Wabash High School

For the second consecutive year the Wabash High School boys cross country team competed in the state championship, going against the best the state has to offer. The Apaches improved their result from the previous year finishing 21st in the 25 team field. Despite being the smallest school in the race the Apaches competed fiercely against the mega schools with enrollments 2-10x larger. Junior Isaiah Cordes ended his season finishing 55th, running a lifetime PR of 15:59. No doubt he will come back next season hungry for more. Senior Jace Bullins ran to a 133rd place finish. His improvement this year has been phenomenal and he is a major reason why this team is where we are. Fellow senior Jonas Church finished close behind in 138th place. Jonas' dedication and discipline have been cited by many of his teammates as reasons they are inspired to run. He is the teammate everyone wants. Sophomore Ezra Church completed his season comeback from a stress fracture and finished 200th with the second best time of his life. Ezra's willingness to battle back from an injury that should've taken him out of the entire season is an inspiration to his teammates. First year runner, Junior Caidan Burchett, running in the first state finals of his career showed why he is an integral part of this team by finishing with a new career best time of 17:03. Brett Shull, Junior, never one to back down, competed with his brothers despite nagging shin splints. He came in 223rd in a gutsy race. Freshman Kamden Oswalt gained valuable experience running in this meet. His time of 17:42 is the second best time of his life. Throughout the season the Apaches traveled around the state looking for challenges. In these meets they were never the biggest school, had the biggest team, or stood out from the crowd in any way. These factors however played no part in the mindset of the Wabash runners. From the summer running and lifting to the fun trips and team camps these young men put in the work for each other. This dedication is what fueled the success of this team. To them getting better is only worth if it helps the team be more successful. This marks the end of the season in which the Apaches were the Mississinewa Invite Champions, Wapahani Invite Champions, Manchester Invite Champions, Apache Invite Champions, TRC Champions (7th time in 8 years), and state qualifiers for the 2nd consecutive year. To the seniors - Jace, Jonas, Kasen, and Kristian, you have impacted the team in more ways that you'll ever know. Each of you have brought a unique perspective to this team and without you we would not be complete. Even though this chapter of your running career is over the rest of your life is just beginning. As you move on your legacy will not be forgotten. It will live on in the hearts and minds of all the returning runners - the ones you have impacted the most.