...Sage Knopp is our 2009 RunIndiana.com
"Runner-of-the-Year"...
Although Sage Knopp of Central Noble didn't excel as a middle school runner, she'll tell you that, she won her first high school race at the 2006
Panther Run (right photo) and went on to make four state finals appearances, racking up win after win along the way.
What's most impressive, however, is that she did it mainly by herself. For what Sage has been able to accomplish, she is our 2009 "Runner-of-the-Year".
Through coaching changes, the loss of her father, and few teammates to train with at a school little known for distance running, Sage stayed focused on her running, getting faster, and trying to run her best.
That she did. This year Sage scored more points in our RunIndiana.com series than any other senior girl, won for the first time the West Noble Invitational (a special goal for her), was second at sectional only to DeKalb's Autumn Beachy, but came back to win the regional, and placed second among seniors behind Carroll's Kaylee McClanahan at semistate where she was fifth overall.
At this year's state finals (above left), Sage placed 56th. In her previous state runs she was 40th as a freshman, 38th as a sophomore, and 86th as a junior. Although never making the medals podium, she beat all of the area seniors ahead of her at one race or another.
In addition to her fourth state-finals run this year, Sage earned a 7th-place medal last spring in 3200m at the state meet in
track.
Where consistency counts and mental toughness a necessity, Sage was always there.
"It's been rough always on your own," Sage told us after winning at West Noble. "I think for the most part it's made me mentally stronger. But it's a little tough at times."
While other girls under similar circumstances would have given up, Sage never lost interest in running. And few other girls could match her poise and grace - and none more articulate.
As Sage sat alone on the bench in the recovery area after her last state cross country run (left photo), I already knew what she was thinking and didn't have to ask.
"I did as well as I could and I have that to satisfy me in the end," she had told me many times before.
Although Sage Knopp of Central Noble didn't excel as a middle school runner, she'll tell you that, she won her first high school race at the 2006
Panther Run (right photo) and went on to make four state finals appearances, racking up win after win along the way.
What's most impressive, however, is that she did it mainly by herself. For what Sage has been able to accomplish, she is our 2009 "Runner-of-the-Year".
Through coaching changes, the loss of her father, and few teammates to train with at a school little known for distance running, Sage stayed focused on her running, getting faster, and trying to run her best.
That she did. This year Sage scored more points in our RunIndiana.com series than any other senior girl, won for the first time the West Noble Invitational (a special goal for her), was second at sectional only to DeKalb's Autumn Beachy, but came back to win the regional, and placed second among seniors behind Carroll's Kaylee McClanahan at semistate where she was fifth overall.
At this year's state finals (above left), Sage placed 56th. In her previous state runs she was 40th as a freshman, 38th as a sophomore, and 86th as a junior. Although never making the medals podium, she beat all of the area seniors ahead of her at one race or another.
In addition to her fourth state-finals run this year, Sage earned a 7th-place medal last spring in 3200m at the state meet in
track.
Where consistency counts and mental toughness a necessity, Sage was always there.
"It's been rough always on your own," Sage told us after winning at West Noble. "I think for the most part it's made me mentally stronger. But it's a little tough at times."
While other girls under similar circumstances would have given up, Sage never lost interest in running. And few other girls could match her poise and grace - and none more articulate.
As Sage sat alone on the bench in the recovery area after her last state cross country run (left photo), I already knew what she was thinking and didn't have to ask.
"I did as well as I could and I have that to satisfy me in the end," she had told me many times before.
