Milford High School has always had success when it comes to running. Last year in 2011, the boys Cross Country Team (MXC) won the State Champions. Losing three key seniors, MXC knew repeating a state championship would be difficult.

“Our team is comparable to last year, we lost some key runners, but have a strong dedicated underclass who is willing to do what is takes to win,” said senior Cody Snavely, a returning all-state runner and a three-year letter winner.

The Milford boys cross country team started the 2012 season off on a high note by defeating Lakeland, 19-42, in a non-divisional dual meet on the first day of school. This win against cross-town rivals brought pride to boys MXC and the results would only improve.

MXCs next dual meet would be against the Grand Blanc Bobcats. The Bobcats have had nothing but success after joining the KLAA West in 2008. A fairly large school with a student body of 2,628, the Bobcats have many athletes to choose from.

 On Friday Sept. 11, a day of remembrance for many American’s, MXC set all distractions aside and drove north for a dual meet at Grand Blanc.

“We (MXC) prepare by not only running three miles before each meet,” said Chris Housel, a returning senior “But eating healthy pasta dinners the night before meets. It’s a great way to bond with the team and to load up on carbohydrates.”

At the sound of the gun, seven varsity runners set out with hopes of bringing back another win to Milford. Getting out early was All-State returning runners Snavely and Brian Kettle. The duo ran hard and slowly pulled away from the pack. Finishing first was Snavely with a time of 16:08.27, and close behind was Kettle with a time of 16:08.49. MXC continued to run hard and finished fifth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth. A final score of 42-63, MXC added a conference victory to its belt.

The team hosted divisional rival Pinckney Pirates at Kensington on Sept. 18. The Pirates have always been a great challenge to Milford in not only cross country but track as well. Pinckney’s cross country is coached by Milford alumni Tom Carney who ran with Milford coach Brian Saylers as a Redskin. Their coaching styles are similar, so the races are always exciting. However, this year Milford boys dominated Pinckney 16-45. Snavely & Kettle again led the way with a time of 16:28.

During the summer on, September 10 to the 17, Coach Saylers traveled to the Upper Peninsula with runners from his team. There are special qualifications to be able to experience this. A runner must run faster than set time trials for each grade, so freshmen don’t have to run as fast as seniors. Also a runner must run a certain amount of miles in the summer. The team drove an alternate route this year, very different from routes in the past. Usually they drive north and over the Mackinaw Bridge, but this year MXC traveled west around Lake Michigan making a quick pit stop in one of the largest cities in Illinois. The reason for this was so the runners could run at the regional course in Chicago.  They then continued north, through Wisconsin to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. “The isolation in the woods in the Upper Peninsula is not only to put in great miles,” said Saylers, “but a great way to get the kids’ minds prepared for the upcoming season.”

Although cross country is timed on an individual’s performance, succession is based on the team’s performance as a whole. Snavely feels that all the preparation during the summer really brings the team together as one.

“There is a difference between talent, and hard work. And this team knows firsthand what true hard work means,” said Snavely. “We (MXC) road trip to the Upper Peninsula for a week of nothing but running. Although we do have our fun at times, this is where I see the hard work and dedication from runners that are required to be a Maverick.” 

When MXC traveled to Hartland for its next divisional dual meet, they experienced more success. The MHSAA state runner-up lost many key seniors last year. The Eagles could not keep with the tough Milford crew. MXC had a five way tie for first. The top two runners Snavely and Kettle, ran across the finish line with three new companions, senior Matt Graves, senior Chris Housel and Clinton Caddell.

“We feel like we have a great group of kids, hardworking and loyal,” said Saylers, “I feel as if we fall into the category for great competition for another state championship!” As another season commences, Milford, despite key graduation losses, is ready to reload again for a competitive run all the way up to the state finals.