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.)
Gladstone Takes Back Top Spot in UPD1
By
John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com
June 1, 2019
KINGSFORD – The Gladstone boys had quite a championship reign at the Upper Peninsula Track & Field Finals during the previous decade, taking the Division 1 titles from 2004-09, then winning again in 2013.
They returned to the winner's circle here Saturday, bringing home the championship trophy for the eighth time in 16 years with 127 points. Ishpeming Westwood and four-time reigning champ Marquette shared runner-up honors at 97.
Gladstone senior Adam Bruce, who underwent hip surgery in late January, earned his first 1,600-meter title in four minutes, 35.73 seconds and also won the 3,200 (10:04.67), both in season-best times.
"The 1,600 is the one that evaded me for four years," he said. "It felt great to go under 4:40. I think good training all week really helped and having the break (nine days from competition) helped my hip heal.
"In the 3,200, I just wanted to go out relaxed in the first lap, and I stayed relaxed. I was hitting my splits each 200 (meters). I'm proud of my time after hip surgery. There was no guarantee I'd be able to run like this so soon. The guys were around the track cheering me on, which I really appreciate. I'm just thankful for everybody, especially Zoie (Berg) who's there for me all the time.
"We also wanted to do this for Mr. Houle (longtime coach and athletic director Matt Houle, who died last fall), who always told us 'It's a great day to be a Brave.'"
Sophomore teammate Calvin Thibault retained his 110 and 300-meter hurdle titles in 15.35 and 40.35, respectively, and placed second in the 200 (23.13) and third in the 100 (11.58).
The Braves showed their depth especially in hurdles with sophomore Blake Servant taking second in the 110s (15.99) and senior James McKnight runner-up in the 300s (41.66).
Servant added a first in discus (137-9).
Escanaba junior Dayton Miron set a U.P. and school record in pole vault at 13-8, erasing the previous U.P. Finals record of 13-7 by Mike Coyne of Gladstone in 2007 and the 47-year-old school record (13-6¾) by John Noblet.
"It felt amazing to clear 13-8," Miron said. "It felt real good to see the bar stay up there after I rolled over. I couldn't stop thinking about it on my 14-foot attempts. I couldn't have done it without the help from my coach (Joe Royer), who gave me a lot of pointers. I won it at 13, then decided to go for 13-8. I'm really glad it happened here. I have a new pole, which separated me from 13 feet."
Marquette senior Raphael Millado captured high jump (6-3) and long jump (20-7), and classmate Mathurin Gagnon took the 800 (2:03.84) and helped the Redmen take the 3,200 relay.
Westwood senior Nathan Beckman won the 200 (22.96), and junior Chad Pohlman won the 400 (51.13).
The Patriots also swept the sprint relays, and senior Blake Hewitt added a first in shot put (44-4½).
PHOTOS: (Top) Gladstone’s Calvin Thibault powers through the finish to take first in the 300 hurdles, while teammate James McKnight follows to finish second. (Middle) Marquette’s Raphael Millado clears the bar on the way to winning the high jump. (Photos by Cara Kamps.)