Published: October 28, 2007 10:35 am      

Therrien stars, but Rangers win title

Bear Lake qualifies for state in boys, girls events

BENZONIA -- Amber Therrien stepped into the spotlight on Saturday.

Actually, she ran into it.

Following in the footsteps of ex-Glen Lake teammate Marissa Treece, who dominated high school cross country for years before heading off to Notre Dame, Therrien cruised to victory in the Division 4 regional at Benzie Central.

The senior covered the 5-kilometer course in 19:24, nearly 44 seconds ahead of second-place Stephanie Ingraham of Manton (20:07.5). It was the first time that Therrien, runner-up to Treece last year, had completed Benzie's course in under 20 minutes.

Glen Lake's Nadine Gilmer was third (20:23.8).

Meanwhile, Ingraham was one of four Manton runners to finish in the top 15 as the Rangers ran to victory in the team standings.

Manton (48), Bear Lake (88) and Glen Lake (96) qualified for the the state finals next Saturday at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.

Traverse City St. Francis was fifth (100), Lake Leelanau St. Mary's sixth (125), Lake City seventh (174), McBain eighth (195) and Mesick ninth (216).

Joining Ingraham in the top 15 were teammates Kim Devore, 12th (21:04.7), Kaitlyn Raymer, 14th (21:22.4); and Meg Stall, 15th (21:24.4). The Rangers' fifth runner was Sonny Jenkins, who placed 17th (21:36.8).

Other area runners in the top 10 were: Morgan McCardel of St. Francis, fifth (20:43.7); Rachel Rosenkrans of Lake City, sixth (20:47.4); Joanna Tarbell of Grand Traverse Academy, seventh (20:58.2); Emily Ritsema of TC Christian, eighth (20:58.7); Brenna Miller of Bear Lake, ninth (21:01.8); and Ali Schuetze of GT Academy, 10th (21:03.9).

Bear Lake won the boys race, 64-87 over St. Francis. Suttons Bay also qualified for state by placing third (97). Manton was fourth (99), McBain sixth (115), Buckley seventh (160) and Lake City ninth (207).

Top finishers for the regional champion Lakers were Chuck Schoedel, third (17:16.3); Jordan Maxi, 10th (17:45.4); Jaron Llewllyn, 14th (18:00.3); Danny Brown, 17th (18:24); and Justin Zupin, 22nd (18:45.2).

Suttons Bay sophomore Ben Wynsma won in 16:53.5. Also in the top 10: McBain's Brandon Westmaas, second (17:09.5); St. Francis' Alex Primeau, fourth (17:22.2), and James Alpers, fifth (17:26.9); Manton's Matt Brettschneider, sixth (17:33.7); McBain's Randy Sterk, seventh (17:34.9); Lake City's Josh Fairbrother, eighth (17:41.6); and Manton's Jacob Cuthbert, ninth (17:43.1).