Clare Boys XC Overcome Sickness and Weather To Earn Team State Berth

   Coach Adam Burhans wasn’t concerned with how top-10 ranked Freeland would finish at the DIII Regional at Delta College on Halloween morning.  He knew that the real race began between the second, third, and fourth-seeded teams who were running–with only two of those three able to qualify for the state tournament.  Added to this pressure, the tremendous wind and cold would test the spirits, not to mention the lingering effects of the H1N1 virus that had swept through most schools across the state.

 

   “Despite the disadvantages all teams face,” said Coach Burhans, “this is Regionals.  Runners choose to fall off the map or overcome adversities and do what they can to help their team.  Today was our last goal to reach, and if we held together across the board. . . we’d be very close.”

 

   And very close it was.  From the sound of the gun to the closing finish, Burhans was highly pleased with his Pioneers, who clustered well. . . but so did the teams that would shadow them in Roscommon and Bullock Creek. 

 

   “We had guys PR in this horrendous weather and we still didn’t know the outcome.”  But news came fast following the race:  Freeland won handily with 46; Roscommon finished second with 100; and Clare earned its first team state berth in almost 9 years by landing a close third with 104.  Midland Bullock Creek finished 4th with 116 points.

 

   “This was a battle of places, not times,” said Burhans.  “That, and a little guts and determination showed that we were ultimately ready to compete.  I’m highly proud of our boys reaching this lofty goal.” 

 

   Finishing in the All-Region team (top 15, who would qualify individually anyway) were Ghazey Aleck in 4th place, 17:21; Tanner Vida in 11th place, 17:49; and Lucas Combs in 15th place, scoring another PR of 18:07.  Brandon Frank overcame the flu in 33rd with a time of 19:46; and Matt Alpin landed 41st with a PR of 20:23.

 

   “To PR on a day like today is truly ridiculous and impressive all rolled into one,” said Burhans.  “Wow.  That is tough.” 

 

   The Pioneers compete at the State Finals at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan on Saturday, November 7.  The girls DIII race starts at 10:30 AM, followed by the boys at 11:30 AM.