Posing with the State Runner-up Trophy at Brooklyn International Speedway.
Bear Lake /Onekama boys who were at the meet some to cheer on there teammates as only 7 runners can run. left to right front row Freshman Nick Bradford, Junior Nate Milarch, Sophome Nick Swisher, Junior Josh Groenwald, Junior Andy Desmarais, and Freshman Jordan Maxey, Back Row Left to Right are Coach Dal Townsend, Senior Mike Coryell, Junior Ryan Brown, Freshman Eric Maddox, Senior Jordan Wilson, Freshman Donovan Alkire, Freshman Justin Zupin and Senior Luke Allen.

Bear Lake placed 2nd at the State Cross Country Meet with a score of 125

November 6, 2004

The players had an exciting send off from Bear Lake Schools at 9:30 a.m. Friday morning where they gathered in the gym.

The BL/OHS boys ran a great race on Saturday 11/06/04 at Booklyn International Speedway as the weather conditions were ideal for a XC run at 11:30 a.m. and the boys were off at the sound of the officials gun in what turned out to be a very exciting finish to a great season for the boys whom were rated No. 1 all season long and to finish 2nd at the Division 4 XC finals in what was a very, very close finish for total points and just one point was the difference from 1st to 2nd BL/OHS boys you and Coach Dal did a great job this season and have the trophies and medals to show for it. 1st place Hesperia 124 points. (Hesperia is a team we beat at regional by 10 points, but everyday is a different day) , 2nd BL/OHS 125 points,3rd Potterville 191 points, 10th MCE 335 points a team that BL/OHS beat out to win the WMD conference and actually tied us at a conference meet and had to go to the sixth man before BL/OHS finally won that meet , and finally {17th place Hudson Coach Dal hometown with 404 points} Congratulations and thank you for a very enjoyable season of cross country Congratulations To our 2 Allstate boys Josh Groenwald and Nick Swisher and Senior Luke Allen . Also thanks to all the parents, Grandparents, relatives, friends and other supporters during the season and it was nice to see so many people that made the trip to Brooklyn to watch this team run. Thanks to the Bear Lake Athlete Booster club and Fire Department for escorting the team back into Bear Lake and for the welcome back party at the Bear Lake gym. Special Thanks to Barb our Web Master for taking the time to put our XC web page together and for all who gave Barb pictures to put on the web page.
Next up will be the XC Banquet. The date is still to be decided.
Dennis Zupin

The the Clare rest area the guys were surprised when they got off the bus and saw some very personal signs put up for them by a gal named Cindy. We think she beat the team there, but was no where in sight when the guys arrived. Under the sign Left to right Andy, Josh and Nate with N0. 1 on their mind

The runners were introduced and a slide presentation was shown before they left for Brooklyn

 

Nick, Luke, Anthony and Jordan pose with the State Runner up Trophy.

Former coach Ken and Coach Dal talk things over after the boys 2nd place finish at state. Former Bear Lake Cross Country Coach Ken Overla won back to back State Titles for Bear Lake in 1991 and 1992 and was State Runner up in 1993 all for the boys and in 1994 a State Championship for the Girls when it was just Class D not divisions. Current Coach, Dal Townsend, had State Champions for the boys in 1998 and State Runner up in 1999, 2001 and 2004 and for the Girls State Runner up in 1998.

 

Bear Lake placed 2nd with a score of 125

4 Josh Groenwald 16:35.90
15 Nick Swisher 17:11.95
23 Luke Allen 17:35.50
30 Jordan Maxey 17:43.95
53 Andy Desmarais 18:03.10
62 Ryan Brown 18:09.25
70 Nate Milarch 18:17.90

 

Coach Dal cleaning up the hotel as its time for the boys to board the bus and head to Brooklyn for the finals as it Saturday morning.

At the Clare exit Justin, Nick and Ryan were not STOPPING until we get to Brooklyn

Is this Cindy? No it's Bonnie decorating the bus with the guys name and were No.1

Its time to fill the stomach up before we hit Brooklyn Anthony its dripping and hot, {Donovan at the Back table} Luke, Anthony leave me a piece

Josh and Luke showing the picture that was in the Manistee News Advocate on Friday morning on the bus as all roads lead to Brooklyn today.

Could this be Cindy we caught this decorating the bus at the Motel? Great job on all your little decorations, signs, pennies and etc.

The boys all went for a run Friday evening at Coach Dal homestead as he said these were the same paths he ran when in high school they may have changed just a little but were in Hudson MI.

Ryan, Nick and Nate and the rest of the team get a trolley ride down into the stadium where they set up camp before the 11:30 a.m. run

As we are on the way home from the highway this is Brooklyn International Speedway from the bus hopefully we will be back!!!!

High above everyone else the boys receive there 2nd place trophy at Brooklyn Left to Right Donovan, Mike, Jordan W. Nate, Nick S., Jordan M., Josh, Luke, Ryan, Eric,Andy Nick B., Justin and Coach Dal Townsend. Congratulation guys on a great job.

Senior Samantha Mitchell, Senior Erica Jach and Alumni Renee Pienta (all were formers XC runners for BL/OHS) were at the starting line getting ready to cheer the boys on as they are about to start their race . Thanks for driving down to fans!

The boys are doing some stretching before going out for a run at some of Coach Dal old stomping grounds. Hudson also had a team in the Division 4 XC finals at Brooklyn and came in 17th place with 404 points compared to BL/OHS 2nd place runner up finish and 125 points. Thank you very much for your hospitality on this Friday evening Mr. Dale Townsend.

The boys getting their shoes on getting ready to go for a run from coach Dal Townsend Homestead in a football town called Hudson which at one time the football team had a US record of 72 straight wins as there team. In the picture Jordan M. Justin, Jordan W. and Eric that's Dal's dad standing Dale Townsend were the boys took a 3 mile run, ate supper, and watched a movie at Mr. Dale Townsend before heading for the motel.

Three OHS Seniors and formers BL/OHS XC runners Ashley Zupin, Samantha Mitchell and Eric Jach were on hand to cheer the boys on to victory.

Andy Demarais and Nick Swisher getting a drink after just finishing the run at Brooklyn and waiting for the results.

These 2 gals could be sisters. It looks like they are adding more decorations at the boys' motel rooms with balloons and all.

Josh and Luke with the Runner up
Trophy at Brooklyn MI.
Josh has his all-state medal around his neck

 

The 2 all-state boys with their medals
and Runner up trophy
Great Job Boys!

Main Cross Country Page

Who are these guys? I think I have seen them run in those red & white Bear Lake uniforms. Could this be Alex Savory from MSU now and Kellen Story from WMU? Thanks guys for taking the time to come over and cheer your former teammates.

Luke Allen with his parents

Jordan Maxey with his Dad

Nick Swisher and family

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Josh Groewnwald with his Mom

Nate Milarch and parents

Ryan Brown and Parents

These three photographs of the boys running at State Meet were taken by Brian Allen.

Main Onekama School Page: http://www.onekama.k12.mi.us

Main Cross Country Page