FORTVILLE — It had been a long time since someone other than Franklin Central had won the girls cross-country sectional. It had been an even longer time since that team was New Palestine.
By getting all five of its scoring runners in the top 12, New Palestine won its first girls cross-country sectional since 2000. It was the first time since 2014 a team other than Franklin Central won the team title.
Held at Mt. Vernon High School on Saturday, New Palestine won with 29 points, 14 better than second-place Franklin Central (43). Roncalli (89), Mt. Vernon (96) and Warren Central (127) followed. The top five teams and top 10 individuals not on the top five teams advanced to this Saturday’s Rushville Regional.
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“The FC teams have been very good in the past and have kept us away from winning a championship,” New Palestine coach Chuck Myers said. “Going out today and actually beating them was a very big accomplishment.
“Having our top five in the top 12 is a good recipe to win the race.”
The Dragons were sectional runners-up to Franklin Central in 2017 and 2018. They were able to edge the Flashes to win last year’s regional (31-34).
It is New Palestine’s fourth sectional title. The Dragons also took home championship trophies in 1991 and 1992.
Three-time Hancock County champion Brenna Shaw led the Dragon contingent. She was second overall with a time of 19:09.63. Her teammates, Kaylin Casner (19:42.63), Kendall Mann (20:02.31) and Emma Mann (20:09.05) finished in spots No. 4 through No. 6. Emily Adam placed 12th in 21:07.48.
“I think it’s special (winning sectional) because no cross-country team has done that for our school in a while,” Shaw said. “It’s pretty special to share it with my team this year.
“I think we did awesome. We knew we had to run well to win today. We all went out and did our best. I’m proud of everyone on the team.”
Mt. Vernon coach Kean Coy felt confident his team would get through to the regional, even though it was missing a key part.
For the second straight week, No. 1 runner Rilee Hartman has been out sick. The rest of his team picked it up. Coy’s top three runners all had personal best times.
Esther Parham led the way by placing 14th (21:11.06). Marauders Kamryn Eason (21:15.56) and Lydia Carrell (21:16.56) were 16th and 17th, respectively.
“Parham ran the race of her season,” Coy said. “I was real excited for her. She really needed that breakout race. I think that will catapult her for the rest of the season.
“It was a good team effort. Last week we were a little down on ourselves (without Hartman). We came back strong and rebounded from it and used it as a motivational thing. We’ll be happy to get Rilee back next week.”
As a team, Greenfield-Central finished sixth with 157 points, but the Cougars were able to advance three runners to the regional.
Leading the way was Audrey Brinkruff, who finished third overall with a time of 19:21.64. Reagan Crouch (36, 22:19.27) and Sophia Moss (44, 23:59.26) will also move on to Saturday’s race in Rushville.
Brinkruff said she ran a cautious race. The course was slippery due to overnight rain.
“I think I ran pretty well. It was a sloppy course,” Brinkruff said. “I saw the boys’ race and quite a few fell. I was cautious, my time was definitely slower than usual but I’m pleased with my placing.”
Eastern Hancock got its lone runner through to the regional.
Ashton Willis finished 21st with a time of 21:21.77. It was the fourth best time and place for advancing individuals.
