Local Sports: McCalister breaks Jefferson record as Bears shine at Michigan State

EAST LANSING − Carter McCalister broke the Jefferson school record to highlight and impressive showing for the Bears' cross country teams Friday during the MSU Spartan Invitational at Forest Akers Golf Course.

McCalister was the champion in the boys race, running a school-record 15:47.1 to take first by over 40 seconds over runner-up TJ Hansen of Freeland (16:27.47). The race featured 262 individual runners.

McCalister bested his previous PR by over 20 seconds to set the new Jefferson mark. The old record was set by John Webb in 2010 with a time of 15:48.

Jefferson's boys finished ninth out of 26 teams in the Bronze Division, finishing with 238 points. Allendale was first with 133.

Blake Schroeder (42nd), Ben Merkel (53), Williams Steinhour (77), and Xander Hartunian (81) also ran well.

Jefferson's girls placed fifth out of 27 teams in the Bronze Division, finishing with 211 points. Otsego was first with 62. The Bears were the only non-ranked team to place in the top five.

"They did that with Veronica Fitzgerald out of the race," Jefferson coach Phil Speare said. "Her ankle has been sore so we felt it would be best to not race her today."

Jenna Pilachowski ran 19:23.80 to place third overall out of 275 entrants. Riley Peer (39th), Madison Duvall (40), Kim Miller (49), and Mia Schroeder (95) also scored for the Bears.

Milan's girls took 18th and the boys were 24th in the Green Division. Kaily McDaniel led Milan's girls, finishing 44th out of 230 runners, while Brayden Humes paced the boys in 25th out of 283 runners.

CROSS COUNTRY

Bedford places 9th

TOLEDO − Bedford's boys cross country team took ninth place out of 16 teams at Dave's XC Invitational on Saturday at Ottawa Park.

Aidan Ortiz led the Mules, running 17:55.9 to place 49th. Multiple Bedford runners posted personal-best times, including freshman Dane Hieronimus (18:32), sophomore Jacob Yeager (18:39), freshman Gage Bihn (18:42), sophomore Kaleb Dekoeyer (18:45), and sophomore Maceo Colon (19:38).

Eli Hinkleman finished 31st in the junior varsity race with a PR of 19:55. John Ball, Nolan Brescol, and Trent Yeager also ran well.

PREP SWIMMING

Viking relays shine

BELLEVILLE − Dundee won all three relay races in Saturday's Belleville Invitational.

The Vikings were first in the 200 medley relay with Joslyn Ball, Kaylee Imo, Sara Carter and Lia Parry, the 200 free relay with Ball, Emma O'Connell, Imo and Parry, and the 400 free relay with Brook Hester, Carter, Lilly Ratliff and O'Connell.

Imo also took first and qualified for the state meet in the breaststroke. Other individual winners for the Vikings were Ball in the butterfly and backstroke, and O'Connell in the 200 free.

Maya Zaleski stood out for St. Mary Catholic Central, taking first in the 500 free in 6:10.85 and third in the 50 free. Mary Claire Wright, Monika Burkardt, and McKenzie Kidd also swam well for the Kestrels.

There were no team scores for the meet.

PREP SOCCER

Dyer strong in loss

ROCHESTER HILLS − A deflection off a corner kick was the only score in the game as Rochester Hills Christian defeated State Line 1-0 Friday.

It was the only goal allowed by Patriot senior Eli Dyer, who made 7 saves, including stopping a penalty kick in the second half.

"Eli Dyer was the player of the game for State Line," coach Andy Yglesias said.

State Line fell to 5-5 overall despite a positive 23:14 scoring ratio. Dyer has four shutouts this season.

CYO SOCCER

Sweeney leads Panthers

NEW BOSTON − David Sweeney scored three goals to lead St. Joseph to a 4-1 win over St. Stephen Saturday. Joel Hendrick also scored and Katelyn Boberg had an assist for the Panthers. Dominic Imbrogno and Brodie Solarik played well in goal for St. Joseph, which improved to 2-0.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Local Sports: McCalister breaks Jefferson record as Bears shine at Michigan State