Ellie Ovokaitys placing second at Warrior Invitational.

By Megan Kilts

The lady Red Hawks had the rain to compete with this past Saturday when they raced at the late season Chippewa Hills Warrior Invitational. As usual, the girls worked hard, taking home a trophy as the runners up out of ten teams.

“It was hilly and challenging, but a good race,” said senior Allyson Marvel, about the course at Chippewa Hills.

This year, the course was rearranged, but it didn’t throw the ladies off. They all had excellent races that helped propel their team to the podium.

Senior Ellie Ovokaitys led the Red Hawks, placing 2nd, while Marvel, junior Tara Tepin, and senior Kelsie Plugge-Webber took 11th, 17th, and 18th, respectively. Freshman Carolanne Merlington, and sophomore Hannah Gibbs both took home medals for placing in the top 50. Juniors Brooke Ross and Kayla Vanassen, along with seniors Nadja Jepson and Molly Doherty, also ran impressive races for the Red Hawks, with Ross setting a new personal record for herself.

“It’s been a great season of teamwork,” said coach Marie Covey. “It was exciting to watch [the girls] run at Chippewa Hills and finish second, our best finish of the season.”

The girls will head to the Michaywe Golf Course in Gaylord on October 31 to compete in the Division 2 MHSAA Regional meet. The top three teams in the division and any individual medalists will qualify for the State Finals, which will be held at Michigan International Speedway on November 7.