Wildcat Men's Cross Country
Wins the Oakland County Meet
Novi earns an impressive first
place in a field of 42 teams
10/9/2006 by Scott Olson

Running against some of the top teams in the state, the Wildcats proved Saturday they have what it takes to compete, and win, at any level. In a field of 42 teams including the best runners from across Oakland County, Novi finished with a solid first place overall, and also won the J.V. race with an amazing 1-2-3 finish in a field of 464 runners.

Overall, Novi finished with 69 points. Second place Milford ended up with 140 points. The other top ten teams were Lake Orion (197), Birmingham Seaholm (227), Troy Athens (234), B H Lahser (245), Rochester (255), Lakeland (273), Stoney Creek (309), and Cranbrook (331).  Novi Catholic Central finished 11th overall with 348 points.

Novi's Mike Wheat was the first Wildcat across the line, and third overall, with a time of 16:44. Other sub-18 minute Wildcats included Prasad (16:50), Lumley (16:58), MacDonough (17:06), Wagner (17:07), Beard (17:20), and Cateriano (17:47).  The top five runners- Wheat (3rd), Prasad (9th), Lumley (14th), MacDonough (21st) and Wagner (22nd)- earned all-County honors.

In the J.V. race, Novi's top three runners finished, amazingly, 1-2-3 overall in a field of 464 runners. Those top three runners were Butler (18:03), Blaszczyk (18:07), and Croad (18:14).

"The guys sure rose to the occasion!" exclaimed veteran Head Coach Robert Smith following the meet.

In fact, 24 of 25 guys scored season and personal bests on the course Saturday. They not only rose to the occasion, they gave it their very best and they succeeded.