The Batesville High School Cross Country teams stepped up to the start line and compete at the Rushville Invitational. Although there were 15 schools for the girls and 18 for the boys competing in the race, the final score was separated out by two divisions. Regardless, the Bulldogs crushed the field as the girls scored a low 19 points, having all 7 varsity runners in the top 10 of the race. New Castle placed 2nd at 56 points. Senior Kaylynn Bedel was the overall champion with a season personal best of 19:57. Then Batesville crossed the line 3rd-7th and 10th. Jayla Bedel was 3rd (21:11) followed by Paige Allgier (21:14), Bayleigh Demaree (21:33.1), just out kicking teammate Samantha Adams (21:33.6), Hilary Ziegler (21:54) and Caitlin Raver (22:15). For the JV girls, senior Isabel Raab came in 1st with teammate Jade Martin and Charlotte Trossman closely behind.
For the boys, it was almost the same story as they finished with a great score of 24 points and had all 7 varsity in the top 15. Rushville finished 2nd behind the Bulldogs with 48 points. Senior Jake Chapman was the champion overall with a career personal best run at 16:40. He was followed closely by teammate Cannon Clark, also running a career personal best and placing 2nd (17:18) and Isaac Trossman was 3rd (17:42). Freshman Levi Essick came in next for the Dogs in 8th place with a personal best of 18:35. Close behind him in 10th was Cash Myers (18:41), then Ethan Rahschulte, 13th (18:53) and Jaden Basler, 15th (18:57).Landon Raver led the JV team coming in 2nd.
Overall, Batesville had 13 personal bests for the morning. They were: Jayla Bedel, Paige Allgeier, Hilary Ziegler Caitlin Raver, Jade Martin, Gianna Franklin, Aubree Spurlock, Jake Chapman, Cannon Clark, Levi Essick, Varsath Rajesh and Tripp Hertel.
Next up for the Dogs in the County meet next Thursday at Jac-Cen-Del. The girls will run at 5:15 and the boys to follow.
(Submitted by the school’s athletic department.)