Glen Lake showed up for the challenge as the boys cross country team took home first place at the Portage Invitational Saturday.
"We ran out of the gate really well early, and we kind of faded a little bit late. I think we have some things to clean up at the end of the race because it came down to two points,” Glen Lake coach George Drown said.
The Lakers defeated Holland Calvary Christian 70-72 in what could be a pivotal battle that will weigh heavily in the state championship.
Glen Lake cross country holds the No. 1 ranking in Div. 4 over Holland Calvary Christian (2) and Hillsdale Academy (3).
Hillsdale has won the past four Div. 4 state championships, and Holland has been the runner-up.
Glen Lake freshman Spencer McNitt finished ninth (16:50), while senior Abraham Feeney finished 12th (17:01) 15. Christian Feeney (17:22); 16. Liam McCaw (17:29) and Lincoln Bailey finished.
Frankfort junior Owen Jarosz finished 19th (17:37).
The Lakers have prided themselves on the five-person spread, which has only 56 seconds of separation from the No. 1 runner through the fifth runner, allowing them a shot at the regional championship and perhaps a state championship.
During the junior varsity race, the Lakers had five medalists.
“It’s one of the best races competitively in the state of Michigan, “ Drown said.
Grand Traverse Academy finished fifth overall, with Amelia McKinney finishing 20th overall.
The Glen Lake girls team finished sixth, while Onekama finished eighth overall.
Onekama sophomore Callie Sinke blazed to a fourth-place finish, and Laker senior Carmella Julian finished 10th. Glen Lake freshman Alyse Cox also had an impressive outing in 22nd.
