Pettis Takes All-State Honors as Fremont Runners Battle at State Finals

Sean Pettis making strides toward All State honors

Linnea Paige improved on last year's time by 14 seconds

Carter Sherman (L) moving through a crowded pack of runners

Bu Michael Paige
Photos by Anne Pettis
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On November 4, three Fremont runners competed at the state finals at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. With 50 degree temperatures, no wind and a hard dry course, the ideal weather and conditions led to fast races with many excellent times throughout the day.
 
Sophomore Linnea Paige represented the girl’s team in her second trip to the competitive Division 2 state finals. She ended up 58th in the field of 250 runners. She said she “struggled a little” but finished with a time of 19:26, about 14 seconds better than her time at the finals last year. 18:46 was the time needed for 30th place (All-State) in the girls race. Last year, 19:14 or better earned All-State honors.
 
Senior Sean Pettis and junior Carter Sherman ran the boys D2 race for Fremont. Pettis placed 13th in 15:34 to earn All-State honors. Per Coach Somers, “Sean ran with the large lead pack through the 1.5 mile mark. He faded a little through the 2 1⁄4 mark then moved up again in the last 800.” His finish was a solid improvement over his time of 16:19 last year. Pettis earned All-State honors for the second time. It was the third fastest time in his career as a Packer which has seen him move up over the last two years into the top five of all-time Fremont bests per Athletic.net.
 
Carter Sherman had to work hard in a large group with little opportunity to pass. He did move up 11 spots from the 2 mile mark in to place 89th with a time of 16:38. He ran the race in 17:16 as a sophomore.
 
Coach Somers said, “I am proud of these three and the progress the team has made as a whole.”
 
A few of Fremont’s runners, including Paige, will be competing next Saturday at the Michigan Meet of Champions in Shepherd.

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Pettis and Sherman post race

Coaches Leslie Hamilton and Cliff Somers with Paige in a very red tent-Photo by Michael Paige