Alpena Community College Men’s Cross Country team began their season with positive signs.

“I was pleased with lots of aspects of our race today, we had our top four runners within about of minute of each other and our top six runners within two minutes of each other. That is our goal; run together as a pack and pick off opponents one by one,” ACC coach Mark Jacobs said. “That’s how powerhouse programs are built.”

Paul Wilbert led the Lumberjacks with a time of 29:52 follow by Brent Heberling (30:04), Ethan Crowell (30:16), Alec Firack (30:57), John Smith (31:42), RJ Centala (31:53), Clyde DeClouet (36:37) and Jacob Niergarth (36:58)

“I know a lot of the guys were not thrilled about their times today,” said Jacobs. “Actually, we are exactly where we need to be after the first race of the season. Five of them have never ran an official 8K race (5 miles); it’s night and day different from the 5K (3.1 mile) race they are used to run in High School. Our times will drop as the season progresses. This is a very special team and when it’s all said and done; this may be one of those once in a lifetime teams.”

Other former Alpena High runners competing in the college race were Nathan Burdock LaBarge (Michigan Tech) who ran a 28:38. In the women’s race Elaine Lowe (Cleary) ran a 19 second personal best 6K time of 22:48. Other former Wildcat’s included Taylor Stepanski (Saginaw Valley) 23:32, (Rachel McDonald (Ferris State) 24:41, and Amanda Dort (Hope) 26:32.