The Clinton Middle School Polar Bear Club has concluded for the 2021 season.  The club consisted of 37 runners and ran 30 miles over 15 meetings during November and December.  The program is designed to get students active in grades 5-8.  A typical day consisted of jogging to the park, stretching, playing games, and jogging back to the middle school followed by hot chocolate and cookies to wrap up each session.  The club celebrated the conclusion of its 5th season by watching Ghostbusters: Afterlife at the MJR Theater in Adrian. 

Thirteen Clinton Running Club members competed at the Cross Country Coaches Youth National Championships in Paris, Kentucky on November 20, 2021.  Ronan Stelzer, Austin Strand, Grady Aldridge, Nick Jacobs, and Chris Scholten earned a team score in the 11-12 division and placed 24th.  Individually, Haiden Bennett placed 6th overall in the 9-10 year old division. The team consisted of Ronan Stelzer, Austin Strand, Grady Aldridge, Nick Jacobs, Chris Scholten, Haiden Bennett, Aurelia Bennett, Cole Hillegonds, Ben Jacobs, Owen Claus, Ella Claus, Grade Ferrell, and Bridger Bennett.

Clinton Running Club members competed at the Cross Country Coaches Youth National Championship Qualifier at Hudson Mills Metropark on Saturday, October 30, 2021.   Each runner received a t-shirt and medal.

Ronan Stelzer (12th), Grady Aldridge (13th), Austin Strand (21st), Chris Scholten (24th), and Nick Jacobs (30thth) rounded out the scoring for the 11-12 boys team and placed 2nd.

Runners also competing were Haiden Bennett (1st), Owen Claus (4th), Cole Hillegonds (7th), Aurelia Bennett (11th), Robert Spicer (15th), Ella Claus (18th), Grace Farrell (19th), Ben Jacobs (22nd), Aubree McClain (23rd), and Jack Morgan (25th).

The Clinton Middle School Cross Country program has accumulated 37 team trophies and 483 individual medals in the last 5 seasons.  “The success of the program is a direct result of the time and effort kids are willing to put in, including showing up for summer conditioning,” said Coach Delezenne.  Runners logged over 100 miles this summer in preparation for the 2021 campaign.  

  The 2021 team had 24 runners while earning 4 trophies and 87 medals.  The returning runners were motivated to improve on last season. Both teams were competitive and thrived on the success of one another.  Overall, it was a very successful season.

The boys team was a force to be reckoned with as it won the County and LCAA Championships!  The team was consistently led by Cole Hillegonds, Angel Rubio, Ben Jacobs, Ronan Stelzer, and Broden Manchester.  “This group steadily improved throughout the year and challenged for the top spot at every race” said Coach Delezenne. Grady Aldridge, Jack Morgan, Austin Strand, Nick Jacobs, Hudson Miller, Jacob Pizio, Samuel Quintana, Vinny Skidmore, Jaxen Speth, Zeke Turner, Haiden Bennett (mgr), Chris Scholten (mgr), and Uriah Sierer (mgr) rounded out the boys team.  

The girls team steadily improved over the course of the season.  The team was led by Aurelia Bennett and Ella Claus.  Dalia Albashir, Grade Farrell, Delilah Buckmaster, Aubree McClain, MaeLynn Williams, Molly Sierer, Elizabeth White, and Josslyn Handy (mgr) rounded out the girls team.  “This group was competitive all season and surprised many with its improvement” said Coach Delezenne.

Runners earning one medal or more this season - Ben Jacobs, Jack Morgan, Angel Rubio, Cole Hillegonds, Hudson Miller, Ronan Stelzer, Austin Strand, Grady Aldridge, Broden Manchester, Jaxen Speth, Dalia Albashir, Aurelia Bennett, Aubree McClain, MaeLynn Williams, Ella Claus, Grace Farrell, and Molly Sierer.

The boys record board changed quite a bit this year.  With the distances changing from race to race, pacing is used to determine times.  

7th grade records set this year - Cole Hillegonds 5:52 (1st) and Ronan Stelzer 6:27 (5th).

6th grade records set this year - Grady Aldridge 6:47 (4th).

The middle school program will graduate Ben Jacobs, Jack Morgan, Angel Rubio, Dalia Albashir, Aurelia Bennett, Delilah Buckmaster, and Elizabeth White to the high school team.

Is your child interested in joining MSXC next season?  Email Coach Delezenne at jeff.delezenne@clinton.k12.mi.us for more information.  

Not participating in a school sport during November and December?  Any 5th-8th grader can join CMS Polar Bear Club.  It begins Monday, November 8.

Clinton Cross Country headed to Hudson Mills Metropark on Friday, September 3, to cheer on the University of Michigan Cross Country teams in their season opener. We met with the UM head girls coach, Mike McGuire, and he gave tips about how he develops his team into championship caliber.  The first male crossed the line at 15.08 while the first female runner completed the 5K course in 17.11.

After the race, members of the women’s team spoke to the entire program and gave some insights into what training is like at the collegiate level.  We topped the evening off by going to A&W for dinner. 

Overall, a truly inspirational day to watch and converse with elite athletes and coaches. Go Blue!!

Interested in joining Clinton Middle School Cross Country in 2021?  Please email jeff.delezenne@clinton.k12.mi.us for more information.  Clinton MS Cross Country summer conditioning occurs Monday-Thursday from 8-9:30 AM while the season officially begins August 23.  This is for any 6th-8th grade student at Clinton Community Schools.   Join us on Facebook at ‘Clinton Middle School Cross Country’ for information regarding the 2021 season. 

Interested in joining Clinton Middle School Cross Country in 2021?  Please email jeff.delezenne@clinton.k12.mi.us for more information.  Clinton MS Cross Country summer conditioning resumes July 12 from 8-9:30 AM while the season officially begins August 23.  This is for any 6th-8th grade student at Clinton Community Schools.   Join us on Facebook at ‘Clinton Middle School Cross Country’ for information regarding the 2021 season.