Head Coach:
Ron Helmer (8th Year)

 

Last Year:

1st Big 10

4th Great Lakes

8th NCAA 

 

Probable Top Five:

SR Evan Esselink (8:11 3k; 14:01 5k; 29:08 10k; 45th NCAA XC '13)

SO Jason Crist (8:05 3k; 14:16 5k; 8:51 3k Steeple; 48th NCAA XC '13)

SO Carl Smith (8:09 3k; 14:27 5k; 52nd NCAA XC '13)

JR Rorey Hunter (3:40 1500m; 8:13 3k; 13:55 5k; 210th NCAA XC '13)

JR Matthew Schwartzer (8:01 3k; 14:06 5k; 81st NCAA XC '13)

 

Impact Freshman/Recruits:

Jackson Bertoli - Terre Haute S. Vigo, IN (4:23 1600m; 9:09 3200m; Indiana State XC Champ '13)

Bobby Browning - Carmel, IN (9:11 3200m; 2x NXN Qualifier, 65th, 48th)

Joe Murphy - Lawrence North, IN (4:11 1600m; 9:22 3200m; 1:52 800m)

Analysis:
Last year at this time, Indiana was no where to be found on the Flotrack Poll. Drastic developments during the 2013 season gave the Hoosiers some new found respect on Flotrack and throughout the country. Coach Ron Helmer, former longtime assistant to Coach Gagliano at Georgetown, did the best coaching job of his life with this young team, winning the Big Ten Championships for the first time in what seems like an eternity (actually 1980). With his top four runners all finishing under 81st place and with middle distance star Rorey Hunter getting stuck in the mud at 210th, they racked up a very impressive 8th place spot in neighboring Terre Haute.

All of these guys are back, so 7th seems very much within their reach. Rorey Hunter had a very nice track season, indoors and out, running 3:40 for 1500m and winning the Big Ten 1500m championship.  If he can do even a little better on the grass this November, Indiana is in a prime spot. Senior Evan Esselink is back as well and his 45th last year made him the Hoosier leader at the NCAA. He showed it was no fluke with a 29:08 10k in the spring. Also returning from last year’s outstanding freshman efforts are Jason Crist and Carl Smith, who were 48th and 52nd, respectively. Not quite as impressive on the track last spring, but Helmer should have them ready to do it all over again on the Laverne Gibson course.

 

Junior Matthew Schwartzer should return as their 5th counter, and if he duplicates his 81st effort from last year, that will be plenty good enough. However, he may have to fight off Indiana state cross country champion from last year, Jackson Bertoli, who will be returning to his home (attended Terre Haute South High School), and that might be motivation enough to really give Helmer a solid six.

The key is Hunter. Should the Australian find his 1500m legs on grass, Indiana could take another leap forward. They do like racing in Indiana.

#7 Stanford Women
#8 Iona Men