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THE WINNER: Ben Veatch

THE BASICS

School: Carmel (Ind.)
Grade: Junior
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 135 pounds

Athletic achievement: He raced to the individual state championship this past season with a time of 15:09.3, leading the Greyhounds to second place as a team. Veatch is one of just four prep boys nationwide to earn All-American honors at both national title races, placing seventh at the Nike Cross Nationals Final in 15:28 and 14th at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships. He also earned a third-place finish at the NXN Midwest Regional championships and took fifth at the Foot Locker Midwest Regional championships.

Academic excellence: Veatch has maintained a 4.0 GPA.

Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally on behalf of a nursing home and a soup kitchen.

THE PRAISE

“Ben is a team-first superstar who has been an important part of the varsity since early in his freshman year,” said Carmel coach Colin Altevogt. “He’s a tireless worker and a fierce competitor, but he’s incredibly invested in the success of his teammates too.”

THE FUTURE: Veatch will be a senior this fall.