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Preview: Boys Title Contenders Abound
May 30, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
This MHSAA boys track and field season has been unpredictable, thanks in large part to the wild weather that has marked this spring.
But it served as a sign for this weekend’s seven Finals to be run in the Grand Rapids area and Kingsford High School, as team championships could be up for grabs among a number of teams in at least five of the seven meets.
See below for some of the teams and individuals who could be standing on the podium when their events are done. 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: 1. East Kentwood 231, 2. Saline 160.4, 3. Warren DeLaSalle 137.
East Kentwood: The Falcons have won four of the last five Division 1 titles and are the reigning champions. They are bringing 19 entries – including all four relays – to Rockford, with the 400 and 1,600 relays carrying the fastest Regional seed times in the meet. Seniors Devin McKinney and Antoine Lloyd also earned the fastest 110 hurdles times and could score big between them in the hurdles races and 200.
Saline: The Hornets could get into the team title mix with points coming in the middle distance and distance races and relays. Junior Logan Wetzel is a contender in the 1,600 and 800 and senior Ryan Wilkie is among favorites in the latter. They also team up on a pair of relays seeded third.
Oak Park: Seniors Maurice Allen and Eli Minor have the chance to earn 30 points in the 100, 200 and 400 combined if their can repeat their Regional times. A pair of relays also are seeded among the top two in those events.
Lincoln Park’s Robert Atwater: The high-flying senior finished second at his Regional in the high jump, but won the event at the 2013 Final and jumped 7-0 at a coaches association meet last weekend – a height which would be good enough to set the LP Division 1 Final record if he can repeat Saturday. He also had the fourth-longest Regional long jump, 22-1¼ inches.
Birmingham Groves’ Ross Williams: The reigning champion in the 300 hurdles enters his final MHSAA meet with the fastest Regional time (38.56 seconds) in that race this season, plus the fourth-fastest in the 110 hurdles race.
Grand Blanc's Grant Fisher: He helped his team to a runner-up finish last season by winning the 3,200 and enters this weekend with the top Regional time in both that race (9:26.09) and the 1,600 (4:12.48).
LP DIVISION 2 at Grand Rapids Houseman Stadium
Top Regional scores: 1. St. Joseph 210.34, 2. Sturgis 162. 3. Melvindale 136.
Auburn Hills Avondale: After a season at Division 1, the 2012 Division 2 champion is back and with a combination of sprinters and throwers that should make an impact. Junior Joshuwa Holloman won the 100 in LP Division 1 last season and has the top seed in that event after running a 10.83 at his Regional; he also enters with the sixth-seeded 200 time of 22.87. Senior Zachary Purcilly enters with the second-best Regional shot put (53-9) and discus (155-8) tosses. The 400 relay (43.81) also is second-seeded.
Byron Center: The 2010 champion enters with two top-four seeded relays plus a distance runner and thrower expected to score big points. Senior Al Lake had the third-farthest shot put (52-5¼) and farthest discus (175-7) toss at Regionals, while senior John Sattler enters with the fastest 1,600 seed (4:15.2) and second-fastest in the 800 (1:56).
Zeeland West: The Dux have entries in eight individual events plus three relays, and many are seeded to score well. Senior Danny Bauder has the second-fastest 100 (10.99) and fastest 200 (22.51) times coming in, with senior Jason Tran ranking first in 110 hurdles (14.7) and second in the 300 (39.75). The 400 relay team (43.58) including both also owns a top seed.
Allendale’s Nate Couturier: The fifth-place finisher in 300 hurdles in 2013 enters with the top seed (39.12) in that race, the second-fastest in the 110 (14.96) and as a member of two top-eight relays.
Coldwater’s Logan Targgart: The sixth-place finisher in discus last season, he should be in the hunt for both throws with the third-best discus (151-1) and fourth-best shot put (52-4) tosses at Regionals.
Saginaw Swan Valley’s Alex Grace: One of the top-gaining running backs in MHSAA history, Grace’s speed should earn points this weekend as he enters with the second-fastest 200 (22.58) and 12th-fastest 100 (11.24); he also is running on the sixth-seeded 400 relay.
