After Close Calls, Chelsea Claims Title
June 1, 2013
By Greg Chrapek
Special to Second Half
ADA – This spring’s high school sports season long will be remembered for having some of the worst weather in years.
While the wet and cold weather hampered many teams across the state, the Chelsea boys track team used it to its advantage. And the payoff was an MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 track and field championship Saturday afternoon at Forest Hills Eastern.
After coming close the past two years, the Bulldogs came away with this year’s title as they totaled 64 points to edge second-place Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills by eight points.
Chelsea finished second two years ago, and last year the Bulldogs placed third. This year, thanks to some hard training when the weather was at its worst in the spring, Chelsea had what it took to bring home the title hardware.
“Back in March and April when the weather was bad and everyone was complaining about how bad the weather was, we talked about just concentrating and working harder,” Chelsea coach Eric Swager said. “Rain, sleet or snow everyone was out there working their hardest, and it paid off. … Everyone just worked that much harder when the weather was bad.”
The hard work resulted in Chelsea having a deep team capable of scoring points in a variety of events.
“Everybody contributed,” Swager said. “The sprints, the relays, the distance runners, field events. The entire team has been focused and working hard from day one. We have some individual talent, but everybody stuck together and that was the key.”
Berkley Edwards was one of the individual talents that helped pave the way for the Bulldogs. One of the state’s top sprinters, Edwards wrapped up his high school track career by winning both the 100 and the 200-meter dashes.
Edwards turned in a time of 10.58 in the 100-meter dash and then came back to edge Gary Jones of Allegan in a 200-meter dash that came down to the end. Edwards finished with a time of 21.37.
“Things went well for me today, better than expected,” Edwards said. “I ran a 10.58 which was a p.r. (personal record) in the 100, and then I ran a 21.37 which was a p.r. in the 200.”
The highlight for Edwards was holding on to win the 200.
“It was definitely a photo finish,” Edwards said. “It was a real close race. My strategy was to get out to the lead and hold it on the curve. I heard him (Jones) coming. I didn’t want to stress. I just stay relaxed.”
Sweeping both the 100 and 200 was a major key to Chelsea’s title and part of the strategy going into the Finals.
“My coaches told me I had an opportunity to win two races,” Edwards said. “They thought I could get the 100 and possibly the 200, and if I did we had a real good chance of winning.”
The Bulldogs also picked up points in the field events as senior Michael Hovater won the pole vault by clearing 14 feet, 10 inches. Chelsea also won the 3,200-meter relay as the team of Zach Rabbitt, Jacob Stubbs, David Trimas and Tony Vermilye turned in a time of 7:55.84.
Chelsea was pushed for the title by an Ottawa Hills team that had one of its best Finals performances in recent history. Key to Ottawa Hills’ strong effort was the performances turned in by its sprint relay teams.
Ottawa Hills finished in the top three of three of the four relay events, led by the first-place 400-meter relay team of Shawn Kneeland, Sam Beal, Jacori Millbrooks and Teyland Avery.
The relay was seeded second coming into the day but came away with the school’s first title-winning effort at the Finals since 1997.
“This was real big,” Kneeland said. “The key for us was to focus. Not to worry about anyone else and just focus on running our best.”
Senior Teyland Avery ran the anchor leg for the Bengals.
“To win a state title in Grand Rapids was real special,” Avery said. “We had two seniors on the relay team, and to finally win a title is special. Last year we finished third at state and we didn’t do too well. This just feels great. To run in my city and to win in my city is pretty special.”
For Detroit East English senior Marcell Wyckoff and the rest of his teammates, Saturday’s Finals were the first in school history as East English is in its first year as a high school. Wykoff, who came in seeded second, won the 400-meter dash.
“The first thing I wanted to do was to get out fast,” Wykoff said. “I knew if I got out to a good start, nobody would catch me. I had a pretty good start, and I held on.”
Wykoff’s title was the first in school history and was a little bittersweet for the senior.
“I came over from Crockett Tech,” Wykoff said. “This year was really different. It was not like I thought my senior year would be, but it ended up pretty good winning a state championship. It feels good on the inside.”
Mason senior distance runner Tanner Hinkle ended a few years of frustration both on the track and during cross country season. He won the 3,200 by more than four seconds with a time of 9:13.41.
“I have finished second two different times at state,” Hinkle said. “Winning it my senior year feels real good, to finally win a state title. I also finished second at state during the cross country season. I’ve been very close to a state title a few times before, and to finally win one is a dream come true.”
In the field events, Cadillac senior Riley Norman closed out a successful high school throwing career by winning the shot put for a second consecutive season. He turned in a winning put of 59-10, missing a Finals record by less than two feet.
“I won it last year with a 61-2 ½ and this year I had a p.r. of 62-10,” Norman said. “I wanted to set a new record, but I came up a little short.”
