By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Grandville dominated the 41st annual Sturgis Invitational this past weekend, taking four of the top five position to earn it first place with a total team score of 21.
The Niles girls' team finished fifth with a score of 139.
Brandywine was also in attendance, but did not post team scores due to injuries and runners taking the PSATs.
In the girls' division races 1 and 2, Niles' Samantha Brawley finished sixth place overall with a time of 20:08.
Elizabeth VandenHeede took 18th with a time of 21:20; Autumn Grayson finished 32nd with a time of 22:46; Nikki Horvath took 40th with a time of 25:12; Tami Madison took 43rd with a time of 25:53; and Amanda Smith took 48th with a time of 29:11.
In the girls' division races 3 and 4, Brandywine's Ashley Harrell took an 18th place finish with her time of 22:26.
Caylin Garrard took 29th with a time of 24:12, Sarah DeVos finished 37th with a time of 26:04 and Bettina Wolfe took 39th with a time of 26:33.
In the boys' division 3 and 4 races, Tyler Weedon took 15th with a time of 19:45, while Tom Buzzard finished 28th with a time of 23:01.
The Vikings will return to action on Saturday when they travel to the Big 16 conference meet.
The Bobcats will host Berrien Springs and River Valley today at 4:30 p.m. and will host its own invitational on Saturday at 10 a.m. This will be the Brandywine's 35th year hosting the meet.
Dowagiac at LeFevre Invitational
The Dowagiac boys' cross country team finished third on Saturday at the LeFevre Invitational in Constantine.
Colon was the overall winner with 36 points, edging Mendon, which finished with 38 points.
Dowagiac tallied 78 points with host Constantine finishing fourth with 80 points and Howardsville Christian fifth with 144 points.
Johnathan Schwartz of Colon was the overall winner in the boys' race as he posted a time of 17:29.
Jason Tabbert led Dowagiac with a fourth place finish and a time of 17:30. Brad Lee was 11th with a time of 17:59.
Evan Bressler finished 16th with a time of 18:22.
Tabbert, Lee and Bressler all earned medals.
Adam Hess finished 23rd (18:51), Andrew Cuthbert 25th (18:57), Mike Kasper 27th (19:11) and Clay Hewitt 28th (19:24).
Colon also won the girl's portion of the meet with 35 points.
Constantine was second with 40 points and Marcellus third with 53 points.
Dowagiac did not field a full team.
Becky Romain of Constantine was the overall winner with a time of 20:13.
Crissy Huff was 18th to lead Dowagiac with a time of 24:20 to earn a medal.
Katie Hewitt was 25th with a time of 26:04, while Catie Hamilton was 26th with a time of 26:17.
Constantine
Boys team results
Colon 36, Mendon 38, Dowagiac 78, Constantine 80, Howardsville 144
Individual Top 10
1. Mike Bruce (Col) 17:00, 2. Eli Goudzward (Me) 17:05, 3. Carl Thompson (Col) 17:24, 4. Jonathon Schwartz (Col) 17:29, 5. Jason Tabbert (D) 17:30, 6. Mike Ray (Con) 17:31, 7. Ethan Stienbaner (Me) 17:32, 8. Sam Murray (Me) 17:40, 9. Andrew Weiant (Me) 17:42, 10. Brandon Harris (Col) 17:44, 11. Brad Lee (D) 17:59
Girls team results
Colon 35, Constantine 40, Marcellus 53, Mendon 86
Individual Top 10
1. Becky Romain (Con) 20:13, 2. Stephanie Allen (Con) 20:22, 3. Chante Harris (Col) 20:39, 4. Michelle Merrick (Ma) 20:47, 5. Gabbe Wilson (Col) 20:50, 6. Stacey Carr (Col) 21:25, 7. Ashley Meyers (M) 21:54, 8. Abby Goudzward (Me) 22:06, 9. Shannon Clewell (Con) 22:14, 10. Lindsey Kealy (Ma) 22:21