Greencastle places 10th at regional

Monday, October 15, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS -- Sometimes too much of a good thing will do you in.

The Greencastle boys' cross country team got off to a fast start at Saturday's Ben Davis Regional. It was probably too fast of a start.

Led by Ben Wilson's 22nd-place performance, the Tiger Cubs finished 10th as a team.

"They all went out there with the right attitude at the start of the race because the first mile was really fast for everyone," Tiger Cub coach Mike Schimpf said. "I think that our fifth guy was at 5:50 for the first mile. Ben (Wilson) was up at 5:12. That was faster than we'd run all year for the first mile. That's hard to hang on to."

While Schimpf would have liked some better individual performances, he realized the Cubs faced some stiff competition. A better pace may have made a difference, but not a huge one.

"Had we maybe gone slower the first mile, could we have picked it up at the end? Possibly. Could we have picked it up enough to place considerably better? Probably not a whole lot better," Schimpf said.

Wilson's 17:09 placed him just outside the top 20.

Austin Woodall closes in on the finish at Saturday's Ben Davis Regional. Woodall ran an 18:34 for GHS.

The Tiger Cubs' second through fifth runners finished within 30 seconds and five placed of each other. Austin Woodall was second best for GHS in 57th. Ryan Gillespie crossed the line in 59th. Jordan Lewis and Nick Stevens were together in 61st and 62nd, respectively.

Bo Walker finished 69th and Luke Smith was 71st.

Schimpf put the loss in perspective by simply saying loss and disappointment are part of any sport.

"It's a little disappointing not to get to go on to next week, but that's why you do it. If it wasn't disappointing, there's something wrong," he said.

Overall, the Tiger Cubs fielded a young team this year with five juniors and two sophomores. After a successful year, Schimpf sees even more potential for 2008.

"We've had a great season. The guys have, to a degree, exceeded my expectations," he said. "To perform as well in conference as they did and in sectional -- to make it on to here -- it's a great achievement.

"They're juniors and sophomores," he continued. "They get to do this again. If they really put in a lot of time and effort throughout the coming year, who knows what all they can do next year? Hopefully it will be even better."

At Ben Davis

Boys' Cross Country Regional

Ben Davis 58, Pike 68, Perry Meridian 84, Plainfield 118, Brownsburg 121, Southport 133, Avon 137, Decatur Central 208, Cascade 244, Greencastle 249

Individual Results

Greencastle -- 22. Ben Wilson 17:09, 57. Austin Woodall 18:34, 59. Ryan Gillespie 18:40, 61. Jordan Lewis 18:45, 62. Nick Stevens 19:01, 69. Bo Walker 20:06, 71. Luke Smith 20:40

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  • Cudos to these kids who run in a sport that gets little attention and takes a great deal of staminia. They are a terrific team and deserve congratulations for reaching the Regionals. Terrific job GHS Cross Country!

    -- Posted by MB on Mon, Oct 15, 2007, at 4:21 PM
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