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CROSS COUNTRY STATE FINALS IN TERRE HAUTE SATURDAY
Two new individual champions are assured this Saturday as the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute plays host to the IHSAA Boys and Girls State Finals.

With seven runners from 24 teams plus 28 individual boys and 24 individual girls, there will be nearly 200 competitors that take to the 5,000 meter course in each race. The boys begin at 1 pm ET with the girls to follow at approximately 1:45 pm ET.

Last year’s individual winners – Sarah Higgens of Center Grove and Drew Shields of Fishers – both graduated opening the door for a number of hopefuls.

Three of last year’s top 10 boys finishers return led by North Central Futsum Zeinasellassie. The sophomore finished as the runner-up in 2008 and appears to be a favorite this time around. He has won each of his three tournament races in dominating fashion including the semi-state win by more than 20 seconds. Junior James Martin of Carroll (Fort Wayne), last year’s third place finisher, and Tyler Byrne, a North Harrison senior, also have taken the top spot in each of their post-season races.

David Osborn of Chesterton took the overall victory at the New Prairie Semi-State last weekend and was one of five Trojan runners to finish in the top 13 helping the school to its first semi-state crown since 2001. Osborn finished 20th in last year’s state meet.

In other team competition last weekend, Columbus North won its first semi-state since 2003 by dominating the field at Carmel. Five Bull Dogs finished in the top 12 and its sixth-best was 19th. Terre Haute North, the host school this weekend, edged North Harrison by a single point (55-56) for its second consecutive semi-state championship at Brown County. Concord topped the charts at New Haven winning the school’s first semi-state in boys cross country.

Four top 10 girls finishers from 2008 are in Saturday’s field and will look to move up the chart this weekend. Lake Central’s Dana Payonk finished fourth at this meet last year and will look to cap her senior year with a state championship. She won the semi-state race at New Prairie by more than 20 seconds.

Sophomore Sarah Bennett helped Carmel win its state-best 13th semi-state with her own individual victory. Teammate Renee Wellman, last year’s fifth place finisher at state, placed third. Bennett finished 39th at state last season.

Brianna Johnson of Carroll (Fort Wayne) who rounded out last year’s top 10, placed third at New Haven on Saturday, more than 14 seconds behind winner Ashley Erba of Warsaw. Boone Grove junior Jordan Chester finished eighth at New Prairie on Saturday, the same finish she had in Terre Haute last October.

Freshman TaPring Goatee of Terre Haute North won the Brown County Semi-State helping the Patriots to their first team crown since 2005. Crown Point won its first girls semi-state championship at New Prairie.

64th Boys and 29th Girls Cross Country State Finals
Date: Saturday, Oct. 31.
Times: Boys 1 pm ET; Girls 1:45 pm ET.
Admission: $8.00 per person.
LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course, Wabash Valley Sports Center, 599 S. Tabortown Road, Terre Haute, Ind. | Course Layouts and Driving Directions
Internet: IHSAASports.org will produce a highlight reel of both girls and boys races and post it to their website Saturday evening.

Boys: Lane Assignments | Entries (Revised 10/27)

Girls: Lane Assignments | Entries (Revised 10/27)

State Finals Program

State Finals Media Credentials – Deadline is Thursday, Oct. 29, 4 pm ET. The 2009-10 IHSAA State Finals Media Credential issued previously for the girls golf and boys tennis state finals is good for admission. For those outlets without credentials and planning to cover the cross country state meet, please apply by e-mailing your request (with name of individual applying) to IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille (jwille@ihsaa.org). E-mail requests MUST originate from a recognized business account; e-mails from personal accounts (ie: yahoo.com, aol.com, etc.) will not be accepted. Approved requests will be available for pickup at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center adjacent to the course beginning at 11 am ET. Please have media identification available and enter the grounds using the east gate nearest the Sports Center.

Media Services – IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille will be on site to assist in your coverage of this year’s state finals. Official programs will be available at the Family Center along with computer-generated results following the races. Electrical power, phone lines and wireless access will be available in the Wabash Valley Sports Center adjacent to the course for filing stories and photographs. Please be aware that the building will close promptly at 7 pm ET.

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NEW PALESTINE’S CUMMINS NAMED CROSS COUNTRY’S TOP OFFICIAL
Dan Cummins is the recipient of the 2009 Interscholastic Athletic Official Association Award for excellence in the sport of cross country. Cummins will be honored in a special ceremony at Saturday’s state finals tournament.

Each year, the Indiana High School Athletic Association, in cooperation with the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association, recognizes and honors an outstanding official in each of 11 sports during the school year.

During his career, Cummins has worked 20 sectionals, 10 regionals, five semi-states, and one state final (2007). He was selected for this honor by a committee representing the official’s associations. In Indiana there are 26 associations made up of men and women who give up much of their personal time to assist in providing wholesome, worthwhile, and healthy activities for the student athletes in our state. Statewide, there are more than 8,000 officials licensed by the IHSAA in 11 sports.

