Provided by Saginaw News

Adam Smith | The Saginaw News, October 29, 2011 10:25 p.m.

CARSON CITY — Shepherd (79) won the Division 3 Carson City-Crystal regional and boasted the top individual in Kaylie Rhynard (18:31) as the Bluejays earned their way into next Saturday’s state finals at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn for a second consecutive season.

The team finished third to advance last year and went on to place ninth in the state. Rhynard also improved on last year’s individual runner-up finish.

“We’re trying to run our best in the last couple of weeks of the season that matter the most,” said Shepherd coach Carey Hammel. “Today was a good confidence-builder for us. We would like a top 10 finish, and if it’s really a great day for us, a top-five finish is possible.”

Jordan Wentworth (20:40) placed 18th for the Bluejays, followed by Abbie Moeggenberg (20:45) in 20th place, Taylor Priest (21:13) in 32nd place, Rachel Buckley (21:48) in 47th and Taylor Cole (21:53) in 48th.

St. Louis (98) also qualified for the state tournament with a second-place finish that was made possible by Raquel Serna’s (18:45) runner-up finish to Rhynard.