PHOTOS: (Top) Chelsea's Berkley Edwards races toward the finish line on the way to winning one of his two MHSAA titles Saturday. (Middle) Mason's Tanner Hinkle sets the pace in the 3,200. (Photos by Greg Chrapek.)
Preview: Contenders Fill Boys Finals
May 29, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Few days during a school year provide as much opportunity for a statewide showcase of talents as the day each spring when all seven MHSAA Track & Field championships are decided.
This weekend’s boys lineup features plenty of familiar names from Finals past – but also plenty of chances for new stars to emerge.
See below for some of the teams and individuals who should be among those in the championship mix at Saturday's boys meets. Click for meet information including all qualifiers and come back Saturday night for results as they come in, and check out MHSAA.TV for live streaming of running events from both peninsulas, available with subscription.
LP DIVISION 1 at Rockford
Top Regional scores: East Kentwood 161, Saline 144, Warren DeLaSalle 124.
East Kentwood: The Falcons are up to five team championships over the last six seasons after finishing first again in 2014. Senior Tristen Frey posted the fifth-fastest time in the 110 hurdles (14.56) and third-fastest in the 300 hurdles (38.91) for all LPD1 Regionals. Two relays posted times among the top three overall, and sophomore Andre Welch should be a contender in long jump after finishing second in 2014. East Kentwood won by 21 points last season with only event champion, in the 800 relay – where it posted the fastest Regional time, 1:28.41.
Saline: The Hornets should be contenders in eight events Saturday after winning one and finishing a distant third a year ago. Senior Skyler Bowden posted the fourth-fastest Regional 400 time (49.04) and second-fastest 200 (21.68). Senior Logan Wetzel (third in 800 – 1:53.82), senior Kevin Hall (first in 3,200 – 9:16.60) and junior Josiah Davis (first in 300 hurdles – 38.54) are favorites as well, and the 800 relay (1:28.46), 1,600 relay (3:22.98) and 3,200 relay (7:56.04) all ranked among the top six for all Division 1 Regionals.
Warren DeLaSalle: The Pilots have star power to contend after finishing sixth in 2014, led by reigning high jump champion Brandon Piwinski. His Regional jump of 6-foot-8 was five inches better than the rest of Division 1, and he won last season at 6-10. Senior Mickey Davey could score well in the 1,600 and 3,200.
Oxford’s Connor Bandel – Posted Division 1’s best Regional throws in both shot put (58-9½) and discus (187-1) after taking fourth in shot put as a sophomore at last season’s Final.
Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills’ Donavan Brazier – Set an LP Division 1 Final record last season as a junior with a time of 1:50.24 in the 800; his 1:48.07 was the fastest Regional time in Division 1 this month.
Grand Ledge’s Austin Edwards – Won the long jump by four inches last season as a sophomore and was one of only three in LP Division 1 to clear 23 feet at Regionals this month, going 23-0¼.
Grand Blanc’s Grant Fisher – Senior standout has three track & field championships and two in cross country, and he is the likely favorite to repeat in the 1,600 (4:18.45) and 3,200 (9:18.60).
Westland John Glenn’s Jaron Flournoy – Last season’s third-place finisher in the 200 could earn his team 30 points Saturday entering with the fastest Regional times in the 100 (10.66), 200 (21.40) and 400 (48.53).
Farmington Hills Harrison’s Michael Ojemudia – After finishing seventh in the 110 hurdles as a junior, should be in the mix for both hurdles races with the top Regional time in the 110 (14.21) and second-fastest in the 300 (38.71).
LP DIVISION 2 at Zeeland
Top Regional scores: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 161.5, Zeeland East 135.5, Chelsea 122.
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s – Fast relays keyed the team’s fourth-place finish at the 2014 Final – the Eaglets won the 800 and 400 – and they had the fastest Division 2 Regional times this month in those races at 42.79 and 1:28.35, respectively. That 800 time is only 36 hundredths of a second from the LP Division 2 Finals record. St. Mary’s 1,600 relay time of 3:26.71 was seventh-fastest for all LPD2 Regionals, and the 3,200 (8:03.15) had the second-fastest. Sophomore Richard Bowens had the fastest Regional time in the 300 hurdles (38.58), while junior Kahlee Hamler posted the seventh fastest in the 200 (22.68) and junior Tyler Cochran was seventh fastest in the 400 (50.33).
Zeeland East – East watched as neighbor Zeeland West won last season’s championship, and could keep the title on campus with strong performances in field events, middle distance and relays. Senior Jacob Bachman had the third-longest shot put (52-1½) and discus (165-8) throws at LPD2 Regionals, and senior Devin Butler is a contender in long jump (21-3½). Senior Matt Cramer (1:56.39) and sophomore John Groendyke (1:56.72) were top-five overall in LPD2 Regionals, and the 1,600 relay (3:24.47) and 3,200 relay (7:59.98) were third and fastest, respectively.
