Both of the Fruitport cross country teams will head into the postseason on Friday with their share of momentum after turning in very strong performances at last week’s final O-K Silver Conference meet.

The Fruitport girls had the best day of all, taking the two top stops in the individual race, winning the meet and the capturing their first overall team conference championship since 2002.

Senior Valerie Pollock took first place in the girls race while teammate Pehyton Beardsley was a very close second. Pollock sealed up the overall individual conference title, as well.

Senior Vincent Pollock took first place in the boys race, and also clinched the overall individual conference title.

There was some last-second drama in the girls race, which made the day all the more fun.

Belding’s Mackenzie Zahm led the pack late in the race, but Valerie Pollock and Beardsley overtook her at the last moment.

Pollock finished first with a time of 19:30.75. She has won her share of races in her high school career, but usually not like that.

“With about 20 meters to go, Valerie decided to sprint and found herself catching the leader,” said Fruitport Coach Randy Johnson. “This is the first time Valerie has ever outkicked anyone at the finish. Her kick is not her strength, so she knows she has to have a lead to finish the race in first.

“But she surprised herself and found something she never had before.  It was a great way to end her running career in the conference.  Her four years of running and tireless training paid off.  Conference champ. “

Beardsley took second place with a time of 19:30.83, just behind Pollock.

“Pehyton was a surprise in the meet, coming in second,” Johnson said.  “We all knew she could do it, but knowing and doing are two different things.  Pehyton took the chance midway through the race, caught the two lead runners and then hung on.  It was a great confidence run for her.”

Fruitport’s top five girls all finished in the top 20 individually in a field of 58 runners.

Treasure Fleece finished 10th with a time of 20:17.78, Zoe German was 11th with a mark of 20:27.25 and Brynley Merkins, who has been battling injuries, ran hard and finished 20th with a time of 21:28.78.

Fruitport finished with 44 points, Calvin Christian took second with 56, followed by NorthPointe Christian (65), Hopkins (77), Belding (85) and Comstock Park (178).

The Trojans needed the first place finish to sew up the overall conference team title. They took first place in the first conference meet of the season, but placed second in the second meet.

“The girls started the season off strong, but illness and injuries sidelined a few runners in the middle of the season,” Johnson said. “Three of the top five girls are new to the team this year. They are very competitive and work hard in practice.”

The Fruitport boys team also ran its best race of the season.

Vincent Pollock took first place in the boys race with a time of 15:24 and sewed up the overall individual conference title, as well. That came just days after he won the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association city championship

Fruitport’s Landon Johnson finished eighth in the field of 53 runners with a time of 17:24.68. Dylan Winskas was 21st with a time of 18:51.54, Josh Vanstelle was 40th with a 21:35.88 mark and Drew Powell was 45th with a time of 22:08.99.

Fruitport finished in fifth place out of six teams with 102 points. Belding took first with 47.

“The boys ran their best times of the year on a very fast Candlestone golf course,” Johnson said. “They ran well and were all very happy with their times.”

Both Fruitport teams will compete in Division 2 regionals on Friday, trying to qualify for the state finals.