Mike McGraw
Hoosier Authority
Although fans of the metropolitan and Duneland might beg to
differ, it can be argued that from top to bottom Conference
is annually the toughest girls’ cross country league in
in the top fifteen at last year’s state championship meet. This year very few
people might even care to debate the issue. The top teams in the conference
will all be strong again. There will be a horde of talented individual runners,
and at least one team might be ready to take that next step forward.
Here is an example of just how tough it is in this circuit.
Bloomington North finished sixth in last year’s state meet. They had finished
fourth in the conference race. The Cougars are likely to be heard from again
this year. Sophomore Ann Zerfas will step up to replace the graduated Molly
Hirt as the top runner. Zerfas will bring good credentials to the job. She
finished fourth in the conference meet in 2007. There is a swarm of young
Cougars ready to be the supporting cast.
Tradition and depth are the hallmarks for Columbus North.
2008 will be no different. The Bull Dogs will attempt to defend their
conference title with a number of talented harriers. Junior Siri Retrum should
be the top gun for North.
Bloomington South will compete the southern power trio. The
Panthers will pin their hopes on a formidable duo at the top of their roster.
Sophomore Brooke Bierhaus finished fifth in the conference meet as a freshman.
Junior Carly Derheimer was right behind in sixth. The key for the Panthers will
be finding quality depth.
Franklin Central may be a bit of a surprise this time
around. How can a program as renowned as the Flashes be a surprise? Well, how
about the emergence of two runners that were in essence absent during the 2007
campaign. Senior Karleen Ritchie had her junior season riddled by injury.
However, as a sophomore she finished third in the conference. Then there is
incoming freshman Jasmine Al-Ansi. All I will say is remember the name. Those
two join returning stalwarts Allison Blanck and Dani Sullivan.
The big move this season may belong to Perry Meridian. The
Falcons return six of their top seven runners from a year ago. They will be led
by the trio of senior Sarah Riley, senior Katelyn Walker and sophomore Emily
Daly.
Lawrence Central are the teams looking to break into the upper division in the
conference.
sophomore Emily Odle. Pike will also be led by a sophomore. Jaclyn Lahr will be
the Red Devils top returnee. Erica Carlson will be the top veteran at Lawrence
Central.
There are a number of big invitational meets that might give
some clue as to how all this power will play out. In the early weeks of the
season, keep an eye on the Rushville Invitational and the Eagle Classic in
Flash-Rock meet hosted by Franklin Central and
in suburban
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