Well, it was quite a bit of change in running conditions this morning for everyone than it has been all season for the XC Sectional competition. 37 degrees, a little windy…but that did not slow down the Batesville Bulldogs! They had a goal and were not going to let a little bit of weather ruin it. Both the boys and the girls defended their Sectional titles today winning by quite a gap. The boys took first with an incredible low of 20 points, having their top 5 in the top of 8 the meet. Greensburg took the runner up honors with 58 points. Other teams advancing to Regional competition next Saturday are Oldenburg Academy (80pts), East Central (98pts) and Jac-Cen-Del (108pts). The Batesville girls scored 35 points with again Greensburg taking the runner up spot at 53 points. On the girls side it was South Ripley (112pts), South Dearborn (123pts) and East Central (126pts) who will advance to Regionals. Congratulations to all the teams!
Batesville had 12 runners make the All-Sectional team! Ean Loichinger defended his individual Sectional Championship title leading the Bulldogs with a personal best time of 16:09. He was closely followed by teammate Adam Moster taking the running up spot also running a personal best at 16:16. Joshua Myers was 4th for the dogs (16:46) with teammate Benjamin Moster close behind with a personal best of 16:52. Daren Smith was the next Batesville runner to cross the line with a personal best of 17:21 and placing 8th. Dillon Murray was the 6th Bulldog to make the All-Sectional team placing 15th(17:56). Also running varsity for the dogs was Luke Esser who was 34th (19:03).
In the Ladies race, Greensburg’s Brenner Hannah took the Championship title with an incredible time of 18:27! Bulldog’s Lily Pinckley took the runner up at a personal best of 19:10, which ties the school record, held by Sarah Poltrack! Way to go Lily! Ava Hanson came in third (19:42) with Maria Lopez running a personal best of 20:19 claiming the 7th spot. Trysta Vielring took 11th (20:59) with Madison Rahschulte right behind her in 12th (21:01). Sophie Myers was the 12th Bulldog to make the All-Sectional team placing 16th (21:20) Just missing the top 20 was Liz Loichinger who ran her first race in over a month after coming back from an injuring placing 25th with a respectable time of 22:22. Congratulations to all the dogs on an awesome start to tournament season!
Although this next week brings Fall Break, the Bulldog XC team will be hard at work preparing for the Regional competition next Saturday at Franklin Community High School. Race time begins at 10 am starting with the varsity boys! This is a new course for us, but we visited it last weekend and it is nice. Also a great place for spectators! Come out and cheer on your dogs as they fight to move on to Semi-State!
The Rushville Lions won The Boys Sectional Title at Connersville. Cambridge City and Hagerstown also qualify for The Regionals. Connersville placed 5th and Franklin County 6th.
The Centerville Lady Bulldogs won The Girls Sectional Title at Connersville. Rushville and Franklin County also qualify for The Regionals.