Novi Men's CC Falls to Pinckney Pirates
Last year's state runner-up team catches Cats
9/8/2005 by Scott Olson
 
The Pinckney Pirates were state runners-up last season, and they are looking strong this year again. The Pirates caught the Wildcats 43-17 Tuesday at Hudson Mills in a meet that was closer than the score indicates. At the half way point, it was anyone's race as 3 Pirates and 3 Wildcats were right alongside each other.

"I believe that they may be the best team that we will face up until the State meet. They are very solid up front, and they have plenty of depth," explained veteran Wildcat Head Coach Coach Robert Smith.

Novi junior Mike Wheat was first across the line for the Wildcats, followed 7 seconds later by Alex Prasad. Kenny MacDonough, sophomore Josh Lumley and freshman Luke Barnes were third through fifth respectively. MacDonough set a new career personal record for himself in the process.

Smith noted, "I am not concerned at all about the loss.  Our guys know that meets 'get in the way' of our training cycle in early September.  We are in training for what is coming up in late October and early November."

If history is any indication, he's right - especially since the top runners this year are all under-classmen.

The Wildcats run at the U of D Titan Invitational this Saturday, then travel to Howell Tuesday afternoon to race the Highlanders.
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Editor's Note: Sports reporter Alex Prasad is Captain of the Men's Cross Country Team. As such, he will be contributing to their coverage, but Coach Smith and Scott Olson will be writing the meet reports.