On Road to MIS, Saline Girls Take First At Portage Race

In the last big regular season test before the at Michigan International Speedway, the girls cross country team passed with flying colors.

With with top runner sophomore Elianna Shwayder out of the lineup, Saline's much talked about dept was needed more than ever, and it delivered. In a race featuring some of the state's top teams, Saline finished first with 57 points, 59 better than the runnerup Brighton.

Freshman Abby Rentschler had a breakout race, finishing fifth in 19:12.6. Rentschler, who had her season's best time, has typically placed in the Hornets' 4-5-6 slots this season. She barely edged senior Amy Creutz, who was sixth in 19:13.1. The next Hornet over the line was junior Alyssa Cummings (11th, 19:22.8). Also scoring for Saline were sophomore Gloria Park (16th, 19:34.8) and freshman Lauren Green (19th, 19:40.2). Also running in the varsity race were Amy Frauhammer (52nd, 20:27) and and Lindsay Walter (89th, 21:16).

The gap between the Hornets' top five runners was just 28 seconds. Saline's 57 points was the lowest total the team has ever had at Portage.

The Hornets avenged their loss to Hudsonville at the Bath Invitational earlier this season.

The Saline junior varsity team dominated their race. Kelly Hall was first in her the race, winning in 20:23. Mara VanSickle set a season best time with 20:32 and finished fourth. Kalleigh Keller set an all-time mark (20:47) and was sixth. Samantha Szuminski (7th, 20:54) and Danielle Rathfon (15th, 21:25) also scored for Saline.

The Hornets can clinch the SEC Red championship at Monroe Wednesday.