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soph Kipling Hill joins heralded Sacred Heart ace Maddie Schueler among the elite as Sacred Heart wins team title; Daviess County repeats as boys AAA champ

by Charlie Zimmerman

Maddie Schueler repeated as Kentucky's Class AAA champ in an excellent time on the difficult, wind-blown Kentucky Horse Park course at Lexington yesterday, but Kentucky's most popular runner just did win, holding off her unheralded teammate, Kipling Hill, by tenths of a second. The two of them helped Louisville's Sacred Heart Academy easily repeat as team champions. Daviess County repeated as AAA champs as well, making it look almost easy as they placed all seven runners in the top thirty-four. The favored Zach Wilder finally won a championship after chasing Bobby Curtis for years. The experience he gained chasing Curtis came in handy as he used his wiles to trick the sophomore Michael Eaton into a critical mistake. Saint Henry's boys and girls both won, allowing them to join a select circle of teams who have doubled. And Jacob Fortney of Muhlenberg North claimed his second consecutive championship, allowing the Cinderella kid from a school with no track and little support to make his bid for runner of the year. All in all, it was as exciting a day for cross-country as the state has seen in some time.

The ever-smiling fan-favorite Schueler was supposed to be the easy winner in Kentucky's top class. Three weeks ago she flew to a 17:47, the state's fastest-ever time. This came after finishing a strong sixth in the Great American Cross Country Festival in North Carolina in October. Accordingly, she was the odds-on favorite, and most observers thought her only competition would come from the difficult course and her attempt to break the course record. For about three miles Saturday things went just as expected: Schueler literally dominated the race, running in a serious imitation of the sleek, fast, graceful thoroughbreds whose pastures adjoin the Horse Park. However, shortly before the three-mile mark as the runners start a serious downhill toward the finish, the crowd noticed another Sacred Heart runner literally flying down the hill after Schueler. Many in the crowd started yelling �Leah,� thinking it was Sacred Heart's other running sensation, Leah Ryan. However, serious cross-country fans soon realized that it was Kipling Hill , the unheralded sophomore who has run all year in the shadows of her better-known teammates. Hill enjoyed a break-through race at regionals, finishing second, just ten seconds behind her senior teammate Schueler, and seemed to be finally realizing her potential, but even then no one saw her as a real threat to Schueler. However, after leaving behind the injured but gritty Ryan at about the two-mile mark yesterday, Hill started picking off the three runners between her and Schueler, eventually closing to within about seven seconds of the leader at the three-mile mark. As soon as the spectators lining the finish recognized that it was Hill in second as the two started down the last tenth of a mile, the crowd started yelling for both Hill and Schueler, encouraging them to a great finish. However, an eerie hush suddenly fell over the crowd as the hundreds of spectators who lined the course realized with a lump in their collective throats that Hill indeed had a shot at catching Schueler in the 176 yards left to the finish. People in Kentucky who regularly attend horse races know the feeling well: you hold a �win� ticket on the favorite, who has lead from wire to wire, and suddenly out of nowhere this long-shot comes flying down the middle of the stretch. If you are at Churchill Downs you just clutch your ticket and hold your breath. And so it was yesterday at the Kentucky Derby for high school runners. As she noted after the race Schueler was the defending champion and a senior and she was not about to let Hill catch her; on the other hand, it was obvious that Hill was just as intent on winning, and so it went for what seemed like an eternity but was really only about thirty seconds. Schueler crossed the line in 18:44.94 with Hill just a heartbeat off her right hip in 18:45.41 . Lest anyone think Hill was just in the race because Schueler was having a bad day, it should be noted that their times were the second and third-fastest times ever recorded by girls on the Horse Park course in any race at any time.

The 1-2 finish by the gifted duo helped Sacred Heart repeat as champions in spite of the fact that Ryan, who was forced to drop out of last week's regionals with an ankle injury, could only muster an eleventh-place finish on her injured ankle.

Melissa Massey of Louisville Manual ran an excellent race for a strong third, running off the pace with first Ryan and then Hill, establishing her position as one of the state's most versatile runners. Her finish and the strong performances of teammates Christina Hamm and Emily Pellegrini propelled Louisville Manual to a third-place finish. Scott High School finished second on the basis of strong performances by their top four runners.

Zach Wilder finally won the boy's individual title after chasing Bobby Curtis for years. The Woodford County senior covered the hilly, demanding 5000 meters in 15: 41, which is one of the top twenty times ever for this course. Although Paul Dunbar senior Andrew McCann had beat him several times this year, Wilder thought all along that his toughest competition would come from Greenwood's gifted sophomore Michael Eaton . However, it didn't seem that way for two miles. McCann blazed to a 2:16 first half-mile and a sub 4:40 mile in an attempt to steal the race. The technique was working well at the 1 ½-mile mark because Wilder and Eaton were then ten to twelve seconds behind McCann. At this point Eaton, not realizing that it was McCann in front of them, turned to Wilder and said �Are you going to let that rabbit get away from us?� The wily Wilder, who has tremendous experience, quickly retorted: �And are you going to run off my shoulder all race?� Eaton, as he sheepishly admitted after the race, fell for Wilder's trick and surged after McCann, eventually pulling him in on an up-hill just after the two-mile mark. Of course, Wilder had not gone anywhere at all, merely sitting on Eaton's shoulder as Eaton did all the work to rein in McCann. Shortly thereafter as Eaton and Wilder made a sharp turn and started up the last hill, Wilder surged past Eaton and never looked back. Eaton said that he was very pleased with his second-place finish and his time and said that for him there was always next year. More importantly, he sheepishly observed that he learned a lot yesterday and though that in the long run that may have been the best thing that happened to him.

