Mark Meyer
Sports Scene
The top-ranked Mason boys cross country team (No. 1 in Division 2) overpowered a field of six teams at its own invitational September 22. Their team total of 19 points clearly outdistanced runners-up Okemos and Holt (62 each), Chelsea (69), Fowlerville (167) and Everett (169).
Race winner Tanner Hinkle helped the host Bulldogs capture five of the top six places by finishing the 5K in 15:47. He was followed into the chute by teammates Alex Whitmer (3rd, 16:27), Mason VanDyke (4th, 16:28), Joe Cecil (5th, 16:53), and Jacob Hanson (6th, 17:01). David McKinley (7th, 17:06) turned in the fastest time for Okemos, while Grant Colligan (8th, 17:32) was first across the line for Holt. Nick Hiner (29th, 19:21) was Everett’s top finisher, just ahead of Fowlerville’s Timothy Neuroth (30th, 19:45).
On September 16 at the MSU Invitational at Forest Akers Golf Course, Mason finished third in the Elite division. In that race, Hinkle broke his father Dave’s 21-year-old school record by 23 seconds and finished runner-up in 15:23, the fastest time this season among mid-Michigan runners.
The Lansing Catholic Central boys, ranked second in Division 3 and last year’s state runner-up, won the CAAC White Jamboree at Lake Odessa on September 20 behind strong efforts from seniors Zach Zingsheim (1st, 16:34), Austin Winter (3rd, 16:43), Jimmy Hicks (5th, 16:49); freshman Keenan Rebera (6th, 16:59); and senior Joe Marrah (7th, 17:09).
The Cougars finished with 22 points to defeat Williamston (53), Perry (71), Corunna (92), and host Lakewood (146).
“We’ve had some good success thus far,” Catholic Central coach Tim Simpson said. “We won our two-mile invitational [at Grand Woods Park], the Michigan Catholic Invitational [at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt], and the Ovid-Elsie Invitational. “I thought we also had a strong showing at the MSU Invitational [10th overall].
“Our goal is to get past Calvin Christian. They beat us last year to win state and have another strong team this year, but we’re closing the gap. We have a strong senior group and a couple of hard-working freshmen [Rebera and Teddy Terzian] who have made a big difference for us.”
Hannah Grischke (2nd, 19:53) and Erica Halm (4th, 20:37) helped Williamston win the girls race at the White Jamboree September 20. The Hornets totaled 36 points and finished ahead of Lansing Catholic Central (52), Perry (71), Corunna (136), Portland (149), and Lakewood (159).
Catholic Central junior Emma Frost won the race in a time of 19:42. Elizabeth Watling of Corunna placed third in 20:27, and Jordan Krauss of Perry was fifth in 21:02.
In the MSU Invitational, Frost ran an 18:54 to finish fourth in her division.
Senior Nick Wharry led the Ionia boys to a first-place finish in the CAAC Red Jamboree in DeWitt on September 20 with a winning time of 16:05. Teammate Connor Montgomery, also a senior, finished third in 16:16 for the Bulldogs. Ionia’s team total of 26 points topped Haslett (37), St. Johns (92), DeWitt (104), Owosso (113), and Fowlerville (179). Haslett senior Ryan Beyea finished second in 16:08, Ionia junior Brandon Winter was fourth in 16:16, and Haslett sophomore Ryan McCormick was fifth in 16:35.
Senior Jessica D’Haene led the DeWitt girls to a first-place finish in the Red Jamboree by placing third in 20:05. Panther teammates Lauren Rademacher (4th, 20:12), Kayla Hanses (5th, 20:17), Jordan Lee (6th, 20:25), and Shelby Waterson (7th, 20:28) completed the closely-bunched pack’s scoring.
