<p>The last time a runner not named Will Jefferson established a record time for Whiteland boys cross country, it stood for more than three decades.</p><p>Jefferson’s marks might hold up even longer.</p><p>Earlier this season, the senior finished the Columbus North Classic in 14 minutes, 59.6 seconds for what is believed to be the only sub-15-minute performance by a male runner in the history of Johnson County cross country.</p><p>Don’t expect anyone to lower the standard anytime soon. Perhaps ever.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]<p>Jefferson’s blistering time aside, he piled up a multitude of other accomplishments in what was his final fall season at Whiteland to be named the Daily Journal’s Runner of the Year.</p><p>It’s the third straight year Jefferson has been honored.</p><p>After bursting onto the local running scene as a ninth-grader, Jefferson proved a consistent force throughout his career. The past four seasons have been an assembly line of blue ribbons, lowered personal-best times and the type of adulation that comes with being one of the elite distance runners in Indiana.</p><p>“I’m honestly glad that, for one, I moved here to Whiteland and I got to work with (coach Gerry) Emerson,” said Jefferson, whose family moved here from Naples, Florida before the start of his fifth-grade school year (2013-14). “I’m real happy with the four years that I had.</p><p>“And the fact that I can still run another four years in college is also really rewarding to me.”</p><p>Jefferson will run cross country and track and field at Liberty University, a Division I school located in Lynchburg, Virginia. His plan academically is to pursue a career in sports administration.</p><p>Emerson, who just completed his 15th season as coach of the Whiteland boys, attributes Jefferson’s consistent success and improvement to various factors.</p><p>“A lot of that is staying healthy,” Emerson said. “Will hasn’t had any major injuries, and I believe that from day one he believed in what our system is and what our program is. It was all about progression, and it wasn’t about trying to be the best freshman in the state of Indiana.</p><p>“That’s really why I believe he kept getting better every year.”</p><p>Whiteland’s previous standard in boys cross country was the 15:41 run by Phil Hallett in 1985. Jefferson improved on that mark with a 15:28 his junior season and then convincingly blew past both times with his performance at the Columbus North Classic in September.</p><p>Overall, Jefferson won individual honors three times at sectional, three times at the Johnson County meet and twice at both regional and Mid-State Conference meets.</p><p>The best distance runner in Whiteland history always worked to improve upon what was accomplished the season before. It was a formula that, while at times daunting, produced mostly impressive results.</p><p>“I think it was a little challenging, but I also think it was a rewarding feeling,” Jefferson said. “I’m going to enjoy the record for as long as it stands, but if Whiteland has another talented runner, I’m going to support that kid no matter what. I hope someone breaks it.</p><p>“If it doesn’t happen, it’s always nice to have your own record.”</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="All-County team" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>The 2020 All-County team for boys cross country:</p><p><strong>Drew Costelow, Center Grove sophomore:</strong> Took second at conference and sectional meets and 15th at semistate … Was Trojans’ top runner at state meet, his 32nd-place effort helping team place fourth … Personal best time of 15:27.</p><p><strong>Griffin Hennessy, Center Grove sophomore:</strong> Second-place finisher at regional and 14th at semistate … Was second Center Grove runner to cross finish line at state, his time of 16:19.9 good for 33rd overall … Fifth at MIC meet … Best time of 16:06 … Also played soccer for the Trojans.</p><p><strong>Will Jefferson, Whiteland senior:</strong> Runner of the Year for a third consecutive year after winning sectional and regional races at Franklin and taking runner-up at the Shelbyville Semistate … Time of 14:59.6 clocked at Columbus North Invitational shattered his own school record.</p><p><strong>Anthony McDonald, Franklin senior:</strong> Enjoyed solid final season, placing fifth at sectional and seventh at regional … Crossed the finish line 52nd at the Shelbyville semistate in personal-best time of 16:44.9 … Seventh at Mid-State Conference meet.</p><p><strong>Parker Mimbela, Center Grove sophomore:</strong> Fourth at regional and 38th at semistate, the sophomore was another key ingredient to the best team season in school history … Fourth at MIC meet and 77th at state meet.</p><p><strong>Kyle Montgomery, Center Grove freshman:</strong> Impressive varsity debut, placing third at regional and 47th at semistate … Helped Trojans to fourth-place performance at state meet by finishing 97th … Was 11th at MIC meet … Best time of 16:07.</p><p><strong>Jarret Rockwell, Center Grove sophomore:</strong> Placed fourth at Franklin Sectional and 32nd at semistate two weeks later … Season-best time of 16:09 … Finished 12th at MIC meet and 58th at state meet.</p><p><strong>Raef Sauer, Center Grove junior:</strong> Finished third at sectional and an impressive 22nd at the Shelbyville Semistate … Placed ninth at conference meet and 64th at state meet … Posted a top time of 16:16.</p><p><span>Honorable mention</span></p><p>Caleb Cadwell, Franklin; Ben Daene, Franklin; Aidan Galt, Center Grove; John Gries, Greenwood; Owen Harder, Greenwood Christian; Garrett Mills, Franklin; Jack Mitchell, Indian Creek; Michael Perkins, Whiteland; Ashton Spoonamore, Whiteland; Ronald Stone, Greenwood; Conner Watson, Greenwood</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
