Despite running with frozen toes and ice sticking to their spikes, the Eagles comfortably defeated East Grand Rapids, South Christian, and Forest Hills Eastern to win the Regional title and earn a trip to the XC State Finals. The Eagles were led by Annika TerBeek who finished 4th (PR). She was followed by Zoe Hoekstra (7th - PR), Lilah Poel (9th), Lucy Waalkes (14th), Ellie Scholma (17th), Eva Lindstrom (32nd), and Lydia Visker (33rd).
The Eagles sealed the OK White XC Conference Championship last night as they won the Conference Finals meet (after previously winning both of the Conference Jamborees)! Racing for the third time this season at Riverside Park, the Eagles showed their dominance from start to finish by putting 3 runners in the top 5 and taking a third of the top 30 spots. Lilah Poel nearly pulled off the victory but came in a close second. She was followed by Annika TerBeek, Zoe Hoekstra, Lucy Waalkes, Ellie Scholma, Eva Lindstrom, and Vivi Duncan.
Determination, teamwork, and fall temperatures led to 18 PRs (personal records)! Lilah, Annika, Zoe, Eva, Vivi, Maggie Scholma, Gwyn Artz, Joy Van Wyk, Willa Peterson, Robyn Klein, Alena Sportel, Maria Martinez, Audrey Brouwer, Natalia Oren, Ana Kuprina, Maddy Baylor, Cecila Kort, and Rosie Baylor ran their fastest 5k time.
The Eagle can now focus on 10 days of training before they will compete at the Regional Meet at South Christian High School on Saturday, October 26.
The Women’s Cross Country Team took first at yesterday’s OK White Jamboree, strengthening their control of the league title. While saving some energy for this weekend’s invitational, Ellie Scholma and Lilah Poel finished a smooth run together in 3rd and 4th places. Zoe Hoekstra and Annika Terbeek added strong performances, and Lydia Visker, Joy VanWyk, and Eva Lindstrom completed the top runners for the Eagles. Ana Kuprina ran her personal best time.
On Saturday, the Eagles will battle against the top D2 teams at the giant Portage Invitational.
Despite moving the races earlier in the day, the heat and humidity were still factors for a 5k race. However, the girls varsity cross country team continued to show their strength by beating a tough DI Jenison team as well as the #4 ranked DII Holland Christian. Junior Ellie Scholma led the way with her 5th place finish. She was followed by Lilah Poel, Zoe Hoekstra, Annika TerBeek, and Lucy Waalkes - all in the top 25.
The JV team showed their determination by placing 8 in the top 11! This included Gwyn Artz, Maggie Scholma, Sonia Tatko, Cora Boostra, Mia Roe, Lily Tatko, Hannah Van Allen, and Mia Powell. PRs (Personal Records) were hard to come by due to the heat and humidity but Cora, Makayla Wynbeek, Natalia Oren, Ana Kuprina, and Celia Kort all ran the best time of their careers.
The Eagles kick off their conference season with the OK White Jamboree #1 on Wednesday at Riverside Park.
The Eagles Cross Country team competed against 9 other Christian schools at the annual Christian School Invitational. For decades, this invitational has provided an opportunity for believers to gather and use their God-given talents to bring Him glory! What a blessing! The varsity girls moved up nicely during the 5k race easily securing the victory with all five scores in the top 10. Ellie Scholma led the way finishing 1st in 18:43. She was followed by Lilah Poel in 4th (19:33), Annika Terbeek in 6th (19:38), Zoe Hoekstra in 8th (19:56) and Lucy Waalkes in 10th (19:58). Lydia Visker (16th with a PR of 20:40) and Joy Van Wyk (23rd with a PR of 20:59) rounded out the varsity.
The JV girl's team ran with heart and finished second. The team was led by Willa Peterson who finished 3rd with a PR of 21:53. She was followed closely by Eva Lindstrom in 4th (with a PR of 21:55), Vivi Duncon in 8th (22:04), Maggie Scholma in 10th (with a PR of 22:32), and Gwyn Artz in 11th in (22:33). Sonia Tatko, Mia Roe, Alena Sportel, Maria Martinez, Cecilia Morales Blay, Makayla Wynbeek, and Natalia Oren all ran a lifetime personal record (PR).
Eagles Cross Country will compete again on Friday, September 13 at the Ottawa Hills Invitational at Riverside Park.