As the late, great comedienne Gilda Radner used to say, “It’s always something.”
Hopkins junior ace harrier Todd Henley took another stab at breaking the 16-minute barrier for a five-kilometer race, but he was foiled again. Even worse, he had to settle for runner-up for the first time this season in an O-K Silver Conference jamboree, clocking in at 16:48.7, 4.3 seconds slower than Belding sophomore Ethan Rockburn.
Meanwhile, the Viking girls finished third, missing the runner-up slot by one point with 68 points. Host Belding edged them out and Grandville Calvin Christian swept the first five individual placed to score a perfect 15.
Jasmine Fisher led the Lady Vikings, taking seventh place in 20:11.58. Laura Velderman was ninth in 20:17.44, Emma Helder 14th in 21:00, Alexis Zalis 21st and Hannah Crouch 33rd.
The Viking boys finished third in the team derby among six teams with 86 points. Calvin Christian won again with 26 and host Belding was second with 63.
Dan Rausch turned in a top 10 individual performance, capturing 10th in 17:37.09. Zach Nutter was 23rd, Joe Ludlam 32nd and Andrew Hazen 41st.
It’s not over for Henley, who will get the chance to break the Sweet 16 at next Wednesday’s Silver jamboree, Friday, Oct. 19, at the Allegan County meet and Saturday, Oct. 27, at the regionals.
COVER PHOTO: (From left) Coach Brooke Brenner, Jasmine Fisher, Laura Velderman, Emma Helder, Alexis Zalis and Hannah Crouch.