LocalSportsJournal.com

Whitehall repeated as the girls GMAA City Cross Country Meet champions on Friday at University Park Golf Course.

The Vikings ran away from the field to win with 27 points.LSJ Logo incert

Reeths-Puffer (70) placed second, Mona Shores (75) was third, Western Michigan Christian (141) was fourth, North Muskegon (145) finished fifth, Fruitport (151) was sixth, Montague (172) placed seventh, Ravenna (187) finished in eighth place, Oakridge (251) was ninth.

It was the 12th city title for Whitehall.Maya Hector

“We have such good kids. They come to practice everyday and are ready to run hard after a hard day at school,” said Whitehall coach Kathy Hector, who is in her 17th season as coach of the Vikings. “They look forward to seeing each other. Living in Muskegon County and getting to see everyone here. Makes it a fun win for us.”

The Vikings earned the title behind overall winner Maya Hector, who crossed the finish line in a time of 19:02.

“It was really nice, the coolness helped. It’s been up and down for weather so this has been perfect,” said Hector who is a junior.

“Last year my teammate Jessica Harris won it. So it’s really sentimental for me to keep the legacy going along as a Whitehall athlete and winning it. We came in here with some goals and really wanted to win the City Meet. We put our top five in the top 10 and that’s what we wanted.”

The other four Whitehall runners to place in the top-10 were Nora Mitteer (20:07) in fifth, Avley Hentschel (20:08) in sixth, Rebekah Townsend (20:10) in seventh and Ellie Stevens (20:10) in eighth place.

Second place Reeths-Puffer was led by Maryssa Depies (19:29), who placed second overall.

Jayme Brantsen (19:55) placed third overall, Lilah Parker (20:31) was 13th overall, Becca Bride (21:21) finished 24th and Kendra Irvine (21:49) placed 28th to round out the scores for Reeths-Puffer.

Also placing in the top-10 were Mona Shores’ Jackie Seward (20:00) in fourth place and Western Michigan Christian’s Sarah Vanderkooi (20:11) in ninth place.