Reeths-Puffer’s Jaxon Allen is obviously healed up.
After missing several weeks of the cross country season with an ankle injury, Allen was back to full form on Saturday, placing fifth in the boys race and earning a medal at the Falcon Invitational hosted by Allendale High School.
Allen finished with a time of 15:27.59, which was 17 seconds faster than he ran a year ago on the course. It was only five seconds off the time he posted at regionals last season, when he qualified for the state finals.
Jaxon Allen, who finished fifth and won a medal at the Falcon Invitational.
R-P’s Kye Grant also had a good day, finishing 26th overall with a time of 17:13.89. Tate Bradley was 41st with a time of 17:51.99.
Jack Yonkman and Jamie Neel both ran their fastest high school races. Yonkman finished 47th at 18:13.58 while Neel was 48th with a time of 18:19.63.
The Rocket boys finished sixth in the nine-team field with 167 points. Grand Haven took first with 59.
R-P freshman Jersi Bilek
In the girls race, the Rocket underclassmen continued to develop and build for the future.
Freshman Jersi Bilek was the top Reeths-Puffer runner, finishing in 38th place with a time of 21:41.10. Senior Eva Shinabery finished 46th (22:30.32), sophomore Adrienne Fluette was 47th (22:42.62), freshman Bella Cole took 51st with a personal best time (23:12.50) and freshman Keeley Cole was 55th (24:40.17).
The R-P girls finished ninth in the event with 218 points. Grand Haven won with 58.