Batesville Girls Win Cross Country Sectional Title

Several boys and girls teams and individuals are advancing to regionals.

Batesville Girls Cross Country. Photo provided.

(Southeast Indiana) - The IHSAA Cross Country State Tournament got underway over the weekend. 

Local teams were spread out across two sectionals at Rushville and Southwestern (Hanover). The top five placing teams in each sectional advance to regionals. The top 15 individuals from non-advancing teams also move on in the state tournament. 

At Rushville, the Batesville Lady Bulldogs claimed the sectional title with runners scoring in first, third, fourth, sixth and seventh. Jayla Bedel was the top performer for the Bulldogs, placing 2nd overall with a time of 19:32. Bedel earned first place points as Seton Catholic's Hayden Neagle was competing on a incomplete team. 

She was followed by Francesca Myers in 6th (20:07), Caitlin Raver in 7th (20:37), Sydney Gilland in 9th (20:56) and Paige Allgeier in 11th (21:06). Finishing out the varsity seven were Audrey Dieckmann at 23rd and Aubrey Weberding in 25th.

• Team Scores: Batesville 21, East Central 76, Rushville 99, Centerville 123, Hagerstown 125, Union County 134, New Castle 144, Northeastern 167. 

East Central was led by Lily Gambrel (4th, 19:48). Alyssa Donawerth placed 8th (20:43.1), and Josie West was 22nd (22:11). 

Franklin County's Paula Unterlechner qualified for regionals individually. She placed 13th overall with a time of 21:20. Oldenburg's Josie Wenning and Alaina Jensen are also moving on. Wenning placed 10th (21:00) and Jensen was 27th (22:54). 

In the boys race, Richmond took the sectional title with a score of 20. East Central and Batesville both qualified for regionals with top 5 finishes. 

• Team Scores: Richmond 30, Union County 92, East Central 108, New Castle 115, Batesville 121, Hagerstown 142, Centerville 146, Seton Catholic 226, Tri 260, Connersville 271, Rushville 273

East Central's top runners were Abram Hiltz (9th, 17:27), Cooper Middendorf (18th, 17:51), and Anthony Toler (24th, 18:04). Batesville was led by Ryan Benz with an 11th place finish (17:32). Levi Essick was close behind in 20th (17:52) and Cael Luhman just behind in 21st (17:53).

Oldenburg Academy's Sam Dennis qualified for regionals with a 10th place finish (17:29). He is joined by teammate Carson Hartwell (15th place, 17:48). Franklin County's Ben Riffle is moving on too after placing 25th (18:09). 

At Southwestern (Hanover), the host Lady Rebels won the sectional title with a score of 31. 

• Team Scores: Southwestern (Hanover) 31, Madison 55, Switzerland County 66, Charlestown 81, Austin 144, Lawrenceburg 176, South Dearborn 186, New Washington 197, Crothersville 229

Switzerland County placed 3rd, advancing as a team to the regional. Claire Boggs led the way (7th, 21:36). Kaylynn Schaefer placed 12th (22:17) and Jazmyn Blevins was 15th (22:56). Taylor Kappes followed in 16th place (22:59).

Lawrenceburg's Loreli McDonald qualified for regionals with a 22nd place finish (24:03). Teammate Kaelyn Jones is also advancing after placing 24th (24:18). Rising Sun's Kynnadi Hartley moves on to regionals, placing 25th (24:23). Jac-Cen-Del and South Dearborn will also be represented at regionals by Julia Ricke (35th, 25:40), Sheyanne Waulk (39th, 26:20), and Caliah Waulk (42nd, 26:56).

In the boys race, Austin was crowned sectional champions. Lawrenceburg finished third, advancing to the regional. 

• Team Scores: Austin 34, Madison 72, Lawrenceburg 87, Charlestown 122, Scottsburg 149, Shawe Memorial 163, South Ripley 173, Crothersville 196, Switzerland County 213, New Washington 263, South Dearborn 268, Rising Sun 307

Rylynn Head led the way for Lawrenceburg. He placed 5th overall with a time of 17:25. Coleman Hughes was 9th (17:39), Brenden Wurtzler was 21st (18:08, and Andrew Varos was 26th (18:23). 

South Ripley's Mason Bascom placed 13th overall (17:46), advancing to regionals. He is joined by teammates Carter Yelton (28th, 18:34), Saxton Hite (35th, 18:53), and Dominic Carter (41st, 19:26). Switzerland County's Landon Gross (14th, 17:52) and South Dearborn's Tegan Burk (15th, 17:53) also advanced. 

Teams and individuals advancing from these two sectionals will compete at the Franklin Community Regional at CERAland Sports Park in Columbus on Saturday, October 24. The event begins at 10:30 AM.