History

Anchor Bay High School, nestled on the border of Macomb and St. Clair Counties, enjoys a picturesque location on the shores of Lake St. Clair. Situated in the northeastern suburbs of metro Detroit, Michigan, our community blends suburban and rural charm, encompassing parts of Chesterfield, Casco, Ira, and Lenox townships, as well as the city of New Baltimore.

The Legacy of Anchor Bay Cross Country

Our boys' cross country program was established in 1969 by Coach James Cleverley. In the late 1970s, girls began training with the boys' team before a separate girls' team was officially formed in 1979. Coach Cleverley retired from coaching in 1989 but remains a vital part of the running community, officiating track & field and cross country meets across Michigan.

Since 1991, the Running Tars have been expertly coached by Jeff Payne, an Anchor Bay High School alumnus from the class of 1987. Coach Payne continued his running career at Lake Superior State University before earning his degree from Michigan State University in 1991. Coach Payne retired in 2024 after Thomas Westphal became runner up in the Mile and State Champion. 

Eddie Komph has since taken over. Head to the Coach page to learn more. 

A Tradition of Excellence

Over the decades, Anchor Bay cross country has celebrated numerous team and individual successes. Notable achievements include:

• Jeff Mundt: Class A state champion in 1981, runner-up in 1982 and 1983. In 1983, he was also named a Kinney (now Footlocker) All-American after finishing 15th at the national championships in San Diego, California.

• 1977 Boys Team: Placed 6th at the Class B state finals.

• Christina Colombe: Named an AAU All-American after securing 12th place at the AAU National Championships in Reno, Nevada, in 1995.

• Chris Mehay: Earned Division I All-State honors, placing 15th at the state finals in 2002.

• Mikey Zedan: Achieved All-State honors in 2017 before continuing his collegiate running career at The Ohio State University.

• Thomas Westphal: Crowned the 2-mile champion at the 2024 State Meet.