OSCODA - Sept. 18 - Ogemaw Heights' boys took the early lead in the run for the North East Michigan Conference cross country title Tuesday by claiming six of the top nine spots in the season's first league jamboree.

Standish-Sterling claimed the early advantage in a wide-open girls competition by edging Tawas Area. The Panthers won with 33 points to the Braves' 49, followed by Ogemaw Heights (58), Pinconning (119), John Glenn (127) and Oscoda (145).

"The whole conference is very balanced this year, so to turn in a strong performance was very satisfying," said SSC coach Dennis Pruder. "I was happy with the results, but what really impressed me was the way our boys and girls went into the (NEMC) championship series. The entire week of practice was intense and they were very focused, very prepared and came into the race with a strong mindset.

"The challenge is now to improve on this meet and move up a level. It was a strong meet, but it's only one meet. Tawas, Ogemaw Heights and John Glenn have very strong programs and Pinny and Oscoda also have some excellent runners. It's a very tough and competitive conference."

The Panther girls were led by freshman Karina Pierce, who won the race with a time of 21:35. It didn't hurt that Tawas was without it's top runner, Sandy Brandt, but the Panthers also had strong outings from Ashley White (3rd, 23:36), Kayla Hilyard (8th, 24:17), Heather Hergott (10th, 24:55) and Alyssa Pruder (11th, 25:02).

Tawas was led by Olivia Bolen (2nd, 22:54), Emily Short (23:56), Brittany Combs (7th, 24:00), Abbie Hutchison (12th, 25:09) and Bethany Britt (22nd, 26:41).

Ogemaw took third behind Heather Villarreal (4th, 23:42), Colleen Wren (5th, 23:50), Jorie Diehl (14th, 25:21), Morgan Stansberry (17th, 26:09) and Hannah LeForce (18th, 26:20).

"We really have our work cut out for us," said Ogemaw girls coach Rick Frank. "(To win the NEMC) we must now win the next two jamborees.

"Jamboree No. 2 is on my mind, but more importantly is getting this team to believe in themselves and push through the huge sticking point and ask for a more than one-minute drop in time."

Pinconning was led by Emily Podgorniak (9th, 24:18), while Maggie Ungurean (13th, 25:19) paced Oscoda and Melissa Skrocki (15th, 25:30) led John Glenn.

John Glenn's Tyler Wejrowski won the boys race by more than a full minute with a time of 17:06, but it wasn't enough to overcome Ogemaw (24). Glenn finished second (42), followed by SSC (82), Tawas (110), Oscoda (143) and Pinny (148).

The Falcons were led by Tim LeForce (2nd, 18:15), Mike Lentz (3rd, 18:28), Martin Nelkie (5th, 18:42), Erik VanOosten (6th, 18:50), Pete VanOosten (8th, 19:11) and Brian Valley (9th, 19:15).

"The course was very slow, as can be seen in the times," said Ogemaw boys coach Doug Grezeszak. "The boys and I still feel we can do better and are continuing to strive to improve.

"We'll have to get better to make it out of our regional and get to the state finals as a team. Fremont, Alma, Chippewa Hills and Petoskey are still out there doing very well and we must finish in front of two of the four to make it to the state finals. The regional race will take place at the end of October so we have time yet to improve."

Ryan Pickvet (4th, 18:40) led Standish-Sterling, followed by Qwinn Shorkey (17th, 20:23), Cole Manning (20th, 20:40), David Yenior (23rd, 20:56) and Eric Carr (23rd, 21:28).

Guy Cotter (12th, 19:35), Jacob Winn (19th, 20:30) and Matt Hughes (21st, 20:41) led Tawas, while Justin Frey (15th, 20:03) led Pinconning and David Wood (27th, 21:31) led Oscoda.

The second league jamboree is at Pinconning on Oct. 2, while the league finals race (which counts toward the league title twice as much as a jamboree) is Oct. 20.

Full Results