10-19-2017 Tri-City Area Sports

Tangled up at Talladega

You can’t say Sunday’s Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway was boring. The 31st race of the 2017 NASCAR season featured 30 lead changes and 11 caution periods for 47 laps including three red-flag stoppages.

All in all, the big one came on lap 172 when 16 cars tangled, crunched, and crashed courtesy of Martin Truex Jr. who just couldn’t brake check fast enough as he tried to go three-wide. When the clattering was complete and collateral damage assessed, the question of who would make the next playoff round – the Round of Eight – was as muddy as the Mississippi River.

The one driver who did punch his ticket to the next round was Victory Lane celebrant Brad Keselowski. He picked up his third win of the season and 24th of his career. Keselowski led seven laps.

Ryan Newman led three laps in his runner-up finish effort. Newman has one win this season.

Trevor Bayne earned his second top five finish of the season with his third-place outing. Bayne is in his eighth year on the NASCAR circuit and has one win under his belt.

Coming in fourth was Joey Logano. He led a race-high 59 of the total 188 circuits. Logano has one win this season but picked up his 10th top five finish.

Rounding out the top five was Aric Almirola. The Smithfield driver earned his 11th top five and 30th top ten finish of 2017.

Pole sitter Dale Earnhardt Jr. led seven laps but finished seventh.

Drivers who also led laps but did not finish in the top five were: Denny Hamlin (4), Kasey Kahne (5), Matt Kenseth (7), Daniel Suarez (11), Chase Elliott (26), Ryan Blaney (27), Brendan Gaughan (6), AJ Allmendinger (1), Kurt Busch (3), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (6), Kyle Busch (4), and Matt Dibenedetto (12).

Qualified drivers participating in the Round of 12 have only one more chance to make their mark before four of them fall out of contention for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Last week, Truex Jr. secured his spot. This week, Keselowski earned his. That leaves six more places for 10 drivers.

The teams will roll the dice at the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. Truex Jr. won here in May of this year. Can he make it come up with two of a kind or will he roll snake eyes? Check back to find out.

AQB WRAP-UP

Battered Bears, dismal Detroit, hurting Hartford, and crestfallen Comets create havoc in the AQB contest

By Kristy Noack

If you are a fan of the Tri-City Record Armchair Quarterback contest, you know it’s a brutal week when the best record is 5-3 and four competitors post 4-4 outings. That was week eight in our contest.

Tim Hildebrand came out on top with the 5-3 record. He was the only AQB to guess one single NFL game correctly. Hildebrand correctly predicted New Orleans would trounce Detroit, and they did. That long pick gave Hildebrand the best record for the week.

In the TRC AQB contest, six local football fans try their hand at guessing the outcome of eight high school, college, and professional football games. A winner is determined each week based on the best record posted.

In the event two or more AQBs have identical weekly records, one game is chosen as the tie-breaker game. All contestants must determine how many points will be scored in that contest. The AQB with the closest guess wins the higher position in the rankings.

RoxAnn Rodney-Isbrecht, Rodney Lynch, Greg Krell, and Bryan Conrad went 4-4 for the week. Their place in the standings came down to the tie-breaker game featuring Watervliet and Schoolcraft. The Panthers continued their unbeaten streak with the 36-14 victory.

Lynch guessed 49 points would be scored, giving him second place. Krell’s 77 total point guess landed him in third place. Fourth place went to Conrad as he guessed 79 points would be scored in the game. Fifth place was secured by Rodney-Isbrecht’s 82-point guess.

In sixth place for the week with a 3-5 record was Chris Leach. Leach was the lone AQB to select Minnesota over Michigan State, and it was one game that hurt her record.

Overall, Hildebrand reclaims sole possession of first place. He gained a game on everyone and is now 48-16 overall.

Rodney-Isbrecht and Lynch are knotted up in second place with 47-17 overall records.

Krell holds onto fourth place and sports a 46-18 record.

Leach falls one spot to fifth place overall with her 45-19 record. Rounding out our super six is Conrad with a 43-21 record.

Only three games separate first place from fifth. With plenty of season left, it’s anybody’s ball game!

The biggest game of the season takes center stage when the Comets of Coloma travel to Panther Stadium in Watervliet for the best rivalry gridiron game around. That contest will be our tie-breaker game for week nine competition. Other games on the docket include:

Coloma @ Watervliet

Hartford @ Bloomingdale

Michigan @ Penn State

Indiana @ Michigan State

USC @ Notre Dame

Western Michigan @ Eastern Michigan

Carolina @ Chicago

Baltimore @ Minnesota

This is the final week of regular season high school football. Coloma and Hartford must win to secure their shot in the playoffs. Watervliet remains unbeaten and is heavily favored over Coloma. How will our AQBs fare? Find out next week in the pages of the TCR.

