Conditions at the Regional were less than ideal with high winds and rain, but the team fought through those conditions and worked towards the team focus of achieving a personal record at each race.

Although the sport often recognizes those who finish at the head of the pack, often forgotten is the contribution of those who also run and accumulate team points.

“We are proud of this team not only for its accomplishments on the course, but in school and in practice,” said head coach Duane Machesney.

Members of the team are: Jamie Caminiti, Hillary Davlin, Ariana Donahue, Allyssa Mazur-Batistoni, Dayna McIntyre, Jenni Putz and Alexis Whatcott. Mr. Machesney is assisted in his coaching duties by Ms. Noelle Grignani and Mr. Manny Schmitt.

Jenni Putz also qualified individually for the State Finals.

This from an anonymous parent about the girls’ team:

“Lapeer East Girls Cross Country Team qualified to compete at the state meet, the first in the history of school. The team has had little press coverage, as there is no single runner on which the spotlight has shone. Yet, amid gale force winds and sputtering of rain, each girl ran her own race, as they have been trained to do. The focus of this unique set of coaches was to encourage each runner to achieve a PR (personal record) at each and every race. On Saturday Oct. 31, at Delta College, it paid off, as collectively the team qualified to compete at the State meet on Nov. 07 at Michigan Speedway.

The sole runner that qualified individually was not running at a varsity level, until the season was half over. The runner, who was the team’s first place runner in September, did not place first for the team, but she runs her own race every day. She runs a race against Cystic Fibrosis and on Saturday, she beat it again. You may recognize a face or two on this team, but it is not for their work on the trails, but for other sports that they are highly acclaimed for. They hold the team’s middle together and are willing to run mile after mile, in races and training, even if they don’t have the glory of scoring the winning goal.

Cross County may only be known for the individual competition at each race and the attention given to the few gazelles that that cross the finish line first. What may not be known is how the individual runners accumulate points for the team. Even less is known is the role that those runners who do not emerge in the front of the pack play for the team. This is a sport that fellow team mates encourage each other to never give up, as the last runner is cheered in and provide the statistics that they have also won, “a PR”. Cheers come from cross town rivals Lapeer West, as they all just keep running their own best race.

Good Luck to the team! Regardless of the outcome, they will take away a valuable life lesson that they have learn from their coaches. Life, like mile two of the race, can fill you with despair but if you keep running toward that PR, collectively you may be part of a greater accomplishment.”