Should both the Seymour girls and boys cross-country teams could advance to the state meet, it would be school history.
Barring any disastrous mishaps, the girls team should return to the meet, as they’re already running state-qualifying times.
Last fall, the Owls placed fifth at Eagle Park, in Nashville, to advance.
The top-6 teams, and the top-10 individual finishes not on an advancing team will make it to the state.
This season, the expectations have risen and the Owls aim for a top-3 finish.
“Both Bloomington North and South will be coming in,” Owls girls coach Spencer Sunbury said. “Some people are saying it will be a three-way race for second place between us and the Bloomington schools. Most people are giving North the nod, but I think it will be a heck of a race. I feel we’re just as strong but we will find out.”
At the Brown County Regional last weekend, the Owls finished second behind powerhouse Columbus North.
The Owls boys team will need to put up strong times across the board to compete for the No. 5 or No. 6 spot in team scoring.
Boys coach Randy Fife said that all five of his runners need to drop just a few seconds to make it to state.
Last week the Owls finished third behind Columbus North and Austin at regional.
“There’s probably five teams locked to make it on (to state): Bloomington North and South, Columbus North, Terre Haute South and Tell City,” Fife said. “North Harrison will be another school that will be competitive. A month ago, I would have said we had a 100-1 chance. Now, I think it’s 50-50. I’ve learned over the past month or so to not doubt the boys. They have the resolve to get it done.”
Other teams the Owls will battle for a final state spots include; Austin, Silver Creek, Terre Haute North, Eastern (Pekin) and Jennings County.
Fife said that his boys have risen to the occasion in recent weeks.
“I’m very happy with how we ran last week,” he siad. “It was a very competitive meet. We had four career-best times, and we’re still getting better. Overall, the kids competed very well. Again, this last month of the season I couldn’t be any happier with their progress.
“We don’t really have to run a lot better than we’ve been running, we just need to all run one race the same day. If we don’t make it to the state, the disappointment won’t be there. I want them to make it to state, but there wouldn’t be any disappointment on my end. This season has been about exceeding expectations. In my eyes, they’ve worked hard, overachieved, built confidence and developed in a very, very good team.”
For the first time ever, Crothersville is sending two individuals to semistate.
Breanna Barger placed 17th at regional at 20:13.83 and Tristan Maschino was 33rd in 21:59:79.
Both girls have dropped times in the postseason, and Barger has a good chance at making it to the next level.
Barger likely will need to run sub-20 minutes, or just over the mark, to advance to state.