By Eric Eaton
HoosierAuthority.com
North Vermillion captured the 2007 Wabash River Conference title in boys cross country and then put forth a strong effort in the sectional as well, finishing runner-up to Benton Central at the Benton Central Sectional.
In 2008, the Falcons should again be legitimate conference and sectional title contenders.
However, for North Vermillion to win another WRC title this season, they will likely have to hold off the same team that finished second to them last year in the Attica Red Ramblers.
Coach Mary Mattern returns four of her top seven runners from last season including her son, Michael, who was All-Conference last season as a sophomore.
“We are definitely going to be in contention for top honors,” said Mary Mattern about her team’s chances at the 2008 WRC meet which takes place on October 9 at Attica High School.
In no particular order: Fountain Central, Seeger, and Riverton Parke will likely occupy the third through fifth place slots at this year’s conference meet.
Fountain Central though returns the 2007 individual conference champion in senior Mark Beight. Not only did Beight take the top spot at last year’s conference meet, but he also took first place at the Benton Central Sectional.
At Rockville, coach Jay Reed’s team will likely be considered a long shot to win the 2008 conference title.
However, Reed, whose roster has three seniors including two-time All-Conference performer Jarrod Clevenger, says his team is enthusiastic about the possibility of being able to field the required five runners to score as team this season.
“The Seniors are very excited about this year, both on a team level, as well as individually. Last year our motivation was all on the conference meet and we tried to build to that meet. This year we want to win some non-invitational meets as well as work on placing 2 or 3 runners in the top 10 of conference.”
Meanwhile at Covington, coach Cristin McManomy doesn’t expect to have the necessary five runners to score as team this season; and Turkey Run High School doesn’t even have a cross country program.
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