GXC STATE FINALS: The lineup

New individual champions are assured while last year’s team champions have a shot to repeat Nov. 1 as the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute plays host to the IHSAA Boys and Girls Cross Country State Finals.

With seven runners from 24 teams plus 27 individual boys and 31 individual girls, there are nearly 200 competitors that will take to the 5,000-meter course in each race.

Three-time champion Alex Banfich of Culver Academies has graduated, leaving the door open to a new champion with plenty of contenders. Last year’s Top 25 includes 13 underclassmen who return this weekend attempting to grab that top spot on the podium.

Lake Central junior Dana Payonk, who finished 26th last year in Terre Haute, won each of her postseason tournament races and edged Valparaiso senior Megan Ranegar, the 2007 runner-up, at last weekend’s semistate. Other semistate winners were Emily Mossler of North Central (Indianapolis), who set a course record, Autumn Beachy of DeKalb, and Nicole Lucas of Bloomington South.

Other contenders for the individual title include Center Grove senior Sarah Higgens, Wheeler Christina Blair, Jasmine Al-Anzi of Franklin Central, and Renee Wellman of Carmel.

The top five teams in the latest coaches’ poll are represented this weekend, including No. 1 Carmel (fourth a year ago), No. 2 Lake Central (runner-up in 2007), No. 3 Valparaiso, No. 4 Noblesville, and No. 5 Northridge. Three-time defending state champion Westfield is also back, returning four of its seven runners from 2007.

Should Carmel pull off the team title in both races this weekend, it will be the seventh time that a school has done so – Carmel accomplished it four times previously in 1982, 1987, 1988, and 1996. The others to pull the feat were were Floyd Central in 1991 and Valparaiso in 2000.

Both Greyhound teams are coached by Chuck Koeppen, who has stated this is his last season as coach. He is the state’s coaching leader in state championships with 21 to his credit (10 in boys cross country, 10 in girls cross country, and one in boys track).

The list of participants on the girls side:

