Juan Villarreal Named Women’s Track Coach at Holland West Ottawa

Congratulations to Juan Villarreal on being named women’s head coach at Holland West Ottawa High School. His passion for the sprints, hurdles and field events will be missed. Good luck Juan — see you and your team at the West Ottawa Relays.

Kinney Named GLIAC Athlete of the Week

Monica Kinney was named GLIAC athlete of the week after posting the second fasted 3000 meters in GVSU history.

Kinney Runs Well in 5000 at GVSU Holiday Invite 12/17/2009

Women 5000 Meter Run
=========================================================================
Name Year School Seed Finals
=========================================================================
1 Kinney, Monica SO Grand Valley St. 17:30.00 17:09.49
2 Hague, Kathryn JR Lewis 17:10.00 17:14.79

3 Creutz, Eileen JR Grand Valley St. 17:00.00 17:24.88

Nice race!
Meets provisional qualifier.
(Oversized track) 16:55.50 automatic 17:47.50 provisional

Indoor Track Schedule Posted

http://mitstrack.org

Vereecke named NAIA Men’s Cross Country Scholar-Athlete

THE FOLLOWING ATHLETES were named NAIA Scholar Athletes for the fall sports seasons: In cross country, Aquinas’ Mitch Hoffman, Nate Poirier, Emily Popma, Emily Sandula, Audrey Shireman and Andrew Vereecke (West Catholic), Cornerstone’s Janelle Brown and Andrea Owens-Ripley (Rockford) and Davenport’s Andrew Hawks and Adam Trausch.

Congratulations - both girls and boys runner up in OK Blue

FHN Boys and Cedar Springs Girls kept their lock on the conference championships, however, both WC teams managed to place second tonight at the conference meet. Because both teams were second in the regular season with 6-1 records, and second at the conference meet, both are conference runner-up finishers.

FHN Boys are state ranked as are the Cedar Girls, so we have one tough conference. WC boys are also ranked.

Here is an article about tonight’s results.

I will post results in the forum at michigancrosscountry.com and on athletic.net.

Next race is the regional meet. That is a week from Saturday at the Christian Rec Center. The JV race will be after the varsity awards.

Regional Race Times

No. 12-2 Grand Rapids-Christian
Mark Warners, Athletic Director
Girls Race: 9:30 am - corrected
Boys Race: 10:15 am - corrected
At the Christian Recreation Center

Falcons 5th of 12 Teams at Allegan; Portage Crew Takes 12th

Amazing when you take your second varsity group and race them against 12 teams — and come up 5th. The Allegan crew ran well and has a lot to be proud of.

Results are up here: http://michigancrosscountry.com/michigan_track_cross_country_forum/showthread.php?tid=1110

And of course I have added them to Athletic.net as well.

We didn’t fare as well as one would have hoped at Portage, perhaps a combination of several things, homecoming, getting absolutely wrecked on a tree by the field at the bottom of the first hill (we had nowhere to run and several girls were pinched off, knocked down, spiked — but fortunately unlike the girl from Whitehall, we were able to get up and run even if our rhythm was a bit disrupted), etc. The bottom line is that come regional meet, it won’t matter what our story is, we finish in the top three or our season ends. We were fourth among our regional teams on Saturday with EGR and GR Christian finishing one, two and Holland Christian finishing 11th, one place in front of us (and by a fair margin). So we have work to do.

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/8028623753604673820/dexter-and-milan-impress-at-portage-invitational/

And of course full results are here:

Active.com - Official Results

and on Athletic.net.

We did celebrate a few season and career PR’s if you look at the season summary.

Kelsey Carpenter 20:31.2 - one second career PR.

Larissa Copeland 21:39.5 - nearly 30 second career PR.

Rachel Dolphin 25:53.9 - three minute career PR!

Results of the WC v Belding and WC v Cedar Meets

We lost a narrow one to Cedar and defeated Belding. We missed a girl when counting who finished in the top three for Cedar, so a final score was 19-36.

We ran excellent to be honest, but Cedar ran even better.

