Ogemaw Heights' boys added another league title plaque to the trophy case -- their 12th in 19 seasons.
John Glenn's Tyler Wejrowski won the league finals race and swept all three North East Michigan Conference meets this season.
Linda Eyer
Ogemaw Heights' Martin Nelkie (above) and Standish-Sterling's Ryan Pickvet pushed the pace to stay within shouting distance of Wejrowski.

PINE RIVER GOLF COURSE - STANDISH - Oct., 20, 2007 - There wasn't much suspense at Saturday's North East Michigan Conference boys cross country finals as Ogemaw Heights wrapped up its 12th league title in 19 years.

Ogemaw (30 points) outdistanced John Glenn (49) despite running without four athletes nursing injuries.

Standish-Sterling (88) took third, followed by Pinconning (113), Tawas Area (117) and Oscoda (142).

"The really wonderful thing is that we took home nine of the 15 available (first second and third team) all-conference honors," said Falcon coach Doug Grezeszak. "That's more than any team has ever had before."

John Glenn's Tyler Wejrowski (17:23) won the race to earn a sweep of all three league meets.

The Falcons' Martin Nelkie (2nd, 17:34) and SSC's Ryan Pickvet (18:10) ran a bit closer to the dominant Bobcat runner than they had earlier in the year.

Also scoring for the Falcons were Pete VanOosten (4th, 18:26), Bob Brent (7th, 18:43), Mike Lentz (8th, 18;46) and Mike Morris (9th, 18:49).

Of the nine Falcons to earn individual honors, Nelkie, Lentz, Brent, Brian Valley, Erik VanOosten and Casey Taylor all will return next season.

John Gaiser (5th, 18:27) helped Wejrowski lead the Bobcats to their runner-up finish.

For the Panthers, who improved on last year's fourth-place finish after years of not fielding a complete team, David Yenior (20th, 20:32), Qwinn Shorkey (24th, 21:11), Cole Manning (25th, 21:15) and Mike Prohaska (27th, 21:19) also scored.

"The Ogemaw guys were just too tough for us this year," said SSC coach Dennis Pruder. "I'm very proud of how hard our men battled all season. We had some men really step up and when you're blessed with that it makes for a great year.

"Ryan Pickvet really progressed for our program this year and that led to a domino effect.... It was really a thrill to watch them develop.

"All you can do is tip your hat to Tyler Wejrowski and the Ogemaw men. Next year is a new year."

Pinny was led by Justin Frey (6th, 18:38) while Guy Cotter (11th, 19:02) and Jacob Winn (14th, 19:42) paced Tawas. Jeremiah Johnston (22nd, 20:50) led Oscoda.

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