Arabians boys team prepares for long season

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PENDLETON — Extending the season is the goal for the Pendleton Heights boys cross country team.

Coach Alan Holden has held that philosophy throughout his 33 years of coaching, and it has served the Arabians well.

While the Arabians lost the talents of a few of their top runners to graduation, 18 are out for the team looking to challenge for the coveted top seven spots.

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Holden has the advantage of prepping his team for more than just one season. The Arabians have no seniors and have several experienced juniors including Sean Roan and Kyle Drinkut; both were part of the Arabians core from last season.

Other junior runners are Taylor Skalon, Riley Keller, Owen Lowhorn, Noah Cheney and Andrea DiPaolo.

“We can replace what we had last year,” Holden said. “They know the program, what to expect and how to get ready to race.”

The strong leadership of the juniors is pacing the younger members through conditioning and endurance with encouragement and guidance.

Roan and Skalon are the captains this year.

Also on the agenda is to retain the Madison County title, one the Arabians have taken six years in a row.

Extending the season will include placing in the top five at both sectional and regional. The Arabians were third in both last season. They fell short at semistate, but Holden hopes this year to have some representation in the state meet.

Improvement from beginning to end is a continuing goal for the team. Holden is pushing for the whole team to be under 18 minutes during the 5K races. Two are already pacing in the 16-minute range.

Despite being at the helm for more than three decades, Holden still loves what he’s doing.

“I really enjoy watching the kids improve day to day and week to week.”

The Arabians begin their quest for postseason races Aug. 24 at the Hamilton Southeastern Hokum Karem. The Arabian Roundup is Aug. 28. Pendleton Heights also plays host to the Madison County meet Sept. 24 and the Hoosier Heritage Conference meet Oct. 5.

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Juniors

Sean Roan

Taylor Skalon

Kyle Drinkut

Riley Keller

Owen Lowhorn

Noah Cheney

Andrea DiPaolo

Sophomores

Avry Carpenter

Elizah Creel

Gabe Holland

Jonathan Pardue

Nick Rhea

Freshmen

Nick Bronnenberg

Ian McLaughlin

Andrew Blake

Jason Lyst

Jack Goehring

Riley Penrod

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