Lady Wildcats miss Rocket C-C Invitational title by 2 points

Hopkins senior Todd Henley and Wayland freshman Olivia Barabas were impressive in their season debuts Thursday afternoon at the Kelloggsville Rocket Invitational.

Henley checked in first in the boys’ individual race with a terrific time of 17:19.29 on a difficult South Christian athletic complex course. Barabas, in her first varsity meet, was individual runner-up with a time of 22:35.22.

The Wayland girls were edged for the team title by two points, as Hastings won it with 38. The Wildcat boys were third with 77, behind Hastings and Comstock Park. Hopkins girl took third with 64 points.

Besides Barabas’ stunning debut, senior tri-captain Gracie Hasse finished third for the Lady Wildcats, junior Naomi Oosterhouse was eighth, Serena VanHouten 15^th and Hannah Smith 19^th.

Hopkins girls were led by senior Alyssa Beilby in seventh place, freshman Hannah Fisher 12^th, junior Alxis Zalis 13^th, sophomore Mary Wells 18^th and junior Emilee Schumacher 34^th.

Martin was represented by sophomore Zoie Tuinstra in 28^th place and junior Amy Harris 35^th.

Freshman Travis Koon was Wayland’s top harrier for the day with a time 20:31.34, good for 13^th place. Senior Ian Russell was 16^th, senior Steven Mosher 21^st, freshman Jared Jandernoa 25^th and freshman Devin Weaver 29^th.

Senior Andrew Hazen was 30^th for Hopkins, Dean Heiden 42^nd and Zachary Wisser 43^rd.

Junior Kyle Pallett turned in a fine 12^th-place performance in 20:20.82 for Martin, Eli Dykstra was 17^th, Charley Martin 26^th and Travis Marsman 38^th.

Runners were present from Hastings, Wayland, Martin, Hopkins, Comstock Park, Kelloggsville and North Pointe Christian.

COVER PHOTO:

Wildcat medalists at the Kelloggsville Rocket Invitational included (from left) Olivia Barabas, Gracie Hasse, Ian Russell and Travis Koon. (Photos supplied)