The Bulldogs had another early morning departure this weekend as they travelled up to Carmel to compete in the very competitive Athletic Annex “Flashrock” Invitational. Over 60 high school teams were present for this invitational and the teams were divided up into 4 different groups. The girls team qualified for the “Championship” race last year which put them up in the front of the pack this year.
Even though the race started at 9am, the weather was already very brutal with the heat and humidity. The Bulldogs were seeded 13th for the race and finished with an impressive 11th place. Kaylynn Bedel led the way for the Dogs with a 43rd finish at 19:58 and teammate Lexi Harris was right behind her in 45th at 19:59. Jayla Bedel came in 3rd for Batesville at 53rd (20:18), followed by Sam Adams in 78th place (20:52), Hilary Ziegler, 111th (21:30), Caitlin Raver, 117th (21:37) and finishing out the top 7, Maycee Holtkamp, 121st (21:44). Again, this gave them an 11th place finish, keeping them in this top race for next year. Ottawa was the overall winner with a score of 54 points. The other top 10 team finishers ahead of Batesville were: Carmel was 2nd-72 points, Concordia Lutheran, 3rd (116), Noblesville, 4th (160), North Central, 5th (168), Hamilton Southeastern, 6th (189), West Lafayette, 7th (192), Westfield, 8th (193), East Central, 9th (241), and Pendleton Heights 10th, (263).
The boys ran in the “Invitational” race and stepped up to the line at 10:30 (a lot hotter) with 22 teams in this race. The Bulldogs needed to finish in the top 5 of the race to qualify for the “Championship” race for next year and they did not disappoint. Again, it was super hot and humid for everyone, but they pushed through it and finished in a solid 4th place! Leading the way for the Dogs was Jake Chapman, placing 3rd overall (16:53). Also placing in the top 20 was Isaac Trossman with a 19th finish (17:56). He was followed by Levi Essick, 34th (18:23), Cash Myers, 39th (18:28), Jaden Basler, 48th (18:44), Ethan Rahschulte, 58th (18:59) and Landon Raver, 115th (20:52) finishing out the top 7. Teams ahead of Batesville were: Plainfield-46 points, Brebeuf-86, McCutchen-119.