TERRE HAUTE – Bedford North Lawrence posted strong season-opening performances in the Valley Kickoff meet on the LaVern Gibson championship course during high school cross country action on Saturday.
In the girls meet, the Stars finished 17th out of 40 teams with a team total of 529. Carmel won that title with 37 points. In the boys meet, BNL was 16th out of 39 teams in the crowded field with 521 points, while Evansville Reitz claimed that team crown with 79.
Sophomore Paige Voigtschild paced BNL in the girls race, finishing 18th overall in 20:31.8. Her sister Claire was 115th overall in 23:14.9, while Elise Williams (23:30.6), Francesca Orozco (24:06.5) and Madison Chandler (24:16.7) capped the scoring for the Stars.
“Our girls had a really great season opener,” BNL co-coach Amy Spence said. “We had some outstanding individual performances and a great team effort. This team has a lot of potential, so we wanted to give them some exposure to the state course and see what they could do.”
Lake Central’s Macey Thompson was the individual winner in 18:56.6.
“It was a good race to start with, being on the state course,” Williams said. “It was really hot and there were a lot of runners. I just tried to push myself, and I think we all had a good start for our first meet.”
In the boys meet, Jonah Bailey was the BNL frontrunner, finishing 63rd overall in 17:45.5. He was followed by teammates Nick Lindley (18.00.9), freshman Tucker Inman (18:05.2), Alex Nicholson (19:20.1) and freshman Samuel Strauser (19:23.9).
“We gained copious amounts of experience,” BNL coach Nick Boyd. “It was exciting to run in a big race with such a young team. Jonah ran well to get his season off to a good start. Nick ran a great race and I am excited to see how his season progresses. Tucker Inman rounded out our top three and he will certainly be a central part of our scoring five.
“Overall, it was a good start to our season and a nice bit of experience.”
Portage’s Shane Conroy was the individual winner in 15:52.7. That pace took its toll down the line.
“I went out too fast, really fast,” Inman said. “But I learned a lot from my first high school race.”
BNL will compete at Seymour on Thursday.
Valley Kickoff Meet
