Once again Novi’s Coach Smith has won. Not just the race, but dinner. This was the 18th time that the Smith brothers (Coach Robert Smith of Novi and Coach Scott Smith of South Lyon) made their annual bet: The losing coach buys the other brother dinner. Only once has Novi’s Smith had to feed the hungry Lion.

At the start, the race between the feline packs looked close. Three Lions were creeping up towards the front after the first loop. Novi’s Josh Lumley held them off, barely taking the lead. Halfway through, South Lyon’s top three were still ahead of Novi’s second runner, Aaron Croad. Following him was Mike Blaszczyk, along with Lukas Barnes, TJ Butler, Jake Carless, and freshman Joe Schubring.

Just before the final push, the top South Lyon runners fell behind. Lumley was ahead by several meters at the last turn and Croad was neck and neck with South Lyon’s fastest. Topping the hill, Croad passed him finishing two seconds ahead. Next, Blaszczyk and another Lion were even closer, but Novi stole the fourth spot.

Nine Wildcats ran their best times ever including Sophomores Blaszczyk and Dan Egner. Congratulations to Novi for winning this catfight again! Novi’s next battle is at the Gabriel Richard Invite this Saturday.