The Bedford boys cross country team placed 7th in the SEC Championship race at Hudson Mills Metropark in Dexter on Thursday. Sophomore Dane :Hieronimus led the charge for the Mules, placing 21st overall in 17:13 on the muddy course. Freshman Cam Varner was 28th in 17:38, and senior Braiden Welch put together the race of his life, finishing 3rd for the Mules and 32nd overall (17:49). Junior Nick Balla (39th in 18:11) and senior Gabe Bock (40th in 18:19) completed the scoring for Bedford.  In the JV race, the Mules placed 3rd overall. Bedford was led by the junior tandem of Aidan Ortiz (6th in 18:01) and Jordan Bunce (7th in18:02). Freshman Logan Thomas was third for the Kicking Mules and 18th overall in a time of 18:31, just edging junior Braxon Lake (19th in 18:32). Junior Maceo Colon was the final scoring runner for Bedford, placing 28th in 18:54. The Kicking Mules will work to keep the season going next weekend at the Regional meet, which will take place at Lake Erie Metropark in Brownstown. 

The Bedford boys cross country team ran in the Dave Bork Classic Invitational today at Munson Park in Monroe. This race has been touted as being the unofficial Monroe County championship, as all county schools are invited to come to show their skill. A unique aspect of the race is that there are two races, one for freshmen and sophomores and one for juniors and seniors. No team scores are kept, but once results are sorted, the top ten finishers in each grade level get medals at the awards recognition. Although the weather was unkind, some gritty racing led to great performances. In the freshman race, Bedford put 4 runners in the top ten, led by Cam Varner, who placed first overall in 18:15 for the freshman class and 4th overall in the race. The Mules took second and third in the freshman class, as well, with Logan Thomas (18:41) and Maddi Duke (18:45) running tough races. Charlie Rockwood also made the podium, placing 7th in a time of 20:36. The sole sophomore from Bedford led the race from the start, but fell to a tough Flat Rock runner to place second overall in the race and second sophomore to finish, crossing the line in 17:10, nearly a full minute ahead of the third place finisher. Brandon McCloud was the next sophomore for Bedford, finishing 12th overall in 19:44.  Bedford had several finishers in the top ten of the junior class. Nick Balla (18:07) was the first to cross the line for Bedford, finishing 8th overall and 7th among juniors. Jake Yeager (18:20), Braxon Lake (18:24), and Jordan Bunce (18:28) finished 8th, 9th, and 10th respectively. Aidan Ortiz just missed the podium, finishing 11th in a time of 18:31, and Jonas Enriquez was right behind him, finishing 12th in 18:47. In the senior class, Jack Durivage led three Mule runners to the top ten, finishing 2nd overall among seniors, posting an 18:08. Braiden Welch and Gabe Bock raced neck and neck to the finish, with Welch just edging Bock in a time of 18:21.6 to Bock's 18:21.8, placing them 5th and 6th overall.  The Mules travel to Hudson Mills Park on Thursday for the SEC Championship Meet.

The Bedford Boys placed 29th in the field of 36 teams in the Portage Cross Country Invitational on Saturday. The Mules were led by sophomore Dane Hieronimus, who placed 75th overall in 16:41. Junior Braxon Lake also raced well, coming in 164th at 17:32, and fellow junior Jordan Bunce placed 170th in 17:34. Rounding out the scoring for the Mules were senior Gabe Bock (181st in 17:43) and junior Nick Balla (189th in 17:49). In the JV race, the Mules were led by sophomore Anthony Kraus, who crossed the line 134th in 19:12. Also racing well for Bedford were freshman Charlie Rockwood, who hit a PR of 19:40 (184th); senior John Ball (199th in 19:48); sophomore Andy Nelson (231st in 20:10); freshman Andrew Harrison (321st in 21:03); senior Ethan Thomas (337th in 21:22); and senior Adrik Ruch (370th in 22:10). The Mules compete next Saturday at the Dave Bork Classic in Monroe.

