Gambill preparing for state cross country meet, again

By B.J. Hargis Shakamak senior Drew Gambill (left) is shown earlier in his career with teammate Anthony Witt. Gambill will be making his third straight trip to the cross country state finals Saturday at Terre Haute.

He finished 30th in 2006.

Gambill, who competed his first two seasons at SHS with Anthony Witt along by his side, will be making his third consecutive appearance in the state finals at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute.

Gambill placed 32nd at the state meet as a sophomore in 2007 with a time of 16 minutes, 34.8 seconds. Last year, Gambill had some physical problems before the race and placed 89th (16:54.09).

"I am right where I wanted to be," said Gambill. "I am happy to have one more meet this season."

Gambill had to make his way carefully around the 3.1-mile course at Brown County, which hosted the regional and semistate the past two weeks. All of the rain made the course a sloppy, slippery and muddy mess.

"You were just hoping that you did not slip and fall," he said. "It was pretty bad at the regional, but it was even worse at the semistate. At that point, you really couldn't worry about the time, but you just had to stay on your feet and finish in the top 15.

"The conditions got worse as the race went on. The mud kind of took its toll on everyone. I was around 10th place on the second lap. Running as a individual, I had to be aware of staying in the top 15 to advance. Some of the other top runners did not have to worry about that because their teams were going to advance. I was able to pass a couple of kids near the chute and finish fifth, which was my goal."

Gambill said it has been a lonely road back to the state.

"Last season, it was a big adjustment running and training without Witt," said Gambill, who was fifth at the Brown County Semistate on Oct. 24. "This year I knew that I was going to have to run alone, which is the way it has been.

"I have just tried to stay motivated. My goal was to run quicker times than I did in the past on the same courses. That is what my motivation has been from race to race, until the sectional started."

Gambill said it will be a competitive field again this year. The top 12 senior finishers will earn a spot on the Indiana All-Star team.

The top 25 finishers will have a chance to be recognized at the end of the girls race, which is set to begin at 1:45 p.m.

"It will be tough to make the All-Star team. My goal is to finish better than 32nd, which is where I placed two years ago," said Gambill. "I had really bad side stitches before the race last year and they would not go away. I don't know if I had too much water or what, but I just never got comfortable and did not have a very good race.

"I want to finish in the top 25. I have always wanted a chance to stand on that podium. I know that I am going to have to run a very good race, but I know that I am capable of doing that."

Gambill has competed several times at LaVern Gibson as the Lakers run in the state preview meet there during the regular season.

"I feel like I am in just as good of shape or better than I have been in the past," said Gambill. "I was running about 60 miles a week earlier in the season, but I have tapered off into the 50s recently.

"I don't know if the course suits me too well. The kids from (Terre Haute) North have the biggest advantage because it is there home course. But it doesn't have a whole lot of hills and I know the course well."

Gambill said he will have another advantage.

"I get to sleep in my own bed," he said. "A lot of those kids will be trying to get a good night's sleep in a hotel.

"I feel very fortunate to be in this position again. I could not have done anything without God, who gives me the power."