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Jackson Nolan, Reitz boys cross country have unfinished business ahead of state finals

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Jackson Nolan, Reitz boys cross country have unfinished business ahead of state finals

EVANSVILLE — There have been many standout runners to come out of Reitz High School over the last several years, from Cordelia Hoover to Xavier Thomas. But when it comes to being the school’s best distance runner, Jackson Nolan stands out.

The senior has twice earned all-state honors in cross country, finished 11th at state track in the 3,200-meter run and took home his second career individual regional title at Angel Mounds last weekend with a time of 15:09.2. Nolan plays an instrumental role in the Panthers being among Southwestern Indiana’s best cross country teams. 

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Reitz has unfinished business heading into its third consecutive state finals appearance as it knows it can be better than last fall’s 17th-place finish. And after back-to-back 19th-place finishes as an individual, Nolan has unfinished business in Terre Haute. 

“Last year was not what I wanted,” Nolan said. “Coming into this meet, I have a lot more motivation than I’ve ever had. There’s no doubt in my mind I should be in the running for winning this week.” 

The Nolan name has long been a staple in the Southern Indiana running community.  

Jim Nolan is a Hall of Famer from the University of Southern Indiana, and his wife, Tammy, coached the women’s team. Three of their sons, Trent, Alex and Austin, also ran for Reitz. Austin is now a sophomore runner for the Screaming Eagles while Alex is an assistant coach. 

The youngest Nolan is making a name for himself in his final year with Reitz. The things he’s being asked to do by his coaches is to be his best. Coach Mark King is confident about Nolan finishing top-five at state this weekend.

“I don’t think he lacks for confidence,” King said. “He’s very self-assured, and when you’re competing at this level, that is an asset. In a lot of cases, a lot of the battle is belief. And he has the belief, and I know he’s going to run really well.” 

Nolan visited a few Division I colleges, including the University of Louisville earlier this week. Having strong faith is one of the biggest factors in determining his dream school. Nolan expects to decide on the next chapter within the next few days. 

For now, Reitz aims to make history. No city team or individual has ever won an IHSAA championship, and the last Evansville male to finish top-10 at state was Memorial’s Matthew Schadler in 2017.

Nolan and the Panthers are ready to complete their unfinished business. 

“I think it would be really cool to represent our school and to go out and win the state meet,” Nolan said. “It would definitely make a statement for Southern Indiana and for just the area. We have guys and a team that can do that.” 

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King said it’s “no exaggeration” that this year’s team is the best in school history. Senior Sawyer Mossberger and sophomores Carter Zieren and Will Dierlam also finished inside the top 15 in the regional race in what King determined may have been the best Reitz has run during his tenure.  

The Panthers want to keep the momentum going in Terre Haute. 

“We’ve probably assembled six out of the top 10 runners we’ve ever had here at Reitz on the same team,” Mossberger said. “Just knowing that and knowing how good we are is very exciting.” 

IHSAA cross country state championship 

Where: LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute 

When: Saturday: girls at 11 a.m. CDT, boys at 1:30 p.m. 

Streaming: IHSAAtv.org 

Participants from SW Indiana: 

Girls — Jasper team, Southridge’s Maddie Graber, Forest Park’s Riley Hinson, North’s Carter Seibert, Princeton’s Mallory Watt, Pike Central’s Xavery Weisman. 

Boys — Reitz team, Castle’s Austin Carlile, Jasper’s Max Kline, Jasper’s Calvin Seitz, Signature School’s Jack Wilbourne. 

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