This story was written by Bay College SID Mike Pankow. Click the AUDIO button to hear RRN Sports interview with Norse Coach Scott Carhoun.

GRAYLING, MI – The Bay College Norse Cross Country Teams participated in the Firebird Invitational over the weekend. The Norse Women set program history by winning a meet for the first time, while the Norse Men had a strong showing, finishing third out of five teams.

In the women's race, Bay was paced by Siena Lingle (FR, Skandia, MI) who ran a 23:31.3 pace and finished fifth.  Kayla Farnes (FR, Escanaba, MI) was right behind her with a  23:54.6 time. 

Newcomer Kennedy Sproule (FR, Winnipeg, MB) the basketball standout, competed in her first ever cross country meet and finished as the third Norse runner in ninth place with a time of 25:42.4.  Veronica Spreitzer (SO, Escanaba, MI) and Natalie Spreitzer (FR, Escanaba, MI) rounded out the team scoring, with Veronica coming in at 25:44.2 and Natalie hitting a time of 25:49.7.

Devyn Lusardi (SO, Stephenson, MI) also ran and finished with the race in 27:40.4.  Hattie Cota (SO, Munising, MI), returning from missing the last meet due to an injury came in with a  time of 29:50.8.  With seven runners participating, it was the largest contingent representing the women's side in school history.

Four teams participated in the event, but North Central Michigan College, who had three runners in the top four, only had four participants, while Mid Michigan only fielded two harriers.  That left Bay College and Kirtland Community College to battle for the team awards.  Bay's top five runners finished with 41 points, while Kirtland ended with 64 points, giving the victory to the Norse.

"What a day," remarked the proud Norse Head Cross Country Coach Scott Carhoun.  "I'm so happy for our women's team. They have been working so hard these last few weeks, and I'm so glad they were able to put it all together to win today."

On the men's side of things a course just short of 8K made for some faster then usual times, but Tanner Howes (FR, Gladstone, MI) crossed the line in fourth for strong showing and a time of 27:49.4.  Ethan Lawrence (FR, Republic, MI) was the second to finish for Bay with a time 30:48.2.  Ben Smith (FR, Gladstone, MI) finished with a time of 32:41.1, while Dustin Brewster (SO, Manistique, MI) came across with a time 35:46.8.  Oren Marcoe (FR, Daggett, MI) rounded out Bay's scoring with a time of 38:23.5.

Three of the five teams ran enough runners to have a team score.  Kirtland won the meet with a score of 46 points, Alpena was second with a score of 50 points, and Bay finished with 61 points.  Mid Michigan and North Central Michigan College also had participants but did not field a full team.

"I just want to give a huge shout out to all of the families that traveled to come watch and cheer us on today," continued Carhoun.  "We are so glad that you were able to enjoy this day with us."

Bay will return to action in two weeks.  For the first time since 2020 they will host a meet on Friday, October 18 at noon.