Westville Makes History at New Prairie Sectionals, Sends Two to Regionals

Bradney breaks school record, Barbahen qualifies for second straight year

The Westville Blackhawks continued making history Saturday at the IHSAA New Prairie Cross Country Sectional, advancing two runners to regionals while celebrating personal bests and a memorable senior farewell under sunny skies and cool temperatures.

Freshman Tobi Bradney led the Blackhawks with a 28th-place finish in 17:38.8, breaking his own school record and recording the highest sectional finish by a freshman in Westville history. Bradney was also one of just three freshmen among the 15 individual regional qualifiers from non-advancing teams.

Sophomore Abby Barbahen earned her second consecutive regional berth, finishing 38th in a personal-best 22:23.7, just six seconds shy of the girls’ school record.

Everett Ewart (22:10.6) and Anthony Ahnefeld (24:24.5) also delivered personal-best performances, while seniors Connor Keen and Ally Martin closed their high school cross-country careers at New Prairie.

Westville’s postseason growth continues under head coach Demetrius Clark. After having no regional qualifiers in 2023 or 2024, the Blackhawks advanced one runner in 2025 and now two in 2026.

The celebration ended with plenty of laughter as Bradney and Barbahen earned the opportunity to pie Coach Clark in the face for qualifying. Seniors Keen and Martin joined in, delivering one final farewell pie to their coach.

With two regional qualifiers, another school record, and a season of continued progress, Westville’s Black and Orange Wave keeps building momentum.

For the Blackhawks, the message is clear: the standard is rising, and the future is bright.