The Hopkins girls’ cross-country team was surprised by Olivet for the top spot in the Delton-Kellogg Gilmore Invitational meet Thursday afternoon.
Though the Lady Viking had the individual champion in sophomore Laura Velderman, they came in six points behind the high-flying Eagles. Olivet had 44 and Hopkins 50, and host Delton was third with 73.
Velderman did a repeat individual medalist performance and for the first time this season she broke the 20-minute barrier by completing the Gilmore Car Museum course near Hickory Corners in 19:45.53, about five seconds faster than sophomore Molly Thompson of Paw Paw.
Sophomore Jasmine Fisher captured third place at 20:37.72, but Olivet took fourth, fifth and sixth en route to its invitational title.
Lady Vikings Emma Helder, yet another sophomore, checked in 11th, senior Madison Snoeyink was 14th and freshman Grace Beckwith continued her improvement with a personal best time while copping 22nd.
The Hopkins boys’ squad finished in the middle of the pack of nine teams, taking fifth with 106 points. Olivet won the boys’ race with 73 and Delton and Hastings shared the runner-up slot with 87 apiece.
Sophomore Dan Rausch again was the top Viking harrier, crossing the finish line fourth in 17:57.33. Junior Ethan Nagel was ninth in 18:32.46, fast-rising freshman was 14th with his personal best 18:42.53, and senior Nick Belka and freshman Zack Nutter rounded out the scoring.
The Lady Vikings earlier this week captured the championship in their division in the Thornapple Kellogg Gun Lake Invitational.
Both Viking teams Tuesday will compete in the first O-K Silver Conference jamboree of the season.
PHOTO: Here they are again, posing for post-meet honors pictures, the Hopkins girls’ cross-country team’s top five (from left) Laura Velderman, Jasmine Fisher, Emma Helder, Madison Snoyeink and Grace Beckwith. (Photo courtesy of Renee Murphy Velderman)