Although they competed in a new division this year, the Goodrich varsity girls cross country team experienced a familiar result in regional action.
The Martians had three runners place in the top five as they won the Division 2, Region 14 meet at Goodells Country Park in Marysville Saturday, Oct. 28. Goodrich finished with a team score of 37, well ahead of second-place Croswell-Lexington (103) and third-place St. Clair (120).
With the victory, the Martians qualified for the state Division 2 finals, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. The Martians moved up to Division 2 this year after winning the Division 3 state championship the previous three seasons.
‘The girls have worked so hard, knowing we were going up to Division 2,? Goodrich Coach Jennifer Sweet said. ‘We’re obviously in a higher field of competition.?
Seniors Kelsey Meyers and Kelsey Krych led Goodrich toward the regional crown by placing first and second, respectively, at the meet. Meyers finished in 19:59, while Krych clocked in at 20:16.
Chelsea Balenger was the other Goodrich top-five finisher, placing fifth in 20:42. ‘She came through with flying colors,? Sweet said.
Other Goodrich placers were Sunney Mahalak (13th, 21:03), Jenni Brothers (16th, 21:24), Catie Dymond (18th, 21:31) and Kayla Jung (24th, 22:04).
Sweet said the weather conditions at regionals, which were cold and rainy, were very favorable to the team. ‘They were what my girls love to run in,? she said. ‘The mud and the rain ? they thrive on that. They’ve never liked the heat. They’ll get up before sunrise to run ? they prefer the cooler days.?
She said the scheduled weather forecast on Nov. 4 is about 40 degrees and sunny, so the girls should be happy with the cooler temperatures, if not the lack of precipitation.
‘If my girls can go into this Saturday in the same mindset as regionals, we’ll be fine,? she said. ‘The kids should do well.?
Goodrich’s boys team did not fare as well as their female counterparts at regionals, placing 11th with 295 points. Fenton won first place with 33 points, followed by Linden (55) and St. Clair (69).
Two Goodrich runners, Brandon DeGrouchy and Chad Marler, placed in the top 40 runners at regionals. DeGrouchy finished 28th in 18:15, while Marler placed 39th at 18:37.
Other Goodrich competitors are regionals were: Kirk Britton (76th, 19:56), Alex Worden (78th, 20:01), Cal Sesock (87th, 20:39), Derek Warner (88th, 20:48) and Andrew Arsenault (91st, 21:15).