The Bedford boys cross country team took runner-up in the Marauder Cross Country Invitational at Lake Erie Metropark in Brownstown, Michigan, behind champion Ann Arbor Huron and just one point ahead of third place Monroe. Leading the Kicking Mules was sophomore Dane Hieronimus, who placed 4th overall in the Royal race (for Division 1 Schools) in a time of 16:42. Junior Aidan Ortiz ran a personal best on the day, placing 10th overall in 17:13. Also scoring for Bedford were junior Jordan Bunce (11th in 17:18), senior Gabe Bock (18th in 17:35), and junior Nick Balla (19th in 17:37).  In the freshman race, Maddi Duke placed 1st overall in a time of 18:12, and Logan Thomas took 2nd overall in a time of 18:41. Charlie Rockwood ran a solid time of 20:03, to place him at 10th overall, while Andrew Harrison came in 15th in a time of 20:46. The JV race was the last race of the day, and the Bedford squad showed up big, placing 1st overall in the race. Leading Bedford was senior Braiden Welch, who crossed the line 2nd overall in a time of 17:57. The next two finishers were senior Jack Durivage (3rd overall in 18:23) and Jacob Yeager (4th overall in 18:30). Sophomore Nolan Brescol (5th in 18:43) and junior Eli Hinkleman (6th in 18:48) were the final scorers for the team.  The Kicking Mules will travel to the Portage Invitational on Saturday.

The Bedford Boys placed 5th at SEC Jamboree 2, hosted by Saline High School. The weather was perfect and the course was flat, leading to many personal bests for the team. Leading the Mules was freshman Cam Varner, who placed 13th overall in a time of 16:26, making him the fastest freshman in Bedford history. Right on his heels was Dane Hieronimus, who placed 15th in 16:27, moving him to 4th on the all-time list for sophomores, passing Bedford legend Nick Kaiser. Juniors Nick Balla (35th in 17:08) and Jordan Bunce (36th in 17:11), and senior Gabe Bock (42nd in17:25) completed the scoring for the Mules. In the JV race, Bedford placed 2nd, behind Ann Arbor Pioneer, led by Jack Durivage (4th in 17:34), Logan Thomas (7th in 17:43), Jonas Enriquez (9th in 17:54), Maceo Colon (11th in 18:05), and Nolan Brescol (17th in 18:34).  The Mules take to the trails of Lake Erie Metropark in Brownstown on Saturday for the Marauder Invitational.

The Bedford boys traveled to the Jackson Invitational for the varsity competition on Saturday, placing 20th in the field of top Michigan programs. Leading the Kicking Mules was freshman Cam Varner, who placed 67th in the field of 245 runners in a time of 16:52. Sophomore Dane Hieronimus rejoined the team this week and placed 78th in 17:00. Junior Aidan Ortiz posted a season best time of 17:35, placing him 130th overall. Fellow juniors Jordan Bunce (17:40) and Nick Balla (17:49) were the other scorers, placing 136th and 143rd, respectively. Juniors Braxon Lake (18:00) and Maceo Colon (18:26) also posted season bests in the race, as did senior Gabe Bock (18:03). The Mules compete in two races in the coming week, including SEC Jamboree 2 at Saline on Wednesday, and the Marauder Invitational at Lake Erie Metropark in Brownstown on Saturday. 

The Bedford boys cross country team sent its JV squad to the Jackson Invitational Friday night, where they placed 3rd overall in the field of 15 teams competing. Leading the Kicking Mules was freshman Madi Duke, who placed 7th overall in a personal best of 18:06. Seniors Braiden Welch (18:15) and Jack Durivage (18:32) finished 10th and 14th, respectively. Sophomore Brandon McCloud (23rd, in 18:50) and senior John Ball (27th in 19:01) rounded out the scoring for Bedford. Other runners ran personal bests at the invitational, including freshman Charlie Rockwood (20:23) and freshman Andrew Harrison (21:21).

