The 2018 Clinton Middle School Cross Country program has continued to improve since the program began in 2013.  The team set the school mark in medals with 116 and earned 11 trophies/plaques. The program earned 7, 16, 24, 36, 71, and 116 medals respectively over the past 6 seasons.  “I looked around at conditioning in August and thought something special is happening here” said Coach Delezenne.

Coach Delezenne said “we had runners log well over 100 miles this summer.  The returning runners were motivated to improve on last season.” Both teams were very competitive and thrived on the success of one another.  

The girls team was consistently led by Cassie McNatt, Samantha Coots, Allison Bowles, Faith Blackburn, Paige Shankland, Emma Shankland, and Sarah King.  Only McNatt departs to the high school team as most of the girls team will be eligible to return next year. “I’m confident the girls team will be strong in 2019 with all the potential returners” said Coach Delezenne. Addison Miller, Jana Hillegonds, Maya Freeman, RJ Handy, Mieah Rodriguez, Ava Roesler, and Libby White (manager) rounded out the girls team.  

The girls team was able to build on the 2017 season were it won 5 of its last 6 meets and it continued into the 2018 season.  “We ran a few big meets this year (MSU and Mega Meet) to find out where we stood. Outside of those, we finished 1st or 2nd in all but 1 race” said Coach Delezenne .  At one point, the girls earned a trophy in five straight meets. “Samantha Coots dropped a bunch of time this year and was a catalyst for our team. She is likely to be one of the best runners in the county next year if she isn’t already.”

The boys team came out of nowhere this year as many new runners joined the program.  14 of the 18 runners were new to the program. Caden Zbikowski, Lucas Goodman, Logan DeVitto, Max Hampel, Zack Gillies, Keegan Huston, and Caden Arntz bolstered the boys team.  “This group went out and won events by 50 points multiple times this year.” Caden Zbikowski bolstered a very talented boys team while many new faces ran fast times to set the bar extremely high.  Jerry Adams, Rourke Solomonson, Justin Celmber, Travis Faust, Bridger Freeman, Gage Blackburn, Nickolas DeVitto, Drew McNatt, Michael Ruhl, Brodie Stipe, and David Wegner rounded out the boys team.  

Runners earning one medal or more this season - Caden Arntz, Logan DeVitto, Zack Gillies, Keegan Huston, Caden Zbikowski, Lucas Goodman, Max Hampel, Brodie Stipe, Cassie McNatt, Faith Blackburn, Allison Bowles, Samantha Coots, Emma Shankland, Paige Shankland, Sarah King, Travis Faust, Nickolas DeVitto, David Wegner, Jana Hillegonds, Addison Miller, RJ Handy, Mieah Rodriguez, and Ava Roesler.

The record board changed quite a bit this year.  With the distances changing from race to race, pacing is used to determine times.  

School records set this year - Caden Zbikowski 5:54 and Samantha Coots 6:22.

8th grade records set this year - Caden Zbikowski 5:54 (1st), Logan DeVitto (3rd), & Cassie McNatt (1st).  

7th grade records set this year - Max Hampel 6:03 (1st), Lucas Goodman 6:14 (2nd), Samantha Coots 6:22 (1st), Allison Bowles 6:56 (3rd), Paige Shankland 6:58 (4th), & Faith Blackburn 7:07 (5th).

6th grade records set this year - David Wegner 6:57 (3rd), Brodie Stipe 7:07 (4th), & Sarah King 7:07 (5th).

The middle school program will graduate Jerry Adams, Caden Arntz, Logan DeVitto, Zack Gillies, Keegan Huston, Rourke Solomonson, Caden Zbikowski, and Cassie McNatt to the high school team.

Is your child interested in joining MSXC next season?  Email Coach Delezenne at jeff.delezenne@clinton.k12.mi.us for more information.  

Not participating in a school sport during November and December?  Any 5th-8th grader can join the Polar Bear Club. It will begin Thursday, November 1.