Although not under the lights of LaVerne Gibson as in usual years, the cross country teams were able to experience a weekend evening meet on the course where the state championship will be contested in just 27 days.  Saturday night’s meet in Terre Haute served as the final warm-up for the post-season tournament, which will begin this next Saturday with the sectional meet at Eagle Park.

The girls’ team finished  10th of 18 in a field compiled of some of the best teams in the state.  Sophomore, Abby Fleetwood ran a very strong race for the Eagles, finishing 9th overall, in a time of 19:03.  Fellow sophomore, Hadley Gradolf, also finished in the top 30, clocking a time of 20:24.  On the boys’ side, the Eagles finished 16th of 25.  Sophomore, Chase Austin led the Eagles, placing 59th in 16:47.  Both sides will look to advance from the sectional meet Saturday to the Columbus North Regional, next Saturday.  Other Eagle finishers are listed below:

Girls:

(47)Eme Koester: 21:01

(87)Lexi Austin: 22:29

(88)Emma DeBord:  22:32

(92)Madalyn Purlee: 22:43

Boys:

(108)Rhett Silbaugh: 18:14

(110)Blake Wagler: 18:25

(111)Cord Smith: 18:25

(119)Waylon Patrick: 18:45

(120)Cameron Fox: 18:46

(148)Corbin Brahaum: 20:46

Will Hiatt: 20:48

Clay Austin: 21:11

Dylan Taylor: 21:50

Ivan Thomas: 24:42