Ventures Finish Strong at Hess-Hathaway Park

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Bishop Foley Catholic placed two runners among the top 33 as the Ventures navigated a hilly course Thursday, Sept. 24, at Hess-Hathaway Park. Nora McGlinchey led the team in 24th place out of 53 runners with a time of 26 minutes, 5.5 seconds, while Grace Sipp finished 33rd in 27:21.0.

McGlinchey established the Ventures’ pace at the front of the lineup, completing the demanding course 1:15.5 ahead of Sipp. The two top finishers gave Bishop Foley a steady opening pair on a route where the hills tested runners’ pacing and endurance. The race began in mainly clear conditions at 67 degrees, with wind around 10 mph.

Zoe Sullivan delivered Bishop Foley’s most significant individual improvement, recording a personal-best time of 28:34.8. Sullivan was the Ventures’ third runner across the finish line and followed Sipp by 1:13.8, helping keep the team’s first three finishers within a span of less than 2 1/2 minutes.

Claire Jeakle completed the course in 28:56.7, crossing just 21.9 seconds behind Sullivan. Their close finishes formed the tightest part of Bishop Foley’s pack and gave the Ventures four runners under 29 minutes despite the course’s elevation changes. Jeakle and Sullivan are both in their first cross country season with the program.

Avery Pienta followed in 30:08.1, adding another finish in her first season with the Ventures. Lorelai Montano, a fourth-year runner, rounded out Bishop Foley’s six-runner lineup with a time of 36:18.3. The complete lineup provided the Ventures with experience on a challenging course, highlighted by McGlinchey’s top-25 finish and Sullivan’s personal best.