LP DIVISION 3 at Comstock Park
Top Regional scores: 1. Watervliet 189, 2. Macomb Lutheran North 157, 3. Grand Rapids West Catholic 156.
Hillsdale: The Hornets are seeded among the top eight in three relays and also should get points from a number of individuals. Senior Zach Hardway is the top seed in the 800 (1:57.52) and seventh in the 1,600 (4:30.9), while sophomore Brock Eves is seventh in the 3,200 (9:51.29), junior Austin Hawkins in fifth in the long jump (20-10½) and junior Jimmy Felske is tied for fourth in the 100 (11.16).
Sanford Meridian: The Mustangs could approach meet records in both the 400 and 1,600 relays; the LP D3 400 record is 43.25 and Meridian ran 43.52 at its Regional, and the 1,600 record is 3:22.37 and Meridian ran 3:24.37 to earn the top seed. The Mustangs also enter with the top-seeded 800 relay (1:31.53), senior Kevin Scheibert the top seed in the 400 (50.08) and senior Jacob Ham the second seed in the 200 (22.82). Senior Jacob Wenzlick should contend in long jump after posting the third-farthest Regional leap of 21-1½.
Standish-Sterling: The Panthers placed third last season and should make a run at the title with senior Clay Walderzak the returning champion in shot put and top seeded in both that throw (56-7½) and the discus (170-5). The 400, 1,600 and 3,200 relays all are seeded among the top six, as are senior Jim Cousins in the 400 (50.99) and senior Matt Crawford in the 300 hurdles (41.09).
Lansing Catholic’s Keenan Rebera: A junior and last season’s 3,200 champion also earned a cross country title in the fall and enters with the fourth seed in the 3,200 (9:47.94) and top seed in the 1,600 (4:25.73).
Mason County Central’s Chase Barnett: The reigning champion in the 800 and 1,600 can finish his career Saturday with four more titles; he’s seeded only 15th in the 1,600 (4:38) but second in the 800 (1:57.99) and fifth in the 3,200 (9:48.74), plus will run on the 3,200 relay.
Saginaw Nouvel’s Tyler Hendricks: After winning the 200 last season, Hendricks will look to finish his high school career with a repeat in that race entering with a seed time of 23.36 and tied for fourth-fastest in the 100 (11.16).
LP DIVISION 4 at Hudsonville Middle School
Top Regional scores: 1. Lutheran Westland 307, Southfield Christian 280, Concord 186.
Concord: The Yellow Jackets are seeking their first team title since 2010 and have the mix of standout sprinters and distance runners to appear the likely favorite. Senior Nolen Bright-Mitchell is the reigning champion in the 200 and could approach meet records in the 100 (10.77) and 200 (22.18); his Regional times converted from hand timing were 10.84 and 22.24, respectively, and he’s also seeded third in the 400 (51.34). Junior Jesse Hersha is a two-time MHSAA cross country champion and enters with the third-fastest 1,600 (4:29.34) seed time and fastest in the 3,200 (9:50.84). Two relays are top-seeded, with a third the third seed and a fourth relay seeded eighth.
Saugatuck: The reigning champion could dominate relays and middle distance and distance races. The 3,200 relay (8:17.67) and 1,600 relay (3:31.42) are both seeded first, with the 800 relay (1:34.13) seeded fourth. Junior Jacob Pettinga has the fourth seeds in the 1,600 (4:33.4) and 3,200 (10:05.04), senior Andrew Poolman has the top seed in the 400 (50.8), freshman Blake Dunn has the fourth in the 300 hurdles (41.87), senior Clayton Springer has the third in the 3,200 (10:02.3), and senior Wes Webbert (2:01.26) and junior Joe Brown (2:01.87) have the fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 800.
Southfield Christian: The Eagles are positioned to push the contenders. Junior Blake Washington is seeded third in the 200 (23.25) and seventh in the 100 (11.36) and runs on 800 (1:33.97) and 400 (45.38) relays both seeded among the top three. Senior Donald Parker enters as the sixth seed in the 200 (23.53).
