Harris breaks tie in Girls Cross Country team’s victory

Natalie Smith led the Lady Wolves during the West Bloomfield/Brother Rice Invitational on Saturday.
But it was Jill Harris, the Girls Cross Country sixth runner that stood out for the team.
Clarkston was tied for first place with Northville after both had scored 89 points. The officials looked at both teams sixth runner for the tie breaker. Harris had finished in 39th place while Northville’s runner finished in the 50th spot.
‘I am very proud of them,? said Coach Kevin Breen. ‘They had a great performance. They worked together as a team. They were really strong. They went out really hard for the first two miles and got our team out to an early lead on most of their competitors. It is a step in the right direction. They are working hard and being confident out there.?
The boys team took seventh during the West Bloomfield/Brother Rice Invitational, with 213 points. Detroit Catholic Central won the race with 37 points.
Sam Tanielian finished in 17:23 and in 13th place to lead the Clarkston pack.
Both cross country teams competed in their first OAA Jamboree on Tuesday and run in the Holly Invitational on Saturday.
‘We look pretty strong,? said Breen. ‘There is a possibility we can do well. I am not going to say we are going to win it. There are good teams out there and we have a bit more growing to go before we make any statements like that. ?
A team they continue to watch out for is Troy.
‘They have a really strong and deep team. They have a good turnover every year. They are going to be a big competitor out there for us,? added Breen.
The Holly Invitational is held at Springfield Oaks in Davisburg. The girls run at 12:40 p.m. and the boys at 1:20 p.m.