1 Nagy Maya Avon 10

2 Hochstetler Ali Bethany Christian 10

3 Davis Mary Bishop Chatard 9

4 Biggs Holly Bloomington North 10

5 Connor Mollie Bloomington North 11

6 Driscoll Aileen Bloomington North 11

7 Driscoll Katie Bloomington North 9

8 Lenzen Saehan Bloomington North 10

9 Mccoy Caitlin Bloomington North 11

10 Puntarelli Julia Bloomington North 12

11 Strobel Caitlin Bloomington North 10

12 Thompson Laura Bloomington North 9

13 Wagner Maggie Bloomington North 12

14 Withered Zoe Bloomington North 11

15 Worthman Sarah Bloomington North 9

16 Bierhaus Brooke Bloomington South 10

17 Brown Erin Bloomington South 10

18 Derheimer Carly Bloomington South 11

19 Hetrick Allie Bloomington South 9

20 Kenney Karolina Bloomington South 9

21 Kress Allie Bloomington South 11

22 Lewandowski Ashley Bloomington South 10

23 Lucas Nicole Bloomington South 10

24 Lucius K.C. Bloomington South 11

25 Schultz-Bever Erdin Bloomington South 9

26 Spencer Mariel Bloomington South 11

27 Wheeler Taylor Bloomington South 10

28 Chester Jordan Boone Grove 10

29 Winters Molly Brebeuf Jesuit 11

30 Jordan Hope Bremen 10

31 Lockman Hope Brownstown Central 9

32 Bennett Sara Carmel 9

33 Rans Karen Carmel 12

34 Chitwood Alex Carmel 10

35 Doron Katie Carmel 11

36 Jacobsen Allison Carmel 9

37 Kahre Lauren Carmel 9

38 McCurdy Kayla Carmel 12

39 McCurdy Kelly Carmel 12

40 Phan Kim Carmel 12

41 Schulz Kristen Carmel 12

42 Taff Ellie Carmel 11

43 Wellman Renee Carmel 9

44 Deardorf Ciersten Carroll (Fort Wayne) 11

45 Downs Rebecca Carroll (Fort Wayne) 12

46 Ginther Samantha Carroll (Fort Wayne) 12

47 Gordy Janelle Carroll (Fort Wayne) 10

48 Johnson Brianna Carroll (Fort Wayne) 10

49 Johnson Krista Carroll (Fort Wayne) 12

50 McClanahan Kaylee Carroll (Fort Wayne) 11

51 Mornout Jordan Carroll (Fort Wayne) 11

52 Poynter Amanda Carroll (Fort Wayne) 12

53 Ross Amanda Carroll (Fort Wayne) 11

54 Schumacher Ashley Carroll (Fort Wayne) 9

55 Sommer Chelsea Carroll (Fort Wayne) 11

56 Higgens Sarah Center Grove 12

57 Knopp Sage Central Noble 11

58 Burke Caitlin Columbus North 12

59 Harris Mackenzie Columbus North 9

60 Vogal Lizzy Columbus North 10

61 Lakin Jiliane Columbus North 12

62 Pedigo Regan Columbus North 9

63 Retrum Siri Columbus North 11

64 Richardson Jessica Columbus North 10

65 Shuffett Erin Columbus North 9

66 Steilberg Virginia Columbus North 11

67 Thornburg Macey Columbus North 9

68 Waskom Katie Columbus North 10

69 Wolfe Laurel Columbus North 9

70 Amodeo Carli Crown Point 10

71 Kleinaman Morgan Crown Point 11

72 Koch Madison Crown Point 9

73 Mccarroll Lauren Crown Point 9

74 Ostaszewski Melissa Crown Point 11

75 Passine Taylor Crown Point 9

76 Pierce Laicee Crown Point 10

77 Pilarski Ksenia Crown Point 11

78 Schrader Elizabeth AuCrown Point 10

79 Schwuchow Maggie Crown Point 10

80 Smack Mackenzie Crown Point 11

81 Tylicki Jessica Crown Point 11

82 Neer Waverly Culver Academies 10

83 Anderson Samantha Dekalb 10

84 Beachy Autumn Dekalb 11

85 Beachy Lauren Dekalb 9

86 Hansbarger Jolena Dekalb 9

87 Iddins Emily Dekalb 12

88 Likens Ashley Dekalb 9

89 Magley Carlena Dekalb 10

90 Schilling Emily Dekalb 9

91 Craig Emily Edgewood 10

92 Evans Moriah Edgewood 9

93 Fiegle Leah Edgewood 11

94 Grannan Caitlin Edgewood 11

95 Hackman Kayla Edgewood 11

96 Headdy Reanna Edgewood 11

97 Jacobs Rebecca Edgewood 11

98 Kerr Rebekah Edgewood 9

99 Mest Rachel Edgewood 11

100 Richards Haleigh Edgewood 11

101 Wampler Holly Edgewood 10

102 Young Taylor Edgewood 9

103 Orth Lacey Evansville North 11

104 Schultheis Makayla Fishers 9

105 Verkamp Kaci Forest Park 12

