Written by Riley Homan (Class of 2029)
Edited by Mr. Zane Harding (Journalism Advisor)
On Friday, August 28, the Onekama boys and girls cross country teams traveled to South Christian High School for the Under the Lights Invitational. The Portagers would take place in the 5,000m Twilight race while four other races were taking place. The girls race featured 246 runners while the boys race featured 297. Callie Sinke produced an amazing performance with an incredible first place time of 18:47! Addy Zeller also showed a decent 17th place time of 21:04.9, while Zakia Wagoner posted an 18th place time finishing with a time of 21:45.7.
Next, on Wednesday, September 9, the 2026 varsity cross country team competed at the Shepherd John Bruder Classic. The girls team was led by an outstanding second place performance from Callie Sinke posting a time of 19:07.38, Addy Zeller followed with a 20th place time of 20:55.59, while Zakia Wagoner posted a 21:31.75 31st place time. The girls would finish 6th overall. The boys were led by Johnny Sinke with a 102nd placing time of 19:36.60. The boys team finished 23rd overall.
The following school week, on Tuesday September 15, the Onekama varsity cross country teams would travel to compete at Buckley for their first Northwest conference meet of the season. The girls team finished second overall. Callie Sinke led the Portagers with an outstanding first place finish of 19:03.10, Addy Zeller placed fifth with a time of 20:48.50, and Zakia Wagoner placed seventh with a time of 21:12.44. The boys were led by Johnny Sinke, who placed 17th with a 18:53.71 finish.
Most recently, the Portagers also competed on Friday September 18, at the Ottawa Hills Invitational. The girls turned in an outstanding performance placing second overall in the Small School Division. Callie Sinke would once again lead the Portagers with a second place finish time of 18:42.24. Addy Zeller finished 10th with a time of 20:33.15, and Zakia Wagoner placed 13th with a 21:11.98 finish. Once again, Johnny Sinke led the boys with a 24th place finish time of 18:49.40. The girls side continues to shine as the boys have continuously improved meet after meet.
Cross country will be in action this Saturday, competing in the Veterans Serving Veterans Invite at Veterans Park in Cadillac.