By David Fleet
Editor
Brooklyn —  Goodrich Girls Cross Country team completed a stellar season with a top three finish in Division 2 at the MHSAA State Meet at Brooklyn Mich on Nov. 4.
On an overcast, dry 55 degree day the Lady Martians was third of 27 schools in the Lower Peninsula behind Otsego and Grand Rapids Christian. The 2023 Goodrich Girls Cross Country team finished the season with a remarkable record of 172 wins and 4 losses. Two of the losses were to Division 1 teams.
“The Goodrich team success is the result of 21 girls and 14 boys working together to improve every day,” said Head Coach Al Warden. “They trust each other, they help each other with school projects, they paint pumpkins together and laugh at each other. They are the very best a coach could hope for and to have as a team.”
“Cross Country is not like any other sport,” added Warden. “There are no time outs, there is no half time, the clock does not stop and your best runners spend the least amount of time competing.”
Leading the way for the Martians was GHS Jr. Kamyrn Lauinger (18:21) first for Goodrich and 10th overall of 250 participants; GHS Jr. Layla Jordan (18:44 PR) second for Goodrich and 27th overall, GHS Fr. Baylor Lauinger (18:57) third for Goodrich and 33rd overall; GHS Jr. Avery Byrne (19:22 PR) fourth for Goodrich and 51st overall; GHS Fr. Claire Brown (19:28) fifth for Goodrich and 63rd overall; GHS Fr. Alivia Ottinger (19:47) sixth for Goodrich and 84st overall and GHS Fr. Grace Mahaffy (20:00) seventh for Goodrich and 101st overall.
For the Goodrich Boys Cross Country team GHS Soph. Vincent Pattison (16:00 PR), 35th of 252 runners.
“Vincent tallied an 18 second improvement to his previous personal best,” said Coach Warden. “We knew he was getting stronger and great competition often brings out the best in all of us.”