Glen Lake, Leland and Lake Leelanau St. Mary had 15 runners earn the opportunity to compete in the MHSAA Div. 4 state championships at Michigan International Speedway Saturday.
The weather conditions were perfect at the fastest track in NASCAR with no wind, and chilly temperatures ranging between 32-40 degrees. The stage was set for what would end up being a historical day for local cross country programs.
The gun went off at 9:30 a.m. with the boys racing.
Glen Lake boys was ranked fifth overall by the MHSAA coaches association and fourth by Michigan XC speed ratings.
The race represented a rematch against Mason County Eastern, who had edged Glen Lake in a rare sixth-man tie breaker for the regional championship a week ago. This time, the Lakers got their revenge, with another tie, but this time the Lakers were on the winning side of the sixthman tie break with 210 points with Harbor Springs to finish third overall.
“This was the highest finish by any boys team since the 2000 team finished 10th in the state. Any time you can finish in the top 10 at the state meet it’s a great season, but to finish in the top-3 is special,” Glen Lake coach George Drown said.
The field size for the boys race was massive with 252 harriers.
“It was the biggest race the boys team had been in all year. Initially, we looked good with three of our runners in the top-30 through the 1.5 mile marker,” Drown said. “But with so many runners between our 4th and 5th runner it was tough to really know how close the team battle was just using the eye test.
Glen Lake senior Colebrook Sutherland Colebrook Sutherland held on to post his second top-10 finish in back-to-back years with a three spot improvement from last year with a sixth place finish.
Glen Lake sophomore Abraham Feeney used his race experience from a year ago coupled with the comfort of running against some familiar rivals to solidify his first all-state individual finish (18th). Feeney improved nearly 40 spots from last year’s finish (54th).
Glen Lake junior Liam McCaw barely missed out on the top-30 all-state with a 33rd finish, bettering his 71st place finish in 2022. Laker sophomore Lincoln Bailey finished in 83rd place nearly 100 places better than last year, (182nd). Glen Lake junior Britton Wheeler finished in 167th, a big improvement from his 212th place finish in 2023. Just behind Britton, Dexter Martin finished in 177th. This was Dexter’s first time running in the state finals and he nearly ran a personal record time, handling the pressure just fine. Glen Lake sophomore Dean McKellar finished in 190th to round out Glen Lake’s seven runners. McKellar finished 34 places better than a year ago.
“Overall, our boys team saw tremendous improvement. Proving that experience at the state finals is priceless. As we watched the team scores come in with anticipation we knew our Lakers had put in a near perfect day,” Drown said.
The excitement from the boys race spilled over into anticipation for Carmella Julian’s high school state finals debut for the Glen Lake girls team.
According to Michigan XC Speed Ratings, Julian was predicted to finish in 26th.
Through the first mile Julian was in 21st place, then faded to 24th. Heading into the stadium, with about 1 kilometer of racing left, she was back and forth between 22nd and 23rd, before finding her push and finishing 20th overall. Among 50 freshman runners, Juilian was second overall.
“Carmella was understandably nervous for this race. The season is long when it starts in June like it does for our program. A lot of hard work, dedication, and sacrifi ce goes into every season to try and put yourself in the very position Carmella was in,” Drown said.
Leland had six boy and two girl individual runners participated in the final meet.
Comet senior Ella Knudsen finished 26th overall with a time of 19:57, and freshman Sophie Grinage finished 51st with a time of 20:39.
“These girls, as well as the entire girls’ team, have been a stronghold to one another this season as there have been health challenges and physical limitations faced. They have continuously shown up as a team regardless of how many have been able to step up to the starting line. I am so thankful and proud of each individual on this team,” Leland coach Ann Knudsen said.
Lake Leelanau St. Mary freshman Claire Couturier finished 121st (22:12) to cap off an incredible freshman season.
For the boys, the comets ran strong with its young team.
Leland freshman Carter Suttmann led the squad with an impressive 72nd finish, followed by Brady Keen (112th), Christopher Knudsen (114th), Campbell Fedderman (127th), Evan Keen (131st place), and Chase Fenoyer (238th place).
“Running can be a sport that is very focused on the individual, but this group of boys pulled together to make it a team focus and that makes a difference. I look forward to these boys continuing as a team over the next few years,” Leland cross country coach Ann Knudsen said.
Power of sportsmanship
As runners were preparing for the state championship, Knudsen approached Julian gave words of encouragement to the freshman to calm Julian.
“When the race got hard and Julian started to fall back she looked for Knudsen ... Knudsen helped pull Julian around that course yesterday and although Carmella is perfectly capable, physically, to do it on her own – running is so mental. Knudsen helped Carmella navigate an experience that without her may have overwhelmed anyone running in their first state finals race,” Glen Lake coach George Drown said.
