Performance: Algonac's Morgan Beadlescomb
May 17, 2016
Morgan Beadlescomb
Algonac senior – Track & Field
Beadlescomb will finish his high school career next month all over the Algonac record books and MHSAA champions lists as well. He won the Lower Peninsula Division 2 cross country championship each of the last two seasons and also won the LP Division 2 track title in the 1,600 last spring. His time in the 1,600 that day set a school record of 4:13.58, and he added his school’s 3,200 record of 9:03.68 in finishing first at the prestigious Saline Golden Triangle Invitational on May 6, earning him the Michigan National Guard Performance of the Week for May 2-8.
The 9:03 was thought to be the fastest time in the state in the 3,200 this season – but was matched by a 9:03 the same night by Corunna’s Noah Jacobs at the Cavalier Classic True Team Invitational. Beadlescomb finished fifth in the 3,200 at last year’s MHSAA LP Division 2 Final, as Jacobs won the race, and he intends to run against Jacobs in both the 1,600 and 3,200 at this season’s Final, June 4 at Zeeland.
Beadlescomb also has run the 400 in 51.8 seconds this season and the 800 in 157.7; that 800 time would’ve finished seventh in LP Division 2 in 2015. His improvement during high school was impressive, especially in cross country; Beadlescomb finished 138th in LP Division 2 as a freshman before jumping to 12th as a sophomore and then winning his final two seasons. Boasting a 3.3 grade-point average, Beadlescomb will study and run next at Michigan State University, where he’ll major in mechanical engineering. He also recently was one of 12 finalists statewide for the Detroit Athletic Club’s annual Michigan High School Athlete of the Year awards, which are given to one female and male to recognize both athletic and academic achievement.
Coach Mark Simms said: “Morgan has a tremendous drive and work ethic. He does not accept finishing second and drives to be the best he can be. Morgan is the most talented track athlete that I have been associated with in my 22-year career. Morgan has left his mark here at Algonac High School. His track records will probably stand for years to come.”
Performance Point: “I remember I took the race out too fast, and that made the entire race difficult. It was hard to hang in there the whole time. But my coaches were there the whole time cheering me on and motivating me, some kids from Michigan State were there watching old teammates and cheering me on, and my parents were too. (The atmosphere) helped motivate me while I was running, for sure. There never really was a silent part of the track.”
Leaving a legacy: “I’m hoping people will remember my work ethic. I worked hard to get where I am. I’m not a naturally talented athlete, and I’ve not always been at the front of the pack … so I hope people will remember me for that.”
Finish strong: “I’m hoping to place top in the nation in the mile or 2-mile; I’m leaning more toward the 2-mile. I’ve got more national goals than I have had in the past. The state meet is going to be difficult because I’m going for the mile/2-mile double. In the mile (1,600) there are two kids under 4:20, but if I play it smart I think I can win that. The 2-mile (3,200) is really difficult (because of) Noah Jacobs. He’s so smart, he knows how to run, he doesn’t get too excited. It’s a battle against him, but I always look forward to it.”
Racing Jacobs: “It’s nice because we’re not at each other’s throats. We like each other, we’re friends, and it’s nice to race against him. It’s a healthy competition. Every sport, I think most kids are like that, especially in high school. Most sports, I've found, kids get along with the other athletes, especially when they get more toward the top, the elite teams. It’s nice to share experiences. We learn from each other.”
Morgan in motion: “I’ve always loved working on moving things. I grew up racing motocross, and I love not only riding but working on the motorcycles. I love learning about cars. If it has a motor, it’s my thing.”
– Geoff Kimmerly, Second Half editor
Every week during the 2015-16 school year, Second Half and the Michigan National Guard will recognize a “Performance of the Week" from among the MHSAA's 750 member high schools.
The Michigan Army National Guard provides trained and ready forces in support of the National Military Strategy, and responds as needed to state, local, and regional emergencies to ensure peace, order, and public safety. The Guard adds value to our communities through continuous interaction. National Guard soldiers are part of the local community. Guardsmen typically train one weekend per month and two weeks in the summer. This training maintains readiness when needed, be it either to defend our nation's freedom, or protecting lives and property of Michigan citizens during a local natural disaster.
