TERRE HAUTE | The way Jordan Chester figured, if she could keep Wheeler's Christina Blair in her sights, her chances to make the awards stand were pretty good.

The Boone Grove sophomore was right.

Chester shadowed Blair around the Lavern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course on Saturday and wound up almost right behind her at the end. Blair took sixth in 18:35.4 with Chester eighth in a personal-best time of 18:43.3

"I was always right behind her," Chester said. "That was kind of my goal."

"When I ran against her at Gavit, I just wanted to stay with her. That's what I did and I got my PR again. I really liked how I finished. I had a lot better kick than I usually do. I just think the motivation from my last year, getting 16th, just missing a medal, really pushed me at the end."

Blair led for the better part of a mile before a pack of five took control.

"I had a really good start," she said. "I didn't get stuck behind anyone.

"Those girls came on strong the second half of the race. I tried to surge and get ahead of them but they were strong. I was pushing through a lot of stuff this week. I had some issues with my legs. Hey, it's a state race, I'm honored to be here and do as good as I did. I got to lead part of the state race. What more can you want? I've been blessed by this whole season. I've learned so much. I'm so glad I got to run this state meet."

Valpo, with a lineup that included three freshmen and just one senior, placed fourth at 172, 12 back of runner-up Lake Central.

"We ended this season on one of the most positive notes we've had for a while," Valparaiso coach Karen DeVries said. "I'm so proud of them. I'm thrilled with how far they've come since the beginning of the season. We have excellent team chemistry."

Slowed by injuries all season, Megan Ranegar endured one more mishap, losing a shoe in the first 400 meters. The 2007 runner-up went on to place 22nd.

"The only annoying part is you don't have much grip," she said. "I didn't race well. I didn't feel good. It's been a disappointing season for myself because I know what I can do from last year, but the team has really come far. I have to be happy for that. This team's been transformed from the beginning of the summer to right now. It's not the same. I have so much faith in these freshmen."

"It's been a tough year for (Megan), but she's a true champion who's had a tremendous career," DeVries said. "She gutted it out for the team."

Portage took 12th with 327, its third straight finish in 12th or 13th.

"That's getting a little frustrating," Portage coach Chuck Heimberg said. "But it's a bunch of freshmen and sophomores who have never run in the meet before so I can't be upset. If we'd run like semistate, we would've been 10th. But no matter how much you say it's just another race, it is the state finals. There is pressure. There is excitement. Hopefully next year we'll come back a little more prepared mentally and we'll be able to make that logical next step and get in the top 10."

Terra Norman (47th) was the Indians' top runner.

"Terra and Christina (Delturco) went out much faster than they have been the first 1,000 and they were sitting back in 50th, 60th place," Heimberg said. "I think it was a little disheartening."