INDIANAPOLIS — Both Ben Davis cross country teams competed at the Ben Davis regional Saturday with the boys finishing fourth, advancing to semi-state, and the girls placing seventh.
BOYS
The boys’ strong 1-2 punch of David Behrmann and Robert Sharkey helped place the Giants in fourth with a score of 109. Behrmann placed sixth with a time of 16:26 and Sharkey finished eighth with a time of 16:29.
“They’ve worked well together all year,” Ben Davis boys’ cross country coach Nick Balbach said. “Behrmann is a little dinged up, but he still gives us his all in the races. Sharkey has been very consistent all year and, really, that senior leader we needed. They both come through when they need to.”
Josh Bishop placed 17th, Cameron Peck finished 33rd, and Brandon Richey came in 45th for the Giants.
“Coming into the season we knew we were experienced with Sharkey and Behrmann being the leaders and having the most experience,” Balbach said. “We had quite a few guys who are young and experienced, they just keep getting better through the season and our top four all set our season bests today and our fifth runner was right at his PR.”
Brownsburg placed first, Zionsville finished second, and Avon came in third. Plainfield rounds out the top five teams that advance to the Carmel semi-state.
The Giants really only have one focus as they continue on through the tournament.
“Run faster next week,” Balbach said. “This is the part of the season you work for since June. We just hope to maintain or get better. If you’re in the race, there’s always a chance.”
Covenant Christian finished 10th and their best finishers were Benjamin Tucker in 37th and Trevor Johnson in 42nd.
GIRLS
The Giants girls’ cross country team finished seventh with Alis Marrero leading the way with a ninth-place finish.
“We had a lot of girls that went out and ran hard and gave it their best,” Ben Davis girls’ cross country coach Erin Toothman said. “Alis really fought and was ninth, so that was nice.”
Marrero now advances to the Carmel semi-state as an individual.
“Alis has always been very fearless and she has really instilled that in our girls that they need to go out and race aggressively,” Toothman said.
Connie Brahm finished 26th, Tiaunna Moore placed 29th, Hannah Miller came in 39th, and Katelyn Speitel rounded out the Ben Davis scoring in 40th.
The Giants graduate seven seniors in Miller, Moore, Marrero, Kimmy Gramar, Maddie Holems, Katie McKain, and Elizabeth Awoyungbo.
“I think they provided a lot of leadership to help grow the program,” Toothman said. “In the past, we’ve had very few numbers and we were up to 24 this season. And a big part was because of the camaraderie that they created on the team.”
Covenant Christian placed ninth and their top two finishers were Madeline Vance, who finished 44th, and Lydia Zumbrun, who placed 52nd.
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