Wood closes at semi-state

HUNTINGTON — Going slow at the start and finishing fast helped Lindy Wood reach semi-state.

She reversed that strategy in favor of the same plan she had at sectional.

The switch was in hopes of taking the next step.

The course’s elevation changes, however, nixed that plan almost from the start.

Jay County High School senior Lindy Wood had her career come to a close on Saturday as she finished 106th in the IHSAA Cross Country Semi-State Championship at Huntington University.

“Tired,” she said when asked of how she felt following her race. “That course is really hilly. I did not expect that at all.”

Bruce Wood, Lindy’s father and coach, knew his oldest child had a tall task ahead of her if she wanted to make the state finals (she would have had to be in the top 10 individuals not on advancing teams).

“We knew getting through was going to be really tough and she was going to have to run a minute-and-a-half faster than what she’s done before. That’s obviously very difficult and especially on this course. We haven’t ran a course like this maybe in her whole high school career.”

Near the half-mile mark, following an uphill run at the start, Wood was stuck in the middle of the pack. Just after the one-mile post she had slipped back a handful of spaces.

With one mile to go, the rolling hills were beginning to take their toll on her and she continued to get passed by other runners.

She ended with a time of 21 minutes, 55 seconds.

“I could have done better,” she said while still being in a happy mood. “I didn’t (set a career best) or anything. …

“I was pretty good for the first two miles but then I think everyone started feeling it after that second one.

“I was hanging around with the same people the whole race but I really think the hills were getting to everybody.”

And although the elevation changes in the course and the speed of the other runners made her realize it was going to be the final race of her career, she still made an effort to have a strong finish.

“I was trying to run pretty hard (and) try to not give up so early in the race,” she said. “But I think toward the end I?was just trying to keep going and trying to finish.”

Delta sophomore Nicki Southerland, who was a sectional and regional champion, made it three-for-three in the postseason with her semi-state championship time of 17:55.

Without hearing the final results, Bruce Wood had figured it would take an individual placing in the top 30 to advance to state.

He overestimated by one position, as Concordia senior Madelyn Borchelt earned the final individual qualifying spot as she was 31st in 20:04.2

“Initially I’m stingy,” he said. “You want her to get a (personal record) as a secondary goal inside a race.

“As a dad I’m just really proud of her. She’s had a good career. A great season for her — her best season ever — and that’s how you want to do it; keep getting better and better throughout the season and that’s what she’s done.”

Carroll, which is the 10th-ranked team in the state, won its seventh consecutive semi-state title. The Chargers scored 95 points along with Homestead, but Carroll won the sixth-runner tiebreaker by 29 positions.

Hamilton Southeastern (105), Penn (116), East Noble (143) and Northridge (146) all also advanced to the state finals.

Former Jay County Patriot Lydia Keihn will compete at state for the first time. The East Noble junior was 32nd overall in 20:04.2, the Knights’ fourth-best runner.