A member of the Indiana Officials Association, Cummins has served as a clinician for the last five years. He is also a member of the Mid-Hoosier Officials Association, in which he has served for three years. In addition to being a member of the IOA and MHOA, Cummins has taught classes for new officials for the past five years.

He competed as an athlete in the 1972 cross country state finals for Warren Central. After graduating in 1973, he joined the U.S. Navy and is currently employed by Manufacturers Marketing in Westfield, where he works in the sales department. He resides in New Palestine with his wife, Susie. They have one daughter, Kristin.

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SOCCER STATE FINALS THIS SATURDAY
Both of last year’s girls state championship match participants along with the 2008 boys state runner-up headline the field for Saturday’s 16th Annual IHSAA Soccer State Finals at Kuntz Memorial Stadium in Indianapolis.

Boys semifinals are set for 10 am ET with a first-time winner being assured in the 6 pm ET championship match. The girls semis begin at noon ET and their championship at 8 pm ET.

The fourth-ranked Zionsville boys team, which fell in a penalty kick shootout in last year’s state championship match, has battled its way back to this year’s finals, seeking its first state soccer title. The 18-3-1 Eagles have fended off three top 20 teams during the tournament including top-ranked Pike in the regional round and No. 5 Avon last Saturday. They will meet No. 7 Lake Central (20-1-1) in one semifinal match, while No. 13 Homestead (17-4-1) and No. 14 Columbus North (18-2-4) clash in the other match.

Lake Central, a 2005 state finals participant, won at Zionsville, 2-1, on Sept. 25 and comes in with the best record among the boys teams having allowed just one goal over the last three matches after topping No. 12 Munster in the regional.

Like Zionsville, Homestead is making its second straight appearance in the final four and also fell to eventual champion Evansville Memorial in last season’s tournament. The Spartans topped No. 15 Fort Wayne South Side in the regional and No. 20 Warsaw in Tuesday’s semi-state final. Columbus North, advancing to state for the first time since 2001, bested two top 10 teams in the semi-state, No. 3 defending state champion Evansville Memorial, and No. 8 Washington. Both teams have won 10 straight.

The girls semifinals feature No. 2 defending state champion Evansville Memorial (21-2) facing No. 11 Fort Wayne Snider (16-3-3) and No. 4 South Bend St. Joseph’s (21-1-1) taking on No. 9 Indianapolis Cathedral (17-4-2).

Snider advanced to its second straight state finals following Tuesday night’s semi-state win to set up a rematch of last year’s state title match won by Memorial, 2-0. The Tigers appear primed to defend their title topping three top 20 opponents in their last three matches and allowing a single goal in their last 13 outings.

Cathedral has earned its way to the finals for the second time in three seasons having won it all in 2007. The Irish beat a pair of top 20 teams during the tournament including a 2-0 decision over No. 7 Zionsville for the semi-state title. They have not surrendered a goal in tournament play thus far. St. Joe’s returns to state for the first time since their 2003 state runner-up season. The Indians have been tested in close matches by three ranked teams in tourney action winning all three by a single goal.

Should Snider and Cathedral meet Saturday night, the two finished deadlocked at 2-2 in a meeting back on Aug. 29.

16th Annual State Finals
Date: Saturday, Oct. 31.
Admission: $8 per session; $12 all sessions.
Kuntz Stadium, 1502 West 16th St., lndianapolis, Ind. | Stadium website | Map.
Webcast: Both state championship matches will be webcast at www.ihsaasports.org.
Meet the Teams

Boys Semifinals
Lake Central (20-1-1) vs. Zionsville (18-3-1). 10 am ET
Homestead (17-4-1) vs. Columbus North (18-2-4). 10 am ET
Boys Championship, 6 pm ET

Girls Semifinals
Fort Wayne Snider (16-3-3) vs. Evansville Memorial (21-2). 12 pm ET
Indianapolis Cathedral (17-4-2) vs. South Bend St. Joseph’s (21-1-1). 12 pm ET
Girls Championship, 8 pm ET

State Finals Media Credentials – Deadline is Thursday, Oct. 29, 4 pm ET. The 2009-10 IHSAA State Finals Media Credential issued previously for the girls golf and boys tennis state finals is good for admission. For those outlets without credentials and planning to cover the event, please apply by e-mailing your request (with name of individual applying) to IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille (jwille@ihsaa.org). E-mail requests MUST originate from a recognized business account; e-mails from personal accounts (ie: yahoo.com, aol.com, etc.) will not be accepted. Approved requests will be available for pickup at the Kuntz Stadium Ticket Building.

Media Services – IHSAA Communications Director Chris Kaufman along with Assistant Toni Polizzi will be on-site to assist you in your coverage on Saturday. Official programs will be available along with computer box scores following the championship matches. Interviews may be conducted with players and coaches on the sidelines following the semifinals and after the award ceremonies in the evening. Electrical power, phone lines and wireless access will be available in the press box for filing stories and photographs.

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BURNETTSVILLE’S DAVID SPRADLIN NAMED SOCCER’S TOP OFFICIAL
David Spradlin of Burnettsville is the recipient of the 2009 Interscholastic Athletic Official Association Award for excellence in the sport of soccer.  Spradlin will be honored in a special ceremony at Saturday’s state final tournament.

