Page 19 - 2024-25 Cross Country State Finals Program

Girls Mental Attitude Award State Meet Scoring / Official of the Year

At the conclusion of the state finals, the IHSAA Executive Committee will present the Mental Attitude Award to an outstanding One point for first place; two points for second place; three points for third place, etc. The team score shall be determined by totaling the points scored by
senior participant in the Girls Cross Country State Tournament. The recipient, nominated by her principal and coach, must the first five (5) finishing contestants on each team. The team which scores the lowest number of points will be the champion. Ties in team scoring shall be
resolved by comparing the sixth-place finishers from the tying teams. The team with the best sixth-place finisher shall prevail.
excel in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability in cross country. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, IHSAA
corporate sponsor, will present a $1,000 scholarship to the school in the name of the recipient.
LaVern Gibson 5,000 Meter Course
Year Name School
1994-95 Becky Jordan Carmel
1995-96 Courtney Adams * Brebeuf Jesuit
1996-97 Nicole Nigh Lake Central
1997-98 Maria Harriman West Noble
1998-99 Nicole Williams Westview
1999-00 Lisa Nicholson Anderson Highland
2000-01 Robyn Detty Lawrence North
2001-02 Jessica Gall * West Lafayette
2002-03 Cassie Hunt North Putnam
2003-04 Alissa McKaig * Fort Wayne Concordia
2004-05 Laura Carr Penn
2005-06 Jenny Kulow Brown County
2006-07 Erica Watson Noblesville
2007-08 Alexandra Banfich * Culver Academies
2008-09 Erica Ridderman Warsaw Community
2009-10 Dana Payonk Lake Central
2010-11 Kaisa Goodman West Lafayette
2011-12 Renee Wellman Carmel
2012-13 Ashley Erba Warsaw Community
2013-14 Kelcy Welch * Carmel
2014-15 Anna Rohrer * Mishawaka
2015-16 Lauren Johnson West Lafayette
2016-17 Rachel Anderson Carmel
2017-18 Katherine Modrall Brebeuf Jesuit Prep
2018-19 Emma Wilson * Greencastle
2019-20 Mykayla Couchenour South Knox
2020-21 Abigail Lynch Brownsburg 2023 Mental Attitude Award
2021-22 Karina James Lowell
2022-23 Bridget Gallagher Guerin Catholic Nicki Southerland
2023-24 Nicki Southerland Delta Edward Stuffle named State’s Top Official
Delta
* Won individual state championship same year Each year, the Indiana High School Athletic Association In addition to his work with the IHSAA, Ed has been an
honors an outstanding official in each sport during the State 11-time starter for the NCAA D-I & D-III Cross Country
Finals Tournament. Championships and Race Director, Starter, and Referee of
The recipient of the 2024-25 IHSAA Outstanding Cross- the Crawfordsville Strawberry Festival Road Race for 26
years. Ed has also volunteered countless hours with Special
Country Official is Edward Stuffle from Olympics Indiana and has been a vital crew
Crawfordsville, Indiana. Ed was selected for member in a variety of roles for the Unified
this honor by a committee representing the Track & Field State Finals since its inception
24 officials’ associations in Indiana. There
are more than 6,000 officials licensed by in the 2013-14 School Year.
the IHSAA in all sports. These officials work
tirelessly to provide safe, competitive environ- Ed looks to give back to the sport that has
ments for over 160,000 student athletes. been such a large part of his own life by
providing a safe, healthy, and fair environment
Ed has been licensed in the sport of Cross for all competitions.
Country for 18 years and he has overseen
16 Cross Country sectionals, 11 regionals, 9 Ed resides in Crawfordsville and has two
semi-state meets, and 3 State Finals meets children, five grandchildren, and two great
(2020, 2021, and 2022)! He also serves as a grandchildren. He retired in 2013 after a 41-
licensed official for the IHSAA in Track & Field. year career as a High School Pre-Engineering
Ed is a member of 4 different Officials Asso- Teacher and Head Track and Field/Cross
Country Coach for North Mongomery Schools
ciation in Indiana (Mid-Hoosier, North Central,
Western and Calumet). Ed volunteers his time helping the in Linden, Indiana.
Cross Country and Track & Field officials and coaches in his
community by providing them with a better understanding
of the rules and policies surrounding their sports. He also
serves as an IHSAA Clinician, assisting with clinics and train-
ings each year in service to other officials in his community.
18 IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport. Pure INDIANA! IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport. Pure INDIANA! 19