GRAND LEDGE — Ian Morgan didn’t enter Saturday expecting to be the individual champion at the Greater Lansing Cross Country Championships.
But the Okemos junior knew it was possible.
And on a sunny Saturday morning at Ledge Meadows Golf Course, Morgan exceeded his expectations.
Morgan finished as the meet’s individual champion, pulling away in the latter portion while finishing with a winning time of 15:37.4.
“I was going for top five,” Morgan said. “I knew it could happen. I’m just happy and excited because I really didn’t think I was going to come in and win.”
Morgan entered Saturday with the fifth-fastest time of race participants. His time Saturday was a personal record. He finished just under three seconds ahead of the runner-up — Alma’s Ezekiel Baltierra.
“It’s a little bit of a surprise but yet it’s not,” Okemos coach Brian Harrod said. “He’s got the talent. He’s got the drive and he’s got a good supporting cast around him that pushes him. We’re super happy for his progress. He’s only a junior so hopefully it will continue into next year as well.”