Evart’s Max Hodges: The returning champ in the 800 is seeded third in that race (2:01.08) and also will run the 1,600 and on a relay.
Genesee’s Damertrius Nelson: The reigning long jump champion tied for eighth-longest Regional jump (20-1) and is seeded fifth in the 100 (11.35).
Homer’s Gavin Towery: After winning the pole vault last season, he must again contend with North Muskegon’s Jacob Walton, who Towery beat in the tie-breaker to claim the title.
Kalamazoo Christian’s Clayton Meldrum: The reigning 300 hurdles champion is seeded fifth in that race (42.07) and ninth in the 100 hurdles (16.07) and also will run the 200.
Marion’s Tyrell Hall: The senior finished only sixth in long jump last season, but his Regional jump this month of 23-0¼ would break the LP D4 Finals record by more than eight inches. He also will run the 100 and 200.
UP DIVISION 1 at Kingsford
Top Regional scores: 1. Kingsford 80, Negaunee 56, Marquette 50.
Gladstone: The reigning champion returns 400 winner Chris Sedenquist, who is seeded first in that race (53.14) and third in the 200 (23.79), plus top thrower Cody Malanowski; he’s seeded first in shot put (45-3) and second in discus (121-11). The 800 relay (1:36.15) is seeded first and the 400 relay (3:44.14) is seeded third.
Marquette: The Redmen are seeking their fourth team title in five seasons, keyed by four relays seeded third or higher including the top-seeded 1,600 (3:40.34). Sophomore Lance Rambo is seeded second in the 3,200 (10:11.84) and 1,600 (4:35.05), and junior Andrew Banitt is the top seed in the 800 (2:04.77) with two more teammates among the top four in that race.
Escanaba’s Eric Cousineau: The junior won the 3,200 last season and is seeded fifth in that race (10:24.57) and will also run on the 3,200 relay.
Kingsford’s Cole Tengesdahl: The senior is the reigning champion in the 100 (12.41) and also will run the 200 (24.24) and on two relays seeded fourth or higher.
Negaunee’s Austin Caya: The reigning pole vault champion had the highest Regional vault in this division (12-0) and also will run on the 400 relay.
Sault Ste. Marie’s Parker Scott: The reigning champ in the 800 and 1,600 continues to dominate as a sophomore; he’s the top seed in the 1,600 (4:34.96) and 3,200 (10:10.36) and the third seed in the 800 (2:09.41). He also will run on the 3,200 relay.
UP DIVISION 2 at Kingsford
Top Regional scores: 1. Ishpeming 57, 2. Manistique 74, 3. St. Ignace 47.5.
Ishpeming: Last season’s runner-up should contend again for its first MHSAA Finals title since 2003 with a significant boost from field events. Senior Bobby Zhulkie is the second-seeded shot putter (41-9) and high jumper (5-8), and senior Noah Olgren is the top-seeded pole vaulter (12-0). The 1,600 relay (3:46.94) also is top-seeded, and the 800 relay (1:39.44) is second. Senior Derek Decaire (second in the 100 at 11.84), junior Tommy Potter (fourth in the 1,600 at 5:08.04, second in the 800 at 2:13.54 and fourth in the 3,200 at 11:35.74) and junior Nate Meyer (second in the 400 at 55.34, fourth in the 200 at 24.14) are among individuals who should score well.
Manistique: The Emeralds claimed the title last season, their first since 1960. Reigning 200 and 400 champion Ryan Ramey is arguably the top returning standout at this meet, and he’s seeded first in the 400 (54.64) and seventh in the 200 (24.54). Senior Tyler Kangas (tied for second in high jump at 5-8, fourth in discus at 113-6) should provide a boost, and the 3,200 relay (9:21.84) is seeded first.
Hancock’s Jacob Jarvis: He finished third in the 110 hurdles last season as a junior, but could approach the meet record of 15.4 seconds in this race after running a converted hand time of 15.64 at his Regional. He’s also the top seed in the 300 (42.34) and runs on the top-seeded 800 relay (1:38.84).
