The Blazers ran at the Shepherd Bluejay Invitational on Saturday, September 30. The meet was simply huge, with races running from 8 am to about 4:30 pm and over 100 teams participating. Schools were divided into divisions, and Kalkaska was in Gold Division with almost 30 other schools. Traverse City St. Francis won the boys and girls races in the Gold Division. Kyah Hoffman of Stanton Central Montcalm won the girls race of 162 runners in 17:56, and August Rhode of Reed City won the boys race of 164 runners in 15:40. The fastest runners overall in all divisions were Jessica Jazwinski of Hart who ran a 17:08 and TJ Hansen of Freeland who ran a 14:46.

The Blazers ran very well. Myah Little led the ladies, placing 47th in 21:42, a season record. Anna Martin was 62nd with a new personal record of 22:05, Courtney Borden was 98th with a PR of 23:06, Kara Olds was 114th with a season record of 24:11, and Keira Curneal was 117th in 24:16. These five scored to place 16th of 22 scoring teams in the Gold division, with 6 additional teams running fewer than 5 runners. Abby Minion placed 134th in 26:21, and Kylee Reust placed 138th with a season record of 26:47. Jenna Rabourn ran in the JV race and set a season record of 29:46.

Gavin Guggemos led the boys team, placing 14th and setting a new PR of 16:20. Adam Williams was 52nd in 17:25, Camden Moore was 61st in 17:37, Coltrane Paryani was 95th with a new PR of 18:14, Jackson Shetler was 117th with a new PR of 19:01, Tripp Wagner was 126th, with a PR of 19:25, and Ephraim Conway was 131, with a PR of 19:36. The boys placed 12 of 22 scoring teams, with 7 additional teams running fewer than 5 runners. Issaic Fischer ran in the JV race and set a new PR of 24:09.

The middle school teams ran well too. Aaliyah Hillier ran a PR of 13:20, which places her at the top of the list of 2 mile middle school times recorded on Athletic.net for Kalkaska Middle School, and Izzy Wegener took the 2nd place spot on that list with a PR of 13:23. Owen McGlone set a new PR and 2 mile school record, running 11:22. Other middle school runners to PR included Payton Bonofiglio, 15:15, Brynn Foerster, 15:53, Aila Staley, 18:25, Kaden Fischer, 12:32, Alex Lopez, 12:54, Kellen TenHopen, 13:48, Joe Morris, 14:30, Asher Guggemos, 14:34, Owen Shetler, 15:23, Afton Staley, 17:24, and Will Morris, 17:26, and Kylee Jenkins ran a season best time of 14:10.

Excellent day. Thank you to all who could transport students and who came to cheer us on. The Blazers will race again on Wednesday, October 4th in Mancelona.