Oldenburg Academy senior Curtis Eckstein left no doubt finishing well ahead of the field to win the boys individual state championship in 15:13.3.
Runner-up Gabe Fendel, a junior at Hamilton Southeastern finished in 15:40.7. Third place went to junior Skylar Stidam (15:51.6) of Christian Academy of Indiana, sophomore Mitchell Rans (15:57.2) of Caston was fourth, and Lowell junior Alec Fleming (15:57.8) ended fifth.
Eckstein’s 27.4-second differential was the second-largest winning margin since 1968 and he became the first cross country state champion in his school’s history.
In addition to capturing The State Crown, Eckstein was named the winner of the Charles F. Maas Mental Attitude Award and Carmel High School’s Rachel Anderson received the Girls Mental Attitude Award.
Eckstein is undecided on his college choice but plans to study Engineering. He is the son of Dave and Judy Eckstein of Batesville.
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance presented a $1,000 scholarship to each high school’s general scholarship fund in the name of each individual.
Courtesy of The IHSAA.