Sept. 25, 2021, GRAYLING, Mich. – Both Grand Rapids Community College cross country teams finished as runners-up at the Kirtland Invitational on Friday. Regional rival Lansing Community College won both team titles.
Freshman Coleman Clark didn't just lead all Raiders for the third straight race, but instead defeated the entire field, winning his first collegiate title with a time of 26:30. He was able to hold off Lansing's Zach Wright by three seconds to win the race.
The Stars took home the crown with 23 points, followed by 55 points from the Raiders and in third was St. Clair County Community with 109 points. LCC and GRCC had 12 of the top 16 runners in the competition that consisted of 14 teams.
Redshirt freshman Josh Kipkoech finished fifth after Clark and three Lansing runners with a time of 27:25. Redshirt freshman Brian Frazee cracked the top 15 with a time of 27:49; redshirt freshman Andrew Periard, at 28:03 was 16th; and freshman Christian Martinez-Ramos was 19th with a 28:27.
The women's team was challenged by the tough Kirtland course, but still held on for a second-place finish in a field of nine teams. Lansing finished with 25 points, the Raiders with 68 and in third place was Cleary University with 79 points.
Freshman Kaylee Scott finished in sixth place overall with a time of 20:54 while 2020 All-American Audrey Meyering finished in 10th place, with a 21:42. Liz Meyering and Rose Meyer cracked the top-20 with times of 22:12 and 22:25; and Allison Hoop, 23rd with a time of 23:13; rounded out the Raider scorers.
The Raiders are next scheduled to compete in the Lansing Stars Invitational on Saturday Oct. 1. Competition is slated to begin at 12:30 p.m. for the women and 1:45 for the men.