At 6-1 we are in second place in the conference — so it will come down to the conference meet. We really need to work hard to get them at conference. On paper they have us presently, but that should motivate our ladies. We are actually third currently using season best times:
1 35 Cedar Springs, MI
10/7/09 1, 2, 7, 9, 16, (24), (32)
Breeann Ovokaitys, Katie Weiler, Amanda Balczak, Sommer VanDyke, Jessica Titus, (Madi Phelps), (Rieley Hondalus)
18:51.0, 19:02, 20:12.9, 20:23, 20:37.9, (21:15.9), (21:52.7)
2 56 Sparta, MI
10/7/09 3, 11, 12, 13, 17, (20), (22)
Katelyn Cnossen, Alesha Reed, Rachel Thome, Andrea Kober, Kelsey Thome, (Karley Cnossen), (Allison Scheidel)
19:44.4, 20:26.0, 20:27, 20:27.4, 20:42.3, (20:55), (21:02.5)
3 76 West Catholic, MI
10/7/09 8, 10, 14, 21, 23, (25), (28)
Olivia Quam, Megan Debri, Kelsey Carpenter, Jill Pindar, Sarah Thimmesch, (Clare Coddington), (Anna June Leikert)
20:15.1, 20:24.1, 20:32.34, 20:58.4, 21:11.9, (21:27.4), (21:35.3)

Cedar is atop the conference at 7-0 after there fine race on Wednesday. I think we are tied with either Sparta or FHN (not sure which) at 6-1. Will we finish first, second or third at the conference meet? Only our performance knows.

Here are our times:
5,000 Meters Varsity xshow…
1 Breeann Ovokaitys 18:56.0 CeSp 12
2 Katie Weiler 19:38.6 CeSp 9
3 Amanda Balczak 20:12.9 CeSp 9
4 Olivia Quam 20:15.1 GRWC 12
5 Megan Debri 20:24.1 GRWC 12
6 Jessica Titus 20:37.9 CeSp 11
7 Sommer VanDyke 20:50.8 CeSp 9
8 Jill Pindar 21:11.0 GRWC 12
9 Sarah Thimmesch 21:11.9 GRWC 12
10 Kelsey Carpenter 21:13.8 GRWC 12
11 Madi Phelps 21:15.9 CeSp 9
12 Anna June Leikert 21:35.3 GRWC 12
13 Larissa Copeland 22:04.0 GRWC 10
14 Rieley Hondalus 22:06.3 CeSp 10
15 Sirena Johnson 22:21.1 CeSp 9
16 Katie Townsend 23:01.2 GRWC 12
17 Kayla Ovokaitys 23:12.8 CeSp 10
18 Ellen Hackett 23:23.3 GRWC 9
19 Christina Dean 23:29.6 CeSp 9
20 Mandy Mann 23:44.7 CeSp 12
21 Katie Sochacki 24:07.7 GRWC 12
22 Lindsey Klien 24:30.1 CeSp 11
23 Abby Vandusen 25:18.0 CeSp 9
24 Tranaya Palma 25:46.6 CeSp 9
25 Rachel Alt 25:55.3 GRWC 9
26 Tabitha Portillo 31:43.0 CeSp 12

Seven of eleven girls set season PR’s and five of those set CAREER PR’s.

Here is the season summary to date.

All results including the boys are posted here.

Kent Country Championship 10/17/2009

On the 17th we are at the Gainey once again to see if we can improve on the Cougar Falcon Times:
Race Times: Girls Varsity—10:00AM
Boys Varsity—10:45AM
Girls JV—11:30AM
Boys JV—12:15PM
Awards—1:00PM

Details here.

Saturday at Allegan - directions

It is at the E.B. White Middle School: link
Carpool at 8:00 with Mr. Sochacki and Mr. Veneklase driving the girls. I’ll already be there and Nikki is driving herself as she is on to Chicago for Sunday’s Marathon.

Portage is at Portage West Middle School. I approach from the South on Moorsbridge (never looks like you are about to hit the tornado that is the Portage Invite). Bus leaves WC at 10:30. Parents may have to walk a LONG way from parking to the course.

Bring lots of money to Portage as they have vendors hawking their wares ;-)

Girls Yield OK Blue Lead to Cedar

Cedar is now 7-0 and we are 6-1. They beat us (we missed one girl when figuring the score, so it was a little further apart than I thought). It was a great effort and we need to double our efforts for the conference meet.

