TERRE HAUTE – Bedford North Lawrence’s Paige Voigtschild, making her second straight state finals appearance, finished 91st during Saturday’s IHSAA girls cross country state championship race on the famed LaVern Gibson Course.
Voigtschild cross the line in 19:18.8. Indian Creek’s Libby Dowty was the individual winner, in a field of 249 runners, in 17:10.2.
”I’m really proud of Paige, she ran a smart race,” BNL coach Amy Greenan said. “Sometimes the atmosphere at state gets to people, and they get caught up in the excitement and hype. She stayed calm, stuck with her plan and it worked out really well.
”We ran here back in August specifically for the experience of racing on the state course, and today she was over a minute faster. I am so proud of her for working hard all season and seeing it pay off with a really great finish.”
“I’m happy that I have improved so much since last year’s time and place,” Voigtschild said.
Carmel won the team title with 100 points, followed by Fort Wayne Concordia (129) and Bloomington South (150).
In the boys race, Springs Valley’s Calvin Seitz won the individual state title in 15:01.22, clipping Westview’s Noah Bontrager at the finish line in a thrilling battle to the wire.
Columbus North won the team crown with 58 points, followed by Noblesville (128) and Homestead (147).
IHSAA STATE FINALS
