By David Fleet
dfleet@mihomepaper.com
Atlas Twp. — On Oct. 12 the Goodrich Martians Cross Country teams competed in the 17th Annual Kayla O’Mara Memorial Invitational at Goodrich.
The Goodrich Boys finished third behind two D1 teams, Grand Blanc, and Flushing with a solid score of 77.
“The race was won by GHS Junior Vincent Pattison 16:08,” said Head Coach Al Warden. “You can be sure it was not an easy victory as he trailed by 20 meters at the 1K mark. Vincent was up to the challenge finishing with a smile, just four seconds ahead of second place.”
GHS Senior Cole Winter 17:17 sixth overall and second for GHS; Junior Gavin Ottinger 18:17 finished 19th overall and third for GHS now with personal bests in the last three races. Sophomore and a dual sport athlete Jameson Ronzello 18:58, 26th overall and fourth for GHS; GHS Senior Trevor Gutteridge 19:20, 30th overall and fifth for GHS.
“The Lady Martian race was an exceptional team effort,” said Warden. “In a field of 80 they scored just 24 points and placed five girls in the top eight. A demanding task as every other team in the large school race were D1 schools. Once again, GHS Sophomore Alivia Ottinger 18:37 was first for GHS and second overall; GHS Senior Kamryn Lauinger 18:45 second for GHS; GHS Senior Layla Jordan 19:09 was third for GHS and fifth overall. The dual sport athlete who finished the race then headed to a swim competition. “Gutsy, hardworking, never quits,” he said. Freshman Kayla Schellenbarger 19:20 was fourth for GHS and sixth overall; Claire Brown 19:28 was fifth for GHS and seventh overall.