The Ionia Boys’ Cross Country team toed the line at the MHSAA D2 Regional hosted by Grand Rapids South Christian on Saturday.  The boys exceeded projections, finishing 9th out of 16 schools.  With no seniors on the roster, the Bulldogs gained valuable experience that can only help them in the future.  Leading the charge for Ionia was junior Jacob Montgomery.  He continued his fine season by qualifying for the D2 State Finals.  His time of 16:47 (lifetime personal best) was good for 16th place overall and earned him the fifth individual qualifying spot from the region.  Junior Ellis Yokom continued to hold down the second spot for Ionia.  He crossed the finish line in 17:18, good for 24th place and well ahead of his seed.  He narrowly missed qualifying to the finals as an individual by 7 seconds.  Junior Tyson Evans was next, placing 58th in 18:40.  Junior Alex Bushee placed 62nd in 18:47.  Junior Lincoln Denis clocked 19:02 for 69th place.  Freshman Jaxxon Thelen placed 70th in 19:04 (lifetime personal best).  Freshman Dalles Bailiff also ran a lifetime best, placing 80th in 19:54.

Ionia’s junior varsity boys competed in the PROM (Post-Regional Open Meet) following the regional and had a great showing.  Freshman Tony Shattuck placed 35th in a lifetime-best time of 21:17.  Right with him at the line was freshman Cadence Denis-Griffith in 36th and a lifetime best of 21:17.  Third in for the Bulldogs was Gabe Holman who placed 63rd in 24:12.  Payton Baker ran a lifetime best of 26:39 to place 67th.

While Montgomery will compete in the MHSAA D2 finals at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, the rest of the team will conclude their season in the St. Johns Last Chance meet at Uncle John’s Cider Mill on Thursday.