Renberg First as Hornets Take Sixth at Jackson

Saline senior Nick Renberg took first place at the Jackson Invitational in Ella Sharp Park Saturday.

Renberg completed the course in 15:40.0, more than 15 seconds faster than second place Garret Zuk from White Lake-Lakeland.

Injuries and illness caught up to the Hornets’ team however, and the boys  “A team” placed sixth with 138 points, exactly double that of the winners from White Lake Lakeland. Saline’s “B team” finished ninth in the 23-team field.

For the “A team,” Spencer Bishop placed 10^th in 16:21. Dylan Jennings was 33^rd in 16:53.4. Anthony Lamus was 43^rd in 17:06.8. Andrew Kitto completed the scoring five for the Hornets. He was 51^st in 17:13.8.

A couple key runners were held out of the race with injuries and illnesses.

“We had a few of our top five guys out of the line up and all the other teams were ready to race. The guys that had to fill in did a nice job,” said coach Carl Spina, adding that several were close to personal records. “We had hoped to get some really fast times from most of them, but so many of them have been sick this past week. They don't always bounce back really quickly and we saw that today.”

Spina said his team raced aggressively and held on through the second mile. But Saline didn’t get the kick it usually gets in the final mile.

“We've been really shining in the last mile. Today we didn't shine. We just survived and I think it had to do with them being sick,” Spina said.

Spina said the team took advantages of the illnesses and injuries to give some deserving seniors and promising youngsters a chance to run in a big race.

Terrell McGee led the Saline “B team.” He finished the race in 17:05.3, good for 42^nd and faster than a couple members of the “A team.” Also scoring for the “B team” were  Justin Henry (54^th, 17:15.6)., Paul Chandler (55^th, 17:16.1)., James Crowley (61^st, 17:20.0). and Connor Phelps (69^th, 17:24.6).

Spina said that the boys should be back on their game soon.

“We don't have serious injuries, but we have a few kids that can't run and a bunch more that, after being sick, are not ready to run well yet,” he said. “Every year we have this week where things keep going wrong. I think this week was it. It's frustrating. It's also temporary.”

Saline hosts the SEC jamboree at Mill Pond Park Tuesday. The varsity girls race at 4:30 p.m. and the boys race at 5 p.m.