A scoring error by Marion Regional Cross Country officials originally had the Huntingotn North High School cross coutnry team in second place by one point, but upon rescornig, the Vikings actually won the regional based on the sixith runner tie-break.
The Huntington North High School boys' cross country team finished second at the Marion Regional at Indiana Wesleyan University on Saturday, Oct. 19, missing out on the title by one point to champion South Adams.
The Vikings and Starfires each placed three runners in the top 10, but second and third place overall went to South Adams, giving it the narrow edge over Huntington North, 57-58.
"South Adams is good," said Huntington North Head Coach Curtis Hines. "They've been good all year and we've known it. In fact, when we're up at camp, in the cabins we stay in, they stayed right next door to us. So, we've been kind of aware of each other for the entire season, although this is the first time we've actually raced each other."
Rounding out the top five teams who earned a trip to the New Haven Semi-State on Saturday, Oct. 26, are Bellmont, third with 101 points, Norwell, fourth with 104 and Oak Hill, fifth with 129.
Senior Charles Mettler led the Vikings with a fifth place finish among team scoring runners in 16:15.5. Senior Luke Doughty captured seventh in 16:39.1, junior Matt DeWitt took ninthth in 16:50.9, junior Austin Lange claimed 12th in 16:53.7 and junior Kyler McVoy wrapped up the scoring with 26th in 17:28.5.
"This is not a case of our guys not running well; our guys ran great," said Hines. "They did exactly what they needed to do. It's just South Adams is good, too, and sometimes good teams face each other and only one can win."
The top 10 individuals not advancing with their teams also earn a trip to semi-state. The group was led by Eastbrook senior Josh Neideck, who was the individual champion with a time of 15:47.1.
Sophomore Logan Worsham was 27th in 17:33.0 and junior Cam DeWitt was 30th in 17:43.1 to complete the Huntington North squad.
"It was a great team effort that almost resulted in a win," said Hines. "But South Adams had a great team effort, too."