BT&F RANKINGS: Half the poll consists of new schools!

By E. Shawn Aylsworth

Managing Editor

The Indiana Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches has released its third poll for the 2009 boys track & field season, and the news this week is we have half a new Top 25 following the uber-important Hoosier State Relays that were held March 21 at Purdue.

Defending state champion Ben Davis – the runaway 4A/5A winner at Purdue – remains atop the rankings, with Warren Central still second. But after that, we see massive changes.

Leading the way are Richmond and Noblesville, which come from outside the rankings to their current slots at sixth and eighth, respectively. That duo is joined with rankings debuts from 11 other schools: No. 11 Carroll (Fort Wayne), East Central (13th), Pendleton Heights (14th), Brownsburg (15th), Westfield (16th), Crown Point (17th), Franklin Central (18th), Northridge (20th), Homestead (22nd), Lafayette Jefferson (24th), and 1A/2A/3A Hoosier State Relays champion Western (25th).

The baker’s dozen schools dropping out of the poll: Merrillville, Southport, Anderson Highland, Terre Haute South, Homestead, Terre Haute North, Elkhart Central, Marion, Chesterton, Valparaiso, Hamilton Southeastern, Castle, and South Bend Clay.

The season’s third boys IATCCC poll from March 24:

1. Ben Davis

2. Warren Central

3. Fort Wayne Northrop

4. Lawrence Central

5. Pike

6. Richmond

7. Carmel

8. Noblesville

9. Center Grove

10. Fishers

11. Carroll (Fort Wayne)