RC girls cross country place first at Inland Lakes

The Rogers City girls? cross country team started their season off with a bang Monday in Inland Lakes, finishing first out of the six competing schools at the Bulldog Invitational. ?THE WEATHER was a bit overcast with mild temperatures, and the course was flat,? said head coach Rob Kortman. ?It was a good place to start our season, and I?m very happy with all of the runners ? I?m looking forward to seeing the improvement throughout the season.? Monday?s meet included races at the varsity, junior varsity, and middle school levels. Kortman said the first time out on the course is always educational at every level. ?The first meet is a learning experience for the new runners,? said Kortman, ?and it?s a reminder for those that have ran before not to go out too fast, and finding a pace that fits them.? Kortman said Rogers City would see several of the teams again throughout the season, including at the regional level. ?This meet will give us something to go by and see how we compare to them,? said Kortman.

Senior Chelsea Kreft led the pack with her third place finish in a time of 23:26. Junior Sarah Bruning followed close behind to earn fourth place with her time of 24:10. Cynthia Belusar (26:10), Becky Hopp (27:11), and Lauren Muszynski (29:10) rounded out the team finishes. Danielle Roeske could not finish due to an ankle injury. Sophomore Kaylee Kreft is out for a knee injury she obtained last spring in track.

THE BOYS? team finished strong Monday as well, earning a solid second place finish for their first time out on the course. Sophomore Zak McLennan took home a second place finish with his time of 19:02. Less than a minute behind McLennan, Eric Kieliszewski finished 13th with his time of 20:48. Andy Grambau was close behind with 21:01. Tharin Wilk placed 16th with his time of 21:14, while Andy Tulgestke placed 20th with 21:50. Rounding out the

finishes were Travis Lafferty (22:16), and Justin LaLonde (23:00). In the JV race, Jake Vogler placed first in 20:38, while Mike Vogler followed close behind in second with 20:59. Aaron Wilbert earned third with his time of 21:14. Andy Derry finished in 25:55. For the middle school race, John Belusar finished fifth for the boys in 11:44. The RC middle school girls swept the first four slots. Leilani Kortman earned first (11:50), Jami Horn was second (11:57), Sierra Centala earned third (12:11), and Michelle Belusar took fourth (12:27). Alysse Hempel rounded out the competition with her 10th place finish (14:37).

The next high school meet is in Ogemaw Heights Thursday at 5 p.m. The first home meet is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6 at 4 p.m. The new RC course is located off of M-68, behind Midwest Marine. Any student interested in joining the cross country team should contact Coach Kortman at 734-4691, or Pat Lamb at 734-9170.