GOODELLS, MI – The Bay College Cross Country team competed in the Region 12 Meet hosted by St. Clair County Community College and have announced they will send one runner to the National Meet in Iowa later in November.
Based on her performance at the Region Meet, Lily Ross (FR, Houghton, MI) will represent Bay College at the National Championship on November 8 in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
"I knew from day one that Lily had what it takes to qualify for Nationals," said Head Coach Scott Carhoun. "She's faced her share of challenges this season but never lost focus. I'm proud of the way she's handled everything and happy to see where her hard work has led her."
"I have been really happy with how my performance has been this season," said Ross. "I really enjoyed running at the meets and not knowing who my competition is. It definitely keeps me focused on the rase so I just go out and run. When it comes to the race I just trust my body and make sure my mind is in a good place to perform well."
Ross led the way at the Region Meet for Bay with a top 15 finish. She had a time of 20:00.4 which placed her in 14th. That is the best placement and fastest time in school history for the region meet.
Not far off of Ross, and setting a personal record, was Alyssa Shirkey (FR, Wakefield, MI) with a time of 20:31.8. Natalie Spreitzer (SO, Escanaba, MI) finished her Bay career with a time of 24:28.3 and crossed on the same pace as fellow sophomore Kayla Farnes (SO, Escanaba, MI) who had a time of 24:28.6.
Willow Kobriger (FR, Iron River, MI) rounded out the team scoring for Bay with a time of 25:24.0. Joelle Jordan (FR, Bark River, MI) finished off her first season of cross country with a personal best time of 26:43.3.
The Norse Women's Team placed 11 out of 19 teams. The Region Championship went to Muskegon Community College.
For the men, Tanner Howes (SO, Gladstone, MI) was the leader for Bay with a time of 29:07.0. Weston Knauf (FR, Wilson, MI) was close behind him at 29:11.5. Lawrence Caron (FR, Cornell, MI) set a personal best time for himself finishing with a time of 29:49.2.
Ethan Lawrence (SO, Republic, MI) posted a time of 32:36.9 while Jeremiah Castro (FR, Port St. Lucie, FL) came in right behind him with a time of 33:09.3. Oren Marcoe (SO, Daggett, MI) finished his Bay career with a time of 34:20.6 which ended up being his personal best.
The Norse placed 14 out of 21 teams. Lansing Community College was the overall winner on the men's side.