Vanderkooi Sisters Lead WMC to Cross Country Title on Saturday

LocalSportsJournal.com

The Western Michigan Christian girls, paced by sisters Abby and Grace Vanderkooi, claimed the Division 4 title at the Portage Cross Country Invitational on Saturday.

The Warriors finished with 67 points to outpace Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, which finished with 88 points. Johannesburg-Lewiston finished third at 94, Hillsdale Academy was fourth with 110 and Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart came in fifth with 163 points.

Abby Vanderkooi, a senior ranked third nationally, won a close race against Presley Allen of Mendon. Abby finished in 18:07.0, a full 30 seconds quicker than Allen’s runnerup time of 18:37.6.

WMC Senior Abby Vanderkooi          Photo/Greg Gielczyk

Grace Vanderkooi, a freshman, finished third with a time of 19:04.5. Brianna Zuidema came in 13th in 21:11.5.

On the boys’ side, the Warriors finished ninth with 224 points. Johannesburg-Lewiston won the meet with 72 points and Concord took second with 86.

Jonathan Clausing was the highest finisher for the Warriors. He finished 29^th with a time of 18:26.2. Danny Maat was 37th with a time of 18:50.5.