When Lowell senior Alec Fleming is done with his running career, he could have a future as a recruiter.
His target last spring was track teammate Gabe Sanchez, who played soccer as a freshman in the fall. But Fleming knew he could help the cross country team.
“I spent a lot of time with him during track,” Fleming said. “Our coach would always tell him that we got a ring last year, and you’re the guy that can push us to get another one.”
Fleming’s pitch was successful. At Saturday’s Crown Point Sectional held at Lemon Lake, Sanchez showed why he was in high demand.
Fleming had his usual strong showing, finishing first in 16 minutes, 15 seconds. Sanchez was runner-up at 16:31, helping the Devils capture their third straight sectional title.
“I was expecting fifth,” Sanchez said. “I did not expect to be up that far.”
Sanchez moved to Lowell in eighth grade and said coach Jake Rakoczy was on him almost immediately to join the cross country team. By the end of track season, Sanchez was convinced.
“If I’d known the team was going to be that successful, I would’ve come out,” Sanchez said. “They showed me the third-place ring from state (last season) and said, ‘This could have been you.’ I wanted to be that person.”
Senior Caleb Chapman made it a Lowell hat trick atop the podium, finishing third at 16:43. The Devils finished with 24 points, ahead of Crown Point (42) and Hobart (86).
Lowell’s girls team made it a sweep for the Devils on Saturday, with junior Jordyn Boyer winning in 18:52.
Boyer said she was affected by the unseasonably warm weather, seeking the shade for some relief immediately after the race. But she’s been maintaining a positive mindset after a disappointing day at the New Prairie Invitational in mid-September.
“That was my motivation to keep working hard and getting better for the postseason,” Boyer said. “Every run is a good run. Even if it’s a bad day, you’re still running. If a race doesn’t go your way, just take it and get better for the next race to make a bigger comeback.”
Lowell junior Annalise James finished fourth at 19:57, behind the Crown Point duo of senior Hannah Wylie (19:25) and sophomore Maddie Russin (19:45). With those four cancelling each other out, Lowell’s remaining three runners helped Lowell top Crown Point 36-44.
“Our extended depth has made us that much better,” Lowell coach Scott Coil said. “We have kids within 30 seconds of our back end of runners. They can’t be complacent. They have to be on point with everything they’re doing, and that’s why our back end keeps moving up.”
Sophomore Brooke Hayden (seventh, 20:16), senior Jessica Mescal (ninth, 20:23), and sophomore Olivia McCauley (15th, 21:28) provided the crucial depth for Lowell on Saturday.
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
