Winkle races in Division II State Championships for 2nd consecutive year

OBETZ — In the Division II State Cross-Country Championship race at the Fortress Obetz course, the Hillsboro Indians had senior Corbin Winkle finish in 48th place with a time of 16:04.29 for a PR (personal best record) on Saturday, Nov. 2.

Winkle had splits of 1:13.49 (22nd place), 4:54.42 (42nd place) and 10:12.46 (55th place) leading up to his 48th-place finish.

Last year at the same course as a junior, Winkle had a time of 16:52.90 for 67th place.

“Corbin had a great race today,” Hillsboro head coach Ed Letts said. “I thought it was the best race of his season, and he had it exactly when you want to have it. We wanted to get him out a little faster today to avoid getting swallowed up in a large field. He put himself in a great position and held on for a PR (on a legit championship course).  

“It has been an absolutely privilege to coach Corbin these past four years.  He bought in to the training, made the decision to log the miles each summer, and it paid off for him. In the 20-plus years I have coached high school cross-country, he is one of the hardest-working, most coachable kids I have ever had.

Winkle finishes his season as a Frontier Athletic Conference champion (for a third straight season), plus he was seventh at the Southeast District meet and 17th at regionals.

“(Corbin) always led by example, and he never slacked one bit,” Letts said. “I really am proud of everything he accomplished and how much he has improved over the course of his high school career. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for him.”

(Check back to highlandcountypress.com for more photos.)

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