The Wayland High School boys’ cross-country team finished fourth in the O-K Gold Conference jamboree Wednesday at the Gainey Athletic Fields, home of Grand Rapids Catholic Central.

The Lady Wildcat harriers also placed fourth.

The Wildcats had 85 points, just two more than third-place South Christian. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg won the meet with 51 and Catholic Central had 62.

“This was our first time racing at Gainey Athletic Fields,” said coach Steve Harcourt. “The guys seemed to like the course as they had some good times. Career best times were run by Caleb Pletcher and Jarod Geerligs.”

Senior Perry Carter once again was the Wayland leader with a time of 17:11.87, good for fifth place individually. Jonathan Zuiderveen was eighth in 17:34.05, Caleb Pletcher was 16^th in 18:11.69, Derek Huffman 26^th in 18:47.20 and Ethan Killips 30^th in 19:03.01.

Freshman Zoe Antel took 15^th for the girls in 21:03.16. Mackenzy Kasper was 22^nd in 21:25.66, freshman Payton Sidebotham 33^rd in 22:20.66, Emily Isenhoff 34^th in 22:21.78 and freshman Sydney Hielkema 22:35.58.

Middleville TK also won the girls’ competition with 30 points. South Christian had 34, Catholic Central 78 and Wayland 115, just four better than Hastings.

The boys and girls next will compete at the Portage Invitational Saturday.

PHOTO: Perry Carter