On an overcast and drizzly Wednesday afternoon, the Panther men proved that they belong in the top tier of cross-country teams in the Ok Red Conference. Led by sophomore sensation Max Post (13th overall with a 16:39) West Ottawa placed 5 runners in the top 18 places and crushed the hopes of host team Hudsonville. Senior co-captains Boston Wilkinson (15th in 16:42) and Sebastian Ruiz (16th, 16:46) were joined by junior co-captain Brody Mulder (17th, 16:49) and freshman standout Silas Pinney (18th, 16:50) to place 5 runners in front of Hudsonville's number 2 runner. There were only 11 seconds between WO's number 1 and number 5 runners and that is the kind of powerful pack that establishes a quality program. Junior speedster Thiago Solis (37th, 17:31) and stalwart sophomore Henry Frederick (43rd, 17:37) helped "push points" onto opposing teams. In all the Panthers earned 12 personal records and raced with strength and fervor. Their next race is this Saturday at 8:00 am in the 25th Annual Otsego Invitational.