ALMONT — Molly Kline stopped the watch at 26:12.54 en route to a third and Katelyn Whitney posted a time of 26:40.91 for fifth, helping the Almont girls’ cross country team to a first-place showing among junior and senior race entries last Friday at the Hemlock Classic.
When the final standings were announced, Almont (35 points) earned the distinction of champion. North Branch (48 points), Saginaw Valley Lutheran (52) and Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (86) also fielded complete squads.
Heather Fitchett, sixth, 27:06.05; Emily Kwierant, ninth, 28:11.95; and Alyssa Serra, 12th, 29:51.39; rounded out Almont’s top-five finishers.
In the ninth and 10th grade race, Almont sent three runners to the starting line.
Haley Dempz, sixth, 30:04.46; logged the swiftest Almont performance. Ayla DeLaurier, 12th, 32:01.85; and Maria Blue, 18th, 35:24.17; also competed for the Raiders
Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (20 points) and Saginaw Valley Lutheran (41) occupied places first and second, respectively, when the final results where tallied.
Kevin Kissane has been covering high school sports for the Tri-City Times since 1985. When not standing on a field or court with his camera and notepad, he enjoys golf, travel and family. Kevin is a 1980 graduate of Capac High School, and is also a grad of St. Clair Community College and earned a degree in journalism from Central Michigan University.