Senior’s attitude helps Owls gain traction

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Seymour’s Jacob Voss has achieved more than most on cross-country courses in Indiana.

While the numerous ribbons and plaques hold a place in his heart, they’re just a small part of what has made him the runner he is today.

“I’ll miss the guys and coach (Randy) Fife,” Voss said. “I don’t care if I’m the worst, best or an average runner. I love the guys so much. All of them from freshman to senior year. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

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Voss led the Owls to another semistate berth in 2017, and finished as a top-10 runner in numerous races this fall.

With all of his accomplishments this season, The Tribune has named Voss the 2017 Jackson County Boys Cross-Country Runner of the Year.

Going into his final season with the Owls, Voss looked to take the next step as the Owls’ No. 1.

On top of his own training, he looked to push his teammates to become better athletes.

“One thing I wanted to see was some consistency from him,” Fife said. “His junior year he ran well, but it wasn’t on a regular basis. I was really happy with his season as far as consistency goes.

“He was over 17-minutes his first meet of the year, and in the second meet he was under that. He stayed in the 16s the rest of the year. I also wanted to see him develop a little confidence and run towards the front of the pack and challenge himself.”

In the regular season, Voss won the Batesville Invitational, was runner-up at the Dragon Invitational and sixth at the Flashrock Riverview Health Invitational.

At the Eagle Classic, Voss ran a career-best time of 16:28. That time places him 12th all-time on the school’s list of runners.

At the Hoosier Hills Conference meet, at Ceraland in Columbus, Voss picked up a second-straight All-Hoosier Hills Conference honor by placing seventh in 16:39 of 84 runners.

He took momentum into the postseason, placing eighth at sectional and seventh in the regional races at Brown County.

While the team didn’t make it out of the semi-state, Voss finished his career strong by finishing 71 of 179 at Eagle Park.

“Jacob had a very successful season,” Fife said. “He was all-conference again and won the Batesville meet and was runner-up at Silver Creek. The team qualified for regional and semi-state, but Jacob would have also made those individually as well.”

This season, Voss took on more leadership roles along with fellow seniors Trent Hohenstreiter and Cooper Morrow.

“In the past, Jacob was more willing to let other people lead,” Fife said. “This year, he was verbally able to tell the kids what they were doing and where they were going. We had some good leaders this year, so it wasn’t a void that Jacob needed to step in and fill. With Trent and Cooper we had three seniors that could lead for us.”

Fife said that the program will miss Voss’ personality.

“(Voss) is always, always is in a good mood,” he said. “He is always positive and talkative, with a lot of energy. He’s very spontaneous. We’re going to miss the things he says when he’s in that mood. They come out of nowhere and he’s very honest and transparent. It’s refreshing as a coach that you get a teenage boy who isn’t worried about what everyone thinks.

He says what he feels, and I will miss that authenticity and spontaneity that he provides. He has been a big part of the team not only as a runner, but as an example of someone who doesn’t let life limit him and works hard to overcome any circumstances he might be up against. We’re going to miss him.”

For Voss, the relationships built on the cross-country team will last a lifetime.

“I could never trade my sport for another,” Voss said. “I love this sport a lot, and I always gave it my best. I wish the future runners the best, and hope that I inspired them to be a better runner and a person.”

After high school, Voss plans on going to college and study music. He’s a member of the band at Seymour, and can play more than eight instruments. He said he specializes in brass.

“I’m thinking about running in college, but the problem with that is that it might effect my career path in music,” Voss said. “Music takes a lot of time like running.”

While he won’t run with the Owls next season, Voss intends to come back and cheer his teammates on in the future.

“I plan on coming back,” Voss aid. “No matter if I go to college in California, or overseas, I’m planning on coming back to watch my fellow teammates.”

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2017 Jackson County Runner of the Year

Jacob Voss, Seymour, senior

Best time: 16:28

Accomplishments: All-Hoosier Hills Conference, Batesville Invitational winner, Dragon Invitational runner-up, 6th at FlashRock Riverview Health Invitational, 8th at Brown County Sectional, 7th at regional, semi-state qualifier, 7th at Scott Hiles Invitational, 8th at Franklin Invitational, SHS MVR.

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Joining Jacob Voss on the 107 All-Jackson County boys cross-country team:

Luke Plummer, Seymour, sophomore

Best time: 16:47

Accomplishments: Time of 16:47 22nd all-time best at SHS,  Eagle Classic winner, 6th at Scott Hiles Invitational.

Cooper Morrow, Seymour, senior

Best time: 17:16

Accomplishments: 9th at Scott Hiles Invitational, 8th at Batesville Invitational. Ran sub 18-minutes six times.

Trent Hohenstreiter, Seymour, senior

Best time: 17:21

Accomplishments: ran sub 18-minutes six times, Acadmic All-State, received 2017 SHS Leadership Award.

Ethan Dippold, Seymour, freshman

Best time: 17:30

Accomplishments: SHS Newcomer of the Year Award.

Brandon Kleber, Seymour, freshman

Best time: 17:31

Accomplishments: Newcomer of the Year Award, sub 18-minutes five times.

Luke Bane, Seymour , sophomore

Best time: 17:32

Accomplishments: SHS Most Improved Runner Award.

AJ Goecker, Trinity Lutheran, junior

Best time: 16:53

Accomplishments: nine top-10 finishes (seven top-five), winnter at Jac-Cen-Del and Paoli meets.

Jeremy Pitts, Brownstown Central, senior

Best time: 17:53

Accomplishments: regional qualifier, Mid-Southern Conference honorable mention.

Ethan Carroll, Brownstown Central, senior

Best time: 18:03

Accomplishments: regional qualifier, MSC honorable mention.

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