Previous 2015-16 honorees
May 4: Abby Krzywiecki, Farmington Hills Mercy softball - Read
April 27: Mike Mokma, Holland Christian baseball - Read
April 20: Abby Divozzo, Cadillac girls soccer - Read
March 30: Cassius Winston, Detroit U-D Jesuit boys basketball - Read
March 23: Kierra Fletcher, Warren Cousino girls basketball - Read
March 16: Jacob Montague, Grosse Pointe South swimming & diving - Read
March 9: Kyle Tuttle, St. Charles boys bowling - Read
March 2: Brittney Schnicke, Caledonia girls bowling - Read
Feb. 24: Kamari Newman, Detroit East English boys basketball - Read
Feb. 17: Jason Whitens, Powers North Central boys basketball - Read
Feb. 10: Rachel Hogan, Grand Ledge gymnastics - Read
Feb. 3: Nehemiah Mork, Midland Dow swimming & diving - Read
Jan. 27: Mardrekia Cook, Muskegon girls basketball - Read
Jan. 20: Sage Castillo, Hartland wrestling - Read
Jan. 13: Rob Zofchak, Dexter swimming & diving - Read
Jan. 6: Tyler Deming, Caro wrestling – Read
Dec. 15: Jordan Weber, East Jordan boys basketball – Read
Dec. 8: Kaitlyn Geers, Kent City girls basketball – Read
PHOTOS: (Top) Algonac's Morgan Beadlescomb leads during the final stretch of the Division 2 Cross Country Final last fall at Michigan International Speedway. (Middle) Beadlescomb (far right) prepares to make his move on the way to winning the 1,600 at last season's MHSAA LP Division 2 Track & Field Final. (Photos by Ike Lea and Carter Sherline, RunMichigan.com.)
Rapid River Rises to Claim D3 Championship
By
John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com
June 5, 2016
KINGSFORD — Twelve years had passed since a Rapid River boys track and field team had been crowned Upper Peninsula champion.
The Rockets found a way to do that Saturday, however, as they edged Powers North Central 72-68 for the title. Third-place Newberry scored 48 points, followed by Felch North Dickinson with 47½ and two-time reigning champ Munising with 46.
Rapid River sealed the deal by placing second in the 3,200-meter relay in 3 minutes, 41.9 seconds. North Central won the day’s final race at 3:38.04.
The Rockets also had to overcome some adversity after losing junior Austin Wicklund to a knee ligament injury.
“It’s exciting to do this as a senior,” said Dan Blair, who anchored that relay and was runner-up to Munising senior Brett Hannah in the 800 and 1,600. “We needed every point, and everybody gave his best effort. After losing Austin, we needed to put a new guy in the 1,600 relay and change our order. This is a great way to end my high school career.
“The (open) 800 and 1,600 could have gone better. Brett and I have been battling since junior high, and today he ran great.”
This marked the fourth consecutive season Hannah won the 3,200 (10:42.7) and his third straight 1,600 championship (4:37.76). Hannah, who scratched from the 400, also retained his 800 title (2:02.12).
“With this being my senior year, I wanted to do the events I really enjoy,” said Hannah. “They had me doing the 1,600 relay, so I compensated for scratching from the 400. I’m pretty happy about repeating in all three races. This became a real good day.”
Blair was runner-up in the 800 (2:03.65) and 1,600 (4:42.08).
Sophomore Logan Hardwick provided the Rockets with a first in discus at 132 feet, two inches and North Central senior Brendan Gatien took shot put (46-11½).
Senior Morgan Cox provided the Jets with a first in high jump (5-8) and anchored the winning 800 relay (1:36.9).
Big Bay de Noc junior Lucas Sundling won the 400 (52.07), followed by North Central senior Bryce Holle (53.8) and junior Tyler Bentley (55.39).
“My goal was to break 52, but it felt like I had no energy,” said Sundling. “My body felt like it was ready for a break, but our coach (John Gores) doesn’t let us miss practice. He does everything to make us better.”
Newberry got its lone first in the 400 relay (46.68), and North Dickinson’s Garrett O’Neil won the 110 hurdles (17.08) and 300s (42.75).
“For the most part, everything was cooking on all cylinders,” said sophomore Andre James, who ran the second leg in Newberry’s winning relay and placed fourth in the 100 (11.75). “We’re really happy about winning that relay. The 100 was real fast. My start went pretty well, only I would have liked to have gotten a higher place. Overall, we did pretty well as a team.”
Eben Junction Superior Central senior Greg Seppanen and Bark River-Harris junior Iver Stenberg hooked up in a pair of tight races. Seppanan won the 100 (11.4) by 12 hundredths of a second. Stenberg then took the 200 (23.23), squeezing past Seppanen by one hundredth of a second. Stephenson’s Montel Glover was third in the 100 (11.74).
PHOTOS: (Top) Munising’s Brett Hannah (far right), Wakefield-Marenisco’s Sam Dean and Rapid River’s Dan Blair race around a curve during the 1,600. (Middle) Stephenson’s Trey Johnson (far right) wins the 110 hurdles. (Photos by Cara Kamps.)