GLADSTONE, MI – The Norse Cross Country Team hosted their first home event since 2020 on Friday. Bay's Men placed a runner in the top 20 while the women finished third despite being without their top runner.
Forty-nine runners were in the field on the men's side of things, with a large number of those coming from Michigan Tech and Lake Superior State. Bay's Tanner Howes (FR, Gladstone, MI) still managed to come in at the top half of the field with a time of 29:45.1. Ethan Lawrence (FR, Republic, MI) posted a time of 30:52.8 which was just four seconds off of his time from the previous race at Kirtland which was actually just short of a full 8K race, making this his personal best for a full 8K.
Ben Smith (FR, Gladstone, MI) finished third for the Norse with a time of 35:12.6 while Dustin Brewster (SO, Manistique, MI) ended up with a time of 37:02.0. Oren Marcoe (Fr, Daggett, MI) was just behind Brewster with a time of 37:14.3, which proved to be a personal best.
"Oren had himself a good day. He had a true PR on a course that was hilly, windy, and slightly longer than 8k," said Bay Head Coach Scott Carhoun.
Michigan Tech dominated the field with 14 runners participating and held the top five spots to win the team overall. Lake Superior State had nine runners in the field and finished second with 77 points. Bay was not able to overcome Kirtland or Northern Michigan in the team score, finishing just behind NMIU with a score of 109.
Grace Van Wormer (FR, Garden, MI) paced the Norse with a time of 23:11.2, placing her 19 out of 36 runners. Kayla Farnes (FR, Escanaba, MI) crossed the line with a time of 24:32.1 in 25th place. Veronica Spreitzer (SO, Escanaba, MI) put up a time of 26:03.7 while younger sister Natalie Spreitzer (FR, Escanaba, MI) was just behind her with a time of 26:08.5.
Hattie Cota (SO, Munising, MI) turned in a gritty performance. Fighting injury all season long and recovering from an early fall, she finished the race with a time of 29:53.8. Devyn Lusardi (SO, Stephenson, MI) ran a time of 30:12.3 for Bay.
Like the men's race, the top spots were dominated by the four-year division two schools. Northern Michigan won the overall team, with Lake Superior State coming in second, despite having the top runner. Bay would edge out Kirtland Community College with a score of 76 to finish third overall and be the top junior college team finisher. Michigan Tech, Norther Michigan Club, and North Central Michigan did not field enough runners for a team score.
"Our men's and women's teams were not at full strength in health and in numbers, but I am glad that they were able to race at home in front of their friends and family," said Carhoun. "The results did not pan out like we had prepared for, but like I had mentioned before, I'm glad that we were able to host a home meet. It appears that everyone enjoyed the venue."
The Norse will now get ready for the NJCAA Region XII Championship hosted by St. Clair Community College. Race day on Friday, October 25 begins at noon.