The Bedford cross country program hosted SEC Jamboree #1 at Indian Creek Park in Temperance. The Mules placed 7th out of the 13 teams competing. Freshman Cameron Varner led the Mules, placing 19th in a time of 16:58. Sophomore Dane Hieronimus was just behind in 21st place, posting a time of 17:05. Juniors Nick Balla (17:38) and Aidan Ortiz (17:38) posted season bests, placing 42nd and 44th respectively. Junior Jake Yeager (17:52) finished the scoring for the Mules, placing 54th overall.  In the JV race, Senior Jack Durivage placed 7th overall, coming in with a time of 18:25. Juniors Maceo Colon (18:31) and Braxon Lake (18:36) finished 11th and 16th in the race, respectively. Sophomore Gage Bihn placed 17th (18:37) and Freshman Logan Thomas (18:45) rounded out the scoring for the team.  The next meet is at Ottawa Park Golf Course in Toledo.

The Bedford boys cross country team ran in the Tiffin Cross Country Carnival in Tiffin, Ohio, today (Saturday), placing 15th out of 30 teams in Division 1. The Mules were led by freshman Cam Varner, who posted a personal best of 16:50, placing him at 39th.. Sophomore Dane Hieronimus also broke the 17 minute barrier with a PR of 16:58 (50th place). Junior Jordan Bunce had a season best time of 17:58 (112th). Juniors Aidan Ortiz and Nick Balla rounded out the scoring, placing 123rd and 128th, respectively.  In the open race for Division 1, junior Jake Yeager led the way for the Mules in a time of 18:25, pacing Bedford to a 12th place finish in the field of 20 teams. Sophomore Brandon McCloud crossed the line in 18:35, and seniors Braiden Welch and John Ball ran 18:46 and 18:49, respectively. The Mules will host SEC Jamboree 1 on Wednesday, September 13, starting at 4:30pm at Indian Creek Park in Temperance

The Bedford Boys Cross Country team competed in the Mel Brodt Invitational at Bowling Green State University, placing 6th out of 14 teams in the race. The Mules were led by freshman Cameron Varner, who placed 20th in the field of over 250 runners, posting a PR of 17:14. Sophomore Dane Hieronimus was close behind, finishing 23rd in 17:28, and junior Jordan Bunce came in 43rd with a time of 18:06. Juniors Nick Balla (48th, 18:21) and Braxon Lake (68th in 18:49) rounded out the scoring for the Mules. Bedford will run in the Tiffin Invitational on September 9.

The Bedford boys cross country team competed in the Lamplighter Invitational in Livonia Friday night, racing at 8:45pm (JV) and 11:00pm (Varsity) along a lighted course at Livonia's Ford Field Park. In the JV race, the Kicking Mules finished 2nd in the field of 13 teams, bested only by a strong Northville squad. Leading the JV team was junior Aidan Ortiz, finishing 8th in the field of 200 runners, in a time of 18:12. Junior Maceo Colon and sophomore Brandon McCloud also medaled for the Mules, placing 15th (18:35) and 18th (18:43), respectively. Rounding out the scoring in the JV race were junior Jonas Enriquez (32nd in 19:20) and freshman Logan Thomas (36th in 19:23).   In the final race of the night, the varsity squad took 9th in the field of 15 teams. The Mule Pack lived up to their nickname, having the tightest pack of scoring runners in the field, with a spread of only 43 seconds between their first and fifth runner. The Mules were led by freshman Cam Varner, who crossed the line in 37th place in the field of 144 competitors, running a time of 17:23. Sophomore Dane Hieronimus (46th in 17:31) and junior Nick Balla (56th in 17:45) were close on Varner's heels. Senior Gabe Bock (65th in 18:06) and junior Jordan Bunce (66th in 18:07) finished the scoring for Bedford.    The Kicking Mules compete next at the Happy Acres Invitational in Weberville, MI, on Saturday, August 26, at 10:40am.