By SCOTT NOVAK

scott.novak@leaderpub.com

CASSOPOLIS — Chad Ware turned a visit with his parents into a win at the sixth annual Ranger Run on Saturday.

Originally from South Bend, but now living in Oklahoma, Ware burned the field with a time of 17:11, which was nearly three minutes faster than defending champion Derik Poorman’s 20:03.

“My parents have a place nearby, and they got a flyer in the mail, and they knew we [my wife and three kids] were going to be up here this weekend,” he said. “So, we [my dad and I] decided to do the race.”

Ware said with three children, he does to get to run as many races as he used to.

“Not as many anymore, but I try to get in as many as I can to stay in shape,” he said. “I am not as fast as I used to be, but I still enjoy it.”

And what did he think of the Cassopolis course?

“It was great,” he said. “You go down by the lake, there are some hills, and you go under the bridge over there. It was nice. I enjoyed it.”

Poorman ran a time of 19:31 last year to earn his second Ranger Run victory. He was also the top finisher in 2015.

Cassopolis’ Lauren Anderson, who was a state qualifier in the 1,600-meter run earlier this month, was the women’s overall winner with a time of 23:23.

Anderson, who will be a sophomore at Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School this fall, easily outdistanced runner-up Holly Davis, who finished with a 25:29. It was Anderson’s first win at the event.

“I like that it supports our cross country and track teams,” said Anderson about why she enjoys the race. “It is just fun to run in.”