Published: October 05, 2008 12:38 am         

Northridge girls run to eighth-straight cross country title

When members of the Northridge High School girls cross country team told coach Ryan McClane they could hear leaves crunching under their feet, he knew it was a good sign.

The Raiders placed all five scoring runners among the top eight to capture their eighth consecutive Northern Lakes Conference cross country championship Saturday at Ox Bow Park.

Northridge had a team score of 24, followed by Goshen 60, Warsaw 66, Elkhart Memorial 126, Wawasee 137, Concord 142, NorthWood 181 and Plymouth 194.

Northridge has won 18 of the last 19 NLC titles, a streak interrupted only by Warsaw in 2000.

“At practice Friday, I noticed the leaves were beginning to fall,” McClane said. “When the girls were done running they told me they could hear the leaves crunching under their feet.

“Girls in this program love fall days like this, not when the temperature hits 90 degrees. This is the kind of weather we should have for running.”

Erica Ridderman of Warsaw was the individual winner, covering the 5,000-meter course in 18:55. She is the first Warsaw winner since Summer Boyd in 1998.

Northridge sophomore Skylair Hilton placed second (18:56), junior Allie Pladson third (19:23), senior Hanna Mercer fourth (19:27), senior Megan Hammel seventh (19:52) and senior Emily Mercer eighth (19:58).

Hilton’s time gives her a place in Northridge girls cross country history.

“It was her first time to run under 19 minutes and she is the first Northridge runner to ever do so,” McClane said. “The girls have only been running 5,000 meters for a couple of years, but it still says something about Skylair to be the first to break the barrier.”

Goshen junior Jillian Zimmerman was fifth (19:28), senior Karla Folker ninth (20:02), senior Laura Sorg 13th (20:47), sophomore Desiree Maran 16th (20:54), junior Jenica Corbett 17th (21:05), freshman Juni Schirch 19th (21:16) and Lisa Bond 30th (22:22).

“I knew it would be close with Warsaw,” Goshen coach Benjamin Hurst said. “They are impressive team with Cendall Ogle still learning about the sport in her first season.

“It seems like every year, the fight in this meet is for second place. I’m pleased our girls knew there was a challenge and responded. Zimmerman raced really well and Folker did a great job.”

Before the awards ceremony, Wawasee Athletic Director Mary Hurley recognized Ken Keller and Alan Shockney for their long-time service to the NLC.

Keller is an IHSAA starter and has started every NLC meet since 1978. Shockney has been coaching Plymouth for 41 years.



Summary

Northridge (24) — 2, Skylair Hilton 18:56; 3, Allie Pladson 19:23; 4, Hanna Mercer 19:27; 7, Megan Hammel 19:52; 8, Emily Mercer 19:58. Also: 14, Autumn Elliott 20:49; 22, Leah Riffell 21:26.

Goshen (60) — 5, Jillian Zimmerman 19:28; 9, Karla Folker 20:02; 13, Laura Sorg 20:47; 16, Desiree Maran 20:54; 17, Jenica Corbett 21:05. Also: 19, Juni Schirch 21:16; 30 Lisa Bond 22:22.

Warsaw (66) — 1, Erica Ridderman 18:55; 6, Cendall Ogle 19:38; 10, Brooke Kline 20:05; 21, Lilly Fleming 21:27; 28, Katie McNulty 22:15. Also: 29, Kayle Bixler 22:16; 38, Zena Muta 23:01.

Elkhart Memorial (136) — 11, Meredith Cors 21:39; 23, Maria Paez 21:57; 32, Melissa Peterson 22:32; 34, Michelle Corpe 22:46; 36, Brionne Barnett 22:44. Also: 50, Jill Hammontrree 24:06; 52, Mary Corpe 24:24.

Wawasee (137) — 18, Ellie Gilbert 21:07; 24, Stephanie Rhodes 21:38; 25, Nicole Rhodes 22:04; 31, Sarah Jones 22:26; 39, Brittany Robinson 23:05. Also: 46, Kaey Bame 23:43; 55, Jessica Goldsmith 25:51.

Concord (142) — 12, Cari McAfoos 20:45; 26, Abby Riley 22:09; 27, Kim Swain 22:14; 35, Nicky Smith 22:44; 42, Victoria Miler 23:15. Also: 48, Sarah Clark 23:31; 51, Lauren Weaver 24:06.

NorthWood (181) — 15, Lindsey Roe 20:48; 37, Karlie Krertzchmer 22:59; 41, Rebecca Slabaugh 23:15; 43, Kelsey Lantz 23:25; 45, Whitney Roe 23:32. Also: 47, Emiily Shay 23:46; 48, Layla Rhodes 23:49;

Plymouth (194) — 20, Mae Christiansen 21:21; 33, Katelynn Brashere 22:36; 40, Olivia Houin 23:06; 49, Sarah Grewank 23:56; 52, Emily Walden 24:09; Also: 54, Hannah Eads 25:09.

JV Top Ten — 1, Megan Sherk (Northridge) 21:16; 2, Meghan Neff (Goshen) 22:19; 3, Laura Gladfelter (Goshen) 22:20; 4, Sonya Lairila 22:32; 5, Adrienne Picking 22:33; 6, Janessa Katzer (Goshen) 22:58; 7, Hillary Shepherd (Warsaw) 22:59; 8, Erin Jones (Northridge) 23:13; 9, Nicole Barnes (Northirdge) 23:15; 10, Destinee Moore (Warsaw) 23:19.

All-NLC — Karla Folker and Jillian Zimmerman of Goshen; Megan Hammel, Skylair Hilton, Emily Mercer, Hanna Mercer and Allie Pladson of Northridge; Brooke Kline, Cendall Ogle, Erica Ridderman of Warsaw.

Honorable Mention — Cari McAfoos of Concord, Laura Sorg of Goshen, Autumn Elliott of Northridge, Lindsey Roe of NorthWood, Meredith Cors of Memorial.