Meet the Team

Season Personal Records 

Congratulations  Cross Country 2024

The Mancelona High School Cross Country of 2024 had a successful year with our seniors: Taylor Bisson, Jaylnn Morris, Bailey Ray, Aubrey Rhodes, Brandon Schauer, and Carson Olds. Our juniors included: Carson McCarthy and Mathew Waggoner. Our Sophomores: Darren Michel, Donavin Akers, Whyatt Grote, Mike Southwell, Harley Shook and Andrew Waggoner. Our first-year students are Tiana Ashley, Kate Malloy, Camden Morris, Logan Paker, Elliot Smith, Lucas Stotler, and the head coach, Kurt Dingman. This year's team had some speedy runners and amazing PRs. 

We asked senior Tayor Bisson what she had to say to the team to have a good cross-country season and she said “Cross Country is a race against yourself. Don't focus so much on your time or your place, just give it everything you have.”  We also asked Taylor Bisson what her favorite part of her last season was. Taylor Bisson said “My favorite part of Cross Country is always cheering everyone on and pushing each other.” We asked the Sophomores Andrew and Mikey and Junior Carson Mccarthy what their goal for their Senior Cross Country Season was. Sophomore Mikey Southwell said “To break a 20 minute 5k.”  Sophomore Andrew Waggoner said “ running under 17 minutes.” and Junior Carson Mccarthy said “to win our division.” We really enjoyed hearing what they had to say and we really hope they achieve their goals next year!

After watching the cross-country team show their love and support for the sport as much as Mancelona High School does, it's hard to see them down. They have made it so far with one of the fastest runners, Elliot Smith, being a first-year student, running 20:14.8, 5,000 meters and 18:57.2, 3.1 miles. He was the fastest male runner this year. Congratulations to Senior Bailey Ray, our top female runner. Running a 23:48.3, 5,000 meters and a 25:48.1, 3.1 miles. We asked Elliot Smith what time he was hoping to get by your senior year and he said “a sub 16.” Wonder full job to both of you during an amazing first season and last season! 

On Wednesday October 9, 2024 the teams ran one of the biggest meets of the year, Conferences. This year we got a new team to our Conference, East Jordan. There were 7 teams at the meet and Mancelona got 3rd overall. Senior Brandon Schauer got 10th out of 35 runners. Brandon ran a 19:45 5,000 meters. Right behind Brandon was Mathew Waggoner running a 19:48, and behind him he got Elliot Smith ran a 19:51. As for the girls Bailey Ray got 16th out of 33 girls as she ran a 25:24 5,000 meters. The girls got 5th overall out of five teams. Amazing job seniors to your last year running. It was a good season! 

As the 2024 season came to an end, it was joyful to see all the happy faces before and after running. Even though that was the last time they saw the seniors run, everyone was proud to see the MHS Cross Country Team show great sportsmanship and Mancy Pride. They work together to make sure everyone stays strong and healthy and to always make sure they are having fun. They show great sportsmanship. For example, when they finish their run first, they still go and cheer on the rest of the team. One of the best parts about our Cross Country Team is how welcoming they are. They help other teams, and they even cheer them on. Thank you, Mr. Dingman for putting together an amazing season and team for 2024. 

-Makenna Foster 

Congratulations Cross Country, keep working hard we can't wait to see you next year!