Hornets Second at Important Portage Cross Country Meet

The boys' cross country team took second place at Saturday's Portage Invitational, held at Portage West Middle School. The race featured seven state-ranked teams.

Saline finished with 145 points, 48 points behind the winning team from Hartland.

The Hornets were led by senior Nick Renberg, who continues to race in state champion form. Renberg (15:42) placed second in a strong field. He was four second behind Drew Woznick, of Rockford. Saline senior Spencer Bishop took seventh, finishing in 16:02.3. Freshman Logan Wetzel finished 21st in 16:35.5. Juniors Grant Praschan (43rd, 16:54.7) and Anthony Lamus (72nd, 17:31.2) also finished in the scoring for Saline. Juniors Andrew Kitto (101st, 17:36.2) and Dylan Jennings (138th, 17:58.6) also ran for the Hornets.

Coach Carl Spina said that the Portage meet, like the Spartan Invitational and state finals, is one of the meets the team focuses on.

"I was pleased with our place. When you roll into a meet like that and can pick up a trophy, you can't be too disappointed," Spina said.

Spina said the team talked about having all the pieces necessary to win the meet.

"We are just still a little behind other teams after a few of our key guys are rebounding from injury. Now it's just a race get those key athletes ready for the state finals now," Spina said.

Spina complimented his top three runners.

"Renberg, Bishop and Wetzel are an amazing top three. Those guys allow us to compete in just about any field," Spina said.