The Ionia Boy’s Cross Country team rose to the occasion, placing first out of 11 teams at the Marauder Invitational at Uncle John’s Cider Mill Wednesday evening. The Bulldogs ran their way to a score of 49 points, outpacing 2nd place Olivet who scored 103.  The Bulldogs were led by Josiah Magley who placed 2nd in a personal record time of 16:08 on the orchard loops.  Showing great team running to finish 6th and 7th were Heath LaPointe and Jacob Montgomery who clocked 17:00 and 17:02 respectively. Rounding out the varsity scoring were Andrew Gerdes who crossed the finish line in 16th place in 18:19 and Ellis Yokom who finished in 18th place with a time of 18:34.  Also medaling for the Bulldogs was Riley Husted who clocked 18:46 to finish in 22nd place. Xander Lange was a strong 7th man, finishing in 31st place in 19:35.  Lincoln Denis recorded a personal record time of 23:11.

The Bulldog men will return to action on Saturday at the Central Montcalm Hornet Invitational. This race will follow a different format, with athletes only competing against other athletes who are in the same grade.