Cross Country
Varsity Boys MVP: Victor Schjerning
Victor was the emotional leader of the cross country team this year. A vocal supporter for all his fellow runners, “Denmark” did his best to foster a strong sense of “team” at all practices and meets. It was important to Victor that all teammates be included in the warmups and that final huddle before the start of each race. A consistent presence at team practices, he always gave his best effort. His hard work paid off at the zone meets where he recorded four KPAC Top 10 finishes and a respectable Top 50 placing at the MHSAA Provincial Championships at Stony Mountain in sloppy and cold conditions.
With his positive attitude and work ethic, Victor made a big impact on Royals cross country by making both himself and his teammates better. I have faith that he’ll soon be tearing up the roads in 5 km’s and 10 km’s back in his native Denmark.
Victor was the emotional leader of the cross country team this year. A vocal supporter for all his fellow runners, “Denmark” did his best to foster a strong sense of “team” at all practices and meets. It was important to Victor that all teammates be included in the warmups and that final huddle before the start of each race. A consistent presence at team practices, he always gave his best effort. His hard work paid off at the zone meets where he recorded four KPAC Top 10 finishes and a respectable Top 50 placing at the MHSAA Provincial Championships at Stony Mountain in sloppy and cold conditions.
With his positive attitude and work ethic, Victor made a big impact on Royals cross country by making both himself and his teammates better. I have faith that he’ll soon be tearing up the roads in 5 km’s and 10 km’s back in his native Denmark.
Varsity Girls MVP: Sayda Bloom
As a Gr. 11 first-year varsity runner, Sayda made a huge impact on the KPAC cross country scene, recording two first-place wins at races in the fall. At the MHSAA Provincial Championships at Stony Mountain, she turned in a remarkable Top 10 performance in wet and windy conditions, placing 8th out of 176 runners. With her silky-smooth stride and consistent pacing, she outlasted many of her more experienced competitors.
Sayda loves to run. She’s no stranger to putting in the miles outside of team practices, often just because she finds joy in moving. As mentally tough as she is physically gifted, she’s bound to make great strides (pun intended) as she continues to learn the “in’s and out’s” of racing. Sayda’s got a bright future ahead of her in the sport of cross country and it will be exciting to see where her path will lead.
As a Gr. 11 first-year varsity runner, Sayda made a huge impact on the KPAC cross country scene, recording two first-place wins at races in the fall. At the MHSAA Provincial Championships at Stony Mountain, she turned in a remarkable Top 10 performance in wet and windy conditions, placing 8th out of 176 runners. With her silky-smooth stride and consistent pacing, she outlasted many of her more experienced competitors.
Sayda loves to run. She’s no stranger to putting in the miles outside of team practices, often just because she finds joy in moving. As mentally tough as she is physically gifted, she’s bound to make great strides (pun intended) as she continues to learn the “in’s and out’s” of racing. Sayda’s got a bright future ahead of her in the sport of cross country and it will be exciting to see where her path will lead.
Junior Varsity Boys MVP: Keenan Allen
A team of one, Keenan didn’t let the lack of training partners hinder him. He distinguished himself early in his first KPAC race with an impressive 5th place finish. He followed up that performance with two more 4th place efforts in subsequent races. Continuing to build on those solid zone results, Keenan turned in a gutsy 29th place performance with 191 other runners in blustery conditions in Stony Mountain at the MHSAA Provincial Championships. All those early morning “hoodie up” practices paid off after all!
Keenan put in the consistent training which cultivated a solid endurance base this season. Graced with a relaxed stride, consistent pacing, and a strong competitive drive, Keenan is in his element at races. He’s a “gamer”; competition brings out his best. Moving up to the varsity’s 5 km distance next year should play to Keenan’s advantage.
A team of one, Keenan didn’t let the lack of training partners hinder him. He distinguished himself early in his first KPAC race with an impressive 5th place finish. He followed up that performance with two more 4th place efforts in subsequent races. Continuing to build on those solid zone results, Keenan turned in a gutsy 29th place performance with 191 other runners in blustery conditions in Stony Mountain at the MHSAA Provincial Championships. All those early morning “hoodie up” practices paid off after all!
Keenan put in the consistent training which cultivated a solid endurance base this season. Graced with a relaxed stride, consistent pacing, and a strong competitive drive, Keenan is in his element at races. He’s a “gamer”; competition brings out his best. Moving up to the varsity’s 5 km distance next year should play to Keenan’s advantage.
Junior Varsity Girls MVP: Amanda Shupenia
Amanda burst onto the KPAC scene in a big way with four Top 5 finishes this season, including a 3rd place result in Kilcona Park. She led a JV Girls team that was deep in both talent and drive. With Amanda leading the way, the Royals captured the KPAC team banner with a combination of talent, grit, and determination. A regular fixture at morning practices, Amanda sharpened her endurance and speed and began to develop her racing abilities. She put all this to the test at the MHSAA Provincial Championships in Stony Mountain where she triumphed over the miserable conditions and many of her 180 competitors, recording a remarkable 16th place finish. Amanda was a major contributor in the Royals bronze medal team showing.
An athlete blessed with a smooth stride and easy rhythm, Amanda’s potential is exciting. She is competitive and has the “jam” necessary to get her through the rough patches in a race and still finish strongly. She should benefit from the move to the varsity’s 4 km race distance.
Congratulations to all the Royals JV Girls team members for capturing the AAAA team bronze medal this past October at the MHSAA Provincial Cross Country Championships in Stony Mountain. You should all be proud of your accomplishment!
Bronze Medal Team Members: Amanda Shupenia, Agnes Seidl, Emma de la Cruz, Annessa Stasiuk, & Katie Wallmuth
Amanda burst onto the KPAC scene in a big way with four Top 5 finishes this season, including a 3rd place result in Kilcona Park. She led a JV Girls team that was deep in both talent and drive. With Amanda leading the way, the Royals captured the KPAC team banner with a combination of talent, grit, and determination. A regular fixture at morning practices, Amanda sharpened her endurance and speed and began to develop her racing abilities. She put all this to the test at the MHSAA Provincial Championships in Stony Mountain where she triumphed over the miserable conditions and many of her 180 competitors, recording a remarkable 16th place finish. Amanda was a major contributor in the Royals bronze medal team showing.
An athlete blessed with a smooth stride and easy rhythm, Amanda’s potential is exciting. She is competitive and has the “jam” necessary to get her through the rough patches in a race and still finish strongly. She should benefit from the move to the varsity’s 4 km race distance.
Congratulations to all the Royals JV Girls team members for capturing the AAAA team bronze medal this past October at the MHSAA Provincial Cross Country Championships in Stony Mountain. You should all be proud of your accomplishment!
Bronze Medal Team Members: Amanda Shupenia, Agnes Seidl, Emma de la Cruz, Annessa Stasiuk, & Katie Wallmuth