A new opponent prevented Will Jefferson from scripting a more successful end to his cross country season.
Prior to semistate, however, the Whiteland runner was dominant.
Jefferson, who placed second in the Mid-State Conference meet at Decatur Central and took individual honors at the county, sectional and regional meets, is the Daily Journal’s Runner of the Year for its All-County boys cross country team.
A junior, Jefferson wins the honor for a second consecutive year.
"We were right on track what we wanted to accomplish this season," Warriors coach Gerry Emerson said. "When Will was healthy, he was winning. Each year we’ve upped his mileage and his workouts become a little more intense.
"Our goal is for him to peak at the state meet his senior year."
Jefferson’s plan to place near the top at semistate began to unravel in the days leading up to competing with his Warrior teammates at Blue River Park in Shelbyville. Battling flu-like conditions all week, Jefferson ran in cold and rainy conditions, finishing an uncharacteristic 88th in a time of 17 minutes, 6.8 seconds — more than 82 seconds slower than his regional time seven days earlier.
“I was sick the Monday prior to semistate and for about two weeks after it,” Jefferson said. “After the race, I went to the doctor and found out I had mononucleosis. I missed at least a week of school.”
Jefferson’s started the season posting a career-best time of 15:28 at the Columbus North Invitational at Ceraland Park. Though unable to duplicate that performance as the season went on, he remained consistent with times usually in the mi- to high 15s.
“I started my season strong, and really wanted to be one of the top dogs in the state,” he said. “(Semistate) definitely hurt me, but it gives me motivation to have a great track season.”
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The 2019 All-County team for boys cross country:
Drew Costelow, Center Grove freshman: Displayed impressive consistency in first varsity season, placing fourth at the Johnson County meet, sectional and regional … Seventh at MIC meet and 15th at semistate.
Ty Garrett, Center Grove freshman: Runner-up at sectional and took fifth at both county and regional … Placed fourth at MIC meet … Was 22nd at semistate.
Will Jefferson, Whiteland junior: Runner of the Year for a second consecutive season and All-County a third time … Won county, sectional and regional meets … Runner-up at Mid-State Conference meet.
Wyatt McCullough, Franklin senior: Second at Johnson County meet … third at sectional and regional and at Mid-State Conference meet.
Archit Malik, Center Grove senior: All-County for a third time … Placed third at county, fifth at MIC meet, sixth at sectional and seventh at regional … 21st at semistate.
Ethan Pheifer, Franklin junior: Placed seventh at county meet and eighth at both sectional and regional meets … 42nd at semistate … Placed ninth at Mid-State Conference meet.
Jarret Rockwell, Center Grove freshman: Finished ninth at Johnson County meet, 10th at sectional and ninth at regional … Finished 49th at semistate and 18th at MIC meet.
Honorable mention
Keith Alford, Greenwood; Drew Hargis, Franklin; Drew McGaha, Franklin; Parker Mimbela, Center Grove; Michael Perkins, Whiteland; Ashton Spoonamore, Whiteland; Will Tucker, Franklin; Conner Watson, Greenwood
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