By Travis Smola
Vicksburg’s cross country teams have once again been dealing with the unpredictable Michigan weather as their season nears the midway point.
“It’s been hot,” Head Coach Lucas Wolthuis said as the team went one on one with Edwardsburg at home.
At the Cougar Falcon invite in Lansing, the boys finished 23rd and saw a lot of records fall. Junior Jacob Malocha was the top runner for the boys, setting a new personal record of 18:36.1. Sophomore Joey Loriso also set a new personal record. Sophomore Levi Thomas, junior Keagan Ellsworth, junior Jackson Hambright and senior Hunter Bierema all set season records.
With the loss of some key seniors, the boys’ team has some growing to do this year. “We know that it’s about how you run at the end of the season and not at the beginning of the season,” Wolthuis said. “And the goal is to grow and improve.”
The girls finished 30th at the same mee, but saw even more new personal records set. The top finisher was sophomore Sawyer Barton who set a new personal record (PR) while running 20:17.6. Other Lady Bulldogs who set new personal records include sophomore Hannah Fenwick and senior Mia Mulhearn.
Of the two teams, Wolthuis believes the girls will have a stronger showing this year in the long run and could compete for a top three spot. The challenge will come facing teams like Plainwell and Otsego who are once again fielding extremely strong teams.
But the girls have defeated Allegan and Edwardsburg this year in dual meets and have shown up strong in larger races consistently. Against Edwardsburg, sophomore Avalee Goodman, freshman Katie Schaible, junior Sam Richardson and freshman Jessica Ferguson all set new PRs.
“Our girls’ team has some girls that should be competing for top conference spots, maybe even regionals spots,” Wolthuis said.