Hamilton Community Schools

October 4th 2025 The Hamilton Marines boys cross country team made history last night at Oxbow Park in Goshen, capturing the Hoosier Plains Conference Championship for the first time ever and first cross country conference title since 1975. In a field of seven schools, Hamilton’s depth and determination pushed them to the top with 43 points, outpacing runner-up Elkhart Christian Academy (59 points) and third-place Trinity Greenlawn (77 points). Team Results Hamilton – 43 Elkhart Christian Academy – 59 Trinity Greenlawn – 77 Career Academy South Bend – 80 Ft. Wayne Canterbury – 89 Hamilton’s balanced team effort proved to be the difference, as all seven varsity runners stepped up on the conference’s biggest stage: Robert Schiek – 5th place – 18:55.66 (All Conference) Lucas Taylor – 6th place – 18:59.10 (All Conference) Abbott Lingo – 8th place – 19:22.31 Copper Farnham – 11th place – 19:26.59 Marcus Sommers – 14th place – 19:58.62 Larsen Dilts – 16th place – 20:19.41 Graysen Dilts – 32nd place – 23:09.68 This marks Hamilton Community Schools’ first conference championship in any sport since 2001, when baseball earned co-champion honors in the NECC. Even more remarkable, the win comes exactly 50 years and 1 day after the Marines last claimed a cross country conference crown in 1975. Adding to the storybook ending, Assistant Coach Doyle Houser, who was a runner on that 1975 championship team, was on hand to help guide this year’s squad back to the top. The celebration didn’t stop at the finish line—upon returning home, the team was welcomed by the Hamilton community with a fire truck parade through town, fireworks, and a high school-wide bonfire to cap off the unforgettable night. Congratulations to Head Coach Andrew Baker, Coach Houser, and all seven varsity runners on a historic achievement that will forever be etched in Hamilton athletics history. Go Marines!