The Blazer cross country teams raced the Charlevoix Mud Run on Saturday, September 9. The mud was pretty good this year, and lots of runners had fun taking a dive in the second water hazard. 119 ran in the women's race, and 97 ran in the men's. Schools were divided into large and small school divisions for scoring, with the Blazers in large. Katie Berkshie of Gaylord won the girl's race in 18:45. Gavin Guggemos of Kalkaska won the boy's race in 17:34. 

The girls finished 6th of 8 scoring large schools, with White Lake Lakeland taking first. Myah Little was the first Blazer and ran a season best of 21:57, finishing 9th. The remaining top five included Anna Martin in 27th, 23:35, Courtney Borden in 36th, 24:24, Kara Olds in 51st, 25:13, and Keria Curneal in 56th, 25:36. Ava Ivkovic was 63rd, 27:34, Abby Minion was 66th with a new personal record of 28:19, Sara Bissonette was 67th in her first race after coming off of a foot injury, 28:48, Kylee Reust was 69th, 29:10, and Jenna Rabourn was 77th, 32:12. 

The boys team finished 2nd behind Charlevoix. The top five Blazers included Guggemos, Camden Moore in 4th, 18:07, Adam Williams in 8th, 18:38, Coltrane Paryani in 9th, 18:50.9, and Jackson Shetler in 30th, 20:56. Ephraim Conway was 36th, 21:13, Dylan Hunt was 50th with a new season record of 22:56, Cade Ponstein was 53rd, 23:08, and Mason Doehring was 68th, with a new personal record of 26:39. 

The top 20 9/10th graders and top 20 11/12th graders earned medals made of wood. Guggemos, Moore, Williams, Paryani, and Little each took a woodle home. 

The Blazers will be in action again on Wednesday, September 13, when they race in Roscommon on a course we have not seen for a few seasons. Thanks to our parents and spectators for your support. The middle school and elementary school students also raced in mass today. Great to see the younger Blazers out there working so hard. Results for the 7/8th grade races and the 5/6th grade and open race can be found at Athletic.net Charlevoix Mud Run. If you know your 5th-8th athlete's place you can find their time.