Tony Rowe's Daviess County team was the co-favorite with number-one ranked Saint X, but when the teams hit the two-mile mark and six of the top twenty runners wore the black and red of Daviess County it was clear that it was all over not just for Saint X but for everyone else as well. Daviess County's second straight championship boosted their boy's total to eight. Eaton's second-place performance helped Greenwood to a surprising second. The biggest surprise of the day, however, was the excellent showing by the (Louisville) Trinity Shamrocks, who had no stars but a solid team. Paul Dunbar was fourth on the basis of McCann's third place. Sixteen-time state champion Saint X finished fifth for the second straight year, proving once again that too much work can be as fatal as too little.

The story in Class AA was Jacob Fortney , the defending champion, who runs for a school without a track, without facilities, and where he gets almost no respect or support (The principal �forgot� to mention last fall that Fortney had won the individual title. When reminded of it, he announced three days later that Fortney had won the state �track� championship. Ironically, the school has never won a state championship in any sport but cross-country. On the other hand, this is Kentucky and if it doesn't involve dribbling or dunking, many high school ADs don't want to be bothered by it.). Fortney wanted to turn in the fastest time of the day, but that is difficult to do by yourself on a hard course with soft ground and a very stiff headwind. The big �if� was whether Fortney would have any competition/help, and the answer was a resounding �no� with the result that Fortney had to settle for a 16:02 (which was still the fourth-fastest time of the day). Nate Blank of Bell County ran a gutsy race to finish second, running by himself as well most of the race, but he was thirteen seconds back. Patrick Morgan of Boyle County was third, maintaining that school's strong tradition in the state meet.

The favored Paducah Tilghman High School easily captured the Class AA team trophy, outdistancing Lloyd Memorial and North Oldham, which surprisingly placed third in the state meet in its first year of existence as a high school.

On the girl's side senior Heather Coulter of Warren East finally won a championship as well, leading from the gun and eventually putting a half-minute between herself and second-place Darcie Dressman of Highlands. Coulter's strong race, which she attributed to the �adrenalin rush of leading� and knowing that she was finally going to win a state championship gave the Western Kentucky University bound senior the third-fastest time of the day on the girl's side. However, Dressman, her teammate, sixth-place finisher Alisha Hansman, and three other runners in the top twenty gave Highlands an easy victory in the team championship. Defending two-time champion and 2002 Foot Locker finalist Carmen Mims , whose string of nagging injuries this fall has prevented her from ever really training, was not a factor and finished fifth. Mims is only a junior and still has a shot next year at a third championship.

In the Class A Boys Matthew Shoulta , the junior from St. Mary's easily outdistanced the field, running a classic race and establishing himself firmly over a host of higher-ranked runners. His victory also proved that his win at the Meet of Champions had not been a fluke and that he should have been ranked higher all along. Shoulta's first-place, however, was not enough to keep Saint Henry from repeating as state champs.

Sarah Cole of Somerset was the defending champion and the favorite for the Class A Girls individual title. However, Jenna Siemer of Saint Henry was not about to let Cole win without a very good fight, and so the two of them went at it stride for stride, shoulder for shoulder for two and one-half miles. Finally, at the same turn where Wilder passed Eaton (and Hill subsequently passed the last two runners between her and Schueler), the sophomore made her move. Cole just couldn't go with her and found herself struggling in �no-man's land.� Robin B ivens , an eighth-grader from traditional power Hancock County, had run just behind the two leaders and when she observed Cole tiring, made her own move in the straightaway, capturing second.

Siemer's victory helped Saint Henry finally win a title after coming close the last several years. Bivens's second-place finish gave Hancock County a shot a three-peat, but they were forced to accept second because Saint Henry was able to put all five of their scoring runners in the top sixteen.

Results

Complete results on KHSAA web site

3A Boys

Event 2 Boys 5k Run CC Class AAA 
 Team Scores 
 

====================================================================
 Rank Team Total 1 2 3 4 5 *6 *7 *8 *9  

====================================================================
 1 Daviess County 88 11 13 14 20 30 32 34 
 Total Time: 1:24:17.39 
 Average: 16:51.48 
 2 Greenwood 90 2 9 16 26 37 65 79 
 Total Time: 1:23:40.66 
 Average: 16:44.14 
 3 Trinity 108 7 8 19 31 43 44 46 
 Total Time: 1:24:28.88 
 Average: 16:53.78 
 4 Paul Dunbar 129 3 4 5 41 76 122 
 Total Time: 1:23:44.95 
 Average: 16:44.99 
 5 St. Xavier 150 6 15 28 50 51 73 126 
 Total Time: 1:25:24.00 
 Average: 17:04.80 
 6 Oldham County 191 18 25 36 54 58 63 92 
 Total Time: 1:26:25.77 
 Average: 17:17.16 
 7 Apollo 276 39 42 57 67 71 104 128 
 Total Time: 1:28:05.47 
 Average: 17:37.10 
 8 John Hardin 294 10 55 64 78 87 125 146 
 Total Time: 1:28:10.00 
 Average: 17:38.00 
 9 Campbell County 296 35 45 59 61 96 113 114 
 Total Time: 1:28:17.24 
 Average: 17:39.45 
 10 Dupont Manual 309 38 47 72 75 77 85 103 
 Total Time: 1:28:38.76 
 Average: 17:43.76 
 
 
 KTCCCA Sponsored Championship Meets Hy-Tek's MEET MANAGER 1:23 PM 11/9/2003 Page 1 


 CLASS AAA-2003 STATE CROSS COUNTRY - 11/8/2003 
 
 
  
 KENTUCKY HORSE PARK, LEXINGTON, KY 
 
 
 Results 
 
 
 