10/07/09 Women’s XC Double Dual Results PAGE 12

OK BLUE DUALS - RACE A AT RIVERSIDE 10/07/09

WOMEN’S 5K RUN

SCORES
1. Cedar Springs 19 2. Grand Rapids West Catholic 36

FIN NAME TEAM RESULTS PTS
1. Breeann Ovokaitys (12) Cedar Springs 18:56.0 1
2. Katie Weiler (09) Cedar Springs 19:38.6 2
3. Amanda Balczak (09) Cedar Springs 20:12.9 3
4. Olivia. Quam (12) Grand Rapids West Catholic 20:15.1 4
5. Megan. Debri (11) Grand Rapids West Catholic 20:24.1 5
6. Jessica Titus (11) Cedar Springs 20:37.9 6
7. Sommer VanDyke (09) Cedar Springs 20:50.8 7
8. Jill. Pindar (12) Grand Rapids West Catholic 21:11.0 8
9. Sarah. Thimmesch (12) Grand Rapids West Catholic 21:11.9 9
10. Kelsey. Carpenter (12) Grand Rapids West Catholic 21:13.8 10
11. Madi Phelps (09) Cedar Springs 21:15.9 P
12. Anna June Leikert (12) Grand Rapids West Catholic 21:35.3 P
13. Larissa Copeland (10) Grand Rapids West Catholic 22:04.0 P
14. Rieley Hondulas (10) Cedar Springs 22:06.3 P
15. Sirena Johnson (09) Cedar Springs 22:21.1 -
16. Katie. Townsend (12) Grand Rapids West Catholic 23:01.2 -
17. Kayla Ovokaitys (10) Cedar Springs 23:12.8 -
18. Ellen Hackett (09) Grand Rapids West Catholic 23:23.3 -
19. Christina Dean (09) Cedar Springs 23:29.6 -
20. Mandy Mann (12) Cedar Springs 23:44.7 -
21. Katie. Sochacki (12) Grand Rapids West Catholic 24:07.7 -
22. Lindsey Klien (11) Cedar Springs 24:30.1 -
23. Abbie VanDusen (09) Cedar Springs 25:18.0 -
24. Tranaya Palma (09) Cedar Springs 25:46.6 -
25. Rachel Alt (09) Grand Rapids West Catholic 25:55.3 -
26. Tabitha Portillo (12) Cedar Springs 31:43.0 -

TEAM NAME FIN RESULTS PTS

1. Cedar Springs Breeann Ovokaitys (12) 1 18:56 1
Katie Weiler (09) 2 19:38 2
Amanda Balczak (09) 3 20:12 3
Jessica Titus (11) 6 20:37 6
Sommer VanDyke (09) 7 20:50 7
Madi Phelps (09) 11 21:15
Rieley Hondulas (10) 14 22:06

Cedar Springs ** TEAM TOTAL ** 1:40:13 19

2. Grand Rapids West Catholic Olivia. Quam (12) 4 20:15 4
Megan. Debri (11) 5 20:24 5
Jill. Pindar (12) 8 21:11 8
Sarah. Thimmesch (12) 9 21:11 9
Kelsey. Carpenter (12) 10 21:13 10
Anna June Leikert (12) 12 21:35
Larissa Copeland (10) 13 22:04

Grand Rapids West Catholic ** TEAM TOTAL ** 1:44:14 36

10/07/09 Women’s XC Double Dual Results PAGE 10

OK BLUE DUALS - RACE A AT RIVERSIDE 10/07/09

WOMEN’S 5K RUN

SCORES
1. Grand Rapids West Catholic 15 2. Belding 49

FIN NAME TEAM RESULTS PTS
1. Olivia. Quam (12) Grand Rapids West Catholic 20:15.1 1
2. Megan. Debri (11) Grand Rapids West Catholic 20:24.1 2
3. Jill. Pindar (12) Grand Rapids West Catholic 21:11.0 3
4. Sarah. Thimmesch (12) Grand Rapids West Catholic 21:11.9 4
5. Kelsey. Carpenter (12) Grand Rapids West Catholic 21:13.8 5
6. Anna June Leikert (12) Grand Rapids West Catholic 21:35.3 P
7. Tara Vanwagoner (11) Belding 21:46.3 7
8. Larissa Copeland (10) Grand Rapids West Catholic 22:04.0 P
9. Katie. Townsend (12) Grand Rapids West Catholic 23:01.2 -
10. Ellen Hackett (09) Grand Rapids West Catholic 23:23.3 -
11. Corynne Lebel (11) Belding 24:00.5 9
12. Katie. Sochacki (12) Grand Rapids West Catholic 24:07.7 -
13. Ashley Kemme (11) Belding 24:39.9 10
14. Rachel Alt (09) Grand Rapids West Catholic 25:55.3 -
15. Hailey Willingham (09) Belding 28:46.9 11
16. EllaKate Wagner (12) Belding 30:42.9 12
17. Audrey Hotchkiss (12) Belding 30:48.1 P

