While coach Scott Erba is excited about the future for his Warsaw girls cross country team, he is equally optimistic about what the 17th-ranked Lady Tigers can accomplish Saturday. With a freshman and four sophomores in its seven-runner lineup, Warsaw will compete in the 33rd annual girls cross country state meet, which is scheduled to start at 1:45 p.m. at LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute. “It's the first time in a long time we have a chance to have the majority of our team back next year,” said Erba. “I feel really good about the girls we should have in the future, in the next two or three years. I'm also excited for them to get some experience running at state Saturday. With a good day, I think we can finish in the top 12 or 15 teams. That would be a good day for these girls.” A total of 24 teams, as well as 40 runners that advanced as individuals, will make up the 208-person 5K race. The Lady Tigers, who are making their third-straight appearance at state and fourth in program history, advanced with a fourth-place team finish in last week's very tough New Prairie Semistate. Prior to that, Warsaw won sectional and regional championships at Culver Academies. “We've already run against some of the best teams in the state, like Northridge in our conference meet and West Lafayette, Portage and LaPorte at the semistate,” said Erba. “I think the girls have a good idea of what to expect Saturday.” The Lady Tigers' lineup Saturday will include seniors Madeline Hooks and Alethia Burritt, sophomores Brooke Rhodes, Hannah Dawson, Emma Hayward and Claire Kehler, and freshman Allison Miller. Miller led Warsaw at the semistate with a 19th-place time of 19:32, while Rhodes was 39th, Dawson was 40th, Hayward was 44th and Hooks rounded out the Lady Tigers’ scoring runners with a 59th-place finish. Also for Warsaw at the semistate, Kehler finished 108th and Burritt was 128th. “Allison came in with a lot of accolades,” said Erba. “She had a great middle school career. Some of the other girls didn't get the same attention, but they've worked very hard and improved. They've all worked very hard this season.” Of the 24 teams in this year's girls cross country state meet, 17 of them competed in Terre Haute last season. Carmel won last year's state championship and is looking for its fifth title in six years. Among the individuals expected to compete for the top spot include Mackenzie Caldwell (Columbus North), Sarah Billingsly (Oldenburg Academy), Abigail Hosteler (Fremont), Rachel Nichwitz (Hamilton Southeastern), Gina Genco (Carmel), Jessica King (Hamilton Southeastern), Elena Lancioni (LaPorte), Kelcy Welch (Carmel), Haley Harris (carmel) and Alex Warznyiak (Bloomington South). The aforementioned girls all finished in the top 20 at state in 2012. Defending state champion Anna Rohrer, a junior at Mishawaka, is sidelined with a foot injury.
