SMCC's Christian Craanen makes all-state cross country for third time
BROOKLYN — Christian Craanen was third in the state last year. He had hoped to climb the ladder this season, but his body would not cooperate. The St. Mary Catholic Central junior aggravated a hip injury suffered over the summer a few weeks ago and was not healthy for the Division 3 state cross country finals at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, Nov. 7. “It’s tough running when every step hurts,” said SMCC coach Nick Eby. “It takes a lot of mental toughness to keep pushing.” More: Jefferson, Whiteford carry torch for Monroe County Region football Craanen exhibited that toughness to earn all-state status by running 16:14 to take 27th place. “That was kind of his goal,” Eby said of Craanen making all-state for the third straight season. Erie Mason’s boys posted the Monroe County Region’s best team finish, taking 20th in Division 3. The New Boston Huron girls were 21st in Division 2. A roundup of all of the Region runners follows. DIVISION 1 Gibraltar Carlson’s Wyatt DelValle was the top Region finisher, taking 74th in the boys race. Cameron Varner placed 154th for Bedford and Monroe’s Gavin Rohr was 182nd. Region runners in the girls race were Audrey
