Dream come true for Tipp state champion

He just won a state championship two weeks ago, now Landon Kimmel just keeps on running.

The junior, who set the state record with his 14:33 in the Division One meet, was at Kyle Park last week preparing for the NIKE Regionals which is coming up this weekend in Terre Haute, Indiana.

But for Kimmel, he accomplished the biggest goal to date on the high school circuit with his easy state title run. After recovering from an injury last season that cost him a chance at a state track title, he wasn't going to be denied now.

“This season the most important thing I can learn from this is change is possible, and you can always come back,” Kimmel said, who had a pelvis injury and was not able to run track last spring. “Coming into this season, we wanted to make sure we had everything set and were very careful and I only ran like twice a week at the beginning of the season.”

“As time progressed, I started to gain my strength back and my confidence, and it wasn’t until the end of the season when I felt I was where I was at the end of last cross country season.”

Kimmel then reached the postseason and started gearing up for what turned out to be a memorable final race.

“It was a goal for me and after going sub-15 at Anna, I felt really confident going into districts,” he said. “I felt good going into regionals and to be able to take the course record, it was an amazing feeling, and I feel blessed to not only have an amazing team but phenomenal coaching. It’s not every day you get to do that, and I look forward to seeing what next year has in store.”

Kimmel reflected back to the final stretch at the state meet, where he turned on the jets and pulled away from his closest competition.

“We came through the two-mile at 9:21 with Ilg leading, and Bruns, I think, was in front of me also, and we both decided it was time to go,” Kimmel said. “I took the lead at 2.3 in; we came up the final hill, and (Bruns) took it pretty hard, but I think it was all he had left. Once we got to the top, I took it and hammered it home from there.”

“It was not an easy task, and I had to use everything I had. I had to take a breather after the race, but it was the most I have ever wanted anything ever in my life. I used everything.”

“I figured I could PR with the weather being perfect, and it was a massive PR for me, and I was itching for one.”

Now comes his senior year. He was asked what goal could you possibly have after winning the pinnacle race and being the fastest runner of all time at the state meet.

“I have individual goals, but what is more important to me is a team goal next year,” he said. “From what I have seen, we have some pretty fast underclassmen, and we have a shot at top three. If the rumored division change occurs, a top-three place could happen. I also think Everett Muhlenkamp, who made it to state, could make it to the top ten. We have a lot of team chances next year. As far as individually, I would like to grab another state title, but I want to stay consistent and run as many sub-15s as I can and lower my PR.”