Fremont Runners Tackle MSU Course

Linn ea Paige running toward an 8th place finish among 300 competitors.

Story and photos  by Michael Paige

Much of the success of the Fremont Cross Country teams over the years can be attributed to training. Packer runners typically run hundreds of miles throughout the year, many during the summer months in anticipation of the upcoming fall season.

Fremont coach Cliff Somers rewards those that hit certain milestones with a trip to East Lansing to compete in the annual MSU Invitational, held at the Forest Akers East Golf course on the south end of  campus. This year 4 girls ran the miles necessary to run in the Bronze (Division 2) race. Fremont Junior Linnea Paige placed 8th out of over 300 runners  with a time of 20:11.

 According to Coach Somers, “While she wasn't happy with her time, I thought Linnea ran a great race. She was 13th at the mile and finished in 8th. Not a huge difference in number but she had to work really hard to cover some pretty big open gaps on her own to close up to 8th.” Senior Rachel Maddox finished 77th with a PR time of 22:35. Sophomore Kira Manchip ran a 30 second PR of 22:54 and placed 86th. Junior Rocquel Richards moved up each mile and finished with a great final 400 meters to finish 201st at 25:56. With 4 athletes the girls did not score as a team.
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The boys ran in the Bronze Division 2 race this year. Per Coach Somers, “Fremont Senior Carter Sherman went through the first mile in 13th, then faded a little to 16th at the second mile. He did a great job fighting his way across a gap and then finishing strong in the last 800 to move up to 12th at the finish.” Sherman ran a personal season record time of 16:45. Senior Cole Lowery had a strong finish to place 44th at 17:34. Senior Blake Taylor (17:41 – 48th), Junior Issac Romero (18:26 – 94th) and Junior Chase Lowery (18:46 – 110th) also ran hard to finish well after a fast first mile.
With five runners, Fremont compiled a team score of 306, good for 9th out of the 36 teams in the Bronze Div. 2 race.

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