MIDLAND - Sep. 30, 2006 - The Ogemaw Heights cross country squads warmed up for the stretch run by competing at the Midland Invitational on Saturday. Neither team raced at full strength against mostly Class A schools.
The Falcon girls finished 10th out of 14 schools competing.
"We were resting three girls of the top five due to potential injuries," said girls coach Rick Frank. "With the second league jamboree coming up on Tuesday it was not the time to chance potential season-ending injuries, and it was just time we needed to rest."
Despite cold, rainy weather, the nine Falcons who did run all posted season-best times. Noelle Mester broke the 20-minute barrier to lead the Falcons with a time of 19:36, good for sixth place overall.
"(She) looked very intense the entire race," Frank said.
Also finishing in the varsity race were Chelsea LeForce (20th, 30:27.8); Maggie Edward (75th, 24:42.6); Selina Tabayoyong (76th, 24:59.2); Trista Keezer (77th, 25:01.0); Brianne Price (78th, 26:00.2); and Crystal Tolfree (79th, 26:17.9).
"We still have our sights set on making it to the state finals as a team and making some noise there," Frank said. ""The next two weeks of training will tell a lot about if this goal will be reached."
The boys team, likewise, didn't run at full strength and finished 13th out of 15 teams. Two of the Falcons' top three runners were nursing injuries and didn't compete.
"This group is mainly very young and inexperienced but they have above average ability and a lot of desire and heart," said coach Doug Grezeszak. They are very fun to coach.
"They are very young, though, and that showed on Saturday."
Mike Lentz topped the Falcons with a 41st place finish in 18:04.0. Also competing were Zach Lynch (65th, 18:40.4); Martin Nelkie (71st, 18:49.5); James Padden (72nd,18:50.2); Mike Morris (77th, 19:12.9) and Garret Benjamin (81st, 19:29.2).
John Glenn hosts the second NEMC jamboree of the season on Tuesday at Delta College.
"We will face a very stiff race on Tuesday," Grezeszak said. "I have faith in these young guys. We want to be able to stand up at the homecoming assembly on Friday still in sole possession of first place in the league, not tied for it."