Event 2 Boys 5k Run CC Class AAA 


 Name  Yr School Finals 
  
  
  
1  Zach Wilder 12  Woodford CO 15:41.62 
  
  
2  Michael Eaton 10  Greenwood 15:52.83 
  
  
3  Andrew McCann 11  Paul Dunbar 15:55.77 
  
  
4  Thad Schroeder 12  Paul Dunbar 16:08.27 
  
  
5  Mat Van Der Meer 12  Paul Dunbar 16:17.58 
  
  
6  Scott McClain 10  St. X 16:25.44 
  
  
7  Pat Daly 11  Trinity 16:26.49 
  
  
8  Michael Raidt 12  Trinity 16:34.14 
  
  
9  Ian Sisson 12  Greenwood 16:36.25 
  
  
10  Caleb Swartz 11  John Hardin 16:38.46 
  
  
11  Josh Yeckering 12  Daviess County 16:41.25 
  
  
12  Adam Stoppelwerth 12  Dixie Hts 16:43.36 
  
  
13  Tyler Stanley 11  Daviess County 16:45.53 
  
  
14  Brandon Berry 12  Daviess County 16:46.79 
  
  
15  Rick Semones 12  St. X 16:49.57 
  
  
16  Caleb Lafond 11  Seneca 16:51.44 
  
  
17  Jason Osborne 12  Greenwood 16:54.58 
  
  
18  Nathan Gravely 11  Scott 16:55.60 
  
  
19  Corey Kellam 12  Oldham CO 16:55.79 
  
  
20  Ben Hochstrasser 11  Trinity 16:56.24 
  
  
21  Trae Gaddis 11  Daviess County 16:56.45 
  
  
22  Antonio Marchi 10  Henry Clay 16:56.68 
  
  
23  John Hinkle 11  Shelby CO 16:56.94 
  
  
24  Brent Lea 11  Shelby CO 16:57.19 
  
  
25  Brad Lykins 11  Christian CO 16:57.77 
  
  
26  Matt Smith 10  Oldham CO 17:01.07 
  
  
27  Eric Granacher 12  Boone Co 17:01.75 
  
  
                                               
28  DJ Croxton 12  Greenwood 17:02.20 
  
  
29  C.T. Ransdell 12  Woodford CO 17:03.29 
  
  
30  Brian Pyles 12  St. X 17:05.97 
  
  
31  Robert Vocke 11  Dixie Hts 17:06.45 
  
  
32  Jon Dunaway 10  Daviess County 17:07.37 
  
  
33  Shane Logsdon 11  Trinity 17:08.11 
  
  
34  Drew Hawkins 11  Daviess County 17:10.69 
  
  
35  Matt Burton 12  Henry Clay 17:10.99 
  
  
36  Matt Rowe 12  Daviess County 17:12.45 
  
  
37  Drew Harris 9  Campbell Co 17:13.21 
  
  
38  Stuart Barnard 10  Oldham CO 17:14.35 
  
  
39  Allon Renfro 12  Greenwood 17:14.80 
  
  
40  Dorney Thompson 12  Manual 17:15.24 
  
  
41  Kevin Austin 12  Apollo 17:19.50 
  
  
42  Chris Hall 12  Meade CO 17:20.32 
  
  
43  Sam Conley 11  Cov Cath 17:21.46 
  
  
44  Tim Hall 11  Madisonville 17:21.95 
  
  
45  Austin Fitch 11  Paul Dunbar 17:22.57 
  
  
46  Mark Wathen 12  Apollo 17:23.58 
  
  
47  Sam Schmitt 10  Trinity 17:23.90 
  
  
48  Graham Thompson 11  Trinity 17:24.35 
  
  
49  Thomas Spata 11  Tates Creek 17:24.70 
  
  
50  Dustin Biggerstaff 12  J-Town 17:25.08 
  
  
51  Scott Rawe 11  Campbell Co 17:25.51 
  
  
52  James Wolff 10  Trinity 17:25.98 
  
  
53  Daniel Rothschild 12  Manual 17:26.88 
  
  
  
54  J.P. Mayer 9  Dixie Hts 17:27.79 
  
  
55  Charles Griffin 12  Male 17:30.96 
  
  
56  Thomas Davis 10  St. X 17:31.36 
  
  
57  Justin Gooch 12  St. X 17:31.66 
  
  
58  Austin Maddox 11  Scott 17:34.14 
  
  
59  Michael Poindexter 11  Henry Clay 17:35.06 
  
  
60  Chad Withrow 11  Oldham CO 17:35.32 
  
  
61  Josh Cochran 12  John Hardin 17:35.89 
  
  
                                               
