By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
HOLLY—Freshmen Kamryn Sixberry and Lyvia Curtis provided quite the 1-2 punch for the Saugatuck girls cross country team at the Holly Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 16.
Competing in the Division 4 race, Sixberry placed fifth at 21:12.2 and Curtis was sixth at 21:12.4 to lead the Trailblazers to a runner-up team finish with 80 points.
Leslie won the race with 29 points, while Bridgman was third with 103 points.
On the boys side, Saugatuck placed fourth with 115 points behind Bath (70), Leslie (104) and Royal Oak Shrine (109).
“I thought there were some positives for both of our teams and some things to work on for both of our teams,” said Rick Bauer, who coaches the Saugatuck boys team, while his wife Angelia Bauer coaches the girls squad. “We had a conference meet on Wednesday, so this was the first time this season we had two races in a week. So, I think some kids are still getting used to that.”
Following Sixberry and Curtis for the Saugatuck girls were junior Alayah Nieuwsma (26th at 22:56), junior Leilani Schoonmaker (33rd at 23:15) and senior Anna McQueary (43rd at 24:14).
Also toeing the line for the Trailblazers were junior Meryn Curtis (50th at 24:58) and senior Vivian Vallarsa (71st at 28:04).
Like the girls team, the Saugatuck boys were led by a freshman as Sawyer Monroe clocked in at 17:42 to place eighth.
Sophomore Sammy Gamboa was close behind, clocking in at 17:43 to place ninth.
“Sawyer and Sammy ran well,” Bauer said. “They’re doing a good job out front for us so far this season.”
Sophomore Brennan Nor was Saugatuck’s third runner, placing 25th at 18:26. Freshmen Marcus Silva (37th at 18:58) and Grant Rehkopf (52nd at 19:45) rounded out the Trailblazers’ scoring runners.
Freshman Abram Nieuwsma (86th at 22:37) and senior Loch Rigozzi (89th at 22:49) also competed.