It appears that Grandville Calvin Christian and Hopkins will battle for both boys’ and girls’ O-K Silver Conference cross-country championships, as they have done so often in recent years.
It also appers Calvin has an edge in both team derbys. It also appears Hopkins sophomore Laura Velderman will repeat as individual league champion, unless something awfully strange occurs.
The Squires outpaced Hopkins in the girls’ race Tuesday at Belding’s home course by a slightly better margin, 27-44. They bested the Vikings 29-43 in the first league jamboree of the season last week.
But Velderman was cruising, picking up her best time of the young season at 19:21.8. She did get come competition from Calvin ace Kayce Rypma, who was second in 19:34.
Sophomore Jasmine Fisher was fourth with her personal best 20:25.4, sophomore Emma Helder PR’d in 11th with a 21:07.2, Madison Snoeyink, the lone senior among the Lady Vikings top five, was 12th and freshman Grace Beckwith completed the team scoring in 20th place.
Sophomore Dan Rausch and jun
ior Ethan Nagel finished fourth and ninth, respectively, but once gain the continued surge of freshman Tod Henley was a big story. Rausch checked in with his personal best at 17:32.68 and Nagel finished the 5,000-meter race in 18:05.64. Henley came up with his personal best in 18:18.1 to cop 10th place.
Nick Belka was 24th in 19:33.14 and sophomore Jake Pastoor checked in at 19:58.27 in 35th.
Both Viking squads will be at the Allendale Invitational Saturday.
PHOTOS: Laura Velderman
The very capable supporting cast (from left) Jasmine Fisher, Madison Snoeyink and Emma Helder.
