Cross Country Has Great Day at MCC Invite

The cross country teams competed in the first Annual Muskegon Catholic Central Invitational. Sixteen  schools attended the meet which was split in two divisions, Green (smaller schools) and Gold (larger schools).

The boys placed first in the Green Division while the girls were second in the Green Division.

Boys Recap: Coach Gould: "We ran well on Monday at OV, and we were looking to compete well in our division here. The boys managed to win a close battle with Holland Black River to take the Green Division title with 43 points, followed by Holland Black River 47, Kent City 62, GR Northpointe Christian 104 and Wyoming Lee 105."

"Again, we were led by Jack Zuidema (6th) and Eli Rotman (8th), who worked together to stay in the front pack all race, and our 3-5 runners really stepped it up today with Ben Garretson (39th), Pierce Newell (48th) and Tyler Gould (49th) to round out the top 5, and it was those three performances that pushed us into the Green Division victory today."

Girls Recap: Coach Aardema: "After Monday's excitement with a new school record and placing third overall at OV, we needed to stay focused on getting a little bit better everyday in practice and on the race course.

"The ladies did a great job of that and were rewarded with second place in the Green Division today, losing to Kent City by three points 44 to 47. Third went to Holland Black River 53, Fruitport Calvary 122, Wyoming Lee 123, and Muskegon Catholic 129."

"Abby VanderKooi (1st) controlled the race from start to finish and was soon followed by Josie Aardema (10th) and Sarah VanderKooi (11th). Much like in the boys race, our 4th and 5th runners really stepped up today, Ava Rotman (46th) and Natalie Riksen (47th). Those performances held off Holland Black River to seal the runner up position for the team."

The cross country teams will take a short break from racing as school begins and return to racing on Saturday, Sept. 8 at the Fremont Hill and Bale. That race will also be the season opener for the WMC Middle School Cross Country Team!