The boys cross country team finished 6th at the Shelbyville Regional, coming up one spot short of advancing as a team to next week's State finals. What may seem like a sad ending is, in reality, a sign of growth and incredible things to come in the near future. In the most important meet of the year, the boys ran one of their best team races of the season, staying true to their identity and fighting for each other, every step of the way. The Shamrocks were led by Bryce Pittman, who finished 19th place, earning All-Regional honors and advancing to the State Finals as an individual. Pittman became the first All-Regional athlete since 2021, an extraordinary achievement, especially considering the depth and talent in the meet. Bryce has had one of the best seasons in Westfield history, turning in outstanding efforts every week, and this week was one of his best performances all year. He'll be looking to complete his season on a high note next week at the State finals. Nathan McKeever was the next finisher for the Shamrocks, coming just short of an individual State berth, but still running one of the best races of his career. McKeever's performance was especially impressive, given his battles with a foot injury for the last month. His ability to manage the discomfort and stay as competitive as he did is a testament to his toughness and desire to run well for his teammates. Carson Ackley was the 3rd Shamrock finisher, and he ran the race of his life exactly when he needed to. Ackley earned a PR on a course not known for particularly fast performances, and ran in a way that showed his heart and dedication to the team. His clutch performance helped keep the team in contention. Carson's leadership throughout the season was vital to the team's success, and his effort on Saturday helped reflect that idea as well. Caleb Haney crossed the line next, capping off a career that will surely be used to inspire future runners for years to come. Haney battled through a multitude of health issues throughout his career, including a serious injury that kept him out for the entire regular season, and still got to conclude his career with the best performances of his life. The amount of work he put in this season to be able to compete at all is impressive, but to run as fast as he did is a testament to his work ethic, drive, and courage. Luke Moulder was the 5th finisher and last scorer, and his bounceback from last week was a thing of beauty. Luke's talent is extremely high, and he had a terrific season, but coming back from the disappointment of last week is a sign of his perseverance and toughness. He is set up extremely well to have an unreal track season, and he'll be one of the best in the state next season. Deagan Imel was the 6th finisher, ending his breakthrough season with a terrific performance in the biggest race of his life. Deagan was remarkably consistent and dependable throughout the season, and this race was no different. He built on momentum he gained at the end of last track season, and will continue to improve dramatically over the next year. Chase Niccum was the last Shamrock finisher, completing a huge breakthrough season of his own. Like his teammates, he was incredibly dependable all season long, and has a lot of potential for even more growth. Chase held his own, despite not having previous postseason experience, and his efforts this season helped create a culture that will last for a long time. This was one of the best teams in Westfield cross country history, and it's due in large part to the efforts of the Regional competitors listed above. The entire team embraced the idea of building our team culture, and that paid off nicely this year -- and will pay off even more in the years to come. Congratulations to everyone who competed this season, and thank you to all for making this season so enjoyable. Bryce Pittman will end his season at the IHSAA State Finals at LaVern Gibson Championship Course in Terre Haute on Saturday. He races at noon. Come out and support!