The following article was published in the Mendon-Honeoye Falls-Lima Sentinel
by Donna Mackenzie
The Lima Christian Varsity Cross Country team members have been having a successful year thus far.
LCS fell 25-36 to Alexander and also to Oakfield-Alabama in a race on September 22 while defeating Keshequa 15-incomplete. Jake Appleton clocked a time of 16 minutes, 57 seconds to win the race. Ben Appleton ran a time of 18:15 for eighth. Chris Zhang posted a time of 22:07 for 29th place. Brandon Allen, who is running with a cast on his broken arm, came in 30th with a 22:08. Kai Liang crossed the finish line in 34th at 22:35. Colin Welch wound up 35th in 23:03.
“Through the first two races of the season, Jake had the fastest time of any runner in the Livingston-Genesee League except for Wheatland’s Alex Hogue,” coach Jen Vogt said. “We’re really excited about his times.”
In the girls varsity race, Lily Gallatin finished 17th at 30:10 in her first race of the year.
Joshua Vogt won the modified boys race and Jael Vogt captured the modified girls event.
The Saints boys team defeated Holley, but lost to Alexander, Livonia, and Wheatland-Chili on September 29. Due to a hip problem, Jake Appleton did not run in the race. Ben Appleton seized third with a time of 18:36. Liang came in 28th (22:37), Zhang 30th (23:01), Allen 31st (23:03), and Welch 34th (24:03). Lima Christian’s modified boys team beat all four schools, led by Joshua Vogt in 8:52. Paolo JiaJun was second in 9:15. Shane Welch clocked in 9:15, Matt Rosser 11:05 and Adin Ladd 11:14. Jael Vogt won the modified girls race in 10:26.
Lima’s boys (5-7) beat Pembroke 15-incomplete while falling to Avon 24-31 and to Kendall 27-28 on October 6. Jake Appleton won the race with a time of 18:57 over the course at Avon High. Zhang finished 9th (22:52). Liang was one second ahead of Allen for 11th in 23:17 while Allen was 12th in 23:18. Welch ended up 15th (23:59). Gallatin claimed 13th in 30:54 in the girls varsity race.
“The times the kids put up were very good; the course at Avon High is 3.4 miles while most courses we run on are 3.1 miles,” coach Vogt said.
Lima Christian races on October 13th.