Special note: Chris Leach’s record was incorrectly stated in last week’s paper. She went 5-3 for the week, which gave her a 42-14 record. She was tied for fourth place with Greg Krell. I regret the error.

Watervliet wins 36-14! Continues perfect season

 The perfect season Panthers continue their march into the record books after they topped Schoolcraft 36-14 on the road. Watervliet is now 8-0 this season and is headed back to the playoffs.

Schoolcraft kicked off to Watervliet to start the game. The Panthers worked downfield and scored on an 18-yard pass play from quarterback Zack Pickens to Garrett Matthews for six points. Watervliet converted the two-point pass play from Pickens to Bryant Kieft, and Watervliet was up 8-0.

Schoolcraft was unable to score. On their next possession, Watervliet would turn the ball over on downs. Schoolcraft followed with a punt to end the first quarter.

A few minutes into the second quarter, Pickens lofted a pass to Kieft who took the ball into the end zone for the TD. The 41-yard pass play made the score 14-0 after the two-point conversion attempt failed.

Schoolcraft got on the board with a 24-yard rushing TD. They kicked the PAT and closed in on Watervliet’s 14-7 lead.

Watervliet’s next possession ended with a punt.  Schoolcraft got the ball back and marched downfield. The Eagles scored on a 15-yard rushing TD and successful PAT. The game was tied up 14-14.

With under a minute to go in the first half, Pickens found Trent Boone at the other end of a 63-yard pass play for six points. Kieft rushed for the two-point conversion and Watervliet added a little breathing room before the half, leading 22-14.

Kieft lit up the scoreboard late in the third quarter after he rushed five yards for a touchdown. Kieft also caught the two-point conversion pass from Pickens to increase Watervliet’s lead to 30-14.

The Eagles turned the ball over on downs during their next possession and it wasn’t long before Watervliet made them pay in a big way.

SHOULDERING THROUGH… Coloma’s Levi Wilkens holds off Delton Kel-logg defender Travis NeSmith to gain a first down Friday night in the Comets’ final home game of the season. Coloma fell to Delton Kellogg 23-20. (TCR photo by Martin Quigley Jr.)

Pickens and Kieft teamed up for a 72-yard pass play for another six points. The two-point conversion failed and Watervliet led 36-14 at the end of three quarters.

Neither team scored in the fourth quarter, although Pickens did pick off a pass on defense.

Watervliet head coach Jeremy Andrews shared, “The win clinched the outright SAC Valley division title for Watervliet. It is the fourth division title in the last five years for the Panthers.”

For Watervliet, quarterback Zack Pickens continues to put up big numbers. He was 11 of 18 for 349 yards and four touchdowns.

Kieft rushed six times for Watervliet for 49 yards and one TD.

Boone was Pickens’ favorite target on the night. He caught four passes for 153 yards and one TD.

Matthews caught two passes for 25 yards and one TD.

Kieft hauled in four passes for 145 yards and two TDs. James Bell picked up six yards on one pass.

Anthony Wade led Watervliet with eight tackles and two assists. Ryan Chisek chipped in five tackles and five assists. Matthews added five tackles and three assists.  Lamarrius Smith and Bell both had six tackles and one assist.

Kieft contributed four tackles and two assists. Sheldon Tobar tallied three tackles and two assists.

This season, Pickens has 2,710 passing yards. He is 124 of 171 and has 29 passing touchdowns. On the ground, he has 952 yards on 151 carries. The senior has rushed for over 100 yards in six games.

The perfect Panthers will host their final regular season game at home Friday, October 20 against Coloma. The 5-3 Comets will be seeking an upset of the Panthers so they can get into the playoffs.

Watervliet High School Athletic Director Ken Dietz shared that Panther Stadium will be lit up Friday night in the air as well. The Athletic Department would like to thank the Watervliet Athletic Boosters, Arnt Asphalt, B&B Outlet, Tri-City Record, Mark and Lisa Epple, Sharon Yoder and State Farm, Billy Loshbough and WHL Construction, Senica Smith, Glen-Aire Community, Arclight Brewery, Hutchins Funeral Home and Point Blank Team Sports for their generous support.

Be ready for a great game. Get to Panther Stadium early!

