Wawasee's Stichter Wins Race, Warrior Boys Advance To Semistate

GOSHEN - Just as she did in last week's sectional, Wawasee sophomore Rachel Stichter again paced the field of runners in Saturday's semistate at Ox Bow Park, winning the individual title in a time of 14:36.

The next Warrior to cross the finish line was Crystal Fawley in 35th, followed by Havilah Rensberger (37th), Jessica Lundgren (44th), Shannon Mumma (51st), Meghan Lantz (66th) and Abbey Blakeslee (69th).

As a team, Wawasee finished seventh out of 10 teams with 168 points. Northridge won the girls title with 45 points, followed in the top five by DeKalb (74), Goshen (96), East Noble (99) and Angola (155).

The top five teams and top 15 individuals advance to Saturday's Manchester Semistate.

In the boys race, it was again Northridge winning the team title with 71 points, beating runner-up Wawasee by 12. Warsaw finished ninth out of 10 teams with 216 points.

Leading the way for Wawasee's boys team was Flaco Perales, the individual sectional winner, who finished the regional third in a time of 16:37, one spot ahead of teammate Luke Stoffel.

Other Warrior runners included Shane Ostendorf (24th), John Adams (28th), Ryan Stichter (37th) and Eric Gingerich (46th).

At the Manchester Regional, Whitko's girls team was the only local school to compete as a team. The Wildcats finished last out of 10 teams with 244 points. Carroll won the team title with 43 points.

Competing individually, Tippecanoe Valley's Laura Lash advanced to the semistate after finishing third in a time of 15:29.

ELKHART REGIONAL

Boys Team Scores - Northridge 71, Wawasee 83, DeKalb 96, Elkhart Memorial 99, East Noble 100, Garrett 106, West Noble 116, Angola 189, Warsaw 216, Elkhart Central 267

Wawasee finishers - 3. Flaco Perales 16:37, 4. Luke Stoffel 16:45, 24. Shane Ostendorf 17:42, 28. John Adams 17:55, 37. Ryan Stichter 18:05, 46. Eric Gingerich 18:23

Girls Team Scores - Northridge 74, Goshen 96, East Noble 99, Angola 155, West Noble 163, Wawasee 168, Elkhart Central 198, Elkhart Memorial 199, Prairie Heights 202

Wawasee finishers - 1. Rachel Stichter 14:36, 35. Crystal Fawley 17:04, 37. Havilah Rensberger 17:10, 44. Jessica Lundgren 17:21, 51. Shannon Mumma 17:49, 66. Meghan Lantz 19:19, 69. Abbey Blakeslee 22:13

MANCHESTER REGIONAL

Girls Team Scores - Carroll 43, Huntington North 77, Marion 79, Western 82, Northfield 90, Kokomo 154, Eastern 171, Northwestern 194, Wabash 224, Whitko 244

Local Individuals - 3. Laura Lash (Tippecanoe Valley) 15:29