Auburn Hills Avondale – Last season’s runner-up returns major talent led by senior Joshuwa Holloman, the reigning champion in both the 100 and 200. His Regional times of 11.1 and 22.53, respectively, prove he’ll be in the hunt again, and junior Noah Burton posted the second-fastest 300 hurdles time (38.62). Three of the team’s four relays also seed among the top eight.
Algonac’s Morgan Beadlescomb – The junior distance standout is set to dominate if Regional times are an indication; his 9:28.24 in the 3,200 was fastest in LPD2 and his 4:23.26 was second fastest in the 1,600.
Melvindale’s Anthony Fitzgerald – The senior’s Regional jumps weren’t among the best in the division in either event, but he won long jump at last season’s Final by a foot and high jump by three inches.
Saginaw Swan Valley’s Alex Grace and Flint Southwestern’s Jonathan Fife – Grace is seeded first in the 100 (10.84) and Fife is second (10.89), while Fife is first in the 200 (21.95) and Grace is third (22.41) in that race.
Algonac’s Mitchell Mueller – The senior’s LPD2 Regional pole vault of 15-0 was more than five inches better than anyone else in the division, making him a strong favorite to repeat after winning last year’s Final by 11 inches.
Pontiac Notre Dame’s Nathan Mylenek – The reigning 3,200 champion won’t run that race, but had the third-fastest 1,600 (4:25.10) at LPD2 Regionals and also should contend in the 800 (1:59.87).
Cedar Springs’ Austin Sargent – The latest distance star from his school is the reigning Finals champ in the 1,600 and has the fastest seed time (4:23.03) and ninth-fastest in the 3,200 (9:49.64).
Coldwater’s Logan Targgart – The reigning discus champion (and runner-up in shot put) can finish with two more titles, coming in with the best LPD2 Regional discus throw (180-1) and second-best shot (57-0).
LP DIVISION 3 at Comstock Park
Top Regional scores: Macomb Lutheran North 157, Benzonia Benzie Central 125, Hillsdale 123.
Hillsdale – If last season’s close finish is telling of this weekend, then Hillsdale may have enough to move up from third to first. The Hornets got the top long jump in LPD3 Regionals from senior and reigning Finals champion Austin Hawkins (22-8¼), and his 15.45 was fifth-fastest in the 110 hurdles with senior Kevin Curby seventh fastest in that race. Senior Ben Wise is a contender in the 400 (51.15), and the 800 (1:32.6) and 1,600 (3:28.8) relays should contend as well.
Lansing Catholic – The Cougars have the star power to move up from fourth in 2014, led by senior Keenan Rebera. He is the reigning champion in the 3,200 and runner-up in the 1,600, and his times of 4:23.4 in the 1,600 and 1:55.6 in the 800 both seed first this weekend. Sophomore Konner Maloney (51.15) is a contender in the 400, and the 1,600 relay (3:30.5) could be another winner.
Hanover-Horton – The Comets are competing for their first MHSAA championship in this sport, but enter with the fastest LPD3 Regional times in the 3,200 (8:05.9) and 1,600 (3:28.1) relays. Juniors Austin Shepherd and Seth Vincent in the middle distance could score, and junior Joe Gray tied for the highest pole vault in LPD3 with a 14-6 at his Regional.
Almont’s Jacob Battani – The reigning champion in pole vault and a junior, Battani tied Gray for the highest vault in LPD3 Regionals at 14-6.
Hopkins’ Quincy Collings – After winning high jump last season, he’s going for a sweep coming in tied for the second-highest jump at LPD3 Regionals (6-4) and also second-longest (21-5) to make him a contender in that event.
Niles Brandywine’s Andrew Duckett – The fastest Regional finisher in both hurdles races in LPD3 went 15.11 in the 110 and 39.16 in the 300 after winning the latter and finishing fourth in the former as a junior at last season’s Final.
Madison Heights Madison’s Jaylin Golson – Also a senior, Golson set the meet record in the 400 last season at 48.17 and tied for the fastest Regional time in the division this month. He also ran the fastest 200 (22.48) as well in this division’s Regionals.
LP DIVISION 4 at Hudsonville Baldwin Middle School
Top Regional scores: Saugatuck 150, Ubly 147, Eau Claire 143, Springport 143.
Concord – The reigning champion should score big points in all four relays, coming in with top-five Regional times for the entire division in all of them. Senior Jesse Hersha can cap a career filled with championships in both track and cross country by repeating in the 3,200 (10:15.43) and making it a double in the 1,600 (4:30.60) after taking third in that race last season.
