Montcalm Community College’s cross country team opens its season with the Ray Helsing Bulldog Invitational on Sept. 9 on the Katke Golf Course at Ferris State University in Big Rapids. 

“I am very excited to take our Centurion Cross Country runners to compete against other area schools. Our athletes have been training hard all summer and we are looking forward to putting that training into action this Saturday,” Coach Kevin Sweeney said. 

The men’s team has two runners and the women’s team has three full-time runners and 3 part-time runners that are also part of the volleyball team at MCC. The runners competing at this meet are Annette Fare, from Greenville High School, Carley Lynch, from Shepherd High School, Georgia Jurden, from Central Montcalm High School, Jerald Brownell, from Cedar Springs High School, and Andrew Hardy, from Central Montcalm High School. There will be between four to seven schools competing in the non-conference meet. The course is grass with rolling hills and excellent footing. The women start at 9:30 a.m. with a 5,000-meter race. The men start at 10 a.m. with an 8,000-meter race. 

Sweeney spoke about the challenges the teams face this season. 

“The challenges this year are really the same as any year - staying healthy, injury free, keeping a good balance between athletics and academics,” he said. 

Sweeney is looking forward to what the season will bring. 

“The continued interaction with our runners and coaches. Watching the runners compete, mature, and generally have fun is the rewarding part of coaching for me,” Sweeney said.