Delta Regional Preview
ECIRunner takes a look at the upcoming Delta Regional meet and the teams and individuals to keep track of on Saturday.
Boys: ECI teams looking to finish in the top 5 at the Delta Regional and advance to the New Haven Semi-State.
TOP CONTENDERS:
Muncie Central Bearcats: The Bearcats are coming off the emotional high of having a breakout team performance at the Delta Sectional, and being crowned Sectional champs! But, this Saturday a new challenge will await them as some tough talent gets added to the mix. With teams like Pendleton Heights and Mount Vernon joining the party it pretty much assures that no matter how a team performed last week, if they do not come prepared on Regional Saturday their season may come to an abrupt end. The Bearcats will rely on a deep, talented group to try and punch their ticket to their first Semi-State in 6 years.
Monroe Central Golden Bears: The Bears look to be running well at the right time, They showed up in a big way at the Delta sectional, placing runner-up behind Muncie Central and beating conference rival and perennial nemesis Wapahani. The Golden Bears performance was highlighted not only by the strong running of their top 3 (Miller, Winans, and Kear) but a HUGE race by senior Gavin Sampley. If the Golden Bears can put together a similar encore on this upcoming Saturday... WATCH OUT! They might just find themselves at New Haven the next week.
Wapahani Radiers: The Raiders are coming off a tough team outing on Sectional Saturday. As everybody knows the deeper you get into the tournament the more important having true front runners is, and the Raiders definitely have that. They have relied on the low sticks of Nathan and Alex Herbst all year, and will definitely need solid races from those two again this Saturday if they hope to grab a top-5 spot. But what may be more crucial to the Raiders chance of advancing is the performance of their 4th and 5th runners. If they have good races, there is an excellent chance Wapahani will extend their season another week.
ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN:
Delta Eagles: The Eagles are not strangers to competing for a Semi-State birth at all. They have actually advanced as a team each of the last 3 years to the Semi-State Meet. Cade Orchard will definitely need to provide a low number for the Eagles, but there is little doubt he will - he has been running VERY well in these last few weeks, Delta's supporting cast has been able to step up when called upon often throughout this season. On Saturday, they will need to come into the meet planning to do exactly that.
Blue River Valley Vikings: The Vikings had an absolutely magical season last year. Without a doubt they were the best story we had in the 2016 Delta Regional, advancing to their first New Haven Semi-State meet in over 2 decades. The 2017 Vikings ran very well 2 weeks ago at the MEC Meet, but did not look as strong at the Pendleton Heights Sectional. The Vikings will have to pack it up like they did a year ago to try to make it to their 2nd consecutive Semi-State
Muncie Burris Owls: The Owls have already exceeded most pre-season expectations by making it to the Regional meet. To have a chance to take the next step they will need to take some chances and have breakout races from Elliot Whiteside and Coly Tabberson.
Top Individuals from ECI heading into Saturday (According to Sectional times):
Boys: ECI teams looking to finish in the top 5 at the Delta Regional and advance to the New Haven Semi-State.
TOP CONTENDERS:
Muncie Central Bearcats: The Bearcats are coming off the emotional high of having a breakout team performance at the Delta Sectional, and being crowned Sectional champs! But, this Saturday a new challenge will await them as some tough talent gets added to the mix. With teams like Pendleton Heights and Mount Vernon joining the party it pretty much assures that no matter how a team performed last week, if they do not come prepared on Regional Saturday their season may come to an abrupt end. The Bearcats will rely on a deep, talented group to try and punch their ticket to their first Semi-State in 6 years.
Monroe Central Golden Bears: The Bears look to be running well at the right time, They showed up in a big way at the Delta sectional, placing runner-up behind Muncie Central and beating conference rival and perennial nemesis Wapahani. The Golden Bears performance was highlighted not only by the strong running of their top 3 (Miller, Winans, and Kear) but a HUGE race by senior Gavin Sampley. If the Golden Bears can put together a similar encore on this upcoming Saturday... WATCH OUT! They might just find themselves at New Haven the next week.
