Reed City Cross Country came into this season ranked as the sixth best boys team in all of Division 3. In their first big meet against top tier competition, the Coyotes stormed into the spotlight with a massive win. 

Last Saturday, Reed City participated in the annual "Under the Lights Invite" at Grand Rapids South Christian High School. This unique event is held on a course during night time hours with temporary lighting throughout the race. The Coyotes competed in the Starlight Division with the girls running at 10:20 P.M. and the boys starting at 10:55 P.M.

"Overall, this was a fun meet with great competition," Head coach Rich Saladin said. "Running under the lights was a thrill for the kids and the coaches and parents enjoyed it too."

The Coyote boys went up against two of the top teams in Division 3 including last year's Division 4 champion Wyoming Potter's House and Grand Rapids Covenant Christian and came out as champions in the Starlight Small Schools Division. Gus Rohde finished tops for Reed City at 3rd overall with a 16:37, followed by Anthony Kiaunis in 5th at 16:54 and Ryan Allen in 6th at 16:55. Isaac Clementshaw (18:21) and Paul Saladin (18:42) finished out the scoring for the Coyotes. Twin brothers Elijah and Izaiah Lentz finished with the exact same time at 19:29 and rounded out the top 7 for the Coyotes. Allen and Saladin were noted to have set personal bests.

"Our top 3 will compete with any team in the state," Saladin said. "They set the standard and then we push our 4 and 5 to get up to the front.  It worked today and I'm extremely proud of this effort. We beat two really good teams and showed that we can contend for a state title in November. It's early but we'll keep improving, keep raising the bar, and keep rising up to meet the challenge."

The Coyote girls finished 6th in the Starlight Small School Division.  Carly Carlson (23:59), Clara Smoes (24:03), and Caelynn London (24:29) led the way followed by a tight pack that finished in a photo finish of Taytum Sanford at 25:24.7, Hallee Hervey at 25:24.8, and Marlow Walcott at 25:25.3.

"There was some tremendous competition in our division," Saladin said. "Our girls competed and worked hard to push each other. They also had fun wearing the glow paint and glow bracelets. It was a great run for them."

Reed City competes next on Friday, Sep. 1 at the Oiler Invite in Mt. Pleasant.