Hancock’s Gage Hawthorne: The reigning discus champion could repeat and claim shot put as well; he’s the top seed in discus (140-0) by more than 20 feet and also top in shot put (48-3) by more than six feet.
Ishpeming Westwood’s Vincente Carlson: The returning champion in the 110 hurdles is seeded second to Jarvis in that race (15.84) and second to Jarvis as well in the 300 (44.64). Carlson also will run on the 1,600 relay.
UP DIVISION 3 at Kingsford
Top Regional scores: 1. Pickford 90.75, 2. Munising 74, T-3. Rapid River 63, T-3. Felch North Dickinson 63.
Pickford: No school in MHSAA history has won even half as many team titles as Pickford, which has 34 and is seeking its second in three seasons. The Panthers don’t have a top seed at this meet, but are represented in every event led by second-seeded long jumper Jared Hatfield (18-1½).
Munising: The Mustangs are seeking their first team title since 1996 and will rely heavily on standouts Brett Hannah and Andy Cooper. Hannah is the reigning champion in the 3,200 and enters with the second seed in that race (11:15.54) and the 1,600 (4:51.84) and the fifth in the 800 (2:17.54). Cooper is tied for the top seed in high jump (6-0) with teammate Alex Hill, and also is top-seeded in the 110 (16.34) and 300 hurdles (42.54) and second in the 200 (23.94).
Cooks Big Bay de Noc’s Cole Potvin: After winning the 400 in 2013, he could add three more titles with the top seeds in that race (53.94) and the 200 (23.84) and the third-best (tied) in the high jump (5-6).
Felch North Dickinson’s Tim Hruska: With titles in the 110 and 300 hurdles and the 100, the senior scored nearly half of North Dickinson’s points as his team won last season’s overall championship. He’s the second seed in the 110 (16.70) and 300 (44.24), the fifth in the 100 (12.04) and the eighth in the 200 (25.24).
PHOTO: Saginaw Nouvel's Tyler Hendricks claimed last season's LP Division 3 200 championship and should contend in that race and the 100 this weekend. (Click to see more at HighSchoolsSportsScene.com.)
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Finals Preview: Opportunities Abound
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 31, 2013
This weekend's MHSAA Boys Track and Field Finals couldn't be set up better for new traditions and standouts to be born.
Predicting team champions is tougher than usual with individual contenders spread evenly among a number of schools at just about every meet. And while there are a few names and faces to recognize, many are lesser-known at this point – with opportunities for that to change by Sunday morning.
See below for some of the teams and individuals that look most likely to supply memorable performances Saturday.
Click for meet information including all qualifiers and also Saturday night for results as they come in. And check out MHSAA.tv for live streaming coverage of running events from both peninsulas. (NOTE: "Top ranked" aren't listed for U.P. divisions because the coaches association does not produce U.P. rankings for this sport.)
LP DIVISION 1 at East Kentwood
Top ranked: No. 1 East Kentwood, No. 2 Davison, No. 3 Traverse City Central.
East Kentwood: The Falcons tied for eighth last season coming off three straight Division 1 championships, but are favored again thanks in part to three top-five qualifying relays including the best Regional finisher in the 400 (42.2). Junior Devin McKinney tied for the second-fastest Regional time in the 110 hurdles (14.0) and sophomore Kevin Smith did the same in the 100 (10.6).
Davison: After finishing in the middle of the pack in 2012, Davison should improve this season. Senior Gabe Hodge had the top qualifying time in the 400 (48.4) and two relays ran among the top six in the division at Regionals.
Lake Orion: The reigning champion was unranked at the end of the regular season. But with qualifiers spread out among so many teams in this division, Lake Orion looks good to make another impressive showing. The team has seven individual qualifiers including five with Regional times among the top eight in their events, and all four relays also qualified – including the top-running 3,200 (7:49.2).
Walled Lake Central’s Cullen Prena: The senior had the best Regional discus throw, 195-3, by nearly 20 feet and should approach the Division 1 Final record of 197-11 set by Portage Northern’s Joey Sarantos in 2001. Prena also had the second-best Regional shot put.
