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OCT. 2, 2026, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College women's cross country team captured the MCCAA Western Conference Championship in dominant fashion Friday at the Gainey Athletic Complex, while both GRCC soccer teams battled at St. Clair County Community College in Marysville.

The Raiders' women's cross country team scored 23 points, finishing 40 points ahead of runner-up Lansing Community College, which scored 63. It marks GRCC's second conference championship in the past three years.

Meanwhile, both soccer teams fell to St. Clair County CC, with the men's team dropping a 5-3 decision and the women's team falling 5-0.

Women's Cross Country Dominates Western Conference

GRCC's women's cross country team left little doubt about its place atop the conference, placing six runners in the top 10 and scoring just 23 points to cruise to the championship.

Mackenzie Conner led the way, winning the individual conference championship with a time of 19:45. The freshman was also named MCCAA Western Conference Runner of the Year and Freshman of the Year.

Conner was joined by five teammates in earning All-Conference honors by finishing among the top 12.

Sophomore Mackenzie Baldrica finished second in 20:17, followed by sophomore Vivian Idziak, who placed fourth in 20:52.

Sophomore Binti Abdi crossed the line sixth in a personal-record time of 21:30, while sophomore Leah Williams finished 10th in 22:18 and sophomore Kadie Norman placed 11th in 22:27.

Freshman Kailey Mann finished 17th in 23:00, followed by freshman Glorious Yarsiah, who set a PR with a 27:48 finish. Sophomore Carolina Lopez Lopez also recorded a personal best, finishing 36th in 27:55.

GRCC Women's Results

• 1st — Mackenzie Conner, 19:45 — Conference Champion; Runner of the Year; Freshman of the Year
• 2nd — Mackenzie Baldrica, 20:17 — All-Conference
• 4th — Vivian Idziak, 20:52 — All-Conference
• 6th — Binti Abdi, 21:30 PR — All-Conference
• 10th — Leah Williams, 22:18 — All-Conference
• 11th — Kadie Norman, 22:27 — All-Conference
• 17th — Kailey Mann, 23:00
• 34th — Glorious Yarsiah, 27:48 PR
• 36th — Carolina Lopez Lopez, 27:55 PR

Men's Cross Country Finishes Fourth

The GRCC men's cross country team finished fourth in the Western Conference Championship 8K race with 109 points.

Lansing Community College claimed the team championship with 26 points, while Southwestern Michigan College finished second with 37.

Sophomore Brady Morrow led the Raiders, finishing 12th in 28:42 and earning All-Conference honors.

Sophomore Corey Jones placed 23rd in 31:04, followed by freshman Jacob Creager in 35th at 33:38. Freshman Nathan Bowker finished 41st in 36:10, while sophomore Ralph White rounded out the Raiders' scoring in 47th place at 38:26.

GRCC Men's Results

• 12th — Brady Morrow, 28:42 — All-Conference
• 23rd — Corey Jones, 31:04
• 35th — Jacob Creager, 33:38
• 41st — Nathan Bowker, 36:10
• 47th — Ralph White, 38:26

Both GRCC cross country teams will return to competition Oct. 17 at the Muskegon Jayhawk Invitational.

Men's Soccer Falls Despite Outshooting St. Clair

The GRCC men's soccer team fell 5-3 to St. Clair County CC, dropping to 5-4-2 on the season. SC4 improved to 5-2.

For the second consecutive match, the Raiders outshot their opponent but were unable to come away with the result. GRCC held an 18-11 advantage in shots.

St. Clair struck first in the fifth minute, but GRCC leading scorer Manuel Dipres brought the Raiders level in the 38th minute. David Pontarelli provided the cross for Dipres, who scored his seventh goal of the season.

The tie lasted only 45 seconds, however, as SC4 answered immediately to retake the lead.

St. Clair then added three more goals in the 55th, 58th and 64th minutes to take a 5-1 advantage.

The Raiders mounted a late comeback attempt, scoring twice in the final six minutes. Milot Idrizi scored in the 85th minute off an assist from Anthony Jones, and Isaac Ruth converted a penalty kick in the 88th minute.

The rally ultimately fell short.

GRCC will return to conference play Oct. 7 at home against Lake Michigan College, with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m.

Women's Soccer Shut Out by No. 19 St. Clair

The GRCC women's soccer team fell 5-0 to No. 19-ranked St. Clair County CC, dropping its fourth consecutive match and moving to 4-5-1 on the season. St. Clair improved to 10-3-1.

Despite the final score, the Raiders created opportunities, recording 12 shots, including nine on goal. GRCC was unable to capitalize on its chances, continuing a recent stretch in which finishing opportunities has been a challenge.

Goalkeeper Nyleese Bazan-Hernandez made nine saves, her second-highest total of the season.

The Raiders will look to end their four-match skid on Oct. 7, when they host Lake Michigan College at 2 p.m. for Sophomore Day.

GRCC defeated Lake Michigan College 2-1 in the teams' first meeting this season.

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