County harriers compete in a highly anticipated regional race Saturday at Benzie Central at 9 a.m.
Glen Lake senior Colebrook Sutherland and sophomore Abraham Feeney are vying for a state championship appearance, ranked fourth and sixth overall. The top-15 racers advance to the state championship in Brooklyn on Nov. 9.
Glen Lake junior Liam McCaw is ranked 11th while Leland’s Carter Suttman is ranked 10th; Evan Keen (Leland) 15th; Lake Leelanau St. Mary junior Cody Couturier 17th; Leland’s Christopher Knudsen 20th; Oliver Mitchell (LLSM) 18:07 is ranked 25th.
Roughly eight other runners are ranked top-50 for the boys.
For the girls, Leland senior Ella Knudsen and Glen Lake freshman Carmella Julian are leading the way for Leelanau harriers ranked third and fourth, behind Callie Sinke and Amelia McKinney of Bear Lake and Grand Traverse Academy.
Leland’s Sophie Grinage and Natalie Burpee are expected to perform strong sitting at ninth and 10th overall.
Claire Couturier of St. Mary and Emily Alaimo of Glen Lake are expected to compete for a state championship spot.
Other runners in the top-50 include Lili Migazzi (Glen Lake); Alayna Ottenbacher (Glen Lake); Jacqueline Hearne (LLSM).
Leland Cross Country participated in the Michigan Class D competition in Shepherd Saturday.
Comet senior Ella Knudsen finished second with a time of 20:07.
Sophie Grinage finished 12th with a time of 21:22, followed by Nola Fedderman 54th (27:28), and Alyssa Korson, 64th (30:32).
The Comets girl’s team completed the race earning two medals. Those medal recipients were Ella Knudsen, freshman and Sophie Grinage, finishing in 12th place with a time of 21:22. Fedderman set a personal record time.
“These girls not only finished strong but also led by example, encouraging their teammates along the way. As we prepare for this next weekend, we’ll build on this and continue supporting one another,” Leland cross country coach Ann Knudsen said.
For the boys, Carter Suttmann came in 19th with a time of 17:42. Evan Keen (18:13), Christopher Knudsen (18:42), and Brady Keen (18:59) finished 25, 26, 34th. Brady Keen and Chase Denoyer had strong finishes with times of 18:59 and 20:13.
Leland boy’s completed the race earning three medals. The medals were earned by Suttmann, Keen and Knudsen. “The camaraderie displayed on the course was inspiring, with teammates supporting one another. This collective effort demonstrates the heart and spirit of our team,” coach Knudsen said.
Lake Leelanau St. Mary and Glen Lake competed at The Northern Michigan Meet of Champions held at the Veterans Park in Manton Monday.
Glen Lake sophomore Abraham Fenney finished 21st with a time of 17:17, followed by teammate Liam McCaw (17:45) 32nd, Joel Martin (18:40) 59th.
St. Mary sophomore Garrick Collins finished 62nd with a time of 18:59.
Other finishers include Lincoln Bailey (19:57); Britton Wheeler 19:34 (Glen Lake); Garrett Grant 19:34 (LLSM); Derek Graham 19:42 (LLSM); Dean McKellar 19:45 (Glen Lake); Jacob Plamondon (Glen Lake) 19:47; Dexter Martin 20:14 (Glen Lake); Cason Adams 20:38 (Glen Lake); Daniel Chaney LLSM) 20:48; Anthony Grant (LLSM) 21:59; Jacob Gulley (LLSM) 22:25; Andrew Grant 23:27 (LLSM); James Licht 24:21 (LLSM).
Lakers sweep Middle School Regionals
The Glen Lake girl’s middle school team claimed first at MHSSA Middle School Regional (Zone 7) at Mancelona Saturday.
Glen Lake seventh grader Avyrie Ottenbacher finished second with a time of 13:11, followed by eighth grader Autumn Bailey 4th (13:42); Ellie Wright (13:59); Alyse Cox 7th (14:00); Hadley Novak 19th (16:09).
For the boys, Glen Lake took first as well behind impressive finished from Christian Feeney (11:30) 2nd; Spencer McNitt (11:51) 3rd; Samuel Feeney (12:33) 8th; Jack Misner (12:55) 10th; Brendan Bullard (12:56) 11th; Klein Thompson (13:02) 13th; Cody Pugh (13:26) 19th; Oliver Morris (15:41).
