(WITH PHOTOS, VIDEO) Hartland Boys Cross Country Edges Waterford Mott for Second Place in the State

The Hartland boys cross country's dream season ended Saturday by narrowly capturing second — a finish that exceeded all expectations only a year after two runners qualified individually.

"It just hasn't hit me yet," said senior Ian McGinn, who finished 10th overall in 15:48. "It feels unreal … (and) makes all the training worthwhile."

The Eagles 172 points edged out Waterford Mott's 177 for Division 1 runner-up honors as all of Hartland's runners scoring points ran 16:36 or better in the 5K race held at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.

Milford, which also defeated Hartland during the regional last week, won the state title with 128 points (low score, based on placings, wins) while Lakeland's Garret Zuk won the boys D1 race in 15:21.

"We ran well and we'll take second place any day," said head coach Matt Gutteridge. "It was a really great way to end the year."

McGinn, who had qualified for the finals last year with Alex Gietek, said running this year was a whole new experience as part of a team with a goal with extra motivation.

"I wanted to do my best for them," he said.

That focus on teamwork is a big reason Hartland's achieved its most successful boys season since the late 1980s, Gutteridge said. From winning invitationals to qualifying for the state finals, he said the team achieved each one and more.

"It's a testament to the kids' work ethnic," he said. "The success this year, it helps the kids understand hard work pays off."

The cross country program also achieved a milestone last week when both for the state finals for the first time ever. The as Avery Evenson finished fifth overall.

Hartland varsity results: Sean Pengelly (eighth, eighth, 15:42), Ian McGinn (ninth, ninth, 15:48), Alex Gietek (39th, 57th, 16:19), Jareb Duggan (47th, 66th, 16:23), Brendan Gavitt (69th, 94th, 16:36), Patrick Gavitt (97th, 135th, 16:52) and Grant Hamilton (137th, 181st, 17:14).

Note, the first placing is for the team competition that doesn't include individual qualifiers and the second is the overall finish that includes all runners.

See PDF with the article for complete race results.