The Noblesville cross country team came very close to making it back to the IHSAA state finals last year.
The Millers finished seventh at the Shelbyville semi-state, just five points away from sixth place and a trip to Terre Haute. But Noblesville has five of its semi-state runners back this year, plus a few other solid athletes who can help the Millers earn a spot at state.
Indiana Runner listed Noblesville as the No. 10 team in its pre-season rankings. “The Millers are oozing with potential,” the website said.
The Noblesville runner likely to get the most attention this season will be junior Travis Hickner. As a sophomore, Hickner qualified for state as an individual and finished in 21st place, earning All-State honors. Millers coach Kent Graham said that Hickner is anxious to prove that finish was not a fluke.
Hickner is part of a strong junior class, with two other 11th graders, Billy Gregory and Cole Kimmel, each finishing in the top 50 in the semi-state. Another junior expected to make an impact is Andrew Anderson, who had a great track and field season last year, culminating in a ninth-place finish in the 800 run. Evan Campbell and Ian Montarsi will be other juniors in the mix.
“The Millers have two very capable seniors who are in the mix, Seth Koszyk and Jack Taylor,” said Graham. Koszyk was a semi-state runner last year. The sophomores also look good, with Kolby Kazmierski the fifth semi-state runner who will be back for Noblesville.
“Sophomores Luke Shinneman, Andrew Knight, Kolby Kazmierski and Joel Mumaw will all challenge for a top seven position during the year,” said Graham.
ROSTER
Seniors: Aaron Donnelly, Cade Iles, Seth Koszyk, Jack Taylor.
Juniors: Andrew Anderson, Evan Burnette, Evan Campbell, Caleb Dugger, Garion Eaton, Nathaniel Foster, Billy Gregory, Jack Harmeyer, Alexander Helton, Jack Hickner, Travis Hickner, Alexander Hipkiss, Cole Kimmel, Tao Larson, Ian Montarsi, Jacob Nelson, Charles Ratcliffe, Jacob Renner, Thadeus Shipley, Nathan Smith, William Snyder, Anthony Vieceli, Logan Warner, Parker Weis.
Sophomores: Levi Call, Alexander Cole, Zachary Bunning, Caleb Howell, Kolby Kazmierski, Tyler McGovern, Joel Mumaw, Trevor Myers, Gus Nance, Ian Pigors, Luke Shinneman, Caleb Smith, Riley Strong, Landon Swift, Brendan Uggen, Daniel Vega Delvalle.
Freshmen: Simon Adams, Brady Barnes, Oliver Blue, Jacob Bragg, Ashton Burns, Mason Jackson, Jeremiah Ledwith, Asher Propst, Blake Smith, Andrew Terry, Henry Wasemann, Ethan Wilson.
Noblesville’s Travis Hickner finished 21st at the IHSAA state meet last year, earning All-State honors. Hickner will be one of the top runners for the Millers this season. (Kent Graham/File photo)