Hartford offense slow to start in 36-14 loss to Centreville

 Under the direction of Brad Manning, the Hartford varsity football team began the 2017 season with two wins, defeating Eau Claire and Bangor off the bat.

The Indians then lost to Mendon at home before putting together a three-game string of victories, topping Marcellus, Decatur, and White Pigeon.

With a 5-1 record, things looked very promising for an Indian playoff run.

Then, the team was shut out by an undefeated Cassopolis team. With a 5-2 record, Hartford’s next contest was at home against a 2-5 Centreville squad. Things looked promising again for the Indians.

When Friday night, October 13, rolled around, hopes were high for a Hartford victory. Many thought the win would be a cake walk. Many would be wrong.

Centreville opened scoring in the first period with a four-yard touchdown run. The boys completed the two-point conversion, and Centreville was on the board 8-0.

In the second period, the four-yard TD run that worked so well in the first quarter sent another six points on the scoreboard for the visiting squad. Another successful two-point conversion put Centreville in the lead 16-0.

Hartford’s lone score of the first half come at the hands of Robert Ledesma Jr. After a handoff from quarterback Garrod Johnson, Ledesma Jr. hoofed it 14 yards into the end zone. Danny Resendez got the call for the point after attempt – which was good – and Hartford closed the gap, 16-7.

Before the quarter closed out, Centreville scored another six points on a four-yard run. The two-point conversion was good, and the Centreville margin of victory increase to 24-7 at intermission.

The Indians got back on the board in the third quarter. Aaron Sinclair rushed 33 yards for the touchdown. Resendez booted another beauty and Hartford trailed 24-14.

Centreville responded with another rushing touchdown, this time from 10 yards out. The two-point conversion failed, but they lead 30-14.

Centreville put the final points on the board in the fourth quarter. They scored on a 10-yard run. The two-point conversion failed but Centreville surprises Hartford with the 36-14 win.

If the game was any indication, it was that there wasn’t one overriding failure of the team, other than scoring points. They weren’t whistled for excessive penalties; they had two for 23 yards. They didn’t turn the ball over a bunch of times; they suffered one fumble but did not have an interception.

The Indians had 214 total yards in the game, while Centreville had 318. But, Hartford had more in the air (56) than the visitors (22).

Hartford just plain and simple struggled to move the ball.

Johnson was five of 13 for 56 yards. He had two carries for 10 yards.

Sinclair caught two passes for 40 yards. He also rushed three times for 35 yards and one TD.

Ledesma Jr. was the team’s top rusher. He picked up 89 yards and one TD on 19 carries.  Moses Beraza had 22 yards on one carry and caught one pass for three yards.

Evan Parker rushed three times for two yards. Parker also caught one pass for five yards.

Defensively for the Indians, Beraza had eight tackles and three assists.  Luke Manning got in on seven tackles.  Bobby Johnson was credited with six tackles and three assists.  Parker put up five tackles and three assists.  Cory Arnold accounted for four tackles and five assists.  Alex Cargo added four tackles. Buddy Earls had two tackles and two assist.

Hartford will get one final chance to assure them of a playoff spot if they defeat Bloomingdale Friday. The road game will find the 5-3 Indians facing a 4-4 team. It should be an easy win for the Indians, but a similar thought pattern was held last week against a worse team.

Can Hartford get their offense in gear for one of their biggest challenges this season? Let’s hope so.

Coloma playoff hopes crippled by Delton Kellogg after 23-20 loss

 That collective holding of breaths you don’t hear is the Coloma football faithful. Coloma, currently 5-3 this football season, suffered a 23-20 road loss to Delton Kellogg Friday the 13th. The Comets desperately needed a win in that game or this week’s contest to secure a spot in the playoffs, a place they haven’t been since 2008.

The Comets headed to Delton Kellogg Friday with the hopes of erasing that 10-year playoff deficit. They came back subdued and saddened.

Neither team could make their way to the end zone in the first quarter; the second quarter went the way of Delton Kellogg. Delton scored three times – a touchdown, a field goal, and another touchdown – to take a 17-0 lead after the first half.

Coloma began their rally in the third quarter. Quarterback Zach Goodline tossed a pass to Levi Wilkens to complete the nine-yard scoring play.  The PAT was good, and Coloma closed the game 17-7.

Fourth quarter action found Delton Kellogg scoring on an 18-yard run. The PAT failed, but Delton led 23-7.

Comet Jamane Smith Jr. made his mark in the fourth quarter and, had the stars been aligned a bit differently, he may have singlehandedly sent the game in a different direction.

