DUNLAP — “It’s go big or go home at this point.” Wawasee sophomore Spencer Hare summed up the importance of racing fast and placing high as the IHSAA cross country state tournament series opened Saturday at Ox Bow Park. The top five teams and first 10 individuals from non-advancing teams moved on in both the boys and girls races. Northridge (69 points), Concord (76), Wawasee (84), Goshen (95) and Elkhart Christian (154) were regional-qualifying boys teams, while Northridge (43), Concord (48), Wawasee (99), NorthWood (115) and Elkhart Central (130) moved on in the girls race. “We all ran well as a team,” Hare said of Wawasee’s boys. “I ran a (personal record) by about 10 seconds. I was a lot more prepared. I drank a lot more water during the week. I ate a lot healthier. “We can’t have any bad races the rest of the year.” Hare placed second overall in 16:35 and helped the youthful Warriors advance as a team to Saturday’s Elkhart Central Regional at Ox Bow. Wawasee’s other six boys were sophomore Luke Griner (seventh in 16:54.21), sophomore Braxton Alexander (23rd in 17:27.47), senior Sam Griner (24th in 17:29.07), sophomore Ben Hoffert (28th in 17:57.31) freshman Thomas Conley (44th in 18:43.18) and freshman Isiah Faurote (52nd in 19:07.91). All seven runners achieved course personal records. Lifetime PRs were set by Hare, Alexander, Sam Griner, Thomas and Faurote. Chad Hoffert had his team hone in on things like getting more sleep and better nutrition and it paid off. “There’s not guarantee that will bring results by any means,” Hoffert said. “But you give yourself the best chance for success when you make sure you are training right, eating right, sleeping right and are mentally prepared. “It was a little bit of a process. But (the runners) bought into it that these little things matter.” Noting the drier conditions, Hoffert said Ox Bow was a faster track Saturday than it had been the previous week for the Northern Lakes Conference meet. Earning a regional berth for Wawasee’s girls were sophomore McKenzie Smith (fifth in 19:39.82), senior Elizabeth Zorn (sixth in 19:52.10), junior Aubrey Kuhn (24th in 21:24.92), freshman Lila Gregory (31st in 21:45.72), freshman Valeria Pizana (33rd in 21:48.00) freshman Katie Haines (45th in 22:32.98) and senior Bailey Schroeder (47th in 22:38.16).
ELKHART CENTRAL SECTIONAL (Ox Bow Park) (Boys) Team Scores – Northridge 69, Concord 76, Wawasee 84, Goshen 95, Elkhart Christian 154, NorthWood 157, Elkhart Memorial 161, Fairfield 187, Elkhart Central 206, Jimtown 251 Race winner – Landon Miller (Fairfield) 16:28 Wawasee – 2. Spencer Hare 16:35; 7. Luke Griner 16:54; 23. Braxton Alexander 17:27; 24. Sam Griner 17:29; 28. Ben Hoffert 17:57; 44. Thomas Conley 18:43; 52. Isiah Faurote 19:07.
(Girls) Team Scores – Northridge 43, Concord 48, Wawasee 99, NorthWood 155, Elkhart Central 130, Elkhart Christian 171, Fairfield 190, Goshen 202, Bethany Christian 214, Elkhart Memorial 228, Jimtown 356 Race winner – Mariah King (Northridge) 19:13 Wawasee – 5. McKenzie Smith 19:39; 6. Elizabeth Zorn 19:52; 24. Aubrey Kuhn 21:24; 31. Lila Gregory 21:45; 33. Valeria Pizana 21:48; 45. Katie Haines 22:32; 47. Bailey Schroeder 22:38.
