It's almost a script fit for Hollywood

Carrie Leimberger

Franklin Central long-distance running coach Jack Spence called the other day, talking excitedly about one of his former runners on the girls' cross country and track teams. It was on Tuesday afternoon, November 15, in fact – the day when most of Central Indiana was experiencing wind gusts, chilly temperatures and tornado watches accompanied by intermittent steady rains and lightning flashes.

Spence is still a dedicated runner in his own right some two decades after graduating from Ball State University. He had just finished his own outdoor run on this rather dreary weather day, and was planning to shower and then head over to the Franklin Central natatorium to watch some of the girls he coaches compete in a Flashes' swimming meet against Lawrence Central. Jack got his run in safely, but the swim meet was postponed until later in the season due to nearby lightning strikes. Somehow lightning and water just don't mix.

But back to the subject matter of Spence's call. That would be Carrie Leimberger, a 2003 FC graduate who the coach describes as one of the most unique competitors he has ever worked with in his 12 years of being affiliated with Franklin Central cross country or its track and field contingents.

Why was Spence so excited? Because Carrie, now a junior at the University of Southern Indiana, will be running in the NCAA Division II National Championships on Saturday, November 19, along with other members of the Screaming Eagles women's cross country team. And Jack Spence couldn't be prouder!

“You have to know Carrie Leimberger to understand what she has been able to accomplish as a distance runner,” Spence says. “Rarely has she been the star performer on an individual basis, but she has always been a major contributor.”

Were Carrie Leimberger an actress, she likely would be cast in a supporting role. And she likely – if she put her mind to it – would be good enough to make it to Hollywood, too.

Above, former FC distance runner Carrie Leimberger (511) and a University of Southern Indiana teammate, Allie Shafer (517), lead a pack of runners down a hill during the NCAA Division II Regional 6K chase at Big Rapids, Michigan. At left, Leimberger and teammate Casey Schneider (516) run in a group that includes Julia Viel (337) of Ferris State and Jill Winkler (559) of University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Photos courtesy of runmichigan.com.

In fact, the Southern Indiana cross country team, ranked No. 10 in the NCAA Division II national poll, is headed just east of Hollywood to Pomona, California, where the national meet is being hosted by California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly-Pomona).

Spence can remember the day some years ago when Leimberger suddenly decided to become a serious distance country runner.

“We were out on our usual run at practice one day,” relates Spence, who generally strides up front with the top runners. “On this particular day, I looked over and there was Carrie Leimberger running alongside. I was surprised and asked her what she was doing running up front. She simply replied, ‘I got tired of running in the back.'”

From that day on Leimberger became an integral team contributor.

Spence also can recall a day a few years back when Carrie was able to experience individual accomplishment – being able to succeed while not relying on an overall team effort. That came back at the IHSAA Regional Track and Field meet at Franklin Community High School, where performers were attempting to qualify for the 2003 State Championships.

Leimberger was entered individually in the 1,600-meter run, and the senior had done well at the Franklin Central Sectional meet, placing second in the event behind Roncalli sophomore sensation Stephanie Greer. Next up was the Franklin Community Regional, where the top three runners there would advance on to the State Meet.

“It appeared that Carrie would not make it to the State Meet in the 1,600,” Spence says. “She finished fourth behind the Roncalli runner and two others at the regional.” The other two entries were from Columbus North, and both also had qualified for the 3,200-meter chase at the State Meet. When one of them decided to run only the longer distance at the State Meet, that left a spot open for Leimberger.

“When she found out she was going to the State Meet in an individual event, I have never seen anyone so happy,” Spence remembers. “She was so excited that she had done something on her own. And so was I.”

While she didn't finish among the leaders in the 1,600 meters at the State Meet, Carrie Leimberger got to compete as an individual entry before a record crowd that day at the Michael Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium on the IUPUI campus in Indianapolis . What was important is that she had gotten to the State Meet in an individual event, and she had gotten there on her own merit.

Actually, Leimberger did plenty while representing Franklin Central. She earned seven varsity letters in cross country and track and field, helping the Flashes to three impressive runs at IHSAA Cross Country State Championships – a seventh-place finish in 2000, ninth overall in 2001, and eighth in 2002. She also contributed to four sectional championships and three regional titles in cross country. In track and field, she helped FC earn three sectional crowns.

Leimberger has continued to be a major contributor while being cast once again in a supporting role at Southern Indiana . She began her college running career as a freshman walk-on, but since has earned scholarship status.

Carrie stepped up big a few weeks ago at Big Rapids, Michigan , in an NCAA Division II regional chase where Southern Indiana placed second among 10 teams to earn the trip to California for the national meet. Customarily battling to come in as the Screaming Eagles' No. 5 scorer, Leimberger wound up as the third-best SIU finisher, coming in 30 th overall among a field of 150 runners.

Southern Indiana will be making its sixth trip as a team to the national championship meet and first since 2003. USI is led by senior Heather Cooksey, a Brownsburg prep product considered one of the favorites to win the NCAA Division II individual national championship, having placed 17 th a year ago. She has finished first in five of the six meets she has run this season.

Of course, the Eagles' team success likely will have a lot to do with how well members of the supporting cast run over the 6K women's layout at Pomona. One of those who might step up big once again is Carrie Leimberger. After all, she doesn't like to run in the back of the pack.

- FTONEWS.com -