Smith Jr.’s first score came on an eight-yard scamper into the end zone. Coloma head coach Joe Stephens called for the two-point conversion attempt. The play failed and the Comets trailed 23-13.

It was Smith Jr. again who found the end zone for Coloma. He took the ball 11 yards for six points. Derek Plitt booted the point after attempt and Coloma trailed 23-20. Neither team would score in the contest again.

Zack Goodline was five of 16 for 62 yards and one TD. He also rushed for 128 yards on 20 carries.

Smith Jr. garnered 79 yards and two TDs on eight carries. Caleb Ellis picked up 18 yards on three carries and caught one pass for 19 yards. Zack Lake toted the ball three times for 15 yards.

Wilkens had four carries for 18 yards. He also caught three passes for 28 yards and one TD.  Robbie Schroeder had one reception for 15 yards.

Cody Reese was strong on defense for Coloma. He led the team with 10 tackles and six assists.  Goodline and Calvin Hutchinson had six tackles and two assists each.  Smith Jr. tallied five tackles and four assists.

Wilkens was responsible for two tackles, two assists, and one fumble recovery, while Lake had two tackles and one assist.

Coloma ran 55 plays compared to 65 by Delton Kellogg. The Comets had more total offense than Delton, ringing in at 320 total yards compared to 309.

Both teams were matched on first downs with 18. The Comets did have two turnovers – one fumble and one interception. The squad also suffered from six penalties accounting for 81 penalty yards.

Friday is the Comets’ final chance to achieve a six-win season and playoff pass. To do so, they must go through Panther country as they take on undefeated Watervliet on the road.

Game time is 7:00 p.m. Expect to see a large crowd, enthusiastic fans, and a great football game.

Watervliet and Hartford Dig Pink game

 It was a treat for both volleyball squads, fans, and fellow students alike as the Hartford Indians traveled to Watervliet in the teams’ inaugural “Dig Pink” game Thursday, October 12.

The game, which began at 1:00 p.m. found students from both schools in the stands for the special event.

The event was held as a fundraiser to raise money to fight cancer in the Tri-City community. The Dig Pink game raised over $850 for the cause!

GAME FACE… Watervliet’s Mikalah Clay (12) and Kara Liles (7) attempt to block a shot October 10 during the Panthers’ game against Bridgman. Watervliet split with the Bees 25-22, 18-25.

According to Edie Daugherty, the head coach of the Watervliet varsity volleyball team, a crowd of over 800 was in attendance to watch the Panthers beat Hartford in three straight games, 25-10, 25-17, 25-13.

Leading the Panthers was Jaelyn Pitre with 20 assists, three aces, and four digs.  Emma Armstrong had two kills, one ace, two digs, and one block.

Kara Liles hit 11 kills and two blocks. Zoe Smith was credited with five kills and six digs. Grace Smith hit one assist, one ace, and seven digs.

Mikalah Clay contributed one kill and four aces. Elaine Koshar tallied three kills and two blocks. Carly Simmons had one kill and one dig. Brenna Langston smashed four aces and two digs. Emma Yazel had one ace.

Jessica Cortes led Hartford with two aces, three assists, and 23 digs.  Megan Nelson added seven assists and 24 digs.  AJ Jackson blocked two shots and had four kills. Mikenzie Chambers posted four kills.

Senior Night nets Hartford 4-0 shutout over Bridgman

 The Indians of Hartford celebrated Senior Night by shutting out visiting Bridgman 4-0 Monday, October 9.

Scoring goals for Hartford were Fernando Alvarez, Isai Ordonez, Brandon Galvan, and William Martinez. The Indians scored two goals in each half of the game.

Herik Garcia, Ulises Bacilio, and Martinez were credited with one assist apiece.

In for keeper for the Indians was Rudy Martinez. He was credited with the clean sheet.

Coloma soccer scores 3-0 shutout against Gobles, gets crushed by Comstock

Coloma downed a visiting Gobles Tigers team Monday, October 9 by recording a 3-0 shutout.

Junior Jacob Bryant scored two goals. Antonio Gagliardo, also a junior, scored one goal on a penalty kick.

Coloma had 18 shots on goal. An impressive Coloma defense did not allow a Gobles shot all night long.

On Wednesday, October 11, the Comets welcomed Comstock to McDaniel Field. Comstock opened the scoring with four goals in the first half and two goals in the second half. They shut out Coloma 6-0 in the non-conference matchup.