Birmingham Brother Rice’s Justin Flynn: Six sprinters went 10.6 or faster at Regionals in this division. But Flynn, a senior, was the lone runner to time 10.5 – which would beat Ricco Hall of East Kentwood’s record time of 10.55 at last season’s Final.
Utica’s Freddie Crittenden: The senior ran the Regional in 13.7, which would approach Kenneth Ferguson of Detroit Mumford’s record time of 13.65 set in 2002. Crittenden also had the fastest Regional time, 37.0, in the 300.
Other returning individual champions: Kevin Weiler, Swartz Creek (shot put, qualified first this season, fifth in discus), Brian Kettle, Highland-Milford (1,600, qualified third this season and tied for 17th in the 800), Jacorey Lipsey, Portage Northern (300 hurdles, qualified third this season and tied for fourth in the 110).
LP DIVISION 2 at Ada Forest Hills Eastern
Top ranked: No. 1 Zeeland West, No. 2 Williamston, No. 3 Adrian.
Zeeland West: The Dux have seven individual qualifiers and also will run all four relays – three relays posted Regional times that ranked among the top six in the division. Three individual qualifiers rank among the top eight in their events for West, which finished sixth last season.
Williamston: The Hornets should contend for their first team title since 2008 thanks to nine individual qualifiers – including five that rank among the top four in their events by Regional performance. Senior Austin Loewen is the favorite in both the 110 (14.2) and 300 hurdles (38.9) and won the former in 2012. All four relays also will run.
Chelsea: Also unranked at the end of the regular season, last season’s third-place team has two athletes who posted the top Regional performances in the division – senior Michael Hovater in pole vault (14-10) and senior Berkely Edwards in the 100 (10.4) – plus eight more qualifiers who rank among the top eight in their events based on Regional finishes.A 10.4 by Edwards would break the meet record and tie the all-Finals mark.
Cadillac’s Riley Norman: Last season’s shot put champion as a junior had the top Regional throw by nearly three feet of 57-6.5. He also had the eighth-best Regional discus toss of 152-9.
Petoskey’s Louis Lamberti: The senior will look to repeat as high jump champion, and his 6-8 jump at the Regional equaled his winning launch from the 2012 Final.
Cedar Springs’ Connor Mora: Division 2’s top distance runner is the reigning 800 and 1,600 title winner, but is changing up a bit from what he ran as a junior. He had the top Regional time in the 1,600 by more than six seconds at 4:11.1 and the best in the 3,200 by 18 seconds with a 9:13.9.
Allegan's Gary Jones: He won the 200 as a sophomore in 2011, and last month tied for the top Regional long jump (23-0) while posting the top time in the 200 (21.5).
LP DIVISION 3 at Comstock Park
Top ranked: No. 1 Lansing Catholic, No. 2 Ithaca, No. 3 Hanover-Horton.
Hanover-Horton: With reigning champion Lansing Catholic bringing only three qualifiers Saturday, Hanover-Horton could be the favorite with five individual qualifiers and three relays that posted times among the top seven at the division’s Regionals – including the top 3,200 relay (8:06.8). Senior Bryce Stroede is the reigning individual 3,200 champ and posted the second-best Regional time in that race (9:40.5), the 1,600 (4:18.1) and the best in the 800 (1:55.4).
Wyoming Kelloggsville: The fourth-ranked team at the end of the regular season could end up on top boasting the top Regional relay performer in the 400 (44.2), 800 (1:31.7) and 1,600 (3:27.8). Kelloggsville also qualified eight times in individual events, with senior T.J. Burnett tops in the 400 (49.6) and second in the 110 hurdles (14.7).
Standish-Sterling: Although ranked No. 6, Standish-Sterling could move into the mix with six individual qualifiers and three relays also running. Junior Clayton Walderzak is one of the division’s top throwers, coming in with the top Regional shot put (55-4.5) and second-best discus toss (163-10).
