Raider Runners perform well at CAAC Jamboree

Portland’s Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country Teams turned in solid performances in the first of three scheduled Capitol Area Athletic Conference-White Division meets. Tuesday’s meet at Ionia was hot and a bit muggy with rain threatening to show up for most the late afternoon. The Raiders have gotten used to running in these weather conditions at virtually all their meets this year. On Tuesday the conditions led to some of the runners being slowed by leg cramps so that after the race Coach Andy Pulling found himself giving a refresher presentation on pre-race hydration strategies. The key he pointed out was to begin consistently drink water at least for 48 hours before the meet begins.

In spite of the conditions, Portland Runners came through with a solid effort. The Women’s team placed 4th overall and the Men’s team placed 5th. According to Women’s Coach Mark Holdren, Tuesday’s race times and team placing will be averaged together with the next two CAAC White Jamborees to determine final league standings. Individual runner’s times will also be averaged over the next two Jamborees, on October 2nd in Charlotte and on October 18th at Lansing Sexton, to determine Individual placings for the conference.

On Tuesday, Senior Blaine Rosier led the Men’s team with a time of 19 minutes, six seconds for the 5k course. He was followed by Freshman Ben Wasmus, Sophomore Carter Rosier, Junior Andrew Seavy and Senior Cullen Rapson to complete the Raider scoring. Iggy Arleth, Collin Calley and Ben Stallard all finished the race for Portland.

Freshman Madi Luxmore continued her role as the Portland Women’s team lead runner by posting her best time so far as a varsity cross country runner, completing the 5k course in 22 minutes, 14 seconds. She was followed by Junior Ari Babcock, Junior Amber Cross, and Freshmen Elania Volk and Alyssa Jack who all finished in under 30 minutes. Mya Collins, Teaghan Lathers, Mary Timmer, Olivia Morrow, Destiny Foltz and Clara Noble all finished the race for Portland.

The Portland Cross-Country teams will next participate in the Pewamo-Westphalia Invitational on Wednesday, September 26th.

Pictured is Portland Freshman Madi Luxmore as she outpaces Lansing Catholic and Ionia runners at the halfway mark of Tuesday's CAAC-White Jamboree in Ionia. Luxmore finished 1st among Freshman, and 6th overall in the Women's division, with a personal best time for the 5K of 22 minutes, 14 seconds.