Carroll Cross Country season ends with awards banquet

Award winners Carroll Cross Country team held its annual end-of-the-season awards banquet. Recipients of special awards were, left to right: Abby Reinke, Big Cat Award; Courtney Rinehart, Cougar Award; Ashley Bordner, Puma Award; Kyle Wallace, Puma Award and Big Cat Award; and Tyler Macy, Cougar Award.

The Carroll cross country team held its season ending banquet last week. The girls had an outstanding season with many records set. The boys remembered a season well done, too.

The girls set the benchmark high for season victories, winning 141 times against 42 losses. Nineteen of those losses came at the Semi-State where the Lady Cougars appeared for the first time in the program's history. The boys ended the season with the third most victories ever with 134 wins against 32 losses.

The girls also achieved the No. 1 ranking in the state (Indiana Authority Coaches' Small School Poll) while in the same poll the boys rose as high as fifth. The

boys and girls also accomplished double wins at the Frontier, Caston and South Adams Invitationals - feats the program has never achieved until this past season.

Special awards were also handed out. The first award given was the "Puma" (most first place finishes on the team) to Ashley Bordner and Kyle Wallace. The "Big Cat" award (most memorable performance) was earned by Abby Reinke and Kyle Wallace for their efforts at the Harrison Regional. Finally, the "Cougar" award (combination of mental attitude, performance and improvement) was achieved by Courtney Rinehart and Tyler Macy.

Members of the team were - Seniors: Clinton Miller, Sam Scharer, Wallace, Rinehart, Jennifer Hardyniec and Kristen Geheb. Juniors - Jason Hazel, Nick Jones, Devin Smith and Sean Smith. Sophomores - Brad Benson, Seth Larimore, Macy, Megan Ayres, Bordner, Hope Hayden, Amber Hughes, Kaitlin Kennedy Emily Schneckloth and Lauren Wilkinson. Freshmen - Jared Collins, Mitchell Cottrell, Andrew Miller, Weston Rinehart and Reinke.

The coaching staff includes head coach Mike Miller, assisted by Larry Henning and Amy Cottrell. Junior high head coach is Matt Benner, assisted by John Luyster.