62  Reginald Pleasant 12  Male 17:36.88 
  
  
63  Mitchell Sharber 11  Apollo 17:37.85 
  
  
64  Bryan Jordan 11  Oldham CO 17:39.24 
  
  
65  Zach Koehler 11  Ryle 17:39.84 
  
  
66  Ryan Farley 11  Campbell Co 17:40.09 
  
  
67  Patrick Jenkins 10  Pulaski CO 17:40.35 
  
  
68  Randy Beck 11  Campbell Co 17:41.16 
  
  
69  Zach Ferguson 11  Christian CO 17:42.82 
  
  
70  Ken Prater 9  Oldham CO 17:44.38 
  
  
71  Tyler Cardin 11  John Hardin 17:44.79 
  
  
72  Brian Fowler 11  Ryle 17:45.06 
  
  
73  Nathan Thompson 10  Meade CO 17:45.98 
  
  
74  Zac Douglas 10  Bowling Gr 17:46.61 
  
  
75  Matt Knight JR 10  Greenwood 17:48.83 
  
  
76  Dwight Bailey 10  Christian CO 17:49.15 
  
  
77  Obbie Todd 12  Apollo 17:49.65 
  
  
78  Andrew Boyd 11  Eastern 17:50.01 
  
  
79  David Wittmer 9  Eastern 17:50.97 
  
  
80  Brandon Lee 11  Madisonville 17:52.03 
  
  
81  James Bowens 9  Marshall CO 17:52.84 
  
  
82  Jason Thornsberry 11  Butler 17:53.77 
  
  
83  Josh Broadley 10  Apollo 17:54.89 
  
  
84  Michael Haworth 12  Manual 17:55.48 
  
  
85  Sean Bowling 11  St. X 17:56.00 
  
  
86  Wes Smith 12  Marshall CO 17:56.36 
  
  
87  Jordan Wilkinson 8  Lincoln CO 17:59.08 
  
  
88  Jason Parks 10  Manual 18:00.12 
  
  
89  David Miller 12  Paul Dunbar 18:00.76 

  

3A Girls

 Rank Team Total 1 2 3 4 5 *6 *7 *8 *9 
 ================================================================================= 
 1 Sacred Heart 67 1 2 9 22 33 34 36 
 Total Time: 1:38:10.04 
 Average: 19:38.01 
 2 Scott 106 4 11 13 30 48 62 68 
 Total Time: 1:40:38.26 
 Average: 20:07.66 
 3 Dupont Manual 116 3 15 19 38 41 89 
 Total Time: 1:40:56.90 
 Average: 20:11.38 
 4 Daviess County 134 6 20 27 37 44 75 88 
 Total Time: 1:41:53.59 
 Average: 20:22.72 
 5 Greenwood 142 7 17 23 46 49 63 78 
 Total Time: 1:42:02.72 
 Average: 20:24.55 
 6 Assumption 157 16 21 29 32 59 85 
 Total Time: 1:42:46.59 
 Average: 20:33.32 
 7 Pulaski County 224 12 18 45 69 80 97 104 
 Total Time: 1:44:25.01 
 Average: 20:53.01 
 8 Notre Dame 233 8 25 60 67 73 81 87 
 Total Time: 1:44:42.69 
 Average: 20:56.54 
 9 Woodford County 277 10 24 66 83 94 112 142 
 Total Time: 1:45:43.04 
 Average: 21:08.61 
 10 Eastern 325 14 42 61 102 106 132 136 
 Total Time: 1:47:32.48 
 Average: 21:30.50 
 
 
  Name  Yr School Finals 
  
  
  
1  Maddie Schueler 12  Sacred Heart 18:44.94 
  
  
2  Kipling Hill 10  Sacred Heart 18:45.41 
  
  
3  Melissa Massey 11  Manual 19:06.28 
  
  
4  Katherine Alcorn 10  Conner 19:15.96 
  
  
5  Kortni Dukes 10  Scott 19:23.62 
  
  
6  Andrea Halasek 11  Scott CO 19:33.58 
  
  
7  Whitney Brainard 12  Southwestern 19:33.84 
  
  
8  Taylor Miller 11  Daviess County 19:34.81 
  
  
9  Natalie Leeper 12  Greenwood 19:38.90 
  
  
10  Kristen Geiger 11  Notre Dame 19:43.46 
  
  
11  Leah Ryan 10  Sacred Heart 19:43.71 
  
  
12  Kim Grieshaber 10  Woodford CO 19:45.52 
  
  
13  Renee Smith 12  Scott 19:48.04 
  
  
14  Lakia Sneed 8  Pulaski CO 19:56.43 
  
  
15  Jerrica Maddox 8  Scott 19:57.67 
  
  
16  Ashlee Brown 9  Apollo 20:01.24 
  
  
17  Chani Clark 10  Eastern 20:02.14 
  
  
18  Christina Hamm 11  Manual 20:03.07 
  
  
19  Carola Conces 10  Atherton 20:05.81 
  
  
20  Laura Armstrong 10  Assumption 20:07.41 
  
  
21  Keela Osborne 10  Greenwood 20:08.78 
  
  
22  Heather Vaught 9  Pulaski CO 20:10.32 
  
  
23  Emily Pellegrini 11  Manual 20:11.66 
  
  
24  Sara May 12  Daviess County 20:12.06 
  
  
25  Nicole Haworth 11  Assumption 20:13.76 
  
  
26  Olivia Higdon 9  Sacred Heart 20:18.49 
  
  
27  Susan Beth Meeks 9  Greenwood 20:20.84 
  
  
                                               
