Benge (P), Brittany Winchester (WAW)
Points towards all-sports trophy - Warsaw 14, Goshen 11, Northridge 11, Plymouth 8, NorthWood 6, Wawasee 4, Concord 2 [[In-content Ad]]