By Mark Blentlinger
On November 2, 2024, Michigan International Speedway was packed, not with NASCAR fans, but with high school cross country fans and athletes. With three divisions competing, there were 775 boys running and 784 girls. Schoolcraft had three runners competing: seniors Addison Blodgett, Ariana Pillot and Dante Pillot. Dante Pillot was 1 of 265 runners, and with the sound of the starter’s pistol he was off to complete 5,000 meters (3.10 miles). The first to finish was Mitchell Hiatt from Onsted High school with a time of 15:15.5, followed by August Rohde with a time of 15:32.2. Schoolcraft’s Dante Pillot finished in 95th place with a time of 17:01.4.
In their race, Addison Blodgett and Ariana Pillot were in the pack of 257 girls who also hoped for that first-place spot. The winner was Kyah Hoffman from Stanton Central Montcalm High School with a time of 17:31.6, followed by Eliza Bush From Ypsilanti Arbor Prep High School with the time of 17:50.2. Ariana Pillot crossed in 141st with a time of 21:18.7, and Addison Blodgett finished in186th with a time of 22:01.7.