28  Ella Wilhoit 12  Woodford CO 20:21.81 
  
  
29  Tricia Pangallo 9  Notre Dame 20:25.58 
  
  
30  Natasha Smith 12  N Hardin 20:27.21 
  
  
31  Demi Wendt 7  Daviess County 20:28.23 
  
  
32  Holly Minch 10  Campbell Co 20:29.33 
  
  
33  Kathryn Long 10  Assumption 20:31.18 
  
  
34  Liz Braunwart 8  Scott 20:31.81 
  
  
35  Katie Bowlds 11  Paul Dunbar 20:32.22 
  
  
36  Andrea Terry 10  Assumption 20:34.17 
  
  
37  Cassie Newton 10  Grayson CO 20:37.24 
  
  
38  Katie Wells 11  Sacred Heart 20:37.49 
  
  
39  Susanna Doran 11  Sacred Heart 20:39.71 
  
  
40  Holly Watkins 12  Barren Co 20:40.52 
  
  
41  Adrienne Bartlett 9  Sacred Heart 20:40.80 
  
  
42  Ashley Weaver 9  Daviess County 20:43.31 
  
  
43  Jessica Droste 12  Manual 20:44.25 
  
  
44  Amanda Deane 9  Oldham CO 20:44.78 
  
  
45  Elizabeth Beach 8  Graves CO 20:49.30 
  
  
46  Casey Henry 9  Manual 20:51.64 
  
  
47  Stephanie Fuller 9  Harrison CO 20:52.82 
  
  
48  Rebecca Rube 11  Eastern 20:54.77 
  
  
49  Holly Francois 8  Grant Co 20:54.99 
  
  
50  Jenna Roberts 11  Daviess County 20:55.18 
  
  
51  Denetta Hale 10  Pulaski CO 20:55.50 
  
  
52  Kaitlyn Potzick 10  Greenwood 20:55.71 
  
  
53  Kiara Watts 8  Prp 20:56.18 
  
  
  
54  Mandi Warren 8  Cent Har 20:56.54 
  
  
55  Alex Krallman 9  Scott 20:57.12 
  
  
56  Meredith Orberson 11  Greenwood 20:58.49  

2A Boys

 Rank Team Total 1 2 3 4 5 *6 *7 *8 *9 
 ================================================================================= 
 1 Paducah Tilghman 67 3 10 12 20 22 23 121 
 Total Time: 1:25:30.18 
 Average: 17:06.04 
 2 Lloyd Memorial 116 5 19 28 30 34 82 92 
 Total Time: 1:27:04.38 
 Average: 17:24.88 
 3 North Oldham 142 6 8 11 45 72 74 86 
 Total Time: 1:27:16.74 
 Average: 17:27.35 
 4 Warren East 154 4 17 38 42 53 57 94 
 Total Time: 1:27:54.60 
 Average: 17:34.92 
 5 Highlands 157 13 24 33 37 50 63 87 
 Total Time: 1:28:36.92 
 Average: 17:43.39 
 6 South Oldham 157 7 9 31 46 64 85 124 
 Total Time: 1:28:05.53 
 Average: 17:37.11 
 7 Boyle County 170 2 16 47 51 54 136 155 
 Total Time: 1:28:03.94 
 Average: 17:36.79 
 8 Owensboro Catholic 184 14 27 35 52 56 75 113 
 Total Time: 1:29:08.38 
 Average: 17:49.68 
 9 Rowan County 236 32 40 43 60 61 88 109 
 Total Time: 1:30:36.48 
 Average: 18:07.30 
 10 Muhlenberg North 277 1 26 58 90 102 139 149 
 Total Time: 1:30:13.78 
 Average: 18:02.76 
 
 
  

2A Girls

Rank Team Total 1 2 3 4 5 *6 *7 *8 *9 
 ================================================================================= 
 1 Highlands 55 2 6 10 18 19 25 26 
 Total Time: 1:43:04.28 
 Average: 20:36.86 
 2 Lloyd Memorial 131 3 13 31 37 47 77 
 Total Time: 1:46:35.30 
 Average: 21:19.06 
 3 North Oldham 153 12 17 40 41 43 50 66 
 Total Time: 1:48:08.23 
 Average: 21:37.65 
 4 Russell 178 7 14 46 55 56 75 91 
 Total Time: 1:48:29.63 
 Average: 21:41.93 
 5 Mercy Academy 178 5 24 30 48 71 84 97 
 Total Time: 1:48:32.50 
 Average: 21:42.50 
 6 Warren East 183 1 11 29 44 98 104 107 
 Total Time: 1:47:27.22 
 Average: 21:29.45 
 7 Owensboro Catholic 186 9 27 39 42 69 83 110 
 Total Time: 1:49:12.97 
 Average: 21:50.60 
 8 Boyle County 226 8 20 45 64 89 100 121 
 Total Time: 1:50:17.21 
 Average: 22:03.45 
 9 Rockcastle County 232 4 32 54 63 79 117 118 
 Total Time: 1:49:48.85 
 Average: 21:57.77 
 10 Union County 270 23 35 51 76 85 101 112 
 Total Time: 1:52:09.00 
 Average: 22:25.80 



 Name  Yr School Finals 
  
  
  
