Dissecting the NP Semi-State

I suspect that Coach Ray may have already looked ahead to next year to handicap our road to the state meet by looking at this year's semi-state results. Since he's busy helping guide the basketball team over the winter, I thought I'd throw some basic facts out there. Keep in mind that's there are individuals who don't show up in the year's results that will undoubtedly factor into next year's results.

1. First, Valparaiso. They were semi-state champs and will probably be favorites going into next season. They'll return their top guy and five of their top seven. We know William Miltenburger and Tyler Puskar were solid for them, considering Miltenburger was hurt.

2. Lowell. Although they graduate four of their top seven, their top guy Gab Sanchez figures to be one of top runners in the state. They also return their #2 Jacob Durr. They'll likely be a top six team at the semi-state.

3. Crown Point. They lose three of their top seven but return the best 1-2 in the semi-state and possibly the state! Having two front runners make them contenders. On paper they should be Valpo's competition for the semi-state title.

4. Highland. They have a low stick and return their 1-2 runners as well. They graduate three runners and will need help as they didn't appear very deep. Now that they've gotten a taste of success I'd think they'll be motivated for more!

5. Harrison. They lose three to graduation, but return their top guy, Caleb Williams.

6. West Lafayette. They lose four to graduation, including their top guy. They had the smallest time gap 1-5 at the semi-state. They beat us by 23 points!

7. We graduate three, including our top two finishers at the semi-state. Every one of the teams ahead of us return at least one of their top two and the top four teams returns both #1 and #2! We clearly will need for individuals outside the top seven to make a jump onto the varsity to get to the state meet next year because there are several teams behind us this year who will probably be contending for top six spots next year.!

8. Portage. Portage is the first of the teams that will be much better next year. They return their top two runners and graduate only two of the top seven. They were 11 points behind us!

9. New Prairie. They graduate their top two and three of their top seven. Like us they'll need help from outside this year's top seven to contend. They were 34 points behind us!

10. Warsaw. They graduate their top guy, along with two others of their top seven. They were 59 points behind us!

11. La Porte. Although LP graduates Gits, they return 5 of their top seven! They had two freshmen among the top seven. This is another team that figures to be vastly improved next year! They were 71 points behind us.

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Other Teams to consider:

Lake Central-Only lose their top guy Beaty from their scorers. will be entirely Juniors and sophomores next year! This team is another "much improved" candidate!

Plymouth. Return six of seven on the varsity.

McCutcheon-Only lose #3 scorer.

Culver Academy. Return six of top seven, including three freshmen!

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So there you have it. There are runners that appear in other results but not the semi-state that will undoubtedly contribute to the success of the teams mentioned. This spring new runners will emerge during the track season as well. I haven't checked with the Indiana CC Stats web site but suspect they'll have a more complete preview than this. It bears repeating that the actual results depend upon who works to get better and who doesn't. Keep grinding!