Cross country season comes to an end

By Patrick Browne
GLADSTONE — The cross country season for both the West Iron Wykons and Forest Park Trojans came to an end on Saturday, Oct. 21 with the annual Upper Peninsula State Championships in Gladstone. The Wykons competed in Division 2 while the Trojans competed in Division 3.
In order to garner a team score, five runners must complete the 3.1 mile course. The Lady Wykons had five runners and managed a team score of 148, placing seventh. They were led by junior Cheyenne Ritchie, who placed 29th out of 49 runners with a time of 26:25. The Wykons were also represented by Dasha McIntire (27:48), Rosalina Cordova (27:56), Kaya Schuyler (28:09) and Peyton Hill (29:23). 
Wykon freshman Noah Perlongo was the only male Wykon running and  ran the 3.1 mile course in 21 minutes and 12 seconds, placing 37th out of 54 runners. 
The Forest Park Trojans, in their second year of restarting the cross country program, sent three runners to the championships. Unable to earn a team score for either the men or women, the Trojans were able to field a runner for both the varsity girls and boys for the first time in 19 years.
Mason Schindler, in his first year of competitive running, posted a time of 21 minutes and 2 seconds, placing 38th out of the 70 runners.
Lilly Post completed the course in 27 minutes and 17 seconds to finish 42nd out of 57 runners and senior Tatum Clark finished ninth overall with a time of 22:28.
Clark has been offered the opportunity to run in college and has been a regular medal-winner during the year.
“I have really enjoyed being part of the cross country team for the last two years, she said. “I am super sad that I will no longer be able to run with my team, but I know they will do amazing things in the future.”
Senior Wykons who ran their last race for their school included Laycee Parson and Rosalina Cordova.