TERRE HAUTE — James Martin has placed second at the state cross country meet. He's placed third. So even in the disappointment Saturday of finishing 10th, the Carroll junior put it all in perspective. “Racing for second just seems dumb,” Martin said. While others might think placing 10th was “dumb” when a second-place finish was very likely, at least Martin knows deep inside that he tried to win.

And isn't that what running the race is all about? Martin was the only runner in the 196-person field to challenge the overwhelming favorite, Futsum Zeinasellassie of North Central.

Zeinasellassie is one of the top prep distance runners in the nation and is rarely challenged. Opponents simply race for second. So just after the mile mark of the 3.1-mile race Saturday, Martin surged into the lead, pulling only Zeinasellassie with him. Then, less than a mile later, it was Zeinasellassie's turn to surge. Martin responded. For a time, at least.

Martin was unable to keep up with Zeinasellassie or hold off other runners as he began to fade.

Zeinasellassie went on to win with a time of 15 minutes, 51 seconds while Martin struggled home in 10th with a time of 16:27. “I know he's disappointed,” Carroll coach Zach Raber said of Martin. “But he's got a second and third and what he wants is a first-place finish in the state meet. He went after it.”

Martin was followed closely over the finish line, as usual, by teammate Brad Hess, who finished 13th in 16:32. Hess finished second to Martin at the Northeast Hoosier Conference Championship, Northrop Sectional and West Noble Regional. Martin and Hess are the only two local runners to earn all-state recognition (top 25).

“This course was set up perfectly for Brad,” Raber said of the hilly, water-logged course. “And he followed his race plan exactly. He was in control the entire way.” Hess was in 35th at the mile and steadily moved through the field.

The area's other individual, Homestead junior Kodi Mullins, also ran well and placed 30th in 17:01.

Despite dealing with illness, Andy Brennan, Bishop Dwenger's top runner, ran well. The Saints placed 12th in the 24-team field with 309 points. Dwenger was led by senior Luke Momper (58th in 17:17).

“Considering our usual No. 1 was our No. 5, we raced pretty well,” said Saints coach Eric Ade.

There were only 34 seconds between No. 1 and No. 5 runners for Bishop Dwenger. Eckrich finished in 70th (17:25) followed by Phil Schroeder (75th in 17:27), Sam Gray (94th in 17:38) and Brennan (113th in 17:51).

The other local team to compete, Snider, finished 18th with 390 points. The Panthers were led by Mitchell Dutton in 67th (17:24) and Blake Jones in 78th (17:30).