Above photograph: The Mackinaw City boys cross country team won the Lower Peninsula Division 4 Regional championship and members include (from left) Brandyn Clemens, David Mercer, Logan Paquet, Dane Curth, Chris Laninga, Matt Alexander, Blaine Paquet, and Coach Scott Mills.

Balanced team effort is a key to every athletic team, but in cross country individual scoring could mean the difference between a championship or runner-up finish.

Mackinaw City, defending Lower Peninsula Division 4 Region 28 champions, posted a three-point win, 59-62, over Fairview and realized that every runner (seven) makes the difference, as all the Comets finished in the top 30 during the event at Gaylord Golf and Country Club, hosted by Gaylord High School, Saturday, October 29.

Lower photograph: Mackinaw City girls cross country team at the regionals includes (from left) Katie Smydra, Callan Martin, Ciarra McVey, and Coach Scott Mills. The Comets freshman, David Mercer, finished second with a time of 17:59, two seconds behind Ryan Kauffman of Fairview at 17:57.

Logan Paquet placed seventh in 18:36, Dane Curth 10th in 18:47, Blaine Paquet 21st in 19:48, Matt Alexander 23rd in 19:55, Brandyn Clemens 27th in 20:15, and Chris Laninga 30th in 20:29.

David Mercer (left) and Ciara McVey (right). The Fairview Eagles runners finished first, fifth, ninth, 14th, 42nd, 52nd, and 70th.

"I was very pleased with all the boys and girls effort and times," said Comets Coach Scott Mills. "In the boys meet, it came down to all the times."

Ellsworth placed third with 86 points, followed by Wolverine with 89, Rogers City 100, Hale 176, Boyne Falls 189, Gaylord St. Mary 190, and Central Lake 203. Top three teams qualify for the state finals.

Mackinaw City had only three girls (five needed for team scoring) competing at the regionals and Ciara McVey led the Comets with a 26th place in 25:36, Callan Martin 30th 26:34, and Katie Smydra 50th in 30:35. Rogers City won the regionals as sisters Kaylee Kreft won in 20:15 and Lacey Kreft took second in 20:30 for the Hurons.

"During the Lower Peninsula State Finals at the MIS in Brooklyn, Michigan, I hope the boys could finish in the top 10 after placing 19th last season. The entire team has worked hard all season and the effort has paid off," the coach said.