Leaders of the pack

Plymouth maintains KLAA South lead; Canton outruns Wayne Memorial

  Even Mother Nature doesn't stand a chance against Plymouth's boys cross country team this fall.

  That was apparent Tuesday afternoon when the Wildcats overcame a muddy trail and Livonia Churchill to post an 18-39 victory at Cass Benton.

  Plymouth is now 4-0 and atop the KLAA South Division.

  "It was a cold, rainy and muddy day," Plymouth coach Jon Mikosz said. "Jimmy Maciag stepped it up big time today. he has set a PR in his last two races and is turning into the fifth man that we need."

  Plymouth's Joe Porcari (17:08) and Matt Neumann (17:13) placed first and second, respectively. Warren Buzzard (fourth in 17:31), Derek Gielarowski (fifth in 17:37) and Maciag (sixth in 17:48) also scored for the winners. Jimmy Eiben (10th in 18:16) and Stephen Balaze (11th in 18:17) closed out the varsity line-up for the 'Cats.

  Tom Windle was the top-finishing Charger, crossing the line in third overall with a time of 17:22. Also scoring for the Chargers were Quinn Osgood (seventh in 18:02), Steve Charnley (eighth in 18:09), Ryan Wise (ninth in 18:12) and Mark Freyburgh (12th in 18:21).

CANTON TROUNCES ZEBRAS
  Led by Paul Rakovitis' first-place effort, Canton's cross country team improved to 3-1 in the KLAA South Division Tuesday with a 46-17 victory over Wayne Memorial.

  Rakovitis covered the 5,000-kilometer course in 17:58, 36 seconds ahead of teammate Mitch Clinton. Josh Osinski placed third for the Chiefs in 18:58.

  Wayne's lone top-five finisher was Tyler Gandron, who took fourth in 19:26.

  Canton's Keegan Sullivan placed fifth in 19:28 and Andrew Stevens took sixth in 19:42.

  Also scoring for the Zebras were Ryan Stamper (ninth in 21:13), Darrin Hambirg (10th in 22:01), Brandon Tykoski (11th in 22:23) and Kyle McKague (12th in 27:31).

Ed Wright can be reached at info@plymouthcantonsports.com or (734) 453-1980.