The Wayland boys’ cross-country team finished 12th among 18 teams Saturday at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational and the girls’ team checked in 13th of 17 squads.
Despite the wet, cold and windy weather conditions, “7 of the 12 runners had career best times, while the rest had a season best or very close,” said boys’ coach Steve Harcourt. “Perry (Carter) was our lone medal winner with his 16:48.”
Though the girls were fifth from the bottom in team scores, they also had a number of team members turn in career- or season-best performances.
Despite Carter’s excellent time of 16:48.8, he settled for 24th place. Jonathan Zuiderveen took 42nd in 17:20.7, Owen Glass was 51st in 17:28.6, Derek Huffman 109th in 18:57.7 and Ethan Killips 110th in 18:58.4.
Grand Rapids Christian won among the surprisingly impressive list of teams participating with 85 points, Coldwater was runner-up with 100 and Portage Central third with 102. Wayland had 333 points, just three more than Jenison.
Otsego won the girls’ race with a team score of 48 points, Grand Rapids Christian was second with 79 and East Grand Rapids third with 111. Wayland finished with 358.
Freshman Zoe Antel led the Lady Wildcats again and turned in her career-best time at 20:47.8, but was in 59th place. Senior Mackenzy Kasper also had her best career time at 20:57.4 and finished 65th.
Sophomore Maggie Whitney took 85th in 21:31.7, Payton Sidebothan was right behind her in 87th at 21:35.4 and Kaityln Paul 92nd in 21:53.6.
The Wildcat guys and girls teams will resume O-K Gold Conference jamboree action Wednesday afternoon and then take part in the prestigious annual Portage Invitational Saturday, Oct. 10.
PHOTOS: Payton Sidebotham Mackenzy Kasper Zoe Antel (Photos courtesy of Raymond Antel III and Amy McAvoy Smith)