Three weeks ago, on the same course, the Lumberjacks ran to finish near the top of the conference standings.

“We ran well at the conference meet, but our guys were not satisfied with the results,” Jacobs said. “Since then we have put in some extremely difficult practices, including a 15-miler at Black River Hills, last week to see what we are made of.”

ACC ran their best race in several years. The Lumberjacks had five runners who hit career bests, while two more hit season bests. For the first time in seven years, ACC had three runners run under 29:00 minutes in the same race.

“I couldn’t be prouder of these guys,” Jacobs said. “Every guy ran outstanding, including Carter Upper who was sick, but raced because he felt his teammates needed him there. Now that’s what I call a kid with heart, something that you can’t coach.”

Courtesy Photo Alcona High School’s Cole Upper and Darren Boyet pose together after their race in the Freeland Invitational.

Ryan Allen (Reed City) again led Alpena with a time of 27:54 which puts him seventh on the ACC 8K all-time record board. Behind Allen was Chip Allen (Alpena) who ran a season-best 28:50. Ty Kailing (Reed City) ran a 28:58, Dante Gray (Manistee) ran a 30:15, Ben Purat (Novi) ran a 31:51, Calvin Hibbler (Livonia) ran a 33:35, Carter Upper (Harrisville) ran a 33:50, and Forrest Hissong (Ludington) ran a 37:21.

The Lumberjacks finish up their season on Oct. 25 at St. Clair Community College.

ALCONA RUNNERS PLACE 7TH AND 11TH

Alcona High School cross country ran in the Freeland Invitational on Saturday. Cole Upper placed seventh with a time of 19:18, while Darren Boyat placed 11th with a time of 20:22. Both boys earned medals. Their next meet is the Hale Invitational today.