EDITOR’S NOTE: The editor and proprietor of Townbroadcast apologizes for the bad information reported in this story. Wayland’s boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams will not be participating in the Portage Invitational this Saturday, but instead will be competing in the Allegan Invitational. It is the first time in at least 20 years Wayland has not been at the annual Portage meet.
So just how good is junior cross-country runner Todd Henley of Hopkins? He’s about to find out this Saturday.
Henley, Hopkins and Wayland boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams will comepete Saturday morning and afternoon in the prestigious Portage Invitational, which some savvy observers have called “A preview of the state meet.”
It should be no secret that many collegiate coaches will be on hand, seeking out some of the best prep talent. Wayland residents Becca and Allyson Winchester were discovered at Portage by Grand Valley State University coach Jerry Baltes and became members of NCAA Division II national championship teams. Both did their high school running at Middleville Thornapple Kellogg.
Henley has come on fast this season in establishing himself as a serious contender. He broke the Hopkins school record of 16:19 by Luke Williams when he ran a 16:15 at the Coach B Invitational last month at the Yankee Springs State Park. He has followed up since with a performance of 16:03 in the Allendale Falcons Invitational last Saturday.
Henley obviously will be setting his sights on breaking 16 minutes in a 5K for the first time in his career Saturday, but it will be a real challenge for him to continue his amazing streak of finishing either first or second in every competition this season.
