By Eric Eaton
HoosierAuthority.com

Expect to see some shakeup at the 2008 Wabash River Conference meet which is scheduled to commence on October 9 at Attica.

Graduation took the 2007 individual champion, Mary Mattern of Attica, as well as several members from the ’07 team champion Seeger Patriots.

However, Seeger is traditionally a pretty strong team and should put forth a solid effort again this season as it eyes a repeat of the conference crown.

The Patriots advanced to the regional round of last year’s state tournament after finishing in third place at the Benton Central Sectional.

Attica and Covington are two teams that could possibly challenge Seeger for the 2008 conference crown.

The Red Ramblers of Attica welcome back five of their top seven runners from a team that finished third at last year’s WRC meet, but lost their team leader in Mattern to graduation. 

In 2008, expect coach Mary Mattern’s Red Ramblers to be led by senior Lindsay Phillips and sophomore Taylor Evans.

Meanwhile at Covington, coach Cristin McManomy has four runners back from last year’s fifth place conference team including an All-Conference performer in senior Jessie Jefferson.

“Everyone seems more dedicated this season and they are training hard,” said McManomy.

North Vermilion has a sophomore in Bethany Chew that could definitely win the individual title at this year’s conference meet. Last season, she finished 11th at the Benton Central Sectional with a time of 23:11.

Fountain Central, Riverton Parke and Rockville aren’t expected to challenge for a conference title this season; and Turkey Run doesn’t have a cross country program.

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