MUSKEGON, MI – The North Conference Cross Country Meet to name the yearly award saw the Norse Men's Team take fourth out five teams, while the Women's Team placed third out of four teams. The Men's Team had one runner receive multiple all-conference awards while there were two honorees on the women's side.
There were 39 runners on the men's side of things and it was Tanner Howes (FR, Gladstone, MI) paced the Norse with a time of 29:11.47. His eighth place finish earns him MCCAA All-Northern Conference Honors, and was one of the first six freshmen to cross the line, placing him on the Northern Conference All-Freshman Team.
Ben Smith (FR, Gladstone, MI) was the second runner to cross for Bay with a time of 33:40.00, which was good enough for 21st place. Ethan Lawrence (FR, Republic, MI) was right behind him in 22nd with a time of 33:40.14. Cameron Smith (FR, Escanaba, MI) posted a time of 35:49.01 placing him 24th. Dustin Brewster (SO, Manistique, MI) finished out the team scoring for the Norse with a time of 37:47.76. Oren Marcoe (FR, Daggett, MI) crossed with a time of 41:34.13.
For all runners it was a season best time, marking a personal record for the five freshmen. For Brewster he was still a few minutes off his personal mark set late last year in the NJCAA Regional Championship.
Thirty runners took to the course in the women's race. Grace Van Wormer (FR, Garden, MI) was the leader for the Norse with a sixth place finish and atime of 21:45.53, less then a minute of the lead time. Her finish in the top 12 puts her on the MCCAA All-Northern Conference Team, as well as being named to the MCCAA All-Freshman Team.
Siena Lingle (FR, Skandia, MI) found herself in tenth place with a time of 22:18.81. That also qualifies her for the MCCAA All-Northern Team. Kayla Farnes (FR, Escanaba, MI) came in 16th place with a time of 24:12.14. Natalie Spreitzer (FR, Escanaba, MI) posted a time of 26:15.44, while Devyn Lusardi (SO, Stephenson, MI) came in at 28:03.10.
The women also showed big improvements with every freshman setting a personal record. Lusardi set a season best time for herself and is less than a minute off of her best time from a year ago.
"What a day for our program," said Bay's Head Cross Country Coach Scott Carhoun. "Our teams are made up entirely of Yoopers and three of them earned All-Conference honors today. I hope they are as proud as I am."
Muskegon Community College finished atop the team standings in both races, sweeping the Conference Championships for cross country.
The Norse will compete next on October 4 when they travel to Kirtland Community College for the Firebird Invitational.