TERRE HAUTE — Having experienced the IHSAA Girls Cross Country State Finals before proved to be a big benefit to New Palestine junior Brenna Shaw, who ran in the 2018 event.
A first-timer at Saturday’s finals held at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course, Greenfield-Central junior Audrey Brinkruff is hopeful it will help her in the future, too.
Shaw finished 48th in a field of 205 on Saturday, finishing the 5K course in 19:12.6. As a sophomore at the same venue, she placed 95th at the course in 19:55.9.
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“Being my last race of the season I wanted put everything out there and not have anything left over when I was done,” Shaw said. “I placed way better than last year and it helped having the experience from the meet before.
“It’s a big meet and there are a lot of fans. It’s a little overwhelming. I knew what to expect. Last year I didn’t know what to expect and I was overwhelmed.”
Brinkruff, the first Greenfield-Central female to make it to the state finals, placed 101st in 19:56.5.
She admitted to some first-time nerves.
“It wasn’t a great race for me,” Brinkruff said. “I was a little disappointed about my performance, but I plan on working hard to make it back. It was very different from any race I had ran this year. I was really nervous to start the race.
“It was a great experience, fun and I am grateful to go.”
Brinkruff and her coach Scott Burton took note of Shaw’s performance and how she improved from being in the race for a second straight year.
“Having a year experience helped Brenna tremendously,” Burton said. “I hope Audrey can get back next year and have the same positive experience that Brenna had this year.”
Erin Strzelecki, a senior from Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, won the event in 17:22.9. Carroll (Fort Wayne) won the team event with 101 points.
