Lowell’s Eller finds inspiration in winning title

Updated: September 24, 2011 8:28PM

HIGHLAND — Lowell’s Kyle Eller wanted to stay with the leaders, then make his move with about 1,000 meters left in the race.

It seemed like sound strategy, but there was one problem.

But it wasn’t anything a little divine inspiration couldn’t overcome.

“I was in about fourth place at the time and felt like I was fading,” Eller said. “It was at that time that I asked God to help me make it through the race and give me the strength to finish. Suddenly, I just felt something — like I could run faster.

“I started to gain so much ground. I came out of nowhere.”

The next thing the talented Eller knew, he was crossing the finish line in first place at Saturday’s 44th Highland Invitational with a time of 15:52.

“I’m really excited — this is the first invite I’ve ever won,” the junior said. “I thought I had a chance, but I wasn’t sure if I would, because there are a lot of other good runners. My coaches train me to run my best and my team pushes me a lot, too. I’m just glad God has given me the opportunity to be able to do this.’’

Lowell coach Jake Rakoczy said Eller ran a smart race.

“He did a great job,” he said. “We’ve been talking a lot about finishing a race and not waiting until the last 200 meters to make a move. He did that today. He made his move over the last 1,000 meters and he really opened up a gap.”

Eller’s win wasn’t quite enough to earn Lowell the team title, though.

Andrean placed four runners in the top 20 -- Patrick Musgrave finished sixth, Lucas Kalbfell 11th, Blaine Wolf 12th and Jack Musgrave was 20th -- to take the team title with 72 points.

Lowell ended up second (76), while Perry Meridian was third (90).

Highland’s Jake Baranowski (16:06) placed third, while Perry Meridian’s Daniel Swem was second (16:04) to Eller.

“I felt pretty strong that first mile, but then things started to fall apart a little bit after that,” Baranowski said. “I was a little upset about the way things went, but it just wasn’t there today. In the grand scheme of things, though, it’s all about the postseason, so I hope I can start to gear up and get ready for that.”

Andrean coach Rick Torres wants to see a little more consistency from his runners beyond the top four.

“I’m still trying to figure them out,” he said. “We go about nine deep, but I just can’t seem to get seven guys to show up and fire on the same day and race well together.

“I’ve tried to solve the problem by flip-flopping a couple guys between JV and varsity, but that hasn’t worked either. It’s a good problem to have, but a frustrating problem. It’s nice to have the depth to jostle back and forth, but we’re getting close to the (postseason) and we need to figure it out.”

Nick Janiga, who won the JV race in 16:54, is a good example. He would have finished in the top 16 in the varsity race.

Other than developing more consistency, Torres likes the way his top four are competing.

“They’ve been running really good and they’re solid,” he said.

Timeout Cross Country

Girls runner of the week

Becca Conley, Andrean

The senior posted her career-best time of 18:36 to take first in the Highland Invitational on Saturday.

P-T Girls Top 5

1. Chesterton; 2. Valparaiso; 3. Crown Point; 4. Portage; 5. Andrean

Boys runner of the week

Mitch Hubner, LaPorte

The Slicers’ senior was fourth in the Culver Invite, just four seconds behind state finals caliber runners whom he’ll compete against in Terre Haute.

P-T Boys Top 5

1. Valparaiso; 2. LaPorte; 3. Lowell; 4. Crown Point; 5. Andrean

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