Coloma finished with a 1-6 Southwestern Athletic Conference record this season. Kalamazoo Hackett won the conference outright with a perfect 8-0 record.

Area runners participate in SAC Championship meet

 With the warm weather holding firm, the Southwestern Athletic Conference held their Championship meet at Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, MI on Tuesday, October 10.

Coloma’s varsity girls’ squad finished ninth overall with 200 points. The meet was won by Saugatuck with 20 points.

Emma Vandermolen set a new personal record after she crossed the finish line at 21:45 in 17th place.

Abby Vandermolen took 34th place (23:24).  Marissa Sherburn (26:12) and Julia Sternaman (26:23) completed the course in 57th and 59th places, respectively.

CROWNING GLORY… Emma Vandermolen (left) and Adiel Granados (right) flank Coloma cross country coach Courtney Churchill after earning All-Conference honors October 10, 2017.

Samantha Scott took 63rd (26:40), while Amaria Echols finished in the 66th spot (26:50).  Phoebe Browne ended the event in 73rd place (28:53).

Although Watervliet was not able to field a complete team, four trekkers raced the course.  Alyssa Hobson was the top Panther finisher in 36th place (23:44).

Angelina Hammond was 55th (25:54).  Keyona Klimkiewicz finished in 69th place (28:21). Bailey Swisher was 75th with a time of 29:45.

The Watervliet boys’ team took fifth overall with 155 points. The conference title went to Saugatuck, who recorded 28 points.  Coloma ran to an 11th place finish with 248 points.

Watervliet’s Ezra Troyer took 20th place (18:16) and set a new PR. Gus Hinch finished in 22nd place (18:18).

HE IS A CHAMPION… Coloma tennis star Luis Sanchez claimed Division 4 regional champion honors in singles tennis recently.

Kody Edmonds not only set a new PR but he completed the route in 18:57 for a 34th place finish.  Nick Swanson’s time of 19:21 was good for 41st place; he set a new PR.

Trevor Pelton took 43rd place (19:24) and set a new PR. Kade Van Niel also set a new PR (19:31) en route to a 47th place finish. Alex Isbrecht finished in 55th place (20:05).

Coloma’s top finisher was Adiel Granados. He was fleet of foot and finished in 13th place with a time of 17:59, a new PR.

Blane Sutherland took 52nd place (19:56).  Ian Ishmael was 58th (20:10), while Josh Young took 67th place (21:14).

Hunter Crist’s time of 21:34 was good for 71st place. He was followed by Willie Donald in 73rd place (21:38).

Coloma defeats Fennville, Runner-Up in tourney play

 Coloma’s varsity volleyball squad fought with Fennville Tuesday, October 10. The Comets soundly defeated the Blackhawks in three games, 25-10, 25-11, 25-12.

Kayla Yore led Coloma with four kills, 18 assists, four aces, 10 digs, and four blocks.  Morgan Wagner hit 13 kills, three aces, eight digs, and three blocks.

Megan Neubecker hit two kills, seven assists, and one block.  Mya Potter posted one kill, two aces, and 14 digs.

Kylee Bailey tallied two kills and one dig.  Sam Stewart had four aces and eight digs. Taryn Blazier accounted for one dig. Mike Anderson contributed one ace and six digs.

On Saturday, the Comet squad settled for second place after falling 25-23, 25-16 to Edwardsburg in the championship game.

To begin the day, Coloma went 6-0 in pool play. The Comets posted victories over Lakeshore (25-18, 25-17), Allegan (25-16, 25-13), and Bridgman (25-10, 25-14).

In bracket play, Coloma lambasted Lawton 25-7, 25-15 to continue their winning streak.

The semi-final match found Coloma facing Buchanan. The Comets won 25-14, 25-22 to earn a seat at the championship match.

Wagner led Coloma with 36 kills, five assists, seven aces, 55 digs, and seven blocks.  Kelly Walter hit 46 kills, 16 aces, 25 digs, and 15 blocks.

Yore added 33 kills, 79 assists, six aces, 48 digs, and 12 blocks. Hannah Mathis had six kills, five aces, and 15 digs.

Neubecker accounted for six kills, 10 assists, 16 digs, and six blocks. Anderson added 11 kills, six blocks, 16 digs, and one block.

Potter put up 75 digs. Stewart had 20 digs, while Kelsey Ellis hit 35 digs.

Coloma’s overall record is 26-8-2.

