Page 18 - 2025-26 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
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
2021-22 Karina James Lowell 2024 Mental Attitude Award
2022-23 Bridget Gallagher Guerin Catholic
2023-24 Nicki Southerland Delta Ava Jarrell
2024-25 Ava Jarrell Pendleton Heights Barry Poole Named Cross Country’s Top Official
* Won individual state championship same year Pendleton Heights
Each year, the Indiana High School Athletic Association Poole volunteers his time helping Cross Country and
honors an outstanding official in each sport during the Track & Field officials and coaches by providing them
State Finals Tournament. with a better understanding of the rules and policies
surrounding their sports. He also serves as an IHSAA
The recipient of the 2025-26 IHSAA Out- Clinician, assisting with clinics and trainings
standing Official Award for Cross Country each year in service to other officials in his
is Barry Poole of Griffith, Indiana. Barry community. Additionally, Barry has been vital
was selected for this honor by a commit- in the recruitment and mentorship of younger
tee representing the 24 officials’ associa- officials in his community.
tions in Indiana. There are more than
6,000 officials licensed by the IHSAA in In addition to his work with the IHSAA, Barry
all sports. These officials work tirelessly has served as a USA Track and Field Official
to provide safe, competitive environments and as a Special Olympics Sport Official.
for over 160,000 student athletes. Barry is currently the head of Silent Noise, a
non-profit organization that works to educate
Barry has been licensed in the sport of on suicide prevention and awareness.
Cross Country for 25 years and he has
overseen 20 Cross Country sectionals, Barry finds that the camaraderie with
14 regionals, and eight (8) semi-state student-athletes is the most fulfilling part of
meets. He has also spent time as a licensed official in being an official and finds it truly gratifying to witness their
Basketball, Football, and Track & Field. growth and see them succeed at the highest level.
Barry is a member of the Lake County Officials Associa- Barry resides in Griffith and works as a Student Transpor-
tion and has served in numerous leadership roles within tation Safety Director.
the organization, most notably as Association President.

18 IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport. Pure INDIANA! IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport. Pure INDIANA! 19