1  Heather Coulter 12  Warren East 19:02.64 
  
  
2  Darcie Dressman 10  Highlands 19:31.06 
  
  
3  Sondra Nieporte 10  Lloyd 19:45.81 
  
  
4  Kayla Hayes 10  Rockcastle 19:56.36 
  
  
5  Carmen Mims 11  Mercy 20:13.43 
  
  
6  Alisha Hansman 10  Highlands 20:24.43 
  
  
7  Tomiko Williams 11  Russell 20:38.13 
  
  
8  Abby Piper 11  Boyle Co 20:40.76 
  
  
9  Casey Dixon 12  Owensboro CA 20:45.45 
  
  
10  Kelsa Mueller 9  Highlands 20:47.78 
  
  
11  Claire Herrington 8  Warren East 20:48.25 
  
  
12  Meredith LaMaster 9  North Oldham 20:49.73 
  
  
13  Samantha Grant 9  Lloyd 20:51.85 
  
  
14  Mariah Valentine 10  Russell 20:54.27 
  
  
15  Brooke White 9  Bell County 20:58.55 
   

1A Boys

Event 2 Boys 5k Run CC Class A 
 Team Scores 
 ================================================================================= 
 Rank Team Total 1 2 3 4 5 *6 *7 *8 *9 
 ================================================================================= 
 1 St. Henry 51 4 5 13 14 15 16 20 
 Total Time: 1:26:49.44 
 Average: 17:21.89 
 2 Hancock County 87 6 9 18 23 31 34 38 
 Total Time: 1:28:26.83 
 Average: 17:41.37 
 3 Bishop Brossart 94 2 3 24 26 39 44 46 
 Total Time: 1:28:09.17 
 Average: 17:37.84 
 4 St. Mary 158 1 32 37 41 47 81 84 
 Total Time: 1:30:19.84 
 Average: 18:03.97 
 5 Walton-Verona 195 21 30 42 48 54 65 70 
 Total Time: 1:32:06.99 
 Average: 18:25.40 
 6 Dayton 198 19 28 36 53 62 127 137 
 Total Time: 1:32:08.21 
 Average: 18:25.65 
 7 Somerset 234 10 43 52 57 72 105 119 
 Total Time: 1:33:13.93 
 Average: 18:38.79 
 8 Holy Cross - Louisville 278 8 49 64 74 83 101 116 
 Total Time: 1:34:42.92 
 Average: 18:56.59 
 9 Green County 292 22 58 59 63 90 92 
 Total Time: 1:35:17.27 
 Average: 19:03.46 
 10 Oneida Baptist Institute 295 11 12 66 89 117 144 
 Total Time: 1:35:28.70 
 Average: 19:05.74 
 11 Model 301 17 50 55 68 111 132 
 Total Time: 1:35:25.97 
 Average: 19:05.20 
 12 Portland Christian 316 35 40 69 75 97 109 
 Total Time: 1:35:49.37 
 Average: 19:09.88 
 13 Trimble County 336 33 51 77 79 96 99 120 
 Total Time: 1:36:31.37 
 Average: 19:18.28 
 14 Danville 383 27 78 87 93 98 103 136 
 Total Time: 1:38:06.13 
 Average: 19:37.23 
 15 Lee County 405 29 80 88 100 108 113 
 Total Time: 1:39:02.23 
 Average: 19:48.45 
  
 ....Event 2 Boys 5k Run CC Class A 
 
 16 Pikeville 443 45 71 76 125 126 142 147 
 Total Time: 1:40:33.02 
 Average: 20:06.61 
 17 Christian Academy - Louis 453 56 67 104 112 114 131 134 
 Total Time: 1:40:44.72 
 Average: 20:08.95 
 18 Fairview 459 7 94 107 121 130 148 150 
 Total Time: 1:41:23.28 
 Average: 20:16.66 
 19 Ballard Memorial 463 61 82 91 106 123 129 143 
 Total Time: 1:41:02.50 
 Average: 20:12.50 
 20 June Buchanan 503 25 60 133 139 146 151 
 Total Time: 1:45:39.35 
 Average: 21:07.87 
 21 Fort Knox 535 73 85 110 122 145 
 Total Time: 1:44:56.83 
 Average: 20:59.37 
 22 Dawson Springs 542 86 95 115 118 128 135 140 
 Total Time: 1:44:07.09 
 Average: 20:49.42 
 23 Wolfe County 654 102 124 138 141 149 
 Total Time: 1:53:20.47 
 Average: 22:40.10 

 

1A Girls

 Rank Team Total 1 2 3 4 5 *6 *7 *8 *9 
 ================================================================================= 
 1 St. Henry 49 1 9 11 12 16 25 28 
 Total Time: 1:43:34.80 
 Average: 20:42.96 
 2 Hancock County 80 2 4 17 24 33 38 56 
 Total Time: 1:45:01.12 
 Average: 21:00.23 
 3 Bishop Brossart 103 5 14 23 30 31 40 68 
 Total Time: 1:46:57.88 
 Average: 21:23.58 
 4 St. Mary 111 8 10 27 32 34 55 63 
 Total Time: 1:47:19.79 
 Average: 21:27.96 
 5 Trimble County 192 15 21 43 47 66 83 109 
 Total Time: 1:50:44.34 
 Average: 22:08.87 
 6 Somerset 204 3 41 49 54 57 106 110 
 Total Time: 1:50:17.95 
 Average: 22:03.59 
 7 Green County 239 6 18 29 75 111 
 Total Time: 1:52:37.29 
 Average: 22:31.46 
 8 Williamstown 250 22 35 39 69 85 99 130 
 Total Time: 1:53:10.75 
 Average: 22:38.15 
 9 Danville 263 19 46 48 70 80 90 92 
 Total Time: 1:53:58.66 
 Average: 22:47.74 
 10 Holy Cross - Covington 279 37 45 58 60 79 120 135 
 Total Time: 1:54:12.29 
 Average: 22:50.46 
 
 Name  Yr School Finals 
  
  
  
