The Superior Central Cougars have brought home another second-place trophy to Eben Junction, after the boys cross country team finished as runners up in the MHSAA Division 3 U.P. Finals.
Led by freshman Will Spranger, the Cougars ran as a pack for the first half of the race, but broke up when entering into the wooded part of the course, according to SC Head Coach Holly McDonnald.
“The d3 boys race was great. The front pack, my top three, took off really fast, less than six minute mile pace for the first mile, but in the woods in the back part (of the course) they kind of separated out a bit and slowed down,” she said.
Spranger finished 13th overall with a 19:17, good enough to be named all state. Sophomores Cody Moore and Cole Ozoga, two of the other lead pack runners, finished 18th and 24th overall. Carter Korpi was able to catch up with Ozoga at the end of the race, finishing in 27th overall, but just 5.5 seconds behind his teammate. Jack Kasten rounded out the scoring five in 46th overall.
The boys Division 3 teams are all considerably young. Superior Central, Rapid River and St. Ignace did not have a single upperclassman compete in the finals. Engadine had an eighth grader score. Only two of the 20 competing teams – Dollar Bay and Pickford – had multiple seniors compete in the championship.
However, the Cougars are very optimistic about the future of the program, as they are already understanding that the mission isn’t complete without a state title.
“I think the next several years for us will be incredibly exciting. This group of boys is determined to run and want to get better,” Coach McDonnald said. “We had a talk at our last practice and they all want to train better and do more workout. To me, that’s incredibly exciting and a testament to what our season has done. They want to win and want to be at the top.”
Chassell’s Kalvin Kytta finished first overall with a time of 16:49.9, but his team finished in fifth with 113 points. Stephenson and Engadine were third and fourth in overall team scores.
After finishing as runners up last season to Munising, SC only sent one girl to the finals in Kiera McDonnald. The sophomore finished in 41st position with a time of 26:44.
“Kiera has been struggling this year with injuries, but we’re both looking forward to next couple years and having more of a team,”Coach McDonnald said. “I was excited that she gave it her all today.”
