Both the Hopkins boys’ and girls’ varsity cross-country teams were runners-up in the first O-K Silver Conference jamboree of the season Tuesday at Wise Farms in Hopkins.
Both squads finished second to Grandville Calvin Christian. The Lady Vikings scored 52 points to Calvin’s 31 while the guys came in 59 while the Squires had a miniscule 19.
Freshman sensation Laura Velderman finished third individually behind Lydia Soper and Kelli Smith, both of North Pointe Christian. Velderman crossed the finish line in 20:47.17, less than 29 seconds behind Soper. She had been individual medalist the previous week at the Delton Gilmore and MSU Spartan invitationals.
Junior Megan Heft, who has been missing in action in the early portion of the season, is beginning to regain her old form, coming 10th with a time of 22:44.62, and junior Madison Snoeyink was right behind her in 11th at 22:53.38.
Fast-rising freshman Jasmine Fisher was 13th at 23:10.23 and junior Taryn Kilbane placed 16th in 23:51.25.
Calvin Christian, a perennial powerhouse in cross-country, wrapped up first place by taking fourth through eighth places and then 10th.
In the boys’ race, another freshman, Dan Rausch, led the Vikings by taking ninth in 19:00.62. Calvin Christian had the individual medalist in Abe Visser at 17:15.06 and then swept second through seventh places to score its unbeatable pace.
Sophomore Ethan Nagel finished 11th in 19:27.94, Michael Heppe was 15th in 20:08.74, sophomore James Wubben 17th in 20:21.10 and junior Nick Belka 20th 20:36.69.
PHOTOS: Michael Heppe and Nick Belka helped Hopkins take second.
Madison Snoeyink has beeen a solid performer this season for the Lady Vikings.
