Brandon’s girls cross country team plans to use their experience at the Division 2 state cross country meet as a building block for the future.
The Blackhawks, who were competing in their first-ever state meet, placed 24th out of 27 teams (finishing with 581 points) at the meet, held Nov. 1 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.
East Grand Rapids won the Division 2 state championship with 79 points, followed by Grand Rapids Christian (119) and Battle Creek Lakeview (207).
Kayla Doan was the Blackhawks? leading runner at the meet, finishing 108th overall with a time of 20:14.7. Kelsey Carmean was next, finishing 112th (20:16.7). Doan’s and Carmean’s times were the fourth and fifth highest, respectively, in Brandon history.
‘This was a great season for us,? Carmean said. ‘I had more fun than I ever thought I would. It was a real honor to go to the state meet as a freshman.?
Other Brandon competitors were: Jackie Back (162nd, 21:07.3), Sara Eldon (207th, 21:54.3), Amanda Allison (234th, 23:02.1), Danielle Westphall (238th, 23:31.5), and Casey Nesterowich (241st, 23:49).