Niles Brandywine’s Evan Hartman: He had the top Regional discus throw by more than 15 feet of 179-3, less than two feet off the Division 3 Final record. He won the event last season; he also will compete in shot put.
Dillon Brooks, Perry: His 100 time at his Regional, 10.3, is simply incredible and would beat the all-Finals record by a tenth of a second. He also ran the top 200 Regional time, 22.1, and tied for the fourth-fastest 400 time with a 50.6.
Morley-Stanwood’s Travis McCuaig: The high jump champion as a junior, he looks good to add up to three more titles in his final weekend. He tied for the top Regional high jump of 6-5 after winning the Final last season at 6-8, and posted top-four times in both hurdles races. He’ll also compete in long jump.
LP DIVISION 4 at Hudsonville Baldwin Street Middle School
Top ranked: No. 1 Evart, No. 2 Saugatuck, No. 3 Petersburg-Summerfield.
Evart: The Wildcats will compete for their first MHSAA team title with strength throughout the lineup. Four of the team’s 10 individual qualifiers are among the top eight in the division based on their Regional performances, and all four relays also will run. Three of those four relays posted Regional times among the top nine in the division.
Saugatuck: Also competing for its first MHSAA team title, Saugatuck might be the favorite with a number of athletes expected to score big. Five individual qualifiers and two relays are among the top five in their respective events based on their Regional finishes, with senior Sean Kelly posting the second-fastest times in both the 1,600 (4:28) and 3,200 (9:48.1). He is the reigning champion in the 3,200.
Albion: Despite being unranked at the end of the regular season, Albion is an intriguing possibility. The Wildcats shared the Division 4 team title in 2011 and won it outright last season, but the school is closing after this spring. The team brings 12 qualifiers and lots of scoring potential into its last Final. Eight of those qualifiers are ranked among the top eight in the division in their events based on Regionals, with Nolen Bright-Mitchell topping the lists in the 100 (10.6) and 200 (21.7). If he runs those times again Saturday, he’ll own two MHSAA meet records to go with his shared championship in the 400 last season. The 1,600 relay (3:30.5) also is a favorite.
Litchfield’s Jacob Patrick: The senior set the Division 4 Final discus record last season at 190 feet, and threw 189-6 at this spring’s Regional. He also tossed the division’s fourth-best shot put, 49-0.
Climax-Scotts’ Alexander Lodes: While Bright-Mitchell’s 100 time at the Regional would be fast enough to break this Final meet's record, so too would Lodes’ Regional time of 10.7. He’s also behind only Bright-Mitchell in the 200 with a Regional time of 21.9. Lodes won both races at the 2012 Final.
Morenci’s Austin Sandusky: With a time going down to the thousandth of a second, Sandusky tied with Bright-Mitchell for the 400 title in 2012. Now a sophomore, Sandusky enters Saturday tied for fourth-fastest with a time of 11.0 in the 100, fifth on the 200 list with a time of 22.9 and tied with Peck’s Cody Abrego for the best Regional time in the 400, 50.7.
UP DIVISION 1 at Kingsford
Gladstone: The Braves finished runner-up to Marquette last season and are looking for their first title since finishing a run of six straight in 2009. They won their Regional with ease and have an incredible number of field event qualifiers – 13 – plus three relays that posted the second-fastest Regional times in their respective races. Thrower Jared Vuksan had the top Regional shot put of 52-2, which would break the record of 52-0.5 set three seasons ago, and is the reigning champ in that event. Teammate Justin Pederson ran the 100 in 10.78 at the Regional, which would erase Garrett Pentecost’s record time of 10.95 set last year for Marquette. Senior Justin Pederson is the favorite in multiple events, the long jump and 100.
Kingsford: The Finals hosts are seeking their first championship since 1990 and are coming off a Regional title as well. Kingsford can keep up with Gladstone with points from 10 individual race qualifiers plus four relays – and big performances by top Regional discus thrower Hilding Beaudoin and pole vaulter Ryan Camp. Beaudoin is the reigning champion in his event.
