Reeths-Puffer runner Jaxon Allen capped off his varsity cross country career by finishing 43rd out of 262 runners at Saturday’s Division 1 state finals at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.
Allen, a senior, finished with a time of 15:57. The individual champion, Grand Haven’s Seth Norder, won with a time of 14:54.
Allen started out the race in 54th place after one mile, advanced to 47th place after two miles, then finished 43rd.
The three-time state finals qualifier finished in 58th place as a sophomore and 43rd last season. His goal this year was to make the top 30 and earn All-State status, but fell short.
“I wish Jaxon's race efforts would have propelled him to the elusive All-State title, but unfortunately it wasn't on this day,” said R-P cross country coach Darin Grant. “I am proud of the way Jaxon ran this race and even more proud that he is holding his head high.
“Jaxon has had an incredible high school cross country career. He has also been a great teammate and has positively impacted the Reeths-Puffer cross country community like many Rockets before him.”
