PETOSKEY - Sept. 22, 2007 - The Ogemaw Heights boys cross country team traveled to Petoskey on Saturday and turned in a strong performance on a challenging course in which competitors were separated into a race for juniors and seniors and a race for sophomores and freshmen.

The younger Falcons won their division of the invitational with 39 points, ahead of South Lyon (67), Traverse City West (79), Petoskey (148) South Lyon East (163), Charlevoix (178), Alpena (245 and White Pine (285). St. Ignace, Harbor Springs, Cheboygan, Westland John Glenn and Mancelona also ran but didn't field enough runners to be scored as a team.

Martin Nelkie won the freshman / sophomore race by 19 seconds over the next closest competitor.

"Martin ran a great race," said Falcon coach Doug Grezeszak. "He had a big surge in the middle of the race and never looked back."

Brian Valley (6th place), Erik VanOosten (8th,), Casey Taylor (10th) and Bobby Brent (14th) all earned medals.

The junior and senior boys earned a fourth-place finish with 117 points behind Petoskey (39), South Lyon (48), and Harbor Springs (84). the Falcons defeated Westland John Glenn (144), Traverse City West (277),, Traverse City Central (302), Alpena (308), and Mancelona (453). Seven other teams competed but did not score.

Tim LeForce (9th), Mike Lentz (16th), Pete VanOosten (18th), and Mike Morris (25th) all earned medals.

"This was a really good day for our team," Grezeszak said. "We ran well."

Falcon results

11/12 - Tim LeForce (9th, 17:26), Mike Lentz (16th, 18:25), Pete VanOosten (18th, 18:33), Mike Morris (25th, 18:53), Garrett Benjamin (49th, 19:50), Reuben Nelkie (65th, 20:31), Allen Good (81st, 21:22).

9/10 - Martin Nelkie (1st, 17:51), Brian Valley (6th, 18:27), Erik VanOosten (8th, 18:32), Casey Taylor (10th, 18:43), Bobby Brent (14th, 19:10), George Farmer (40th, 20:18), Steven Wysocki (44th, 20:27), Pat Eagan (79th, 23:41), Alex Jones (83rd, 24:13), Ian McKindles (92nd, 30:41).

11-12 Race Results (Ogemaw Hts. listed as "West Branch" (runmichigan.com)

9-10 Race Results (runmichigan.com)