Once a champion, repeating the feat can be a difficult task. Clarkston’s girls cross country was in a position to capture its fourth consecutive division I state championship at Michigan International Speedway on Nov. 4.
The girls came up short, but did finish sixth in the 27-team race, finishing with 260 points. Rival Rochester Adams took the championship with 112 points, while Livonia Churchill (112) and Rockford (199) finished in the top three.
Saline (201) and Rochester (215) finished in fourth and fifth respectively.
The Wolves placed three girls in the top 50 runners. Sophomore Kristen Smith completed the fourth prong of her yearlong accomplishments with her 19th overall finish at 18:28.7. Smith’s time qualified her for all-state honors, in addition to her all-league, county, and region honors accrued this season.
‘She’s really starting to make a name for herself,? Wolves coach Jamie LaBrosse said.
Her time was good enough to put her name in the record books as the fourth fastest in school history, LaBrosse said.
Katie Vondette, finished in 38th overall with a time of 19:10.7, and Olivia Allen (49th) at 19:17.8, were the other top three finishers for the Wolves.
Tiffany Kincaid (19:29.6) and Breanne Timm (19:53.1) were fourth and fifth for the team.
The Wolves? roster was comprised of freshmen and sophomores, a factor in the outcome, LaBrosse said.
‘We ran well. I think one of our weaknesses is our youth, sometimes it catches up to us.?
Although the team was unable to repeat as champions, LaBrosse said the season has been successful.
‘A lot of teams would like to be sixth in the state,? he said.
Oakland Activities Association division I schools accounted for three of the top six spots on the day.
‘That’s pretty impressive,? LaBrosse said.
‘There’s no conference out there like ours.?