1  Jenna Siemer 10  St. Henry 19:39.68 
  
  
2  Robin Bivens 8  Hancock CO 19:45.91 
  
  
3  Sarah Cole 12  Somerset 19:55.59 
  
  
4  Sara Jill Gooch 8  Hancock CO 20:16.01 
  
  
5  Lauren Bales 12  Bishop Bro 20:17.32 
  
  
6  Mary Kate Moore 9  Green CO 20:29.71 
  
  
7  Courtney Moore 10  Wolfe County 20:31.61 
  
  
8  Ryan Quire 12  Frankfort 20:35.38 
  
  
9  Brittney Snyder 8  Villa Madonn 20:42.16 
  
  
10  Katherine Shoulta 7  St. Mary 20:44.76 
  
  
11  Emily Fette 9  St. Henry 20:46.36 
  
  
12  Jennifer Colgan 11  St. Mary 20:51.48 
  
  
13  Jessi Wheat 8  Cumb CO 20:54.57 
  
  
14  Annie Beck 12  St. Henry 20:55.94 
  

Preview The More Things Change. . . Will St. Xavier boys come back without Bobby Curtis? Can anyone beat Maddie Schueler and Sacred Heart girls? by Charlie Zimmerman Hopes ran high at the beginning of this year's cross-country season that things would change in Kentucky. First and foremost, three-time state cross-country champion Bobby Curtis had graduated, taking his eleven individual state titles and his national reputation to Villanova. In the pre-season the bulletin boards literally cackled with the crowing of those who predicted an end to Louisville Saint X's string of championships. The wishful hoping was most obvious when Saint X was not even picked in the pre-season top-five. On the girl's side, those who had seen in Maddie Schueler and her Sacred Heart Academy teammates the beginnings of a similar dynasty hoped that a controversial rules interpretation by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association would hamper Sacred Heart and favor smaller teams, and that the return to form of Manual's Melissa Massey might provide a real threat to Schueler. The season is drawing to an end, regionals are completed, and the state championships for all three Kentucky divisions (A, AA, and AAA) will be contested this Saturday at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. And while champions are crowned on their performance Saturday and not on what they have accomplished so far this season, the one thing which this season has demonstrated is that the more things change, the more they stay the same: Saint X is ranked number one in the season-ending polls, defending champion Daviess County is right on their heels, Maddie Schueler and Sacred Heart are unbeaten, and perennial power Saint Henry is favored in both the boy's and girl's Class A race. The one thing, of course, which has changed is that Maddie Schueler's phenomenal senior year is turning the spotlight away from the boys and shining it brightly on as talented a group of girl's runners as Kentucky cross-country has ever seen. Two weeks ago at the Academy Meet, which determines bragging rights for Louisville Catholic girls' academies, Schueler uncorked an incredible 17:47 on the Seneca Park 5K course. That is the fastest any high school girl has ever run 5000 meters in Kentucky but will not be recognized as the state record because under Kentucky High School Athletic Association rules, state records can only be set at the state meet. The current record is 18:35, and although the Horse Park is a difficult course, Schueler is capable of taking thirty seconds off that record. What is even more exciting is that there are at least four other girls who are capable of breaking the record as well�and forcing Schueler to race as hard as she can just to repeat as individual champion. Maddie Schueler leads Carmen Mims at Valkyrie Invitational So some changes are in store. Here's how it looks the day before the gun: Class AAA Boys (950+ Students) Those who hoped that Curtis's departure would bring Saint X down to earth had some foundation for their thinking: in particular, they had only to look at Saint X's complete self-destruction at last year's state meet where the Tigers finished an astounding fifth in spite of the fact that Bobby Curtis, as expected, easily claimed the individual title. It was the worst finish by a Saint X team in years and was a source of embarrassment at a school which has won more state championships in more sports than any other school in Kentucky�-including a record fifteen state cross-country championships. That embarrassment--and the slighting of the Tigers in the pre-season polls--has been a source of motivation for the Tigers, who have worked as hard this year as they ever have. Their No. 1 ranking is a testimonial both to their work and to their steely focus on the prize. However, defending champion and seven-time winner Daviess County is right on Saint X's heels. In the Metro Meet of Champions two weeks ago Saint X and Daviess County tied for first place, with the nod going to Saint X on the basis of their sixth runner's performance. Daviess County was the �upset� winner at last year's state meet, beating out favored South Oldham as well as Saint X. However, anyone who is familiar with hall-of fame coach Tony Rowe and the tradition at Daviess County would never consider a championship by Daviess County any kind of �upset.� This championship may be the closest ever in Kentucky cross-country history and it may well be decided on the basis of the sixth�or even seventh�man . Saint X's steel-cold focus and the unprecedented hard work which they have put in this season has produced a well-deserved confidence that as a team top to bottom they are in such good shape that they can handle any course, any conditions, and any opponent. That confidence, last year's embarrassment, and their team strength through their seventh runner makes them the favorite. The race for the individual championship is absolutely up for grabs. Zach Wilder's fourth-place finish at last year's state meet was the highest finish by an underclassman and made him the pre-season favorite to win it all this year. His performance at last year's state track meet, where he lead Bobby Curtis for seven laps in the 3200 until Curtis exploded with a 60-second last quarter (which carried him to a state record), only enhanced that reputation. However the senior from Woodford County faces considerable pressure from Andrew McCann of Paul Dunbar and sophomore Michael Eaton (left at Trinity Inv) of Greeenwood. McCann , a junior who finished seventh in last year's state meet, beat Wilder last month in the Lexington Catholic Invitational which was contested on the very course where Saturday's state meet will be run. Eaton was only a ninth-grader when he finished right behind Wilder in last year's meet. He has improved tremendously since then. More importantly, Eaton has spent the fall running every weekend against the best competition he could find in the biggest and most prestigious meets he could find. As a result, he is race-tested.     