Through mud and miles, Broncho cross country teams eye historic finish
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Through mud and miles, Broncho cross country teams eye historic finish
Broncho boys capture Division 2 title at 58th Annual Duane Raffin Festival of Races, teams chase return to state meet
HOLLY, Mich. — Nearly 4,500 runners. More than 160 high school and middle school teams. A steady dose of rain. And enough mud to turn a cross-country run into an obstacle course.
For the Holly Area Schools cross-country teams, it was the perfect setting for a memorable Saturday.
The 58th Annual Holly-Duane Raffin Festival of Races, on Saturday, Sept. 19at Springfield Oaks County Park, brought together more than 120 high schools and approximately 40 middle schools, creating one of the largest cross-country gatherings of the season. By the end of the day, the Broncho boys added another accomplishment to the history of their program: a Division 2 championship. And they did it by defeating some of the state’s best teams.
The Broncho boys arrived at the meet ranked No. 10 in Division 2, with four ranked teams ahead of them in the field. When the meet ended, Holly climbed to the top, finishing first among 24 Division 2 teams.
The victory helped propel the boys to No. 8 in the state. With 19 runners on the roster, the team has built both depth and momentum as it heads into the second half of the season.
“This group has worked extremely hard, and Saturday was a great example of what can happen when they compete for each other,” said Rich Brinker, Holly Cross Country boys and girls head coach. “The conditions were tough, the field was extremely competitive and our Bronchos never backed down. Winning the Division 2 race at our home meet against that level of competition gives us a lot of confidence. We also know there is still a lot of work ahead.”
The Broncho girls also gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about, finishing fifth in Division 2. Returning All-State runner Maddie Lindley surged to a third-place overall finish in a field of 161 runners. Lindley, who finished 12th individually at last year’s Division 1 state meet, has once again established herself as one of the state’s top runners. Just behind her came teammate Julia Bambach, who crossed the line fourth.
The performances were especially impressive given the conditions. Rain turned portions of the course into a muddy test of footing, balance and determination. Shoes disappeared beneath the muck, runners emerged splattered from head to toe and every step became a little more difficult than the one before it. For spectators, it made for memorable viewing. For the runners, it made for a race they won’t soon forget.
The mud also helped the Raffin Festival make its way far beyond Springfield Oaks. Videos captured throughout the day spread across social media. One Instagram video surpassed 1 million views by that Sunday evening. That kind of attention is a long way from where the event began.
When the Holly Invitational was first held 58 years ago, just six teams competed. This year, the festival set a record for combined high school and middle school participation. The event has grown dramatically over nearly six decades. For Holly’s runners, this year’s meet represented something more personal. Both the boys and girls teams are chasing a goal that has been out of reach for nearly 30 years: qualifying for the state meet in the same season.
The Broncho boys are currently ranked eighth in Division 2. The Broncho girls have climbed as high as No. 15. The boys have 19 athletes on the roster, while the girls have 17, giving Holly a strong foundation as the season enters its final stretch.
Brinker said the teams’ ultimate goal remains clearly in focus.
“We want to put ourselves in a position to have both teams competing at the state meet,” Brinker said. “That doesn’t happen because of one race. It happens because of the work these athletes put in every day, the way they train together and the way they respond when things get difficult. We’re excited about where we are, and we’re even more excited about where we can go.”
The road will eventually lead to MIS Raceway, where the teams hope to put the finishing touches on a season that could become a memorable chapter in Broncho cross country history.
Nearly 30 years ago, the boys and girls last accomplished the feat together. This year’s teams are hoping they won’t have to wait another 30.
For Holly Area Schools Superintendent Scott Roper, the success of the cross-country teams represents more than results on a scoreboard.
“We are incredibly proud of the dedication and determination these student-athletes consistently demonstrate both on and off the cross-country path,” Roper said. “They represent Holly Area Schools with tremendous Broncho Pride through their performances, their sportsmanship and support for one another. The Raffin Festival is a wonderful example of what makes our Broncho athletic programs and our community special.”
Bronchos Continue League Title Pursuit at Flint Metro League (FML) Jamboree #2
The Holly boys cross-country team returned to competition Wednesday, Sept. 30, looking to even the series with Fenton after finishing behind the Tigers at Jamboree #1.
At FML Jamboree #1, Holly trailed Fenton by 26 points. In Wednesday afternoon’s Jamboree #2, the Bronchos came up just one point short, finishing second with 46 points to Fenton’s 45.
The close finish showcased the continued strength of the Holly boys, who currently hold a 20-2 league record on the year.
The Holly girls also entered Jamboree #2 looking to make up ground in the league standings after finishing behind Linden at the first jamboree.
Linden entered the meet ranked No. 3 in the state in Division 2 in this week’s coaches poll, while Goodrich was ranked No. 12. Despite the strength of the field, the Bronchos continued to show why they remain in contention for a league title.
Holly was led by Julia Bambach, who took control of the race at approximately the 1.5-mile mark and held the lead all the way to the finish. Teammate Maddie Lindley finished fifth overall, helping Holly secure a third-place team finish.
Photo credit: Jennifer Hignite
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