DeWitt finished with 25 points, followed by St. Johns (64), Ionia (81), Haslett (99), Owosso (107), and Fowlerville (157)
Boys state cross country rankings (as of Sept. 20)
Division 2, according to MichiganCrossCountry.com: 1, Mason; 2, Ionia; 3, Haslett; 4, Grand Rapids-Christian; 5, Cedar Springs; 6, St. Joseph; 7. Grand Rapids-Forest Hills Northern; 8. Otsego; 9. Dearborn-Divine Child; 10. St. Clair.
Division 3: 1. Grandville Calvin Christian; 2, Lansing Catholic Central; 3. Benzie Central; 4. Hemlock; 5. Clare; 6. Hillsdale; 7. Chesaning; 8. Shepherd; 9. Ithaca; 10. Stockbridge; honorable mention: Napoleon, Pewamo-Westphalia
Girls state cross country rankings
Division 2: 1. East Grand Rapids; 2. Dearborn Divine Child; 3. Cedar Springs; 4. DeWitt; 5. Spring Lake; 6. Grand Rapids South Christian; 7. East Lansing; 8. Ada Forest Hills Eastern; 9. Grand Rapids Christian; 10. Hamilton
Okemos water polo scores big win over Grand Ledge
Ten wins from his first 29 matches is not exactly how Matt Latham envisioned the start to his first season as boys water polo coach at Okemos, but when you consider that four of those losses have been to the No. 1-ranked team (Rockford) in the state … the picture begins to get brighter.
The Chieftains graduated five of their seven starters from a year ago and Latham knew from the start that positioning his players in the right spots would be an immediate challenge. That, plus making sure his squad understands the importance of defense.
“We lost to Saline 16-14 (Sept. 19) in a game that you figure to win by scoring in double-digits,” Latham said. “If you score 14, normally you should win by six or seven. Our defense has to improve for us to be successful.”
Latham said junior center defender Micah Thompson has been a pleasant surprise for the Chieftains, who also rely on the overall play of senior captains Peter Weber (offensive center), Wyatt Kuhlman and Forrest Taylor (attackers).
The Chieftains displayed some of their best offense of the season in a 16-3 victory over Grand Ledge on Sept. 22. Kuhlman led the goal scorers with five, including three in the first quarter when Okemos seized an 8-1 lead. Juniors Santos Hernandez and Hunter Landay scored three goals apiece for Okemos, which also had two markers apiece from Taylor and Weber and one from sophomore Mitch Fountain. Junior goalie Tyler Grinn made eight saves for the Chieftains, who host Grand Blanc at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 29.
Holt, Grand Ledge tied atop CAAC Blue football standings
The Holt Rams scored 22 unanswered points in the second half Sept. 23 to defeat East Lansing 25-14. Holt improved to 3-0 in the CAAC Blue (3-2 overall) thanks to four field goals from senior kick Evan Fischer, including one from 52 yards out in the first quarter. Matt Zajac’s 17-yard run with a fumble recovery in the third quarter and Justin Alleman’s 53-yard TD run in the fourth quarter sealed the Rams’ third straight win. Elijah Hamilton-Wray scored on touchdown runs of 30 yards and 1 yard for the Trojans (4-1 overall, 2-1 CAAC Blue).
Six different Comets scored touchdowns for Grand Ledge (5-0 overall, 3-0 CAAC Blue) in a 42-0 victory over Jackson (1-4, 0-3). Jalen Brady was 8 of 10 passing for 140 yards and Tyler Baker finished with a team-high 13 tackles for the Grand Ledge defense, which held the Vikings to just 118 yards of total offense.
In the CAAC Red, DeWitt quarterback Ryan Wieber scored the winning touchdown on a 20-yard run to lead the Panthers (5-0 overall, 3-0 CAAC Red) to a 42-35 victory over St. Johns. Wieber, who also threw for two touchdowns, finished the game with 200 yards rushing on 20 carries and 196 yards passing. Andrew Mullikin scored on touchdown runs of 65 and 46 yards and led St. Johns (4-1 overall, 2-1 CAAC Red) with 244 yards rushing on 28 carries.