Ogemaw cross country meet draws good competition

The Huron boys? cross country team tested the waters at Ogemaw Heights Thursday, and placed eighth out of 12 teams with 302 points. Traverse City Central whisked away first place with 31 points, followed by Beaverton (77), Alpena (121), Tawas (154), Sault Ste. Marie (161), Fairview (162), Ogemaw Heights (191), Mio (316), Roscommon (339), Oscoda (343), and Valley Lutheran (429).

?The boys were eighth overall,? said coach Pat Lamb, ?and Aaron (Smuda) was eighth out of 118 runners. He ran very well, 17:40.48, for his first time out this year.? Lamb said Smuda was disappointed with his own performance, but Lamb also said Smuda would only get better every time out. First place was taken by Beaverton runner Nathan Mester (17:01.7).

There were only five Huron boys in this race with Mike Mierzwinski crossing the line in 51st place (20:28), followed by Brent Freel 53rd (20:30), first time runner Derek McLennan 91st (22:55), and Brian Krueger 99th (23:07). ?Mike (Mierzwinski) was the last one to get a medal,? Lamb said.

IN THE GIRLS? event, the Hurons placed 11th (339) out of 13 teams. Taking first place was Traverse City West with 23 points, followed by Standish Sterling (103), Alpena (151), Sault Ste. Marie (169), Ogemaw Heights (181), Valley Lutheran (226), Gladwin (250), Tawas (269), Roscommon (292), Oscoda (302), Mio (357), and Beaverton (386). First place finisher was Traverse City W

est runner Michaela Harris (20:18.6). The girls were minus the efforts of lead runner Lacey Kreft, but her sister Chelsea took up the reins and placed 41st (25:22), leading the Hurons? effort. Other Hurons, in order of finish, were Terri Schultz 56th (26:10), Katy Fryske 72nd (27:51), Kristyn Blackmer 82nd (29:53), Jeni Tulgestke 88th (30:50) and Kristina Viegelahn 89th (30:53).

?Freshman Chelsea Kreft was our lone medalist,? Lamb said. ?I?m pleased all the girls finished strong and gave a great effort. They will improve each time they go out. Lacey should be running again soon and that will help out the team.?

Both teams will be participating in the annual Charlevoix ?mud? race Saturday at 10 a.m. followed by the first of three Straits Area Conference (SAC) meets in St. Ignace Tuesday at 5 p.m.