TERRE HAUTE —
Floyd Central girls’ cross country runner Lydia Kotowski got her first experience competing in the IHSAA State Finals on Saturday at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
The freshman finished 71st in a time of 19:46. The finish was below her goal of making the All-State team, as she needed to finish in the top 25 to accomplish that feat.
But Highlanders’ coach Carl Hook thought his rookie runner handled the state finals experience well, especially the increased traffic and the collegiate-style course.
“She ran good. She had a great effort,” Hook said. “It was windy and the times were a little slow for everybody, but it was a good effort by her. I thought she handled the course OK. I’m sure it was intimidating for her with her teammates not out there.”
Kotowski had been on a tear entering the state finals. She placed third at the Crawford County Sectional on Oct. 9, fourth at the Crawford County Regional on Oct. 13 and 10th at the Brown County Semi-state on Oct. 20.
Not bad for a runner who was competing in competitive cross country for the first time in her life this season.
“She came in and we didn’t know much about her. She ran track at Highland Hills [Middle School], but never cross country,” Hook said. “You never expect a new runner to finish 10th at semi-state. She had a great season and we’re excited about her future.”
Hook says the sky is the limit on Kotowski’s potential.
“She has a bright future and it’s good to have that experience on the state course,” Hook said. “We’ll be able to build her mileage up in the offseason. She has huge potential and she has a chance to get much better.”
Mishawaka sophomore Anna Rohrer won the girls’ race, setting a new state finals record in 17:13.2. Barr-Reeve senior Connor Sorrells captured the boys’ race in 15:21.3.
Carmel swept the boys’ and girls’ team championships. The Greyhound boys scored 93 points to win their first state title since 2008. They have the most state championships in IHSAA history with 12.
The Carmel girls extended their record for most girls’ state championships in IHSAA history with 14, tallying 66 points. It was their third state title in a row.
Floyd County Sports
H.S. CROSS COUNTRY: FC’s Kotowski winds up 71st at state finals
Highlander freshman had stellar season while competing in cross country for first time
- Floyd County Sports
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CLASS 4A, JEFF SECTIONAL: Highlanders, Stars to meet in semfinals
FC blows out Seymour , 16-3; Red Devils blow one-run lead in seventh to lose to BNL, 6-3
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COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: May 21, 2013
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
• Jeff Thompson (Louisville baseball, Floyd Central graduate, Jr.) — top performance: winning pitcher in a starting role in the Cardinals’ 12-4 home victory over Pittsburgh on Friday, seven innings pitched, three runs allowed (all earned), three hits, seven strikeouts, three walks; notes: Thompson became the sixth pitcher in U of L history to earn 10 or more victories in a season on Friday; he is one win away from tying the school record for most victories in a season; Friday’s win clinched the Cardinals a share of the Big East Conference championship; they claimed the outright conference title on Saturday with a 7-4 home triumph over the Panthers; team records: 46-10 overall, 20-4 Big East; Thompson’s record: 10-1. -
H.S. BASEBALL: Bulldogs beat Providence to win Sajko Invitational
New Albany’s 8-5 win gives Bulldogs 10th consecutive title
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H.S. BOYS' GOLF: Hornets, Highlanders take conference crowns
Davidson, three Borden players earn All-SAC honors
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H.S. SOFTBALL: Pursuit of sectional championships begin tonight
Jeff, Charlestown and Providence are Greg’s picks to win titles
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H.S. ROUNDUP: No. 1 Floyd goes 1-1, Jeff loses pair of one-run games
Pirates fall short in Charlestown Softball Invitational
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H.S. BASEBALL: New Albany, Providence to square off in Sajko title game
Start time moved up to 1:30 due to threat of rain
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GIRLS' TENNIS SECTIONALS: Jeff gets by game Generals 3-2 for title
Floyd, Creek cruise to sectional crowns
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H.S. ROUNDUP: Red Devils beat East on Senior Night
Clarksville softball upsets Bulldogs, 6-4
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BOYS' TRACK: Highlanders run away with 11th straight sectional crown
Borden finishes program-best second; New Albany third, Clarksville fourth
- More Floyd County Sports Headlines
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