Each year, the Indiana High School Athletic Association, in cooperation with the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association, recognizes and honors an outstanding official in each of 11 sports during the school year.

An active member of the North Central Officials Association, Spradlin has officiated soccer for 16 years.  During his career, he has worked 13 sectionals, 13 regionals, six semi-states, and six state finals. Spradlin is also a licensed official in two other sports, basketball and softball. As a veteran official, he serves as a mentor to new officials.

Spradlin was selected for this honor by a committee representing the officials associations.  In Indiana there are 26 associations made up of men and women who give up much of their personal time to assist in providing wholesome, worthwhile, and healthy activities for the student athletes in our state.  Statewide, there are more than 8,000 officials licensed by the IHSAA in 11 sports.

Spradlin is a 1974 graduate of Logansport High School. He is a warehouseman for Tierney Industrial in Logansport. He has been married to his wife, Pam, for three years. He has three children: Damon, Tony, and Christine.  One of David’s greatest moments was officiating the 2008 championship girls’ soccer match with Christine.

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VOLLEYBALL TEAMS SHOOT FOR STATE FINALS BERTH SATURDAY
Sixty-four teams head to regional action as the 38th Annual IHSAA Volleyball State Tournament Series continues this Saturday, Oct. 31.

Sixteen sites will host four teams each with the survivors earning a spot in the state finals on Saturday, Nov. 7 in and around the Muncie area.

Marquette Catholic (Class A) and Muncie Burris (2A) will continue to try to keep pace with the other by winning a state record 13th consecutive regional title in volleyball. Burris (36-0) takes on Park Tudor (21-7) in the second match at Shenandoah, while Marquette (30-6) faces Elkhart Christian (21-9) in the Caston opener.

State Finals Media Credentials – Deadline is Thursday, Nov. 5, 4 pm ET. The 2009-10 IHSAA State Finals Media Credential issued previously this fall is good for admission. For those outlets without credentials and planning to cover the event, please apply by e-mailing your request (with name of individual applying) to IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille (jwille@ihsaa.org). E-mail requests MUST originate from a recognized business account; e-mails from personal accounts (ie: yahoo.com, aol.com, etc.) will not be accepted. Approved credentials will be left to claim at any of the sites specified by the news organization and will be good at any of the four venues during the day. Directions on where to claim credentials at each site will be communicated next week.

Regionals
Date: Saturday, Oct. 31.
Admission: $5 per session; $8 both sessions.
Brackets: 4A | 3A | 2A | A

Notables

Defending Regional Champions Still Alive (14 of 16)
4A: Elkhart Memorial, Floyd Central, Muncie Central.
3A: Boonville, Brebeuf Jesuit, Mishawaka Marian.
2A: Brownstown Central, Fairfield, Muncie Burris, Southwood.
A: Barr-Reeve, Indianapolis Lutheran, Lafayette Central Catholic, Marquette Catholic.

Active Regional Championship Streaks (Three or more years)
12: Marquette, Muncie Burris.
7: Brownstown Central.
3: Fairfield, Mishawaka Marian.

Most Consecutive Regional Championships
12: Marquette Catholic, 1997-current; Muncie Burris, 1997-current.

Top 10 All-Time Regional Championships
24: Muncie Burris.
18: Mishawaka.
17: Indianapolis Cathedral.
16: Jasper.
13: Columbus East.
12: Marquette Catholic, Martinsville, Muncie Central.
11: Bellmont, Brownstown Central, Roncalli.

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EIGHTY FOOTBALL SECTIONAL SEMIFINALS TO BE PLAYED FRIDAY
Fourteen undefeated teams survived the opening weekend and have moved into the sectional semifinal round of the 37th Annual IHSAA Football State Tournament presented by the Indianapolis Colts. Eighty games are scheduled for this Friday night – the second of the six-week state tournament.

No undefeated teams will face one another this week but several big games are highlighted below including a matchup of last year’s 1A and 2A state champions. IHSAASports.org will be there to webcast the Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter (9-1) at Heritage Christian (7-3) game beginning at 7 pm ET.

Scores from each sectional game will be posted to ihsaa.org as they become available Friday night.

Sectional Semifinals
Friday, Oct. 30.
Admission: $5 per person.
Brackets: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | A

5A
Carmel (9-1) at Fishers (9-1).
4A
South Bend Washington (8-2) at Lowell (9-1).
Mooresville (8-2) at Indianapolis Cathedral (9-1).
3A
Rochester (8-2) at Jimtown (9-1).
Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (9-1) at Southmont (8-2).
2A
Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter (9-1) at Heritage Christian (7-3).
1A
North Daviess (9-1) at Perry Central (9-1).

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STATE STATISTICAL LEADERS

ATTENTION COACHES / STATISTICIANS -- Please be sure to report your final statistics of the season at DigitalSports.com upon your team’s elimination from the state tournaments so that your players will continue to appear in the weekly state leaders listings through the end of the state finals. The last compilation will follow the Tuesday after each sport’s state finals.

Football | Volleyball | Boys Soccer | Girls Soccer