In cross country, successful teams don't rely on one or two stars. For the Mackinaw City boys, they've succeeded with a strength in numbers approach.
MACKINAW CITY – Finishing up their first mile, four Mackinaw City runners stayed in the same pack.
One day after the Mancelona Invitational, this felt more like a practice session for these Comets – Braylon Currie, Ben Strittmatter, Knox Wilson and Mikey Sullivan – who have been highly instrumental during this thrilling season for the Mackinaw City boys on the cross country course.
With the Northern Lakes Conference championship all but wrapped up, it was a rather fun race for the Comets, who easily captured first place at the fourth NLC jamboree held at the Mackinaw Club golf course on Thursday, Oct. 2.
Instead of one or two stars leading the way, Mackinaw City's strength in numbers approach is paying off.
“We have a lot of good runners,” Mackinaw City senior Braylon Currie said. “We have three people in the 18’s, a lot in the 19’s, and it’s nice to have a team like that that can put some good runs together. It’s just a team effort every day.”
As for those Mackinaw City runners hitting the 18-minute mark, Currie (11th, 18:06) and Sullivan (15th, 18:51) both clocked personal bests at Mancelona, while Strittmatter (14th, 18:48) ran the best race of the season. Wilson, who didn’t race on Tuesday, has already hit the mark as well. In the end, the Comets saw six runners earn medals, including Clayton VanOrman (19th, 19:24), Kyle Valot (23rd, 19:47) and Tanyon Pierce (34th, 20:54).
That’s called teamwork.
“The best part about this team is the way we’re together,” Mackinaw City senior Ben Strittmatter said. “We’re all bought in, everybody matters. Even runners who don’t score for us, who aren’t in the top seven, they’re still bought into the team, and they work as hard as everyone else.”
Whether you’re the fastest guy, not the fastest, the youngest of the bunch, or the most experienced, you're welcomed into Mackinaw City's team with open arms.
“Being around these guys, it’s my lifeblood,” Mackinaw City senior Tanyon Pierce said. “I like everything about these guys. I wouldn’t change a single thing I’ve done this season or the past few seasons. These guys are why I run cross country.”
Wilson, only a freshman, agreed with his teammate.
“I love this entire team,” Wilson said. “It’s a pretty cool experience to have them helping me.”
As the Mackinaw City boys continue to earn success, there’s still work left to be done. In fact, they want to leave a legacy, which means finding a way to reach the big stage.
“They have their sights set on the state finals,” Mackinaw City coach Heather Huffman said. “They really want to make it. They have each other’s backs."
Fourth NLC Jamboree Individual Results
Mackinaw City Boys: 1. Knox Wilson, 19:56, 2. Braylon Currie, 19:57, 3. Ben Strittmatter, 20:00, 4. Mikey Sullivan, 20:14, 5. Clayton VanOrman, 21:29, 6. Kyle Valot, 21:32, 8. Tanyon Pierce, 22:53, 11. Cecil VanOrman, 30:08, 13. Tyler Allaire, 34:31, 15. Sam Strittmatter, 37:44.
Mackinaw City Girls: 3. Rian Esper, 28:34, 5. Ava Thompson, 31:24, 6. Emily Kruczynski, 33:37, 10. Cynthia Thompson, 48:07.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Balanced Mackinaw City boys cross country having special season
Category: General Sports
