Montgomery County cross country teams will compete in the Lafayette Harrison IHSAA Sectional on Saturday. The course will be at the Tippecanoe Amphitheater.
County runners will face some stiff competition in both the boys and girls races. A total of 13 area schools will be battling to advance to the Brownsburg Regional. The top five teams will advance as well as the top 15 runners to cross the finish line.
The Crawfordsville boys’ team has had the most success of the three county schools this year. Last week they were able to capture the Sagamore Athletic Conference championship. The team finished fourth last year at the sectional.
The Athenians have proven to have depth which makes them a contender for the top five at the sectional. They are led by seniors Hutton Haas, Max Brumett and sophomore Josh Inskeep. Junior Colton Custer, sophomore Alex Sanchez provide depth for Crawfordsville. All five runners placed in the top 28 finishers at the conference.
The Crawfordsville girls’ team has been led by junior Katherine Novak, who was the top county finisher at the SAC meet. Other Athenian runners are Remy Swinford, Caroline Novak, Soren Olofson, Melanie Dowd and Lili Yeaung. Katherine Novak is a solid contender to advance to the regional as is Swinford.
Southmont’s Vince Reimondo, who placed third at the SAC meet, will be a top contender. In his first year on the team, the Mountie senior has the chance to finish the race among the top runners. Other Mountie runners competing will be junior Kale Vaught, sophomores Trent Reeves and Ethan Keck and freshmen Paxton Burris and Jackson Fruits.
The Mountie girls’ team has been led by junior Darby Cottrell. Other Mountie runners are seniors Kylee Reeves and Kendyll Bullerdick along with sophomores Lennon Woods and Amariah Shannon. Cottrell could finish in the top 15.
North Montgomery girls are led by sophomore Sarah Hopper and junior Katelyn Woolwine. Seniors Zoey McFarland and Avery Gayler along with sophomore Beth Brooks and freshman Lucia Southwood round out the Charger roster. Hopper could advance to the regional with an improved time.
The top runner for the North boys’ team is senior Jack Rogers who finished fifth in the SAC. North Montgomery is hoping for good results from freshman Drew Dark and senior Nolan Yarger. Juniors Blake Welch and Kale Mitchell along with sophomore Connor Laws and junior Kyle Ratliff round out the Charger team.
Rogers could be a top 15 runner and advance to the regional.
Other teams competing Saturday are Covington, Delphi, Faith Christian, Fountain Central, Harrison, Lafayette Central Catholic, Lafayette Jefferson, McCutcheon, Seeger and West Lafayette.
The girls’ race will commence at 10:30 a.m. followed by the boys’ race at 11:15 a.m.
