GXC STATE FINALS: Rohrer’s 17:13.2 smashes record, #1 Carmel rolls

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From ihsaa.org

Top-ranked Carmel swept the girls and boys team titles at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute Oct. 27, but Mishawaka's Anna Rohrer was the talk of the day in setting a girls state finals record.

Rohrer, just a sophomore and making her first appearance in the state finals, battled defending state champion Ashley Erba throughout before pulling away from the Warsaw senior down the final straightaway and crossing the line in 17:13.2 to destroy the state finals record of 18:05.6 set last year by Erba, who finished runner-up in 17:29.2.

West Lafayette’s Bobbie Burgess finished third in 17:51.6, Columbus North’s Mackenzie Caldwell was fourth in 17:55.8, and Eastern’s (Greentown) Bethany Neeley came home in fifth in 18:04.2.

It was the third consecutive state championship for Carmel’s girls coached by Mark Ellington. Gina Genco led a trio of Greyhounds in the Top 10 overall by finishing sixth in 18:31.3, while Kelcy Welch came home ninth in 18:38.8 and Haley Harris was 10th in 18:45.5.

“We used our strength – pack running – to our advantage today with the first five runners together at the mile marker and in the middle of the Top 25,” said Carmel coach Mark Ellington. “While there was some separation over the next three kilometers, the 'Hounds refused to give up their positions and finished well in the final kilometer of the race.”

The weather was beautiful with clear skies and temperatures near 50 at race time, Ellington added. The course still had some water sitting on it from rains earlier in the week but was in good condition overall.

Some Carmel runners will compete as a club at the Nike Midwest Meet on Nov. 11, with the goal of returning to the NXN Championships in Portland, Ore., for a third consecutive year.

For complete results, click here.

Warsaw’s Erba named Mental Attitude Award recipient
Following the races, Warsaw’s Ashley Erba was announced as the winner of the girls cross country Mental Attitude Award by the IHSAA Executive Committee. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the proud corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented the school with a $1,000 scholarship in her name.

The Committee annually presents the award to a senior they determined best demonstrated mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability.

Ashley is the daughter of Scott and Karen Erba of Winona Lake.