The 2026 SCHS cross country season came to a close on Saturday, November 7 at the MHSAA Division 2 State Finals. The best high school runners in the state convened at the Michigan International Speedway (MIS) under an overcast sky, with chilly temps and a stiff breeze. Among them were 12 runners from the South Christian Cross Country teams, including 3 individual boys qualifiers, and the girls team of 7 with 2 alternates. Also representing the Sailors at MIS were a foursome of dedicated coaches and a sizable support crew composed of fellow teammates, friends and families. It was a great day to be a Sailor! Representing SCHS in the boys race were seniors Ben Verlin and Josiah Rozema and sophomore Hudson Kemper, who qualified for the meet and ran as individuals. Hudson was first across the line for the Sailors in 54th place with a time of 16:19.8. Ben finished in 79th place with a time of 16:32.9. Josiah ran a time of 16:51.9 finishing in 134th place. Congratulations to these three individuals for their fine performances at the state’s highest level of competition! As state qualifiers for the eighth year in a row, the varsity girls entered the competition seeded in the 4th position. In a race that included several upsets, the girls battled to finish in a respectable 6th place out of 27 teams, with a score of 264 points. Leading the way for the sailors was junior Tiffany DeMaagd, who finished in 29th place with a time of 18:35.9, earning All-State honors for her performance! Sophomore Lily VanEyk finished in 64th place with a time of 19:26.8. Third for the Sailors was sophomore Noelle Hulst in 83rd place with a time of 19:39.5. Rounding out the scoring for the Sailors was a pair of sophomores, Annalise Wiltjer (91st, 19:47.9) and Grace Klynstra (138th, 20:25.0.) Also competing for the sailors were sisters Isabelle Oostema (sophomore, 152nd, 20:35.2) and Ava Oostema (junior, 188th, 21:05.4.) Representing the team as alternates were senior Gabriella Agar and sophomore Hailey Moorman. Congratulations to each of these young ladies for their hard work to qualify as a team, and for representing South Christian well with their strong performances, resulting in a top finish in the state!