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DECATUR — Led by four runners placing in the top 15, the Norwell Knights boys’ cross country team claimed a spot in Saturday’s IHSAA Marion regional by finishing third Tuesday at the Bellmont sectional.
The Bellmont Braves, which had all seven of its runners place in the top 15, captured the boys’ championship, scoring 36 points.
Homestead edged out Norwell for second place 56-57.
The Spartans were led by sophomore Kodi Mullins and senior Evan Hanley, who placed first and second in the 5,000-meter race in 16:36 and 16:39.
Bellmont freshman Evan Boucher and senior Gavin Hisner were third and fourth, respectively, in 16:45 and 16:52.
Norwell junior Sean Cossairt ran a strong race for the Knights, finishing fifth in 16:56. Backing up Cossairt was sophomore Brandon Long in seventh place in 17:05. Sophomore Alex Cushman was ninth in 17:08 and senior Ethan Roebuck 15th in 17:38.
“I think about midway through that we were in position,” said Randy Hawkins, the Norwell boys’ coach. “We had to do some passing on Bellmont. Bellmont had some guys in front of us, but we were in position. I was yelling that to them the whole time, and we didn’t really move up a whole lot.”
South Adams and Fort Wayne Wayne were fourth and fifth, respectively, with 100 and 159 points, propelling them to the regional.
“We got passed a couple times in the last thousand or 100 meters and got passed at the (finish) line,” Hawkins commented. “That’s a few points right there and we could have been in second place, but it’s no one’s fault. We raced fine, raced great and we’re moving on and that’s all we can ask for.”
Southern Wells was led by freshman Clayton Hamilton, who placed 25th in 18:25. Bluffton’s top finisher was Nick Makowski, who was 35th in 19:27.
The Lady Knights also are advancing with a fifth-place finish in the girls’ sectional.
Freshman Jami Reinhard led the Lady Knights with a 12th-place finish in 20:36.
Homestead defeated South Adams 36-49 in the girls’ sectional.
The Lady Spartans, led by second-place finisher Meghan Terrell, had help from five other teammates who placed in the top 15.
Although South Adams had three girls follow Terrell, the Lady Spartans had a strong pack that took places seven through 10.
Bellmont was third in the girls’ team scoring with 75 points, topping Fort Wayne Canterbury which was paced by individual champion Kate DeSimone, who finished in 19:23. Terrell was clocked in 19:27 and South Adams’ Hannah Moore was third in 19:47.
Norwell tallied 117, which was enough to beat sixth-place Adams Central which had 156.
“We’re excited about being able to run in the regional this Saturday,” said Norwell coach Bob Dahl. “It has been a difficult season for our kids. They have really had to work through a lot of adverse situations. It’s been a struggle, but they’ve come through. It’s been a pleasure to work with them, because they’ve shown a lot of character at times and a lot of heart at times.”
Bluffton was last in the team scoring with 196. Southern Wells and Fort Wayne Elmhurst each had only two runners, which was three shy of a complete team.
Norwell freshman Kaitlyn Best was 16th in 21:02 and Southern Wells’ junior Emily Pinkerton finished 17th in 21:15. Pinkerton missed advancing to regional as an individual by about 25 seconds.
Sophomores Kelsey Worrel and Alexis Searles placed 29th and 30th for Norwell. Each finished in 23:08. Freshman Corinne Eckert wrapped up Norwell’s scoring, placing 37th in 23:45.
Pinkerton’s teammate, freshman Josie Rhodes, was 26th in 22:58.
Bluffton was led by senior Caylynne Johnson, who placed 36th in 23:34.
The Marion regional will be held on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University, starting with the girls’ race at 10:30 a.m.
NOTE: More photos from the sectional are on the News-Banner website blog at news-banner.com
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