After a remarkably successful start to the season, the Wayland girls’ varsity cross-country team twice has finished sixth among six teams in the O-K Gold Conference jamborees.

The Lady Wildcats, who have been without the services of top runner Maggie Whitney, were sixth again Wednesday at the league meet at Gainey Fields in Grand Rapids. Whitney, a junior, is battling an injury, as is sophomore Peyton Sidebotham, another top five performer

The Wildcat boys, meanwhile, were sixth among seven teams in their race.

Senior Emily Gray came up with a season-best time of 21:29.45, to pace the girls and finish 29^th. Kaitlyn Paul was 34^th, Zoe Antel 40^th, Rylee Cronkright 55^th and Emily Isenhoff 78^th.

East Grand Rapids won the girls’ meet with 36 points, Grand Rapids Christian had 40. Wayland had 159.

Grand Rapids Christian won the boys’ race with 27 and East Grand Rapids came in with 52. Wayland had 150.

Senior Captain Jonathan Zuiderveen finished 18^th with his season best time of 18:11.84. Freshman Mitchell Hooker was 30^th in 18:37.22, Ethan Killips was 55^th in 19:51.82 and freshmen Garret Kloska and Ian Russell were 72^nd and 80^th, respectively.