Ryan Allen and the Reed City cross country team had another big day on Saturday.
File photoREMUS – Reed City boys took second on a tie breaker with Benzie Central while the girls were sixth in the Red Division at Saturday’s Chippewa Hills Late Season Invitational.
"The boys came out a little flat today after winning the conference on Tuesday,” Reed City coach Rich Saladin said. “Gus (Rohde) and Ryan (Allen) set the tone and the rest picked up enough to squeeze out a second place tie with Benzie. Aaron Allen really ran a strong race as our No. 5 and set a new PR on a tough course.
“But Mason Dozier as our No. 6 (38th in 19:42.50) was the tiebreaker. He's a senior and this is a great way to close out his regular season career. It's a wakeup call and we need to be better prepared mentally.”
For Reed City, Rohde was third (16:59.8), Ryan Allen eighth (17:24.90), Anthony Kiaunis 21st (18:22.43), Ty Kailing 27th (18:48.31) and Aaron Allen 28th (18:59.13).
For the RC girls, who were 11th among 16 teams, Nora Smoes was eighth (20:57.49), Clare Smoes 24th (23:04.73), Carly Carlson 26th (23:23.92), Caelynn London 33rd (23:56.47) and Makayla Watkins 51st (25:21.30).
"The girls continue to improve and it's been fun to see the progress throughout the year. We are closing the gap with teams from races earlier in the year. Again, Nora Smoes and Clara Smoes have been great all year long. Carly Carlson and Caelynn London have been running exceptional these last two-three meets. Makayla Watkins and Ava Hammar used great kicks to run well today.”
Local teams compete in the regionals at Chippewa Hills on Friday.