Watervliet in quad action, travels to Berrien Springs

 Watervliet’s varsity volleyball team hit the hard court Tuesday, October 10 for quad action against Kalamazoo Christian, Brandywine, and Bridgman.

Watervliet split with Bridgman 25-22, 18-25. The Panthers then faced Kalamazoo Christian and lost 18-25, 18-25.

Against the Bobcats of Brandywine, Watervliet lost 11-25, 17-25.

Emma Armstrong led Watervliet with one assist, three kills, two aces, and 12 digs.  Zoe Smith had two assists, six kills, 12 digs, and one block.

Elaine Koshar was credited with five kills, two digs, and eight blocks. Grace Smith had two kills, two aces, and 18 digs.

Kara Liles hit 11 kills, two digs, and one block. Jaelyn Pitre added 28 assists and three kills. Mikalah Clay posted one kill, two aces, and eight digs.

Emma Yazel had four digs, while Payton Priebe served one ace.

Following their “Dig Pink” game against Hartford at 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon on Thursday, October 12, the Panthers headed to Berrien Springs.

With three games already under their belt, the Panthers were poised for victory.

Watervliet dropped the first game 27-25 as they fought tooth and nail for each point.  The Panthers won the second game 25-15. Their efforts continued as they won games three and four, 25-19, 25-22.

Pitre posted 33 assists, one kill, two aces, and four digs.  Armstrong accounted for four kills, two aces, and 14 digs.  Grace Smith had one assist, one kill, four aces, and 19 digs.

Liles landed 12 kills, one dig, and six blocks.  Zoe Smith had 16 kills and 14 digs.

Koshar tallied four kills and four blocks while teammate Caley Simmons bombed one ace and six digs.

Clay had one assist, two aces, and two digs.  Priebe posted one dig. Brenna Langston landed two digs.

Indians court victory against Bloomingdale, play in SW10 Conference

The Hartford varsity volleyball team began the week at home with a match against Bloomingdale. The Indians bounced to a 3-1 victory after tallying 25-20, 22-25, 25-20, and 25-20 during the Senior Night contest.

Mikenzie Chambers led Hartford with nine kills. Jessica Cortes slapped five aces and 15 assists.  Megan Nelson contributed 41 digs.

Brynn Duffy and AJ Jackson teamed up for six kills each. Elly Valdes and Cora Wesaw contributed five kills apiece.

On Saturday, the squad participated in the Southwest 10 Conference tournament.

Hartford lost 25-15, 25-18 to Mendon before winning two games against Eau Claire 25-20, 25-16.

The Indians faced White Pigeon and lost 25-14, 25-13. Hartford finished off their team effort with a 25-13, 25-23 loss to Bangor.

Cortes led Hartford with 14 assists, six kills, and 75 digs.  Nelson added 12 assists, six kills, three aces, and 65 digs.

Chambers chipped in 12 kills. Jasmine Solis had 34 digs.  Duffy served up two aces and two kills.  Valdes tallied five kills, one block, and 16 digs. Jackson was credited with nine blocks, 24 digs, two assists, and nine kills. Jaelyne Galvan had 36 digs. Wesaw hit two aces.

Coloma cruises to ninth and tenth place finishes in Rock ‘N Run

 Dowagiac hosted the Rock ‘n Run cross country invitational Thursday, October 12. Coloma’s boys’ team was one of 15 participants. St. Joe won the meet with 53 points. Coloma claimed a 10th place finish with 260 points.

Adiel Granados led the way for the Comets. He finished the course in 18:19 for 28th place.  Josh Young was 58th (19:36).

Ian Ishmael finished 66th (19:47) while Blane Sutherland took 68th (19:49). Both runners set new personal records.

Willie Donald set a new personal record with his time of 21:10; he finished in 108th place. Hunter Crist took 110th place (21:12) and set a new PR as well.

St. Joe swept the meet as their young ladies also won the women’s division. St. Joe scored 55 points. Coloma’s squad took ninth place with a point total of 269.

Emma Vandermolen was first for the Comets. She finished in 28th place (21:47). Abby Vandermolen took 56th place (23:20).

Julia Sternaman set a new PR with her time of 25:55; she finished in 104th place. Gabrielle Ezell completed the course in 25:58, good for 108th place.

Marissa Sherburn took 112th (26:08).  Samantha Scott ran to a 122nd place finish (27:02). McKenzie Ecker set a new PR with her run time of 27:41; she took 133rd.

Phoebe Browne was 137th (27:53), while Kayla Walter finished in 139th place (28:20). Walter set a new PR at the event.