Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - The Wawasee boys cross country team went to the Manchester semistate with hopes of finishing in the top five and advancing to the state competition.
After the final runner crossed the finish line, the Warrior runners realized that their dream of competing at state would have to remain a dream for another year.
The Wawasee boys cross country team finished 13th of 20 teams in the semistate competition.
"We knew it would be tough to get to state," said Wawasee coach Dave Stookey. "If you look at the teams here, like Northfield, DeKalb and Northrop, there were three or four places taken already. Basically there was one spot that the other 15 or so teams were going after."
As expected, Northrop, Dekalb, and Northfield placed in the top five teams to advance to the state competition. East Noble and Wabash were the other two teams advancing.
Although Wawasee was a bit disappointed with their failure to advance to state, Stookey was positive about his team's performance.
"The guys ran as well as they could have," said Stookey. "You couldn't ask for any more than what these guys did. They ran as well as they could run."
Individually, Rob Chalfant placed 20th overall to lead the Warrior runners with a time of 16:22.
Jeff Moerchen placed 49th overall, crossing the finish line in 16:48 to earn the second spot in the Warrior lineup. Pete Melendez finished third for the Warriors and 56th with a time of 16:52.
Jerid Stoffel, Curtis Farrell, Dustin Young and Curtis Shoemaker finished 117th, 137th, 147th and 156th respectively to round out the Warrior finishers.
"Rob Chalfant had a strong race," said Stookey. "He came within five places of advancing to state as an individual.
"Jeff Moerchen ran his usual steady race, and Pete Melendez ran a good race, too."
The Warriors ran a good race, but mistakes and lack of depth may have been determining factors in the competition.
"We just didn't have the depth that is needed to get out of the semistate," said Stookey. "In order to make it to state, you can't have any weaknesses, and we have a few."
Weaknesses and all, the Warriors had a successful season. Wawasee placed first in the Northern Lakes Conference, first in the sectional, and third in the regional to have one of the most successful seasons in recent history.
"I can't say enough for this team," said Stookey. "With the conference and sectional wins, and advancing to semistate, along with some of the other invitationals we won this season, we have six or seven trophies to present to the school at the awards ceremony."
Although this year's season is now officially over, Stookey is still looking ahead.
"I'm going to make a prediction and say we'll be back here next year and we'll be stronger."
MANCHESTER CROSS
COUNTRY SEMISTATE
Boys
Team results: 1. Northrop, 102; 2. DeKalb, 121; 3. East Noble, 140; 4. Northfield, 142; 5. Wabash, 189; 6. Bluffton, 224; 7. Richmond, 232; 8. Homestead, 250; 9. Goshen, 259; 10. Concordia, 287; 11. Delta, 287; 12. Prairie Heights, 291; 13. Wawasee, 292; 14. Marion, 298; 15. Bellmont, 234; 16. Yorktown, 338; 17. Kokomo, 380; 18. Daleville, 426; 19. Muncie Central, 427; 20. Huntington, 428.
Top 15: 1. Kurtis George, Wabash, 15:34; 2. Ryan Johnson, DeKalb, 15:41; 3. Chris Powers, Muncie Central, 15:46; 4. Chad Andrews, Northfield, 15:46; 5. B. J. Needler, Southwood, 15:49; 6. Jason Parks, Northfield, 15:54; 7. Phil Yoder, East Noble, 15:56; 8. Brett Tipton, Northrop, 15:57; 9. John Parson, West Noble, 15:59; 10. Mike Watts, Westview, 15:59; 11. Andrew McKalips, Goshen, 16:00; 12. Josh Stahl, East Noble, 16:01; 13. Ryler Oatess, Bluffton, 16:04; 14. Bret Grover, Bluffton, 16:04; 15. Ryan Johnson, Richmond, 16:07.
Wawasee Finishers: 20. Rob Chalfant, 16:22; 49. Jeff Moerchen, 16:48; 56. Pete Melendez, 16:52; 117. Jerid Stoffel, 17:33; 137. Curtis Farrell, 17:55; 147. Dustin Young, 18:11; 155. Curtis Shoemaker, 18:34.
