Runners honored at program: Braves' cross-country athletes receive awards

By Arv Koontz
First Posted: October 30, 2012 - 11:31 pm
Last Updated: October 30, 2012 - 11:32 pm

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Tribune photo by Zach Spicer/ Brownstown Central junior Ryan Franklin heads toward the finish line of this fall's Scottsburg Invitational.

BROWNSTOWN

The Brownstown Central High School cross-country coaches saw steady improvement this fall in Kari Brown and Ryan Franklin.

They were the Braves’ top finishers in the Mid-Southern Conference and Brown County Sectional races, and during Tuesday night’s awards program in the BCHS auditorium, they were named Brownstown’s most valuable runners.

Franklin placed 15th in the conference and 20th in the sectional.

“He led us in all races but two,” boys coach Otha Smith said. “He had the heart of a champion. He ran under 18 minutes several times, was under 17:30 several times and had his best time at 17:21. He wasn’t just our leader in the races, but he led the team.”

Franklin, a junior, and freshman Ryan Swartwood were members of the 17-minute club, and they were all-conference honorable mention.

“(Swartwood) was like a senior as far as mental attitude,” Smith said. “After a race, he would talk to me about his race and about his teammates and how they could get better. He is a great kid, an excellent kid. I think he is the third freshman at the school to run under 18 minutes.”

Jake McCullough, also a freshman, was named the most-improved runner.

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