Weatherford places 44th at semi-state

Monday, October 25, 2010
Greencastle's Colleen Weatherford placed 44th at the IHSAA cross country semi-state Saturday at Carmel. Weatherford ran a 19:38.3 on the day.

CARMEL -- Greencastle sophomore Colleen Weatherford placed 44th at the IHSAA cross country semi-state Saturday in Carmel. Weatherford was part of a field that was comprised on some of the state's top runners and had 151 competitors vying for the top spot.

GHS head coach Garry Anderson said Weatherford and teammate Emily Gill ran on the course Thursday and both had liked the course.

"It is a fast course, not as fast as the one at Ben Davis, but still fast," he said. "I thought Colleen ran a pretty good time considering it was her first time competing here. The practice on Thursday had to be a plus for her."

Anderson said the race started very fast and with the likes of Carmel, Columbus North, Pike and Perry Meridian, it was some stiff comepition.

"Colleen was up against many of the state's best. Many of these teams were ranked in the top 25 in the state. Several top runners were there showing their stuff too," Anderson said.

Anderson also noted that while running in a semi-state race, a runner doesn't have to think just about running. He said there are elements within the race that can dictate how a person runs a race.

"It sometimes gets very confusing to runners in the middle of the pack of runners," he said. "Often there are elbows hitting one another, runners shoving, accidental tripping, runners maneuvering for position and all of this while still trying to concentrate of finishing as high as possible."

While Weatherford's season came to an end on Saturday, Anderson was pleased with how she and her team came out in its 2010 campaign.

"Colleen has had a great year. She is one tough competitor," he said. "She led the team the entire season to the best finish we have ever had at Greencastle. She will have another season under her belt and will gain additional running knowledge and mature physically to challenge at the next level.

"They (the team) will have an outstanding season to build on for next year," he continued. "Our schedule was toughened up with better teams to run against and running on better courses. I think it paid off and the girls feel the same way."

He said the team set some high goals this season and will strive for greater achievements next season.

Carmel won the team semi-state with a total score of 38.

At Carmel

IHSAA Cross Country Semi-State

Top 15 advancing Individuals

1. Wellman (Carmel) 18:04.7, 2. Bennett (Carmel) 18:09.1, 3. Poulson (North Central) 18:18.1, 4. Willman (Noblesville) 18:22.1, 5. Richardson (Columbus North) 18:28.2, 6. Schoettmer (Center Grove) 18:29.9, 7. Davis (Indpls. Bishop Chatard) 18:31.8, 8. Edon (New Palenstine) 18:35.2, 9. Al-Anzi (Franklin Central) 18:35.3, 10. Jacobsen (Carmel) 18:35.4, 11. Casey (Perry Meridian) 18:35.4, 12. Foley (Noblesville) 18:37.1, 13. Welch (Carmel) 18:42.9, 14. Kacer (Noblesville) 18:45.8, 15. Kahre (Carmel) 18:50.4

44. Weatherford (Greencastle) 19:38.3