Ishpeming Boys Go Distance Again

By John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com

June 2, 2019

KINGSFORD – The Ishpeming boys continued their winning ways at Saturday's Upper Peninsula Track & Field Finals, retaining their Division 2 crown with 129 points.

This marked the fifth title in six years for the Hematites, who were followed by Newberry at 84 and Norway with 75 points.

Ishpeming, led by junior Jonah Broberg, scored 56 points in the distances.

Broberg won the 800-meter run in two minutes, 6.57 seconds and 1,600 (4:45.81), helped the winning 3,200 relay (8:44.13) and placed second in the 3,200 run (10:38.7). Senior Spencer Giroux was third in the 800 (2:09.43) and 1,600 (4:47.42).

Senior Coulton Prillwitz added firsts in the 300 hurdles in 44.25 and long jump at 19 feet. Classmate Gavin Sundberg took the 400 (52.22) and was runner-up in the 200 (23.73).

Manistique’s Alex Misniakiewicz earned his first title in the 3,200 (10:35.23) as D-1 and D-2 athletes ran together.

"I felt real good," said Misniakiewicz, who placed second in the 800 (2:07.4) and 1,600 (4:47.36). "I paced off Adam Bruce (D-1 champ) for 2-3 laps, and if it weren't for Jonah Broberg, I would have never been able to do this. With a couple laps to go somebody from the stands yelled out, 'You have to go. That's how champions are made!' I know that wasn't meant for me, but I just picked it up. In the last 200, I felt I had a pretty good chance to win it."

Newberry got its lone first in the 1,600 relay (3:45.25) and was runner-up in the 3,200 relay (8:50.49).

"We're pleased with our time," said senior Evan Griffis, who ran the second leg in the 3,200 relay. "We were close to Ishpeming for half of the race. Our fourth leg (sophomore Ephram Evans) ran exceptionally well and caught them, but he couldn't quite finish them off. We ran one of our better times, and this is the place to do it."

Norway senior Mitch Legrave captured the 100 (11.5) and 200 (23.56) and helped the Knights take the 400 relay (46.25).

St. Ignace junior Joe Kelly won shot put (46-2½) and was runner-up in discus (117-10).

"Our boys are coming along nicely," said Saints' coach Trudy Olsen. "They work hard. It's nice to see them have some success. Joe had already set the school record in shot (49-9) in our season opener. He missed by just a half inch last year. He was motivated."

Hancock sophomore Austin Salani, who was crowned Western Peninsula Athletic Conference pole vault champion with a school-record leap of 13 feet on May 22 in Houghton, took the U.P. title at 12 feet this time.

Click to see full results.

PHOTOS: (Top) Ishpeming’s Gavin Sundberg takes off during the 400 on Saturday. (Middle) Newberry’s Evan Griffis begins his leg of the 3,200 relay. (Photos by Cara Kamps.)

Moment: Sayen Sprints to Title Sweep

April 23, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Clayton Sayen won the maximum number of MHSAA championships possible for a Michigan high school runner during the 2017-18 school year.

After claiming the Upper Peninsula Division 1 cross country title in the fall, Sayen capped his Houghton career by becoming the most recent of seven athletes to win four individual events at an MHSAA Boys Track & Field Finals.

Sayen claimed the 100 (11.47), 200 (23.19), 400 (51.25) and 800 meters (1:59.31) at the U.P. Division 1 Finals that spring.

The now-Michigan Tech runner was pushed in the 800 in part by teammate Seth Helman, one of those he credited for assisting in his success.

“I rely on my speed for everything. I’m thankful for our coaches who always knew that was best for me. Without their guidance, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I did," Sayen said that day.

"I also want to make a special shout-out to Seth Helman. Running against him in the 800 was a bittersweet moment. He’s my closest friend; I’m really going to miss the time we had together. I’m thankful for the competition we had.”

Read more about Sayen’s four-championship day from Second Half and watch his wins below from the NFHS Network.