The Wayland High School boys’ cross-country team just missed qualifying for the Nov. 6 state championships by five points Saturday.
The Wildcats, with their exceptional bunching, finished the regional competition in fifth place with 152 team points. Fellow O-K Gold Conference member South Christian copped the third and final team slot with 147 and Coldwater had 151. Mason won the regional title with 91 and Battle Creek Harper Creek was second with 95.
Devin Weaver, as he so often has done all season, led the Wildcat pack with an 18th-place finish in 17:13.7 over the five-kilometer course at Portage Middle School. Travis Koon was 28th in 17:39.45, Dylan Pallett 32nd in 17:44.65, Henry Oudbier 33rd in 17:47.06 and Isaac Dyer 41st in 18:01.14.
This same group, all of whom are expected to return next year, all finished their 5K races at the county meet in under 18 minutes.
Despite that terrific bunching, none of the ‘Cats qualified individually for the state Division 2 meet at Michigan International Speedway next Saturday.
Great finish for a young team. Watch out next year!