For the very first time since 2015, Mt. Vernon High Schools Boys’ Varsity Cross Country team made it to finals.  Mt. Vernon made an appearance in the IHSAA State Finals meet in 1982, 1983, 1984, 2014, 2015, and now 2021. Austin Rush, 12, and Tristen Trevino, 11, advanced to state on October 23rd after their successful semi-state meet hosted by Shelbyville High School. Mt. Vernon made 9th place as a team in the semi-state rankings.

This year’s semi-state meet was held in Blue River Memorial Park, Shelbyville. Trevino came in 27th place with a time of 16:09.1, and Rush finished in 29th place at 16:11.1.

Tristen Trivino said, “when they first announced it I was confident but when it was announced at school it really hit, I was going to state. It is definitely a privilege.”

This year, the State meet was on October 30, at The Lavern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course, in Terre Haute. A number of runners on the team traveled to the championship course to support and cheer on their fellow teammates at the State finals. 

“One thing that inspired me to run is the community of guys in there,” said Rush. 

The Mt. Vernon runners appreciate their coach, Bruce Kendall, for his support this season and for helping them reach their potential. 

“[Coach Kendall] pushes us to our limits all the time and has his own crazy way of supporting us but he definitely helps a lot,” said Rush.

Rush and Trevino both made it in the top 100 of the state finals out of 200+ runners. Austin Rush came in 89th with his time of 16:49.09 and Tristen Trevino earned his place of 77th with a finishing time of 16:42.07. Trevino just barely missed the top 75 runners by 6/10th of a second. Rush and Trevino were the first Mt. Vernon cross country boys to qualify for the State Finals since Christian Noble and Aaron Rush in 2015. Christian Noble and Aaron Rush earned all-state honors and came in 4th and 19th place the last time Mt. Vernon was eligible for state.

Even though Trevino and Rush are ranked, they aren’t exactly competing against each other as much as they are competing against themselves. The team works together.  

Trevino said, “I feel like it wasn’t really a competition, it was more of us in it together and trying to make each other faster.” 

Austin Rush said,” If you want to join cross country, know it is not just a layoff sport. There is actual work that goes into running, just make sure you want to stick with it.” 

Good luck to next year’s cross country team and this year’s Mt. Vernon graduating runners.