The early bird may get the worm, but it was the 'Cats who got the Early Bird (trophy) Thursday afternoon.

  Plymouth's Wildcats won the Ypsilanti Early Bird Inviational, outrunning 12 other teams to get their season off to a stellar start.

  Joe Porcari was in mid-season form, placing first in 16:54 -- the second-fastest time ever recorded in the meet and one of the 30 fastest times ever run on the course.

  "The guys ran great on one of the harder courses in the state," said Plymouth coach Jon Mikosz. "Joe ran great as did Max Rogowoski and Liam Cardenas in their freshmen debut in Plymouth uniforms."

  Derek Gielarowski also shined for the 'Cats, placing fourth overall in 17:30.

  Other top Plymouth runners were Brandon Dalton (11th in 18:05), Rogowoski (18th in 18:24), Jimmy Maciag (19th in 18:26), Cardenas (20th in 18:26), Justin Heck (22nd in 18:38) and Evan Johnson (24th in 18:41).