Both local teams competing in the Division 2 race Saturday, Nov. 4 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn finished around the middle of the pack.
Goodrich, in its first state meet as a Division 2 qualifier, placed 12th out of 27 teams with 361 points. Meanwhile, Brandon, competing in its third straight Division 2 state finals, placed 14th with 390.
Grand Rapids Christian won the Division 2 meet with 134 points, while East Grand Rapids was second (147) and East Lansing third (149).
Goodrich coach Jennifer Sweet said competing at the Division 2 level was a brave new world for the Martian girls. ‘It was a much tougher field ? Division 2 is competitive all the way through,? she said.
In addition, Sweet said the weather conditions that day were ‘sunny but chilly.?
‘The course looked like it was dry, but there were some conditions where the ground was muddy from the rain the day before,? she said.
Goodrich senior Kelsey Meyers capped her high school career by earning all-state honors in Division 2, placing 30th with a time of 19:04.2. Teammate Kelsey Krych just missed joining Meyers on the all-state team, placing 31st in 19:06.1.
The three other Goodrich runners figuring in the Martian scoring were all freshmen. Sunney Mahalak finished 102nd with a time of 20:44.9, while Chelsea Balenger placed 106th (20:48.3) and Catie Dymond 108th (20:48.7).
Meanwhile, Brandon senior Kelsey Carmean finished her high school career by placing 35th in 19:21.
Hannah Scherer was the next finisher for the Blackhawks, finishing 94th overall (19:57.5). Jamie Hendershott placed 136th (20:30), while Sarah Eldon finished 150th (20:41.4) and Andrea Newcombe 168th (20:55.3).
Brandon coach Janelle Gutzeit said the two Blackhawks? graduating seniors, Carmean and Eldon, set a good example for the rest of the team and will be missed.
‘They were both team captains,? she said. ‘They worked hard in practice and gave it their all in every meet.?
Gutzeit said the outlook is positive for next year’s team, with most of the girls returning, plus the expected return from injuries for Brandon runners Danielle Mitchell, Amanda Fisher and Katelin Mackin.
Although the Brandon boys cross country team did not qualify for the state finals, the Blackhawks? Nicola Grupido qualified for an individual basis by virtue of his top-15 finish in regionals.
Grupido placed 152nd among all Division 2 boys competitors.