Cross Country is a sport that is frequently focused on individual performances and personal record times. So when Drew Woznick, the Rams fastest runner, fell off his pace in the second mile of the Regional Meet, Rockford’s opponents started to lick their chops. It was then that the Rams reminded all onlookers that Cross Country is a team sport. And what a dominant team Rockford has! A team that has pushed one another, running hundreds of miles together since June. A team that stepped up Saturday in remarkable fashion.
It began with Casey Aman, who was injured most of the season, pouring it on to lead the Rams, earning a 5th place with a time of 16:17. Then a pack of Rams surged to the finish line led by Austin Benoit in 6th place (16:24), Grant Aman in 7th place (16:25), Chris Coles in 8th place (16:31), Isaac Harding in 9th place (16:33) and Drew Woznick in 10th place (16:34). Caleb Cuneo finished a short time later in a very respectable 19th place.
When the race was done, the Ram’s parade-like finish had earned them first place with 35 points, besting second place finisher Kenowa Hills who had 79 points and third place finisher Grand Haven who had 88 points.
The depth of Rockford’s team continued to shine in the reserve race, as Mark Cruickshank took 4th place followed by Mitch Switzer, Colin Reichenbach and Tyler Aman. These Rams and the other members of the reserve squad kept the varsity seven on their toes all year, an integral part of a very impressive Rockford team.
With the Regional Championship in hand, the Rams continue their quest at the State Championship Meet to be held Saturday at Michigan International Speedway in Brookland.
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