The 2020 cross-country season was a banner year for the Columbus North boys — a state championship banner year.
The Bull Dogs were dominant in winning their sixth state title in October in Terre Haute. North scored 63 points to 112 for runner-up Carmel.
Here is a look at the Bull Dogs and other area boys cross-country teams going into the 2021 season:
Columbus North
With the talent the Bull Dogs have coming back, a second consecutive state title would seem like a reasonable goal. But coach Danny Fisher isn’t broaching that subject with his team.
“We don’t talk about it,” Fisher said. “We just try to be a really hard team to beat. The things that determine that puts it in our control. We focus on preparation and things like that. I have no doubt that’s what their goal is, but we’re not defending anything. We don’t own the state title. That’s hanging on the wall in the school. It’s a new year. Everything we’ve earned is on a blank sheet of paper.”
Fisher, who knows last year’s state title was won through a big offseason of work, said the team had a similar offseason this year.
“In terms of just training, it’s going about the same,” Fisher said. “We’re fit. Everybody looks good. Everybody is healthy. No major hiccups or anything like that this summer.”
North lost three graduates from its top seven who now are running in college, but returns a pair of All-State runners in seniors Matt Newell and Reese Kilbarger-Stumpff. Newell finished 14th at state as a sophomore before missing all but the end of last season with an injury. Kilbarger-Stumpff was 26th at state as a sophomore and fourth last season.
This spring, Kilbarger-Stumpff finished second in the 1,600 meters in the state track meet.
“I think we have the best 1-2 punch in the state, and as long as they’re healthy, they’re going to be hard to beat,” Fisher said.
Two other seniors return from the title-winning team in Evan Carr and Will Kiel. The Bull Dogs also have added freshman Aidan Jeffares, last year’s middle school state champion.
Junior Sam Hobbeheydar ran varsity most of last season when Newell was injured. Juniors Clayton Guthrie, Kellen Hottell, Will Russell and Jacob Strietelmeier also saw varsity action in meets where teams were able to enter 10 or 12 runners.
North picked up another junior, Mateo Mendez, who was a varsity soccer player the past two years.
“We’re so deep,” Fisher said. “We look a little bit better than we did last year. We have the potential to be every bit as good, if not better, even though we lost three varsity runners.”
Columbus East
The Olympians lost their top three runners from a team that finished sixth in the Brown County Sectional, one spot away from advancing as a team.
“We have a pretty small team,” East coach Ryan Burke said. “We’re young, but I’m pretty happy with where we’re sitting right now.”
Sophomore Derek Patchett and junior Cayden Lynott were the Nos. 4 and 5 runners last season, but beyond that, the Olympians have minimal varsity experience.
Freshman Jackson Brookes has been East’s top runner this summer. Sophomore newcomers Parker Hammack and Ervin Briseno likely will be among the Olympians’ top five.
“They’ve been running kind of as a pack pretty well this summer,” Burke said. “We need to get them some more experience, but I’m pretty excited about their potential.”
Sophomore Nolan Hughes, freshmen Zeke Weatherford and Jonathan Ruch and junior Danny Summerford are battling for the Nos. 6 and 7 spots.
“I think even though we’re a little bit younger, we may be able to take a step forward program-wise,” Burke said. “These guys are pushing each other at practice and improving a lot.”
Hauser
The Jets have won the Mid-Hoosier Conference title the past two years, but will begin this season with just one runner.
Sophomore Colin Kistler, who was Hauser’s No. 3 runner last season, is the lone athlete at this point.
“Numbers are down this year,” Hauser coach Ben Finke said. “Hopefully, we’ll make some progress as school starts here and pick up a couple kids.”
Jennings County
The Panthers will look to make a run at qualifying for state after finishing ninth in last year’s Brown County Semistate.
“Numbers are up, and that’s always good,” Jennings coach Luke Inman said. “It adds a little better competition.”
Seniors Lane Elsner and Brenden Baker were among Jennings’ top runners last season, but are being pushed for the top spot by junior Eli Wahlman. Seniors Aidan Ernstes and Logan McIntosh also return to the varsity. McIntosh also plays soccer, but cross-country will be primary sport this fall.
Junior Noah McFall will move up from JV to varsity. Sophomore Elijah Hatton, freshman Brock Maschino and junior newcomer Levi Marsh are battling for the No. 7 spot.
“Everybody has put together a really good summer,” Inman said. “My top seven or top 10 have logged easily over 500 miles since June. It gets their bodies ready for the demands that cross-country calls for.”
Brown County
The Eagles also made it to semistate last year and return their top four runners from that team.
Junior Chase Austin is back for his third year as Brown County’s top runner. Junior Rafe Silbaugh and senior Rhett Silbaugh return, although Rafe currently is out with a stress fracture.
Sophomore Cord Smith and senior Waylon Patrick also return to the varsity. Battling for the other spots are freshman Case Smith and sophomores Charlie Webb and Clay Austin.
“It’s one of those deals where we’re trying to bring the back side up a little bit more so they can put some pressure on those guys up front,” Brown County coach Rob Abraham said. “Those guys were practicing well last year, but they weren’t running fast in meets. It looks like it could be a good year. I just hope we can put it together earlier than we did last year.”
South Decatur
The Cougars will look to qualify for regional as a team this year after returning all seven runners from the MHC runner-up squad.
Senior Trevor Newby qualified for regional as an individual last season. Junior Josh Hamilton was No. 2 runner, and seniors Tyler Hibberd, Chase Kalli, Bradley Walling, Josh Shouse and Terry Redelman also return to the varsity.
Sophomore Donovan Hale has been running with that group and will push for a spot in the top seven.
“This year, the goal is to win conference and move out of the sectional into regional,” South Decatur coach Bethany Fromer said. “Especially with Trevor leading the way, he has some goals where he wants the whole team to make it. Trevor is a great leader, and most of them have been running this summer.”
Edinburgh
With five runners, the Lancers will have just enough to score as a team this season, barring injuries or illnesses.
Senior Parker Young and sophomore Ethan Campbell return from last season. They are joined by sophomore newcomer Anduan Chavez and freshmen Rylan Londeree and Brian Cajellas.
“I lot of it is going to be learning to race,” Edinburgh coach Amy Schilling said. “We’re glad we’ll be able to have enough to score as a team in our conference.”
Trinity Lutheran
The Cougars have only one runner to begin the season in freshman Wyatt Love.
“He’s still very much as a kid still developing,” Trinity coach Jim Kay said. “He’s going to grow a little bit and develop.”
