Photo Curtosey of Holy Name School

ESCANABA — Holy Name High School has an enrollment of 28.

Eleven of its students are out for cross country.

“I think the kids are very close to one another,” first-year coach Derek Douglas said. “They’ve been encouraging the others to come out.”

The Crusaders opened their season in Menominee Tuesday where their boys placed fourth among nine schools in the M&M Border Bash.

“I’m super happy about the way the guys performed,” he added. “We just wanted them to practice their pace and get comfortable out there. It’s just a matter of finding what works best for them. We’re going to work hard and prepare for the U.P. (Division 3) Finals.”

Holy Name, which resumes in today’s Bay College Invitational at Flat Rock, has eight boys and three girls on its roster.

Senior Michael Rexford was the team’s pacesetter in Menominee where he placed 12th in 20:03.

“He’ll get there (under 20),” Douglas said. “Michael is very valuable. He’s the only one we have with experience. He’s a great leader for this team and has really stepped up to the plate.”

Joining him are juniors Phinneas Burrows and Jersey Raiche, sophomore Henry Burrows, freshmen Samuel Chouinard and Henry Trottier, eighth-grader Elliot Pfotenhauer and seventh-grader Charles Chouinard.

“The guys are learning how to warm-up and pace themselves,” Douglas said. “We told them the race starts after two miles, which I think helped them relax.”

The girls’ team is comprised of senior Piper Diebolt and juniors Avirell Chouinard and Lola Buchmiller.

“I’d say the girls performed similarly to the boys,” Douglas said. “They paced themselves very well. The girls were happy with how they performed. Most of the kids controlled their own pace. I think they’ll be excited for Saturday.”

After today’s meet, the Crusaders resume in Wednesday’s Manistique Invitational at Stony Point Golf Club, followed by a trip to Eben Junction for the Superior Central Invite Sept. 13.

The remaining schedule:

Sept. 10 — Manistique Invitational; Sept. 13 — Superior Central Invitational; Sept. 17 — Stephenson Invitational at Banat; Sept. 20 — Rapid River Invitational.

Oct. 2 — Escanaba Invitational; Oct. 18 — U.P. Division 3 Finals at Munising.