Courtesy Photo The Alpena Community College cross country team from left to right are: coach Mark A. Jacobs, Tylor Ross, Caleb Burger, Aidan Francis, Camren DeCaire, John Siegert, Mason Kaniszewski and Dallin Toth.

LANSING — The Alpena Community College cross country team finished its best season in school history on Saturday at the NJCAA Regional meet held in Lansing.

The Lumberjacks took fifth overall in the Division 1 race for Michigan Junior College teams.

“When we compete against the majority of teams, it’s like David vs. Goliath,” ACC coach Mark Jacobs said. “We are the small school battling against the big schools. For us to finish in the top half of the Region is amazing and a true testament to our young men who have put their heart and souls into this program.”

Tylor Ross (Fairview) finished his outstanding freshman season earning both all-conference and all-region honors with his 14th place finish with a time of 27:18.

“Tylor is a perfect example of why I love coaching small town kids who have big hearts,” Jacobs said. “He graduated last June from Fairview High with a class of 20 kids. Today he held his own with some of the top Junior College runners in the nation. It goes to show that it doesn’t matter the size of the town you come from, it’s all about how hard you are willing to work.”

John Siegert (Ludington) followed Ross with a time of 28:36 while placing 24th overall. Caleb Burger (Alpena) finished third for Alpena with a time of 29:07. Burger was followed by Mason Kaniszewski (Tawas) 29:45, Aidan Francis (Memphis) 29:51, Dallin Toth (Alpena) 30:47, and Camren DeCaire (Alpena) 32:43.