Will Jefferson was a week from being born the last time Whiteland qualified a runner for the boys cross country state meet.
On Saturday, the sophomore will end the 16-year absence.
Jefferson’s eighth-place finish at the Shelbyville semistate makes him the first Warriors boys runner to compete at state since 2002, when Justin Reuter crossed the finish line 31st.
When Reuter competed, the state meet was held at the Indiana University course; this marks the 15th straight season it will be hosted by the Lavern Gibson Championship Course in Terre Haute.
Jefferson looks forward to re-familiarizing himself with the layout.
“I ran the Nike Midwest meet there last November,” Jefferson said. “I liked it. It’s definitely a fun course. I’m trying to make All-State, so I want to place in the top 25.
“But I’ll have to run a PR (personal record) or close to it. I’m nervous, but excited for the opportunity.”
As a freshman, Jefferson just missed out on the finals, coming in 38th at semistate in a time of 16:21.2. He was clocked at 15:58.9 last weekend, which shows how much improvement he’s made in the past year.
At 5-foot-7, Jefferson doesn’t possess the same long stride as some of his competition. However, Warriors coach Gerry Emerson said Jefferson more than makes up for it with natural talent, work ethic and competitiveness.
“Will was a couple places and a couple seconds from making state last season. That set us up for the goal of making it this year,” Emerson said. “When you miss it by just a hair, you make it your goal for the next season.”
Whiteland’s fastest boys cross country time of 15:41 was set by Phil Hallett in 1986. Jefferson moved into the second spot all-time with his winning time of 15:54.6 at the Shelbyville regional on Oct. 6.
Favorable weather conditions on Saturday, and being pushed by the best runners in the state, could move Jefferson even closer to Hallett’s standard.
Emerson compares the Lavern Gibson Course to Franklin’s course, which annually hosts the Johnson County and sectional meets, in terms of difficulty.
“The first third of the race is really fast and in the middle there’s a decent amount of incline. That’s usually where the race is made or broke,” Emerson said. “I don’t foresee it affecting Will too much.”
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IHSAA State Finals
When: Saturday (girls race 1 p.m., boys race, 1:45 p.m.)
Where: LaVern Gibson Championship Course, Terre Haute
Admission: $10 per person
Local competitors: Franklin boys team; Will Jefferson, Whiteland; Nick Perkins, Roncalli
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