Published: October 31, 2009 11:54 pm         

STATE CHAMPS: North freshman runs to individual title at IHSAA Cross Country State Finals

Goatee says wet grounds played to strengths

TERRE HAUTE — Terre Haute North Vigo freshman Tapring Goatee made history Saturday in her hometown.

Goatee became the the first individual from Vigo County to win an IHSAA Cross Country State Finals, and the fourth freshman girl to achieve the feat since 1981.

The grounds at LaVern Gibson Championship Course in eastern Vigo County were saturated from recent rain, playing to Goatee’s strength.

Thanks to her quick move to the front early in the 5,000-meter race, Goatee’s face was mud free when she flashed a giant smile 10 feet away from the finish line. After she crossed the line in 19 minutes, 7.9 seconds, North coach Mike Dason was there to hold Goatee up and deliver a hug.

“I just was ecstatic,” Dason said of his first state champion. “It’s a great feeling. I think Tapring has way more potential than just being a state champion. She has a long running career ahead of her.”

Dason will also coach Goatee on the track, where she could be among the state’s best milers.

“My coach has been there through everything. He’s a second dad to me. He’ll be there for me for the next four years,” Goatee said later.

In September, Goatee provided a glimpse of her potential when she placed second in her first meet of high school against elite competition at the Gibson Course. The way she thrived the past two weekends in muddy conditions at Brown County gave her the confidence to go for the victory Saturday.

“I had to stay positive the whole time [leading up to the race],” Goatee said. “I got confidence the last couple weeks.”

“She’s been running in this muck for 2 or 3 weeks now. We felt confident to say, do what you need to do [to win]. She’s not the type to hold back,” Dason said.

In the first mile of Saturday’s race, Goatee battled for position with Waverly Neer of Culver Academy and Dana Payonk of Lake Central. Goatee ran a 5:50 opening mile and she hit the two-mile mark at 12:06.

“My gameplan was to let Dana Payonk get in front of me and use her to block the wind, and then when I got up to the hill, accelerate. But it didn’t happen like that,” Goatee said. “I got tired of being next to people like it was a practice or something so I just took off and [Payonk] went with me.”

Goatee had about a 100-meter lead when the two frontrunners made a right turn to the front straightaway for the final 600 meters. Payonk closed the gap as they approached the finish, but Goatee had enough lead to hang on for the victory by eight seconds.

“When I got to the straightaway, I thought I had it,” Goatee said.

Senior team captain Lindy Jones was impressed but not surprised by the phenomenal talent displayed by Goatee.

“Tapring definitely proved she deserves to be No. 1. She’s fearless,” Jones said.

Terre Haute North finished in ninth place out of 24 teams, the highest ever for the girls program. Terre Haute North’s boys took 10th place.