Lane Wienhorst began running cross-country and track and field and playing basketball as a sixth-grader at Crothersville.
Throughout his high school career, he has continued to be involved in all three sports.
“I enjoy the competition, the competitive side of it,” he said.
Wienhorst is in his third season as a full-time starter in basketball.
“I just want to do anything to win,” he said. “If coach wants me to rebound, I’ll rebound, but he has been having me get back (on defense).”
Wienhorst said he takes pride in his passing, as he leads the Tigers in assists at six per game.
“I like playing on the wing, off the ball, but I can handle the ball, too,” he said. “I like shooting 3s. I like shooting from either side.”
His high-point game this season has been 11 against Medora. Last season, he scored 22 against Austin and 21 against Columbus Christian, and his career-high was 23 against South Decatur his sophomore year.
He said some nights, he would rather face a zone, and other nights, he likes going against man-to-man defense.
“If we’re shooting good, zone, man, it doesn’t matter, but if we want to get to the rim, definitely man because I feel like we’re better against a man,” he said.
He said it is going to take teamwork and communication to have a winning record.
“The whole goal is to give it our all and win, but we’ve got to have good teamwork through practice all week, and that leads into the games,” he said. “We’ve just got to keep improving, getting better every day. Our defense has got to get better, and we’ve just got to keep making shots.”
Wienhorst is a team captain this season.
“It’s a good feeling,” he said. “I just want to carry the team and do whatever it takes to win, if it’s passing the ball, scoring the ball, rebounding, whatever. You can’t let everything get to your head. You’ve got to pick your teammate up if they’re down. You can’t let them get frustrated at the referees. Since I’m a senior captain, I don’t want them making bad choices and hurting us as a team.”
In cross-country, Wienhorst was the Tigers’ No. 1 runner his first three years. This past season, he went back and forth with David Rose at the No. 1 position.
“I wanted to improve individually and try to get a PR (personal record) every time I ran,” he said. “The goal was to have all three of your miles the same, but you’re not always going to do that. You’re going to go out strong and stay with the lead pack and just keep up there and not fall back. It doesn’t always go as planned.”
Wienhorst said he liked flat courses.
“Brown County was my favorite course. It was a super-fast course,” he said. “There were some courses I didn’t like, but it was still fun. Hardy Lake was a tough course.”
Crothersville was moved to the Southwestern Sectional at Hanover College this year.
“I liked the course,” Wienhorst said. “It was just that it was a slow course, and it was super-hot that day. There wasn’t much shade.”
His career-best time was 17:53 at the regional this year.
“It was a good way to end,” he said.
In track and field, Wienhorst competed in the 800-meter run, 1,600-meter run and relays in his junior season.
“I like the 800 the best. I ran 2:10 a couple times. I plan on breaking the school record at 2:04,” he said. “I like the mile, too. I ran pretty well in that.”
He said the 1,600-meter relay is his favorite.
“I like running the 400, but I’m not that fast at it,” he said.
In all of his sports, Wienhorst said practice is key.
“In basketball, you’re going to play like you practice,” he said. “In cross-country and track, you’re going to run in meets how you practice.”
He said he has liked attending Crothersville High School.
“I’ve really liked it here,” he said. “The teachers all help us individually. Everybody knows everybody here. We’re all close. We’re all one big family. My teammates, we’re all like brothers.”
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Name: Lane Wienhorst
High school: Crothersville
Parents: Kenny and Jennifer Wienhorst
Sibling: Whitney
Sports: Cross-country, four years; basketball, four years; track and field, four years
Athletic highlights: In cross-country, all-Southern Athletic Conference in 2016 and 2017, regional qualifier in 2017 and 2018, most valuable runner in 2015, 2016 and 2017, most improved award in 2018, all-county in 2017 and 2018
Organizations: National Honor Society, student council
Plans after high school: Attend Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite TV channel: ESPN
Favorite musician: Brett Young
Favorite movie: "Hoosiers"
Favorite team: Indiana Hoosiers
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