Class AAA Girls At the beginning of the season Maddie Schueler set three goals for herself: to repeat as state champion, to lead her Sacred Heart team to another championship, and to run in the 17:30's. She is on track to accomplish all three. Since her confidence-boosting impressive sixth-place finish at The Great American Cross Country Festival in late September, Schueler has been working hard to reach the 17:30's and her 17:47 was no surprise to anyone who knows of her work ethic�and her love for running. The state record is Suzanne Cooney's 18:35 (set in 2000) and Schueler should break that record easily if she runs as well as she has been. Even her competitors would be happy for Schueler with another championship and a record: the popular, personable, ever-smiling Schueler has been a wonderful ambassador for the sport, competing often, traveling to meets all across Kentucky, encouraging her competitors, raising the bar for younger girls, and winning fans to girl's cross-country. On the other hand, races are won on the grass and not on paper; anything is possible when a group of good runners pull on their spikes. And this year Kentucky has as good a group of female runners as it ever has. Melissa Massey of Louisville Manual has excellent leg speed�as demonstrated by her 10:42 last spring at the Birmingham (AL) Track Classic. She was also injured last fall and wants to make up for lost time. She has been impressive this year and will run with Schueler for as long as she can. Schueler's other real competition will come from two of her teammates, sophomores Leah Ryan and Kipling Hill . Ryan was third at last year's state meet behind Schueler and Massey in her inaugural trip to the big dance. She has the speed, strength, and experience to be a champion if either�or both�of them falter. Hill is the real surprise. After freshman jitters got the best of her last year, she has quietly worked hard out of the spotlight to redeem herself and to reach what everyone recognizes is her potential. The breakthrough came last Saturday at regionals when she stayed right on Maddie Schueler's shoulder, finishing second just ten seconds back. Julie Yonts of Louisville's Ballard High School is a former state champion who has worked just as hard this year to regain her championship form. Although Schueler is as close to a sure thing as Bobby Curtis used to be, any of these four are capable of pushing her to the limit. This year, girls rule! With Schueler, Ryan, and Hill in the top five, Sacred Heart will be very difficult to beat, especially since their fourth and fifth runners will be in the top twenty as well. The surprise here will be cross-town rival Assumption High School , which coach Barry Haworth has molded into a genuine team and a real contender for runner-up honors. Debra Moore's Manual High School has three excellent runners in addition to Massey but they are either one year or one runner away from really contending. Class AA Boys (571-950 students)  The real story here is Jacob Fortney of Muhlenberg North who will be racing against the clock to demonstrate that he is the number one male runner in Kentucky. The defending state champion in Class AA, Fortney, like Eaton, has taken on all comers every weekend in an attempt to become the state's best and fastest runner.(He and Eaton are 2-2 in head-to-head contests this fall.) Of course, he has to go to meets across the state because Fortney comes from a school without a track (he does his speed work on rural roads which run beside cow pastures�36 fence-posts make a quarter mile) and from a community where basketball is king: if Fortney brings his high school another state championship, his picture will only appear in the local paper if the middle-school basketball team is idle that weekend. If Fortney has someone to push him, he may well turn in the day's fastest time and rightfully lay claim the title of the number one male runner in Kentucky. But that's a big �if.� Hopefully college scouts will be on the lookout; this is a runner who doesn't get the acclaim he has earned through hard work under trying circumstances. Paducah Tilghman is just as much a runaway favorite to win the team title�especially since they should put three runners in the top ten and all five in the top twenty-five.     Class AA Girls Carmen Mims of Louisville's Mercy Academy is the two-time defending state champion, a a 2002 FootLocker finalist, and the state record-holder at 3200 meters (10:58). She has beaten Maddie Schueler in big races, and came within five seconds of her last month at the Valkyrie Invitational, Schueler's home invitational. On the other hand, the junior from Louisville's Mercy Academy has been so inconsistent this year that no one should bet the farm on her making it three in a row. As we observed last year, Mims seems to need competition to run well, and it is possible she may let some runners stay in the race who might not otherwise have the ability to stay with her. This could be fatal this year because three of the four runners who finished immediately behind Mims last year are returning for another shot at her. One of these is Heather Coulter a junior from Warren East who turned in the fastest time in Class AA at regionals�almost two minutes faster than Mims's time. Darcie Dressman of Highlands , Kayla Hayes of Rockcastle County , and Miranda Meeks of Caldwell County are also all capable and experienced. If Dressman and her Highlands teammate, Alisha Hansman, run as expected and their teammates run as they have all year, Highlands should breeze to the title. Class A Boys (Under 570 students) All five of last year's top finishers have graduated with the result that the individual title is up for grabs. Greg Robinson of Saint Henry, Alex Barker of Fairview, and Reggie Bieger of Saint Henry are ranked first, second, and third respectively in the KTCCCA poll. All three are experienced, having all finished in the top eleven last year. However, Matthew Shoulta , a junior from Saint Mary who was twelfth at last year's state meet, won convincingly at the Meet of Champions two weeks ago, beating all three of these top-ranked runners rather handily. In addition, turned in the fastest time in this class in the regionals. It's his race to lose. Saint Henry has been close in recent years but just hasn't been able to take home the state championship. However, with teammates to back up the expected top finishes by Robinson and Bieger, this should be their year. If the favored Saint Henry girls also win, Saint Henry would be the first school to claim boys and girl's trophies in the same year since Warren East pulled off this feat in 2000. On the other hand, no one should put the trophy in the case yet because Hancock County is peaking and on paper could take home first place if just one Saint Henry runner slips a few places or one Hancock County runner steps up on Saturday . Class A Girls  Sarah Cole of Somerset is the defending state champion. She is an excellent runner, a senior, and experienced in big meets. She is also the top-ranked runner in Class A based on a great senior season. She should take home her second straight championship. However, there are four young runners right behind her, any one of whom just may not know enough to be scared on Saturday and may have a break-out race. The four, who are all eighth-graders, include Robin Bivens of Hancock County, Colleen Campbell of Louisville Collegiate, Jessi Wheat of Cumberland County, and Sara Jill Gooch , Bivens's teammate at Hancock County. In spite of the fact that Hancock County may have two runners in the top five, Saint H enry , second last year and always a powerhouse, will probably take the team title on the basis of their ability to put their top five runners in the top thirty. However, Hancock County will be right there as will Saint Mary's and Bishop Brossart .  WEATHER The morning temperature is predicted to be in the 30's with the high expected to be around 50. The weatherman predicts sunny skies with little to no chance of rain. The course should be dry. All in all, another great day for high school cross-country in My Old Kentucky Home.

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