The annual Wayland High School Cross-Country Invitational Friday afternoon revealed a couple of startling developments.

One was historic, as Martin showed up with a boys’ team for the first time the school’s history and didn’t do badly, scoring 91 points and taking fourth place. The other was stronger than expected performance of the Wildcat girls’ team, buoyed by the medalist effort from senior captain Maggie Whitney and a runner-up finish by surging sophomore Riley Cronkright.

The Wayland girls won the meet with 28 points, Hamilton was second with 43 and Hopkins third with 67. Coach Sue Brewer’s group captured first, second, sixth, seventh and

12^th places.

Whitney completed the five-kilometer race in 20:49.95 and Cronkright was right behind her in 20:55.69. Hopkins junior ace Laura Velderman was third in 21:37.30 and junior teammate Jasmine Fisher checked in fourth at 21:43.41.

It should be noted that the times were not impressive because the course is very hilly, challenging and just not a good place to try to set a personal record. One piece of evidence was a fifth-place performance by Hamilton’s Audrey Freyhof, the youngest member of a family that has fared extremely well in regional and state contests.

Besides Cronkright rising to the occasion, pleasant surprises for Wayland were turned in senior Abbie Haase, sixth in 22:48.13, freshman Naomi Oosterhouse, seventh in 22:52.32 and junior Zoe Antel, 12^th in 23:35.61, besting Hamilton’s fifth runner to help secure the victory.

Rounding out the finishes for the Hopkins girls were junior Emma Helder 16^th, sophomore Gracie DeZeeuw 25^th and sophomore Alyssa Bielby 27^th.

Martin freshman Amy Harris was the first Clipper girl ever to finish a 5K race, running for the team alone, and taking 38^th place in 29:21.18.

On the boys’ side, Allegan won with 33 points, Hamilton had 47 and Hopkins 72. Wayland took fifth with 111.

Sophomore Todd Henley ran a strong 18:09.15 to finish second behind Hamilton’s Luke Koopman, who looks like a state contender already with his 16:46.10 clocking. Junior Dan Rausch was fourth in 18:33.09. Jake Pastoor was 17^th, Chris Tortrelli 27^th and Joe Ludlam 29^th.

Martin was led by junior Brysan Young, who took seventh in 19:20.53. Senior Seth Hentschel was 13^th in 19:59.76, freshman Carsen Young was 14^th and Josh and Kyle Visser were 35^th and 36^th.

Senior Ethan Killips led Wayland by taking 19^th place, Gabe Attruia was 23^rd, Elijah Gamelin 24^th, Ian Russell 26^th and Jacob Jelsema 31^st.

(Team photo courtesy of Terry Ellis)