2019-20 Cross Country State Finals Recap
Nov. 2, 2019
Lowell's Sanchez, Dwenger's Strzelecki win Individual Titles
Carroll Girls Repeat, Fort Wayne Concordia Boys Win First Crown
After settling for runner-up honors a year ago, both Lowell senior Gabe Sanchez and Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger senior Erin Strzelecki took the next step forward and were honored as individual state champions for 2019.
Under mostly sunny skies and a high in the upper 40s, Sanchez covered the 5,000 meter LaVern Gibson Championship Course in 15:28.7, more than four seconds ahead of runner-up Lucas Guerra of Highland (15:32.9). Sanchez became the first Red Devil to win a cross country state title in school history.
Strzelecki returned to cap her senior year with the girls overall title in 17:22.9, well ahead of runner-up Annalyssa Crain of Edgewood in 17:44.5. Strzelecki's time was the third-fastest for 5,000 meters since that distance began with the 2007 state finals. She also became the first runner in her school's history to claim the top spot.
In the team standings, Carroll (Fort Wayne) repeated as the girls team champion with 101 points bettering runner-up Zionsville with 143. Carmel (162), Fishers (192) and Columbus North (195) rounded out the top five girls teams.
Carroll, coached by Phil Yoder, was led by Zoe Duffus who finished sixth overall in 18:17.0, Monroe Fruchey in 19th in 18:43.1, and Ashlyn Minton was 25th in 18:52.2. Other scoring teammates included Mallory Clements in 32nd in 19:03.7 and Shelby Christman in 75th 19:33.1.
In the boys race, Fort Wayne Concordia claimed its first cross country team title in school history. Defending champ Carmel was the runner-up with 111 points. Brebeuf Jesuit (135), Columbus North (162) and Brownsburg (214), making its first team appearance, rounded out the top five boys teams.
The Cadets of coach Scott Steffen were led by Reece Gibson's fifth place finish in 15:44.5 and Drake Kropf in 17th (16:00.7) and Wilson Whicker in 18th (16:04.7). Other scoring Concordia runners were Karsten Schlegel in 29th (16:18.4) and Luke Bentz in 67th (16:35.0).
Following the meet, Luke Combs of Lapel High School and Mykayla Couchenour of South Knox High School were announced as the recipients of the IHSAA mental attitude awards in boys and girls cross country, respectively.
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance presented a $1,000 scholarship to each school's general scholarship fund in the names of Combs and Couchenour.