As a returning City champion, senior Tim Woodcock represented the Sailors’ boys’ cross-country team for a second year in a row.

"It’s definitely an honor," Woodcock said. "I don’t think it happens often. Usually, there is a different champ each year. It is very rewarding, and it being a local race in Muskegon means more; it’s nice. It felt satisfying because I put in a lot of my own individual work and time."

To prepare for the season’s hardships, Woodcock used his personal time to practice as well as running with the team.

"I ran 55 miles per week in the summer," Woodcock said. "I’ve been doing it for years; it’s just the summer routine. I met every week with the team, and as summer continued, we increased the amount of practice together."

At the Oct. 16 City meet, Shores, which scored 112 points, finished in fifth place. North Muskegon won the team event with 37 points.

Woodcock’s first-place time was 16:24, which was 24 seconds faster than the runner-up.

"During the race, I thought I couldn’t give up the lead with that kind of a start," Woodcock said. "I was sore, and it was a battle to get through the race. As a returning champion, I knew I had the skill to win and it was a challenge to overcome the mind set."

Junior Gabe Lundgren (14th place), sophomore Ben Cyr (25th), seniors Lucas Johnson (36th) and Kyle Pawlowski (40th) also placed.

Woodcock placed fourth at the regional meet on Oct. 30 with a time of 16:36. The team finished with 290 points, good for 10th place, while regional champion Grand Haven had 56 points.

At the state meet held at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, Nov. 6, Woodcock finished in a time of 16:06, which put him in 50th place. As a junior, Woodcok finished 74th in the state.