Twice is nice for Janee Jones and the Goodrich girls cross country team.
The Martians won their second straight Division 3 girls cross country championship Nov. 6 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. Goodrich finished with 69 points, easily outdistancing second-place Jackson Lumen Christi (119) and third-place Williamston (144).
In the process, Jones, a GHS senior, closed out her high school cross country career in style, finishing first among all Division 3 girls runners with a time of 18:07.95, well ahead of second-place finisher Leah Reames of Kalamazoo Central (18:54.95) and third-place finisher Erin Batt of Hillsdale (18:57.3).
Goodrich coach John Shaw said he purposely had the Martians test themselves against larger schools this season.
‘We knew we were going to be a really good team this year,? he said. ‘We ran mostly against Division 1 schools as opposed to Division 3 schools. We won against all of them except (eventual Division 1 champion) Clarkston.?
Sophomore Kelsey Meyers said this year’s title is just as significant as last year’s title.
‘I think it means a lot we won two in a row,? she said. ‘It’s something that’s really hard to reach. It’s just as good that we won this one.?
Shaw said the runners in the meet dealt with less-than-ideal running conditions.
‘The temperature was great, but the course was still a little heavy because it rained during the week,? he said. ‘There was a bit of a wind as well. I don’t think anyone had good times until the course dried out and the wind died down.?
Despite the conditions, Jones said the Martians stayed together and got the job done.
‘It was a good day for us,? she said. ‘We pulled it together. Compared to a lot of teams, we did pretty well.?
Jones was one of four Martians to make the All-State team, awarded to those who placed in the top 30 at the state meet.
Shaw said Jones? win is a testament to her desire to excel. ‘She set that as her goal,? he said. ‘She wanted to do it and went out and did it. That’s what it’s all about.?
Two other Martians, sophomore twin sisters Kayla and Kaitlin O’Mara, also finished among the top ten runners. Kayla finished sixth (19:13.55), while Kaitlin placed eighth (19:18.3). Sophomore Kelsey Krych was the other Martian to make All-State, finishing 23rd (19:41.5).
Meyers rounded out the Goodrich scoring, placing 49th overall (20:16.2). Also competing for the Martians at the meet were Mary Haiderer (50th, 20:20.05) and Samantha Minkler (125th, 21:22.85).
Despite losing Jones to graduation, the Martians return all their other runners next season, which means the future is just as bright as the present for the team, Shaw said.
‘We have three girls coming up from junior high,? he said. ‘It should be another outstanding season. We should be in the running for the state championship.?
The Goodrich boys team did not compete at the state meet, but senior Jeremy Phan represented the Martians, finishing 175th (18:16.8) among Division 3 competitors.