TEAM NAME FIN RESULTS PTS

1. Grand Rapids West Catholic Olivia. Quam (12) 1 20:15 1
Megan. Debri (11) 2 20:24 2
Jill. Pindar (12) 3 21:11 3
Sarah. Thimmesch (12) 4 21:11 4
Kelsey. Carpenter (12) 5 21:13 5
Anna June Leikert (12) 6 21:35
Larissa Copeland (10) 8 22:04

Grand Rapids West Catholic ** TEAM TOTAL ** 1:44:14 15

2. Belding Tara Vanwagoner (11) 7 21:46 7
Corynne Lebel (11) 11 24:00 9
Ashley Kemme (11) 13 24:39 10
Hailey Willingham (09) 15 28:46 11
EllaKate Wagner (12) 16 30:42 12
Audrey Hotchkiss (12) 17 30:48

Belding ** TEAM TOTAL ** 2:09:53 49

Allegan and Portage … Saturday

Do not get lost! Do not go to the wrong place. Allegan is girls only and only half of the girls. Here is the breakdown (except for Erika who is expected to go to Allegan … unless someone is ill or injured). All 8 girls will run at Portage at 1:00 p.m. At Allegan three girls will run at 10:15 and the balance will run at 10:45. I expect the three early girls to be Erika, Katie T. and Mackenzie. We need every single girl there and healthy on Saturday to get a team score! No late for bus, silent alarms (sorry coach I overslept), oh I didn’t realize I was supposed to be there.

Girls Assignments This Saturday

Allegan is at the White Middle School I think and Portage is at Portage West Middle School. Mr. Sochacki and Mr. Buchzkowski are driving the team to Allegan leaving WC at 8:00 if I have it right. I recommend coming in from the south at Portage and wear your walking shoes as parking is often a mile or more away.

Pictures from Gun Lake State Park / TK Invitational

Pictures from Gun Lake State Park, TK Invitational where our girls were runner-up

Tri-Meet / Sparta & FHN

Tri Meet with Sparta and FHN - both wins

Pictures from Tri-Meet / Jenison & Catholic Central

Pictures from Tri-Meet / Jenison & Catholic Central

Photos from Lansing Catholic Invitational

Photos from Lansing Catholic Invitational

Schafer off to a nice start at OU

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Senior Zack Jones led the Golden Grizzlies to a 12th place finish and the women’s team placed 20th as the Oakland University men’s and women’s cross country teams competed at the Greater Louisville Cross Country Classic in Louisville, Ky. at the E.P. ‘Tom’ Sawyer Park.

Jones led OU men by placing 32nd overall in the 8K event posting a time of 24:53.69. Other Golden Grizzly standouts include sophomore Pat Cassady who came in 38th place (24:59.87), freshman Philip Palomino in 92nd place (25:40.64) and freshman Tony Schafer who placed 102nd (25:47.21).

Falcon girls prevail at Fruitport Invite

The Falcons used great pack running with six in the top fifteen to win the Fruitport Invitational today. Full results have been posted.

It was a well run meet today. Wonderful weather for running.

WC Girls Win Fruitport Invite

I have posted results here:
http://michigancrosscountry.com/michigan_track_cross_country_forum/showthread.php?tid=1074&pid=3687#pid3687

and they also have been posted here:
http://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/Results/Meet.aspx?Meet=20889

Sometimes it takes a little while for all schools to appear because that site is moderated.

Our website, runfalcons.com has been optimized by Blog Wranglers: specialists in WordPress Blog and Content Management Systems.

Portage Invite 10/10/09 AND Allegan Invite 10/10/09

We will be running a split squad of girls for Portage and Allegan. Portage JV was at 3:00 and many of our girls need to get back for homecoming, so we are going to take varsity only to Portage and take everyone else to the Allegan Invite.

Details on Allegan are here

For parents wanting an open race, there is an open race at Allegan, it costs just $5 and you need to email your name, age and city to don at michigancrosscountry.com to enter.

Our races are at 10:15 and 10:45 in Allegan. There will be no bus transportation to Allegan so we will need to find our own car pool arrangements.

We are racing the top seven only at Portage. There will be a bus to Portage. You may return on the bus if you wish, but need not do so. The race is at 1:00. I have secured showers there for girls returning to homecoming. Further details on this meet are at http://portageinvite.com.