With six of its seven runners from last year’s state runner-up team returning for the 2017 season, it looks as if the Carmel boys cross country team will continue with another high placing at the state meet.
The Greyhounds have finished in the top two during the last five state meets. The respected website IndianaRunner.com rated Carmel No. 1 in its pre-season rankings. Greyhounds coach Colin Altevogt calls this team the biggest in school history, and “incredibly deep.”
“The Greyhounds have six runners who have previously finished in the top 50 at the state meet, run under 16 minutes in cross country and under 9:40 for 3200 meters,” said Altevogt.
The coach had much to say about each of his six returning runners.
“Senior Ben Miller is the most experienced of the group, having run in the state cross country meet in each of his three previous seasons,” Altevogt began. “Miller added to his cross country exploits last spring with a strong track season, finishing third in the state finals over 3200 meters to help the Greyhounds to a third consecutive state title in the sport.
“Senior Colin Murphy looks capable of running stride-for-stride with his teammate Miller. The pair were nearly inseparable in most cross country and track races as juniors. While Miller had the better finish in the spring, Murphy was the top Greyhound at the state cross country meet, finishing eighth overall.
“Fellow seniors Keelan Grant and Trey Harris will be solid contributors in their last season after breakthrough track seasons. Grant qualified for the state finals in the 1600 while Harris established himself as one of the state’s best mid-distance runners, qualifying individually for the state meet in the 800 and anchoring Carmel’s state-winning 4×800 relay. Both were consistent scorers last fall for the Greyhounds.
“Juniors Calvin Bates and Thomas Gastineau should fill varsity roles as they have done since entering high school. Both were contributors to the Greyhounds’ state championship team in their freshmen year of 2015 and enjoyed improvement as sophomores. Each ran under 4:30 and 9:40 for 1600 and 3200 meters, respectively, in the spring.”
Other runners include sophomore Ben Myers, who Altevogt said “was an age-group All-American in the Junior Olympics national championship in his freshman year and has enjoyed a summer of training with many top team members.”
Also back are junior Patrick Campbell and senior Jimmy Snyder, who broke two minutes in the 800 run during the spring. Next up are junior Darren Yates, senior Zane Williams and junior Cameron Harless, all of whom have clocked in at under 17 minutes in cross country, and under 10 minutes in the 3200. Sophomore Eli Konow also returns; Altevogt said he “led off the Greyhounds’ state championship 4×800 and held the state’s top freshman time in the open 800, illustrating great potential to transition to an improved distance runner.”
While Carmel comes into the season as the top-ranked team, Altevogt noted there will be tough competition both from around the state and from Hamilton County.
“Fort Wayne Carroll returns four from its state championship team of 2016 and looks to be a top rival again,” said Altevogt. “Hamilton County is always a hotbed of running talent with Fishers also a state contender this fall. Cathedral should also be a title contender.”
SCHEDULE
Aug. 19: at North Central Invitational, 9 a.m.
Aug. 29: County meet, 5:30 p.m. at Noblesville
Sept. 2: State Preview, 8:30 a.m. at Terre Haute
Sept. 9: Brown County Eagle Classic, 9:30 a.m.
Sept. 16: Louisville Trinity Invitational, 9 a.m.
Sept. 23: MIC Championship, 10 a.m. at Ben Davis
Oct. 3: Warren Central Freshman Invitational, 5:15 p.m.
Seniors Ben Miller (left) and Colin Murphy are two of Carmel’s returning runners this season. (Kent Graham/File photo)