XC Boys Get Second at States
For the second year in a row, the boys cross country team topped off a successful season with a second place finish at the MHSAA D1 State Championship at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.
The Scots finished ahead of Lakeland, Northville, Romeo, and twenty-two other state qualifying teams, but could not take down the Brighton team. Senior Josh Oom led the Caledonia team with an All-State finish of 14th place. His PR time of 15:47.14 makes him the school’s second fastest cross country runner of all time. Another prized runner, Caden Dixon, nearly achieved All-State honors with his 33rd place finish of 16:08, and Jordan Domany finished close behind in 38th place (16:11). Rounding out Caledonia’s top seven was Ben Degood in 82nd (16:37), Brett Guzman in 107th (16:45), Donavan Mattson in 157th (17:02), and Andrew Adams in 186th (17:17).
“Everyone is gonna be upset, but only two teams came out with a trophy and we were one of them,” senior Andrew Adams said shortly after the race was over. Last season after earning State Runner-Up, the team was given the trophy without a ceremony due to Covid restrictions. This year, the Scots got to receive their trophy on a podium in front of fans.
It was not the first trophy the Scots earned this season. They won six of their eight non-championship meets. The team won the OK-Red for the third year in a row, while having six runners earn All-Conference honors and one earn All-Conference Honorable Mention. They also won Regionals for the fourth year in a row, a feat never done before in program history.
While it had been the team’s goal all season to win states, placing second in the biggest division is still an accomplishment they are proud of.
“We all did everything we could, and the boys had a great time. We are all very proud of the varsity boys,” senior captain Zac Burgess stated moments before the whole team took a well-earned trip to Fazoli’s.
Two Caledonia girls who individually qualified for the state meet, Barbara Degood and Tatum Verburg, placed 169th and 226th respectively.
Despite graduating five of their top seven, the Caledonia boys will shoot for a similar result next year with Jordan Domany and Brett Guzman leading the pack.
