NILES — A healthier Michael Robbins had a successful day Monday for the Brandywine boys cross country team in its dual meet against Edwardsburg.

Robbins, who just started running again a week ago after enduring a back and hip injuries during the middle of the season, placed first Monday with a time of 18:52. Brandywine’s Collin Mattiford finished second with a time of 18:59. The Bobcats fell to the Eddies in the boys meet, 29-30.

“I feel good,” Robbins said.

Robbins, who liked running in the cool temperatures, took the lead for good at the 2-mile mark.

“My teammates were already up front so I figured I would stay with them and then I made a final push at the end.”

“(Robbins) was running during the summer so that helped him a little bit,” said Brandywine cross country coach Jim Murray.

In the boys race, Edwardsburg’s Derek Scott was third (19:48), Brandywine’s Ryan Probst (20:13) was fourth and Edwardsburg’s Ben Peak was fifth (20:45).

“We had some injuries early in the season, and now those kids are back,” said Brandywine cross country coach Jim Murray. “(Robbins) had a back problem, and Ryan Probst has had a hip problem. How we ran today is how I thought we would run at the beginning of the year. We also had some people not come out this year. It could have been a really interesting season.”

The Eddies were without three-time Lakeland Conference champion and three-time state finals participant Josh Clark. Clark is out for the season after suffering a serious ankle injury while playing soccer three weeks ago.

“It’s disappointing to see that happen,” said Edwardsburg boys and girls cross country coach Beth Gunn.

Edwardsburg won the girls meet, 15-50, as Brandywine didn’t field a team. Aubrey Ritchey was the top girl with a time of 20:46. Even so, Ritchey was disappointed in the appearance of her pink shoes after the race.

“The shoes are really muddy because the course was disgusting,” Ritchey said. “I tried to avoid the mud as much as I could. Hopefully, I’ll get some new pink shoes. I like bright colors so everyone can see me.”

Ritchey, a freshman, won despite not being at her best.

“I was a lot slower because I’m tired,” Ritchey said. “We had a race last Thursday, Saturday and then today, so I just took it easy.”

“She’s been super,” Gunn said about Ritchey. “In fact, I have four freshmen girls that have made a huge difference. They’ve been wonderful. They’re so young, and they’ve got great attitudes and work ethics so I’m really excited about the next couple of years.”

Joining Ritchey as top five girls were Edwardsburg’s Gianna Haller (22:36), Brittany Udell (23:26), Isabelle Peak (24:12) and Miranda Bronicki (24:32).

In the back end of a busy schedule, Gunn was pleased with how her teams ran.

“They had three tough meets last week,” Gunn said. “I know they’re running tired, but they still ran well.”

Boys’ results

EDWARDSBURG…29

BRANDYWINE…30

Top 10

1. Michael Robbins (B) 18:52; 2. Collin Mattiford (B) 18:59; 3. Derek Scott (E) 19:48; 4. Ryan Probst (B) 20:13; 5. Ben Peak (E) 20:45; 6. Brandon Parsons (E) 20:51; 7. D.J. Bosse (E) 20:55; 8. Jordan Bosse (E) 21:26; 9. Dean Duke (E) 21:40; 10. Michael Kempton (E) 21:48

Girls’ results

EDWARDSBURG…15

BRANDYWINE…50

Top 10

1. Aubrey Ritchey (E) 20:46; 2. Gianna Haller (E) 22:36; 3. Brittany Udell (E) 23:26; 4. Isabelle Peak (E) 24:12; 5. Miranda Bronicki (E) 24:32; 6. Hannah Baylor (E) 26:15; 7. Brittany Portwood (E) 26:33; 8. Amber Smith (E) 26:41; 9. Katrina Huffman (E) 29:26; 10. Jessica Buzalski (E) 30:09