106 DeSimone Kate Fort Wayne Canterbury 11

107 Brockhouse Vanessa Fort Wayne Northrop 9

108 Burnett Dayshia Fort Wayne Northrop 12

109 Fisher Cara Fort Wayne Northrop 10

110 Gaffer Allycia Fort Wayne Northrop 11

111 Luu Linh Fort Wayne Northrop 9

112 Mansfield Sydney Fort Wayne Northrop 9

113 Mirwaldt Emma Fort Wayne Northrop 9

114 Swanson Laura Fort Wayne Northrop 11

115 Zent Emily Fort Wayne Northrop 11

116 Zimmerman Sara Fort Wayne Northrop 10

117 Adams Lizzie Franklin Central 11

118 Al-Anzi Jasmine Franklin Central 9

119 Al-Anzi Nadia Franklin Central 10

120 Bizuneh Manie Franklin Central 12

121 Blanck Ali Franklin Central 12

122 Dunlap Danielle Franklin Central 11

123 Gearlds Kassandra Franklin Central 12

124 Green Alex Franklin Central 10

125 Ritchie Karleen Franklin Central 12

126 Ross Casey Franklin Central 11

127 Sulllivan Dani Franklin Central 11

128 Walsh Sammie Franklin Central 11

129 Wall Lyndsey Franklin Community 12

130 Ayer Shaylyn Heritage Hills 9

131 Beckman Leah Heritage Hills 11

132 Bell Rebecca Heritage Hills 12

133 Etienne Sofie Heritage Hills 9

134 Neff Michael Heritage Hills 12

135 Oxford Cecilia Heritage Hills 10

136 Pund Kimberly Heritage Hills 11

137 Schaeffer Heather Heritage Hills 10

138 Woolems Lyndsi Heritage Hills 11

139 Blocker Heidi Huntington North 11

140 Bolinger Elizabeth Huntington North 10

141 Eckert Olivia Huntington North 10

142 Goodman Becca Huntington North 10

143 Hacker Cassie Huntington North 9

144 Hippensteel Heather Huntington North 10

145 King Molly Huntington North 11

146 Smart Kelsey Huntington North 10

147 Spahr Gretchen Huntington North 10

148 Spahr Natalie Huntington North 10

149 Wright Samantha Huntington North 12

150 Yahne Elaine Huntington North 10

151 Achtien Katy Indianapolis Cathedral 12

152 Chevrette BreAnne Kankakee Valley 10

153 Coffer Jessica Kankakee Valley 11

154 Fritts Kristin Kankakee Valley 10

155 Henning Natalie Kankakee Valley 10

156 Osborn Kelsey Kankakee Valley 11

157 Swim Lindsey Kankakee Valley 9

158 Systma Felicia Kankakee Valley 9

159 White Brittany Kankakee Valley 11

160 Carroll Shelby Lake Central 9

161 Druzbicki Julia Lake Central 9

162 Dunn Megan Lake Central 11

163 Fuestal Monica Lake Central 10

164 Jensen Kailey Lake Central 12

165 Jerome Madelyn Lake Central 12

166 Kacius Anna Lake Central 10

167 Kranc Jenny Lake Central 12

168 Payonk Dana Lake Central 11

169 Plenus Megan Lake Central 11

170 Zajac Rachel Lake Central 12

171 Zajac Sarah Lake Central 10

172 Kuehn Rebecca LaPorte 12

173 Fee Jennifer Madison Consolidated 11

174 Garvey Kelli Madison Consolidated 11

175 Hart Kirsten Madison Consolidated 12

176 Lemen Grace Madison Consolidated 9

177 Mccabe Elizabeth Madison Consolidated 10

178 Owens Natalie Madison Consolidated 11

179 Simmons Lindsey Madison Consolidated 11

180 Stephan Chelsea Madison Consolidated 10

181 Mellen Mary Kate Michigan City 12

182 Haines Emily Mishawaka 12

183 Name Ashley Mishawaka 11

184 Stephanie Cave New Albany 12

185 Bowles Meg Noblesville 11

186 Bowles Taylor Noblesville 12

187 Boyum Sarah Noblesville 11

188 Cange Tiffany Noblesville 11

189 Foley Jalynne Noblesville 11

190 Kacer Alex Noblesville 11

191 Moore Haleigh Noblesville 12

192 Pimley Hannah Noblesville 9

193 Runyon Stephanie Noblesville 12

194 Rupp Anneliesse Noblesville 11

195 Willman Helen Noblesville 9

196 Dillion Alison North Central (Indianapolis) 12

197 Fox Sarah North Central (Indianapolis) 12

198 Logan Alison North Central (Indianapolis) 10

199 Lopez-Owens Mariana North Central (Indianapolis) 11

