Shelbyville, IN – The 2024 cross country season concluded for most of the Batesville High School team at the Regional meet on Saturday held at the Blue River Cross Country Course, but for two determined seniors, the journey continues as they qualified for the State finals next weekend.
Girls:
The day got started with the girls’ race, featuring a competitive field of 244 runners from 25 teams. Batesville’s squad showcased remarkable talent and determination. Leading the charge was Kaylynn Bedel, who finished 29th overall with a personal best time of 19:25. This performance secured her a spot in Terre Haute next week as one of the top 15 individuals from non-advancing teams.
Following closely behind was Lexi Harris, who placed 39th with a time of 19:52, just missing out on a chance to advance. Jayla Bedel also shone, tying her personal record with a time of 20:07, finishing in 51st place.
The rest of the team included Paige Allgeier (75th, 20:34), Caitlin Raver (83rd, 20:43), Sam Adams (103rd, 21:05), and Mayce Holtkamp (120th, 21:31). The girls collectively earned an impressive 8th place out of 25 teams, amassing 239 points.
Boys:
Following the girls’ impressive performance, the Batesville boys’ cross country team took to the course at 11:15 AM, facing a field of 244 runners from 25 teams. The competition was fierce, but the Bulldogs delivered solid performances, with senior Jake Chapman earning a spot at the State finals.
Chapman led the way for Batesville, finishing 21st with a personal best time of 16:06, narrowly missing a place on the All-Regional Team by less than a second. His effort not only showcased his skill but also highlighted his determination to compete at a higher level.
Cannon Clark followed closely, tying his personal best with a time of 16:46, securing 63rd place. Isaac Trossman also marked a personal record, finishing 76th with a time of 16:56, demonstrating the depth of talent on the team.
The final four runners for Batesville crossed the finish line within 30 seconds of one another, showcasing the team’s collective strength. Cash Myers finished 151st with a time of 18:06, while Levi Essick (173rd, 18:20), Ethan Rahschutle (178th, 18:27), and Jaden Basler (179th, 18:28) followed in closely behind.
As mentioned earlier, the State Finals are held in Terre Haute at the Laverne Gibson Cross Country Course. Both Kaylynn and Jake will look to polish their craft this week as they prepare to run on the big stage in the State Finals!