PORTAGE — The Cassopolis boys cross country team finished ninth at the Division 4 regional at Portage on Saturday.

Buster Ward placed 10th overall with a time of 18:23.50 to advance to the state finals.

Ward, a sophomore, is in his first year of running cross country. He also plays soccer for the Rangers.

Freshman Lauren Anderson also qualified for the state finals after finishing 12th overall with a time of 22:18.30.

Both earned second-team All-Southwest 10 Conference honors this season.