Carmel High School boys race to another cross country state title

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CIC COM 1107 CHS Boys Cross Country
Carmel’s state champion cross country team. Front, from left, Will Murphy, Calvin Bates, Trey Harris, Keelan Grant, Colin Murphy, Ben Miller, Ben Myers and Thomas Gastineau. Back, from left, coach Colin Altevogt, assistant coach Gordon Copee, Hudson Alden, Anderson David, Patrick Campbell, Ben Johnson, assistant coach Andy Cowen and assistant coach Damon Pruett.(Submitted photo)

When the Carmel High School boys cross country team captured the Indiana High School Athletic Association state championships two years ago, it was led by state individual champion Ben Veatch.

This year, the No. 1 ranked Greyhounds won with runners with a pack mentality. Of teams competing, Carmel placed four runners between 10th and 19th. Carmel finished with 94 points, registering a comfortable victory over second-place Fishers with 152 at the Oct. 28 state meet. The Greyhounds own the record with 15 boys cross country state titles.

“Finding their teammates and running together has been a point of emphasis for us,” Greyhounds coach Colin Altevogt said. “We had six runners with state meet experience coming into this season, and that was crucial in molding this team.”

Carmel senior Keelan Grant finished 10th, 14th overall among all runners. Senior Colin Murphy placed 13th (18th overall), sophomore Ben Myers was 18th (33rd) and junior Calvin Bates was 19th (34th). Senior Ben Miller placed 34th (57th).

Altevogt said the team’s dedication was crucial.

“Our guys’ desire to prepare with and compete for each other cannot be understated,” Altevogt said. “Winning a state championship does not happen on a single day. This takes years of daily preparation from all of our guys. We felt optimally prepared.”

Miller and Murphy have committed to run for Indiana University in 2018.

The No. 4 Greyhounds girls cross country team, which had captured the previous seven state titles in a row, placed third with 169 points. Zionsville won with 118 points, followed by Fort Wayne Carroll with 129.

“I am very proud of this group of girls, especially with the tremendous pressure on them all season long to carry on the streak of consecutive state championships,” Carmel first-year girls coach Andy Dalton said. “This year there were four great girls teams that all had a real chance to win. We are confident that with five of our top six returning next year, we will be ready to bring the trophy back to Carmel.”

Carmel sophomore Phoebe Bates finished second overall in 18 minutes flat.

“She’s a phenomenal athlete,” Dalton said. “She’s a fierce competitor. She trusted the race strategy and carried it out flawlessly.”


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