Lake Orion’s boys? cross country team captured a regional title last week while the girls? team ran to a third place finish, qualifying both squads for a chance to compete on Saturday at the state championships, held at Michigan International Speedway.
Coach Stan Ford’s Dragons won the regional title by scoring 62 points to easily outdistance runner-up Rochester, which scored 79. There were 16 teams in the tournament held at Goodells County Park.
Junior Andrew Lorant led the team with a fourth place finish, followed by junior Jacob Arenz, sixth, junior Matthew Arenz eleventh, sophomore Jack Everts 16th, junior Jacob Ernatt 25th, senior Nick Nunn (33rd), and junior Robert Beggs 63rd. All will run at the state meet on Saturday.
The Dragons won all three of its league meets in the OAA. With the addition of Greg Taylor, the team won the OAA Red Division on October 16 at Bloomer Park with a great score and the team’s lowest of the season, 49 points.
Lorant won the individual title in the league meet. Everts, Jocob Arenz and Matt Arenz also earned all-league honors.
The Dragons are league champions for the fifth consecutive year.
? ‘The Lady Dragons also had a great meet, making school history by becoming the first woman’s team to qualify in consecutive years for the MHSAA state championships.
The team had 110 points and the third place finish qualified the group to compete at the state championships also held at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday.
Coach Debi Mcdonald’s team finished only a point out of second place to Rochester.
Team members are sophomore Lauren Brennecke, senior Danielle Carr, sophomore Bellina Gaskey, junior Rachel Zeile, seniors Erin Womack and Riley Bussell, and junior Emily Fluent.