Cass' Leicht runs way to State Finals
Oct. 24—It was close but the hard work that Makenna Leicht put in during the offseason helped her reach the IHSAA Girls Cross Country State Finals.
The Lewis Cass senior placed 19th in 19:47.2 to grab the final individual spot in the state meet at the New Prairie Semistate on Saturday.
Leicht edged out Seeger sophomore Hadessah Austin by 1.1 seconds for the 10th and final spot.
"Going into the race we knew that top 20 was probably going to be the only way to make out," Leicht said. "So when I was running my goal was to stay in the top 20, but we really had no clue what the final result was going to be. So my whole goal through the race was to give it my all so if it was my last race I finished knowing I gave it everything I had."
Leicht said she put in 40 miles per week during the summer with the goal of reaching the state meet. She said she had a strong finish during her semistate run, which includes Agony Hill on the New Prairie course.
"I just remember telling myself I have to go now or this could be my last cross country race," she said. "It was all a blur. I was just giving it everything I had.
"I basically jumped towards the finish line at the end just so I knew I had it."
Leicht's teammate, junior Liberty Scott, placed 58th in 20:50.
"I was very proud of both of my girls' efforts, focus and determination," Cass coach Denise Rush said. "Makenna went out top 10 at the mile, she had been running better each week and you have to love her guts and determination to make it to state. She was able to gut out and finish about a half of a second in front of 20th place Seeger. We did not know if she made it until they announced which teams made it out, and it was confirmed when they called off the top 10 names and read off Makenna's name as the 10th individual. It was just awesome to hear her name and our small school Lewis Cass with all the schools who were represented. This is a tough semistate and there are some top 10 teams here as this is not a class sport. Makenna and Liberty ran against the best in the semistate and I am just so proud of both of them. They both worked so hard this summer training and did everything I asked of them. That is a coaches' dream.
"We are excited about Makenna representing Lewis Cass next week in Terre Haute. Liberty finished a great season improving over 40 places at semistate from last year and is ready to be a leader for next year. I am excited to see Liberty continue to improve as she is willing to put in the work."
Winamac sophomore Maggie Smith placed 45th in 20:31 and freshman Kadence Hoover placed 87th in 21:15.
Pioneer sophomore Violet Montgomery placed 49th in 20:38.
Other area runners that advanced to the state finals were Rochester senior Madilyn Calloway (10th, 19:34) and Maconaquah sophomore Abby Jordan (13th, 19:39).
Cass also had two runners compete in the boys race at the semistate. Junior Enoch Hines placed 79th in 17:42 and senior Dominic Gilbert placed 114th in 18:02.
Winamac junior Kolbey Wegner placed 63rd in 17:31.
Caston junior Austin Dague placed 101st in 17:54.
"Austin was grateful for the experience of racing to this level this season and is already considering strategy for next season to continue improving," Caston coach Blair Zimmerman said. "It's that determination that has seen him improve each season the way he has and I, for one, can't wait to see what he's able to do in the future."
The girls race will get underway at 3 p.m. Saturday at LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute.