200 Mills Caitlyn North Central (Indianapolis) 10

201 Mossler Emily North Central (Indianapolis) 12

202 Riley Michaela North Central (Indianapolis) 10

203 Rogers Allison North Central (Indianapolis) 9

204 Stephens Lauren North Central (Indianapolis) 11

205 Stephens Marissa North Central (Indianapolis) 9

206 Vogel Verena North Central (Indianapolis) 12

207 Wehlage Molly North Central (Indianapolis) 12

208 Barnes Nicole Northridge 12

209 Elliott Autumn Northridge 10

210 Hammel Megan Northridge 12

211 Hilton Skylair Northridge 10

212 Jones Erin Northridge 10

213 Mercer Emily Northridge 12

214 Mercer Hanna Northridge 12

215 Mishler Emily Northridge 11

216 Pladson Allie Northridge 11

217 Riffell Leah Northridge 11

218 Sherck Megan Northridge 9

219 Yoder Carmen Northridge 11

220 Thill Audrey Paoli 11

221 Becker Samantha Portage 10

222 Cervantes Raquel Portage 9

223 Cipich Brianne Portage 9

224 Delturco Christina Portage 10

225 Foreman Rachel Portage 10

226 King Sierra Portage 9

227 Mckee Alexis Portage 9

228 Mulle Paige Portage 9

229 Norman Terra Portage 9

230 Sass Ashley Portage 9

231 Solis Christine Portage 11

232 Trader Abby Portage 9

233 Horvath Olivia Silver Creek 11

234 Roush Elizabeth South Bend Riley 10

235 Mountford Darby South Bend Saint Joseph's 9

236 Brown Emily South Knox 9

237 Goffinet Sarah Tell City 9

238 Cotterman Emily Terre Haute North 9

239 Cregsy Jordan Terre Haute North 10

240 Clark Andie Terre Haute North 9

241 Houston Mariyam Terre Haute North 10

242 Jackson Tayler Terre Haute North 10

243 Jones Lindy Terre Haute North 11

244 Marietta Elizabeth Terre Haute North 12

245 Luken Erin Terre Haute North 9

246 Norman Taylor Terre Haute North 9

247 Richards Erin Terre Haute North 10

248 Shew Katie Terre Haute North 11

249 Tatman Shelby Terre Haute North 11

250 Bigger Lauren Valparaiso 9

251 Devries Katelyn Valparaiso 9

252 Hoshaw Ashley Valparaiso 11

253 Joll Tricia Valparaiso 9

254 Kirk Cassadana Valparaiso 11

255 Nowasad Kate Valparaiso 10

256 Perez Angelica Valparaiso 10

257 Ranegar Jillian Valparaiso 11

258 Ranegar Megan Valparaiso 12

259 Sims Savannah Valparaiso 10

260 Sommer Kathryn Valparaiso 11

261 Stanfill Jessica Valparaiso 12

262 Ogle Cendall Warsaw Community 11

263 Ridderman Erica Warsaw Community 12

264 Heller Chloe Washington 9

265 Baker Stacy West Lafayette 11

266 Daluga Linsey West Lafayette 12

267 Deranek Andrea West Lafayette 11

268 Genaris Rachael West Lafayette 12

269 Goodman Kaisa West Lafayette 10

270 Harvey Grace West Lafayette 9

271 Hunckler Josephine West Lafayette 10

272 Jones Taylor West Lafayette 10

273 Lewark Kelsey West Lafayette 12

274 Swift Kelly West Lafayette 9

275 Westbrook Elizabeth West Lafayette 9

276 Westbrook Mollie West Lafayette 11

277 Ball Rachel West Noble 9

278 Debeck Kaleigh West Noble 9

279 Grimm Cassi West Noble 10

280 Hursey Emily West Noble 11

281 Jager Jennifer West Noble 10

282 Miller Kim West Noble 9

283 Mossburg Kathryn West Noble 11

284 Musselman Allison West Noble 10

285 Peterson Allissa West Noble 10

286 Peterson Kayla West Noble 9

287 Peterson Rachel West Noble 10

288 Richards Anissa West Noble 9

289 Burton Jessica Westfield 10

290 Christie Dana Westfield 11

291 Cronin Laura Westfield 10

292 Denhardt Brenna Westfield 10

293 Heine Renee Westfield 10

294 Holland Alex Westfield 11

295 Love Kaitlyn Westfield 12

296 Mabe Caitlin Westfield 9

297 Settle Paige Westfield 9

298 Simons Mackenzie Westfield 10

299 Smith Bre'Anna Westfield 11

300 Strycker Sarah Westfield 11

301 Blair Christina Wheeler 10

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