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...I was sure, and even hoping, someone would. It gives us another chance to explain.

It was easy picking Sage Knopp this year and Erica Ridderman last year. Both were the highest scoring seniors in the point system we use for cross country. We only pick seniors to be our Runner-of-the-Year, so that left out Ashley Erba and Brianna Johnson on the girls side this year who scored more points than Sage. It also left out James Martin, who scored more points than Ross. The way Brianna and James have run, I suspect they'll be our choice next year when they'll both be seniors, and Ashley three years from now.

However, just because we pick only seniors as ROYs doesn't mean we pick the highest scoring senior in the cross country season (obviously the point of your question).

The choice this year between Nathan Hendershot and Ross Ochs, and even Josh Graham, was much like last year when we picked Robby Kleber of Carroll over Andrew Albert of Northridge. Nathan scored more points during the cross country season than Ross and Andrew scored more points last year than Robby.

But we look at more than just the cross country points alone. Because we call it "Runner-of-the-Year", we look at the whole year (including track), in fact we look at the whole high school career and their contribution to team success.

So here's where the controversy starts. Our ROY is not necessarily the highest placing senior nor the fastest cross country senior of the year.

Nathan is obviously a great runner. He was the highest finisher at state in cross country. He led his team to the state finals for the first time in school history. And he earned a second-place medal last spring in track in 800 meters. He was also our top point scorer last year in cross country.

So with all these credentials and accomplishments, why didn't we pick Nathan over Ross?

Believe me, we almost did, even toyed with the idea of a co-ROY this time, but we opted instead to name Nathan our final "Runner-of-the-Week". As you know, we "bubble-up" ROWs through the season and usually end up with the best - this year Nathan. And Brianna for our final girl ROW this year and last. I think we've always picked the highest placing runner at state as the final ROW - an honor we think nearly as important as ROY.

But ultimately we went with Ross for these reasons, in addition to his points:
1. Ross was a four-year state finalist, Nathan was not.
2. Ross beat Nathan at state their sophomore year.
3. Ross was a contributing runner on a team at state (i.e. leadership) four years and Nathan was once.
4. Ross qualified in 3200m for state in track, a true "distance" race, Nathan did in 800m.

Tough choice - you bet. And as tough as the choice of Sam Bird over Andy Bayer two years ago for many of the same reasons and for which we received a lot of criticism.

But finally we had to make a choice. And we're happy with it. As you say run4life247, Nathan also had an amazing career, so it's nothing against him either.

We wish them both the best in the races yet to come.

....since that seems to be the source of the concern and past controversy. Can you offer one that takes into account a runner's high school career, with most of the emphasis on cross country, prior to their senior track season, who scores enough points during cross country to be among the top?

I can't for the life of me think of anything better, or simpler, than "Runner-of-the-Year".

We place a lot of emphasis on the point system for ROY and we did so this year. It, and that we only pick seniors, are the two most important elements. They are just not the only elements. I think the point system is actually more fun to follow through the season.

A "peoples choice" poll might be useful but I think we're actually in the middle of one right now with this conversation. No doubt many folks would pick Nathan and many folks would pick Ross, and most likely some would pick a few others. The fact that were talking about Nathan and Ross tells me they both belong at the top of the poll anyway. If anyone else would like to suggest others and join in the discussion, we're open and actually encourage it.

Hey - Kodi Mullins ran great this year. If we just go with seniors, Josh Graham ran great as well. What about Mike Bradley - another senior - took his St. Joe team for the first time in school history to the finals like Nathan? Why not Eric Hunkler, another senior? Although he was technically the last-placing area senior at state, he helped take Snider to the finals - a great accomplishment too.

I suspect in the end a poll, without a lot of open discussion, would simply be a popularity contest. It's not the result of a poll that matters, but what thought and discussion, understanding and appreciation that goes into it and comes out of it that matters.

Maybe we could pick an "All-Rundiana.com Runner" after the "All-State" or "All-Conference" concept, but wouldn't it still have a time-frame in mind? Maybe we could even pick the top seven, an "All-RunIndiana.com Team". But I suppose we'd argue over who is #7 and who is #8.

If Nathan and Ross are reading this, I'm sure they respect what the other has accomplished and I suspect already know in their own minds they are both great runners and don't need to find that out or have it validated here.

There are much more important races to win.