Muskegon Western Michigan Christian – The Warriors have similar strengths to Concord, with the fastest LPD4 Regional times in the 3,200 (8:26.89) and 1,600 (3:27.95) relays and the second-fastest in the 800 (1:33.25). Junior Braxton Snuffer is a contender in the 1,600 (4:28.07). Senior Elijah VanderVelde had the fastest Regional time in the 400 (50.17) and also could score in the 200.
Saugatuck – Last season’s runner-up and the 2013 champion is back in the mix led in part by sophomore hurdler Blake Dunn in the 110 (15.57) and 300 (40.31) races; he posted the fastest LPD4 Regional time in the latter and is the reigning Finals champion in that event. Senior Joe Brown could score in the 800 (2:03.45), and the 1,600 relay (3:31.06) had the second-fastest Regional time.
Harbor Beach’s Luke Anderson – He won the 1,600 last season and finished second to Hersha in the 3,200, and now as a senior posted the best LPD4 Regional times in both – 4:26.54 and 9:50.16, respectively.
Morenci’s Austin Sandusky – The reigning champion in the 400 sits with the fifth-fastest Regional time in that race (51.03) and the second-fastest in the 200 (22.71).
Southfield Christian’s Blake Washington – A relay champion and runner-up in the 200 in 2014, he could be in line to carry his team into contention with the top seed times in the 100 (10.97) and 200 (22.27), and second-fastest in the 400 (50.60).
Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary’s Casey Williams – Only a sophomore, his Regional long jump of 22-3¾ would tie the LPD4 Finals record.
UP DIVISION 1 at Kingsford
Top Regional scores: Marquette 77, Kingsford 72, Negaunee 51.
Kingsford – The Flivvers won last season’s Final by 50 points and their Regional this spring by 21. Daniel Harrington and Trevor Roberts are contributors in both field events and races, and Kingsford won all four relays at its Regional, three by sizable margins.
Marquette – The Redmen were runners-up last season and haven’t won since finishing a three-peat in 2012. But after winning only one event (3,200 relay) at last season’s Final, they finished first in nine at this month’s Regional. Junior Lance Rambo in the 3,200 (9:56) and 1,600 (4:32) and junior Andrew Banitt in the 400 (51.40) and 800 (2:00.50) should be key.
Negaunee’s Jason Bell – After sweeping the hurdles races last season, he’s lined up to do the same after Regional wins in the 110 (16.25) and 300 (42.24) by convincing margins.
Menominee’s Justin Brilinski – He finished only second at his Regional in the long jump (19-3¼) but won the event at last season’s Final.
Houghton’s Jacob Colling – Like Brilinski, he finished only second in his key event, the 3,200 (10:41.68), at the Regional, but remains the reigning Finals champion.
UP DIVISION 2 at Kingsford
Top Regional scores: Ishpeming 95, Ishpeming Westwood 57, Manistique 45.
Ishpeming – The Hematites are seeking a second straight Finals title and dominated their Regional by winning four races, three of four relays and a field event. Nate Meyer won all three sprints with times of 12.21 in the 100, 24.26 in the 200 and 52.74 in the 400; he was second in the 400 and third in the 200 at last season’s Final.
Westwood – The Patriots won a closer Regional by a comfortable 15 points and should move up from fifth at last season’s Final. They’re strong in relays, winning three at the Regional, and can count on hurdler Vincente Carlson, who won the 110 (16.06) and 300 (45.03) at the Regional and was second and third, respectively, in those races at last season’s Final.
Ironwood’s Jared Joki – He’s looking to again dominate the distance races after winning the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 last season as a junior and two straight U.P. Division 2 cross country championships.
UP DIVISION 3 at Kingsford
Top Regional scores: Munising 85, Stephenson 59, Bessemer 59.
Munsing – After last season winning its first team title since 1996, Munising is favored to repeat. Andy Cooper became the fourth athlete in MHSAA history to win four boys track & field titles, and he claimed wins in the high jump (6-0), 200 (23.31) and both hurdles races (14.81 and 40.60) at his Regional. Reigning 1,600 and 3,200 Finals champion Brett Hannah also won the Regional in 4:37.77 and 10:55.31, respectively.
Stephenson – The Eagles should be able to ride standout distance runner Conner Cappaert to big points. He was third in the 3,200 at last season’s Final but won that race (11:15.70) and the 1,600 (5:06.47) and finished fourth in the 800 (2:16.23) at the Regional.
Crystal Falls Forest Park’s Bill Ragio – He won pole vault (13-2), finished second in the 200 and fifth in the 100 at his Regional and is the reigning Finals pole vault and long jump champion.
PHOTO: Niles Brandywine’s Andrew Duckett will look to repeat in the 300 hurdles after winning the Lower Peninsula Division 3 championship in 2014.