Wapahani Radiers: The Raiders are coming off a tough team outing on Sectional Saturday. As everybody knows the deeper you get into the tournament the more important having true front runners is, and the Raiders definitely have that. They have relied on the low sticks of Nathan and Alex Herbst all year, and will definitely need solid races from those two again this Saturday if they hope to grab a top-5 spot. But what may be more crucial to the Raiders chance of advancing is the performance of their 4th and 5th runners. If they have good races, there is an excellent chance Wapahani will extend their season another week.
ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN:
Delta Eagles: The Eagles are not strangers to competing for a Semi-State birth at all. They have actually advanced as a team each of the last 3 years to the Semi-State Meet. Cade Orchard will definitely need to provide a low number for the Eagles, but there is little doubt he will - he has been running VERY well in these last few weeks, Delta's supporting cast has been able to step up when called upon often throughout this season. On Saturday, they will need to come into the meet planning to do exactly that.
Blue River Valley Vikings: The Vikings had an absolutely magical season last year. Without a doubt they were the best story we had in the 2016 Delta Regional, advancing to their first New Haven Semi-State meet in over 2 decades. The 2017 Vikings ran very well 2 weeks ago at the MEC Meet, but did not look as strong at the Pendleton Heights Sectional. The Vikings will have to pack it up like they did a year ago to try to make it to their 2nd consecutive Semi-State
Muncie Burris Owls: The Owls have already exceeded most pre-season expectations by making it to the Regional meet. To have a chance to take the next step they will need to take some chances and have breakout races from Elliot Whiteside and Coly Tabberson.
Top Individuals from ECI heading into Saturday (According to Sectional times):
- Nathan Herbst (WAP)
- Alex Herbst (WAP)
- Cade Orchard (DELT)
- Camden Abernathy (WIN)
- Kavan Byrd (MUCE)
- Conner Miller (MOCE)
- Elliott Whiteside (MUBU)
- Jameson Parker (WIN)
- Isaiah Bennett (MUCE)
- Evan Galbraith (WAP)
- Ryan Fox (DELT)
- Braedyn Stovall (MUCE)
- Matt Mitsch (YORK)
- Andrew Whitinger (BRV)
- Skyler Myers (JAY)
Girls: ECI teams looking to finish in the top 5 at the Delta Regional and advance to the New Haven Semi-State.
TOP CONTENDERS:
Yorktown Lady Tigers: The Tigers are in the middle of a historical season. They have won the last 7 meets they've competed in, including the school's first HHC championship (2 weeks ago) and their first Sectional Championship since 2010 last weekend. The Tigers will look to add a Regional title to the list at Delta on Saturday. They will once again have to compete with a Pendleton Heights team that has some pedigree on their side. The Arabians have earned State Meet births the last 4 years. But, The Lady Tigers are packed with talented girls that seem HUNGRY for success. Madeline Aul, Indira Brown, Amberleigh Sorensen, Elizabeth Reece, and Hannah Rapp all have the ability to be in the top 15. If the Tigers run well, they should be a safe bet to head to the New Haven Semi-State for the 8th straight year.
Delta Lady Eagles: The Eagles were crowned Delta Sectional champs this past Saturday by outdistancing the Randolph Southern Rebels by 5 points. The pieces look to be coming together for the Lady Eagles at exactly the right time. The have senior sister-duo Brandy and Brittany Tuttle looking strong again, as well as a talented freshman group led by Ashleigh Brelage and Sarah Whitesel. That looks like a recipe that will add up to another Semi-State appearance for the Lady Eagles
Randolph Southern Lady Rebels: The Delta Sectional runner ups are also a favorite to extend their season for another week on Saturday. The Lady Rebels could have the top 2 runners in the entire meet in Emma and Leah Keesling. Each week deeper into the tournament we get the more important having true front-runners becomes. And the Rebels top 2 can run with just about anybody in the state, let alone the Regional. The big question will be: can the Lady Rebels 3rd through 5th runners stay close enough to them to have the entire team run another week?
ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN:
Monroe Central Lady Golden Bears: Teammates Aubrey Norris and Gabby Beckham look very good heading into the Regional meet, but the depth of the Golden Bears may be what keeps their whole team from advancing on to New Haven with them. But, look for those 2 team leaders to rally their teammates toward a possible team advancement.
Muncie Burris Lady Owls: The Lady Owls have been hanging on to the the 5th spot in the ECI Top 5 Teams rankings all year long, and pulled through in the Delta Sectional to prove they deserved that designation. But, it will be a tall task to get to the next level of a Semi-State appearance.
Union City Lady Indians: The Lady Indians advanced out of the Delta Regional this year with a 5th place finish. They are led by a tough duo of Reagan Hoggatt and Chloe Wyatt. Even if the Lady Indians cannot get out as a team, watch for those two speedsters towards the front of the individual competition.
Top Individuals from ECI heading into Saturday (According to Sectional times):
TOP CONTENDERS:
Yorktown Lady Tigers: The Tigers are in the middle of a historical season. They have won the last 7 meets they've competed in, including the school's first HHC championship (2 weeks ago) and their first Sectional Championship since 2010 last weekend. The Tigers will look to add a Regional title to the list at Delta on Saturday. They will once again have to compete with a Pendleton Heights team that has some pedigree on their side. The Arabians have earned State Meet births the last 4 years. But, The Lady Tigers are packed with talented girls that seem HUNGRY for success. Madeline Aul, Indira Brown, Amberleigh Sorensen, Elizabeth Reece, and Hannah Rapp all have the ability to be in the top 15. If the Tigers run well, they should be a safe bet to head to the New Haven Semi-State for the 8th straight year.
Delta Lady Eagles: The Eagles were crowned Delta Sectional champs this past Saturday by outdistancing the Randolph Southern Rebels by 5 points. The pieces look to be coming together for the Lady Eagles at exactly the right time. The have senior sister-duo Brandy and Brittany Tuttle looking strong again, as well as a talented freshman group led by Ashleigh Brelage and Sarah Whitesel. That looks like a recipe that will add up to another Semi-State appearance for the Lady Eagles
Randolph Southern Lady Rebels: The Delta Sectional runner ups are also a favorite to extend their season for another week on Saturday. The Lady Rebels could have the top 2 runners in the entire meet in Emma and Leah Keesling. Each week deeper into the tournament we get the more important having true front-runners becomes. And the Rebels top 2 can run with just about anybody in the state, let alone the Regional. The big question will be: can the Lady Rebels 3rd through 5th runners stay close enough to them to have the entire team run another week?
ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN:
Monroe Central Lady Golden Bears: Teammates Aubrey Norris and Gabby Beckham look very good heading into the Regional meet, but the depth of the Golden Bears may be what keeps their whole team from advancing on to New Haven with them. But, look for those 2 team leaders to rally their teammates toward a possible team advancement.
Muncie Burris Lady Owls: The Lady Owls have been hanging on to the the 5th spot in the ECI Top 5 Teams rankings all year long, and pulled through in the Delta Sectional to prove they deserved that designation. But, it will be a tall task to get to the next level of a Semi-State appearance.
Union City Lady Indians: The Lady Indians advanced out of the Delta Regional this year with a 5th place finish. They are led by a tough duo of Reagan Hoggatt and Chloe Wyatt. Even if the Lady Indians cannot get out as a team, watch for those two speedsters towards the front of the individual competition.
Top Individuals from ECI heading into Saturday (According to Sectional times):
- Emma Keesling (RAND)
- Leah Keesling (RAND)
- Amberleigh Sorensen (YORK)
- Indira Brown (YORK)
- Elizabeth Reece (YORK)
- Aubrey Norris (MOCE)
- Brandy Tuttle (DELT)
- Madeline Aul (YORK)
- Sophia Fugiett (JAY)
- Reagan Hoggatt (UNCI)
- Stormie Fitch (SHEN)
- Chloe Wyatt (UNCI)
- Hannah Rapp (YORK)
- Madi Jenkins (SHEN)
- Brittany Tuttle (DELT)