Escanaba’s Andrew Stenberg: The senior is the reigning champion in the 1,600 and had the third-fastest Regional time, 4:41.34. He also posted the third-fastest in the 3,200, 10:18.97.
Marquette’s Andrew Bannitt: He won the 800 last season as a freshman and had the fastest Regional time this spring, 2:03.79, by more than two seconds.
Menominee’s Bryan Hines: The senior comes in with the top Regional times in both the 110 (15.82) and 300 hurdles (42.86).
UP DIVISION 2 at Kingsford
Manistique: The Emeralds finished third in Division 1 last season and dominated their Division 2 Regional with wins in eight events. They come into Saturday with the top Regional performer in six events – including last season’s Division 1 300 hurdles champion, now-senior Kennar Broulire. His Regional time of 40.67 would best the Division 2 Final record of 41 seconds set in 2004, and he also comes in with the best Regional time in the 100 (11.34). Junior Ryan Ramey had the fastest Regional times in the 200 (23.37) and 400 (52.64), and the 3,200 relay (8:56.13) was more than 23 seconds faster than anyone else in the division.
Ishpeming: Also a Regional champion, Ishpeming has only one qualifier coming in off a Regional-best time – the 1,600 relay (3:41.66). But the Hematites have 19 qualifiers overall. Senior Hunter Wirtanen in the 100 and 200 and sophomore Nate Meyer in the 400 and 800 should put up big points as Ishpeming pursues its first team title since 2003. Meyer won the 400 last season.
Newberry’s James Sutton: He set the high jump record of 6-3.5 as a junior last season and jumped 6-7 at this season's Regional. He also had the top Regional long jump of 19-6 and is a contender in both hurdles races. He won the 110 hurdles last season and finished runner-up in the 300.
Ironwood’s Cole Stevens: The senior finished second in the pole vault last season at 11-0, but went 13-0 at this year’s Regional – which would be more than enough to break the Division 2 Final record of 12-6 set in 2001.
Ishpeming Westwood’s Vincente Carlson: He was the runner-up in the 110 hurdles as a freshman, and his 15.4 in the Regional a few weeks ago would tie the Division 2 Final record set in 2003. He also will run the 300.
Other returning individual champions: Conner Cappaert, Stephenson (3,200, qualified second this season and third in the 1,600).
UP DIVISION 3 at Kingsford
Bessemer: The Speedboys have four individual qualifiers among the top five in their events by Regional performance, but will rely on strong relays if they are to emerge from a strong group of potential contenders. The 800 relay (1:39.2) posted the fastest Regional time in the division and the 400 relay had the second-fastest in that event; the 1,600 and 3,200 also fell among the top eight. Junior Alex Smith had the second-longest long jump and tied for the best 100 time, 11.42.
Pickford: The reigning champion gets the nod over a few others who should be in the mix – including 2012 Division 2 champ St. Ignace, Rapid River and Felch North Dickinson – because of five individual qualifiers and two relays that posted top-five Regional performances in the division. Senior Jared Lavingne had the top 300 time, 42.93, and the third-fastest in the 100 hurdles (16.78). The 1,600 relay also comes in as a top seed after running a 3:46 at the Regional.
Rock Mid-Peninsula’s Brett Branstrom: The senior set the meet record for discus of 154-8 last season and had the top throw of these Regionals of 146-3. He also had the second-best shot put and high jump of this division’s Regionals.
St. Ignace’s Parker Simmons: He won the 100 and 200 in Division 2 last season as a junior and will compete in those and both jumps.
Other returning individual champions: Robert Metter, Rapid River (pole vault, qualified second this season), Jacob Pikka, Wakefield-Marenisco (shot put, qualified sixth this season and seventh in discus), Richard Bentley, St. Ignace (Division 2 pole vault, qualified third this season), Joe Ostman, St. Ignace (Division 2 shot put, qualified third this season and sixth in the 400).
PHOTO: Perry's Dillon Brooks (middle) won three titles at his Division 3 Regional and posted a 100 time of 10.3, good enough to set an all-Finals record if he can run that fast Saturday. (Click to see more at HighSchoolsSportsScene.com.)