TRAVERSE CITY -- Alex Vanias showed off his potential to his future University of Detroit teammates Saturday.
The 17-year-old, who just graduated from Pine River, pulled away to win the Cherry Festival 15K by nearly a minute. Vanias, who will run cross country and track at Detroit, finished in 49:57.65. Former Calvin College runner Kris Koster placed second in 50:50.35.
Vanias and his future Titan teammates used the 15K as a training run and a bonding experience.
"We camped here the night before," Vanias said. "We were using it (race) to get ready for the season."
Vanias went out with the lead pack.
"We were taking turns the whole way," he said. "At about three-quarters I just took off. I noticed he (Koster) dropped back and I kept the same pace.
Koster, 26, was impressed.
"We traded the lead up Mount McKinley and flew back down the other side," he said. "After that we were throwing surges at each other and finally with about a mile and half to go he put one more surge on me and I couldn't respond.
"He's 17, right? He's very tough, very impressive."
Vanias was eighth in the 3200 meters in the Division 3 state track finals last month. He came into the race expecting to do well.
"I was thinking it would be pretty close," he said. "I felt I had a good chance."
Monroe's David Walshy finished third in 51:02.55.
Cheboygan's Dennis Paull took the masters division in 55:06.85.
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