Courtesy Photo Photo: ACC Runners begin their race in what is to be a great day at the GRCC Raider Invite in Grand Rapids.

Running in its third race in sixteen days; the ACC cross country team took advantage of the perfect weather on a great course while having a great day at GRCC Raider Invite in Grand Rapids Friday morning.

“In all my years of coaching, I don’t know if we’ve ever had better running conditions than today, Lumberjack coach Mark Jacobs said. “Last year, GRCC’s course was one of the worst courses we’ve ever run on. This year, they changed courses and we loved it. To add icing on the cake, it was sunny, 55 degrees and no wind. Everything was perfect for us.”

Six Lumberjacks ran season bests by an average of over a minute per runner. In only his second 8K race ever, Freshman Eli “Chip” Allen (Alpena) ran the 15th fastest time in school history with a time of 28:57. Following Allen were Matt Wilbert (Rogers City) 29:58, Ty Kailing (Rogers City) 30:17, Colin Sheahan (Livonia) 31:03, Jacob Kochanski (Alpena) 31:48, Ben Purat (Novi) 32:15 and Calvin Hibbler (Livonia) 32:31.

“Three weeks into the season and we are already popping off some outstanding times. We’ve still got some work to do but I love the direction this team is heading,” Jacobs said.

Alpena’s next meet will be Sept. 29 at the St. Clair CC Skipper Classic.