By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – This story of the hare in the Fox, unlike the old Russian folktale, had a happy ending.
Records are both historical markers and goals. Bedford North Lawrence junior Paige Voigtschild, chasing history ever since she first raced on BNL’s challenging layout, shattered the school record on her home course, blazing across the line in 19:28.7 while finishing second overall in the annual Ted Fox Invitational on Saturday morning.
Voigtschild didn’t just break the record set by Samantha Sheldon set in 2010 during the Fox race, she crushed it, beating Sheldon’s time (19:45.58) by 17 seconds. In hare terms, that’s a lot of hops.
“She obliterated it,” BNL coach Amy Greenan said. “And I expect it to stand for a long time – unless she breaks it again, which she certainly can. She’s still relatively new to high school racing. Once she learns to trim a little here and there, get the nerves and things under control, I expect it to drop even lower.”
Voigtschild had a hare to chase, as Terre Haute North freshman Addyson Bautista was a fast frontrunner and won in 19:17.4. Voigtschild kept her eyes ahead on the leader, unable to reel her in but able to use her pace as a guide. With pristine racing conditions, Voigtschild was in cruise control.
“I was trying not to burn out on the hills, so I could go faster on the downhill,” she said. “I’ve been wanting the record for a while, but I didn’t have a good chance. My time is a lot faster than it’s ever been, so I’m definitely getting faster. Now that I have this time, I know I can go fast on a flatter course.”
BNL finished fourth in the team standings with 87 points. Center Grove won the title with 42, followed by Seymour (64) and Southport (77).
The Stars had solid finishes from Claire Voigtschild (21st in 21:53.4), Madison Chandler (23rd in 22:18.8) and Gracie Simmerman (29th in 22:41.8).
“They looked good,” Greenan said. “Claire is just consistent. They’re all getting better, the times are still getting faster. We’ve got a solid group, which is ideal. You really want to have six solid runners. I’m really thrilled, if we can just tighten up that group a little bit.”
In the boys race, BNL finished a distant ninth with 234 points. No.3 Bloomington North was a runaway winner with 26, followed by Floyd Central (51) and No.12 Center Grove (83). North’s Caleb Winders was the overall champion in 16:20.48.
BNL’s top finishers included Eli McFarland (35th in 18:20.86), Hayden Rich (50th in 19:26.06) and Kason Gulley (53rd in 19:49.48).
“The kids are working hard every day,” BNL coach Nick Boyd said. “We’re trying to get better every week. That’s the goal. Did we get better? That’s a question for them to answer individually. They have to toe the line every day.”
BNL will compete in the Hoosier Hills Conference meets on Oct. 4.
TED FOX INVITATIONAL
