Courtesy Photo The Alpena Community College cross country team finished their season at regionals Saturday at Lansing. Pictured left to right are: assistant coach Mikayla Oliver, John Siegert, Teddy Peters, Duncan Ross, Natanael Macean, Connor Bagnell, Runi Demirkol, Musa Kabbah and coach Mark Jacobs.

LANSING — The Alpena Community College cross country team wrapped up its 2021 season Saturday at Regionals held in Lansing.  

“We had a good day,” ACC coach Mark Jacobs. “All I ever ask of my guys is to work hard and leave it all on the course. No regrets, no excuses. That’s what they gave me today.” 

This year’s team have left a mark in the ACC history books with six of seven runners being part of last year’s top academic team nationally.  

“We are finished with the running for the year but still have to finish strong in the classroom to reach our top goal of Academic All-American team. I’m pretty confident that we are on track with that,” Jacobs said. 

John Siegert (Ludington) finished his ACC career by again leading the Lumberjacks with a time of 28:50. Siegert was followed by Teddy Peters (Onaway) 31:08, Connor Bagnell (Memphis) 31:22, Musa Kabbah (Voinjama, Liberia) 32:01. Runi Demirkol (Istanbul, Turkey) 33:40, Duncan Ross (Rogers City) 34:27 and Natanael Macean (Petit-Goave, Haiti) 39:19. 

“I will miss this group immensely,” Jacobs said. “For the first time ever, I had three of these guys (Siegert, Ross and Kabbah) for three years due to COVID’s extra year of eligibility. Their work ethic, leadership and camaraderie were second to none.”