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.
Parchment Enjoys Exchange of Experiences
By
Pam Shebest
Special for MHSAA.com
May 23, 2016
PARCHMENT — Pecan pie and snow are just two surprises Khaled Bukhamseen found as an exchange student at Parchment High School.
“Pies are not as famous back home,” he said. “I actually learned how to make them so I can do that back home.
“My favorite is pecan pie. Oh my gosh.”
The Dammam, Saudi Arabia, native, who played soccer in the fall and competed on the track & field team this spring, had never seen snow.
“It was pretty sweet the first couple times, but then I got sick of it,” he said, grinning. “It was like, ‘OK, we had fun, you can leave now.’
“I had to buy actual winter clothes.”
Another surprise was organized sports.
When Bukhamseen decided to try out for the Parchment track team, he figured he would just drop in for practice whenever he felt like exercising.
He got a reality check when he realized what a commitment he had to make.
“They told me about track and the activities you can do, like races,” he said. “I thought I would give it a try. I was pretty sure I would like it because I’m fast.
“I like the competition. Sometimes you do so good and you get first place and you feel like you’re the best on the team. That’s the good part about it.”
Parchment’s track season is over for all but the six individuals who qualified last week for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Finals. The exchange student is not one of them – but will finish his year in the United States with an experience valuable not only to him but his teammates and coaches as well.
The only high school sports at Bukhamseen’s school in Dammam are in physical education classes.
“I played soccer, but it was just a PE class where they try to vary the sports,” he said. “That was pretty much the only thing I did, and it was like once a week for 45 minutes.”
Once Bukhamseen showed interest in joining the track team, coach Matt Hodgson evaluated him for his strengths and weaknesses along with what the team needed.
“Khaled appeared to us to be stronger in the sprints than long distance,” Hodgson said. “I don’t think running five miles a day out on the road is something that interested him.”
The coach also made sure the sprinter knew what was expected.
“Organized athletics (in Saudi Arabia) are not like they are in America,” Hodgson said. “In fact, one day we talked about it and he said when he first came out for track he thought it was something you kinda showed up for and practiced when you wanted to and made a meet when you wanted to.
“He said, ‘You don’t allow that, coach, do you?’ I said no; when you commit, you commit and you’re expected to be here every day.”
Bukhamseen competed in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, 400 relay and long jump.
Hodgson said Bukhamseen brought a lot of energy to the team.
“We always expect something quite hilarious to come out of his mouth daily,” the coach said. “He’s a good teammate who has really bonded with a lot of the kids on the team.
“Because he’s not used to this organization of athletics, he’s oftentimes running around saying ‘Coach, when’s my event, what am I doing?’ We always expect him to be a little frazzled at times at meets, and it’s quite comical.”
Bukhamseen wasn’t the only one benefiting from the exchange program. Members of the track team did, too.
“He’s given us a different perspective on the world, and he’s told us about the people of Saudi Arabia,” said Donavan Hodgson, the coach’s son, who runs anchor on the 400 relay team. He’s a really funny guy and a really cool guy, too.”
Students also are getting a lesson in culture.
“I think in the United States, especially, there’s a really bad rap on Muslims and people from those areas,” Donavan Hodgson said. “Khaled’s the exact opposite of what (some may) think. He’s the most passive-aggressive guy ever. He’s a really good guy.”
Bukhamseen started the school year with the Kellay Fall and Bill Evans family and for the last few months has lived with the Kira and Franz Griggs family.
Kira Griggs was an exchange student in Paraguay when she was 15 years old and sees hosting a student as paying it forward.
“They really integrate into your family much more than you think,” she said. “You adapt to each other; he’s just another family member.
“He’s a typical teenager; always on his phone, out with friends. His English is so perfect. He’s a great kid, a great student. He has a lot of friends.”
Bukhamseen said it is not unusual for Saudis to study in the United States, especially for college, and his two brothers are currently studying in Seattle.
Although his native language is Arabic, Bukhamseen speaks excellent English.
“In Saudi Arabia it’s mandatory to learn English in first grade,” he said. “My dad has kept it up with me. My dad went to Houston to college.”
Bukhamseen takes most of his class notes in English, but, “If I have a note to the side, I’d write it in Arabic quick, especially a vocab test every Friday,” he said. “I would write the equivalent of the word in Arabic so I wouldn’t forget it.”
Track wasn’t his only sport at Parchment.
When he first came to the United States in August, he integrated himself by joining the soccer team.
That also was an awakening.
“Having a team and a coach and practices, it’s way different than having it just once a week,” he said.
“I had to work out a little extra. They started earlier than me because I came a little late (August) to start the season.”
Soccer coach Matt Streitel has had exchange students on his teams before and said that each boy brings something different to the team.
“It’s cool,” he said. “You get that culture you might not get from other students.
“Khaled had a little bit of skill and was excited to be there.”
Bukhamseen had to go through a rigorous workshop before being accepted into the AFS Intercultural Program.
“Khaled has a great sense of humor,” said David Person, co-coordinator for the West Michigan chapter. “He had to go to Riyadh for orientation and he said it was from 7 to 8, so he thought he’d be in and out in an hour but it was a 13-hour orientation.
“What he had to go through to get here was very stringent. He’s the cream of the crop.”
Bukhamseen is also part of the YES Program, a government-sponsored youth exchange and study, Person said.
“He’s here under U.S. government scholarship,” he said. “They go out and choose the best students ever, the future leaders.
“The YES Program works with programs that have large Muslim populations. He’s one of three YES students in this (southwest Michigan) area.”
The others are at Kalamazoo Central and Battle Creek Central.
Pam Shebest served as a sportswriter at the Kalamazoo Gazette from 1985-2009 after 11 years part-time with the Gazette while teaching French and English at White Pigeon High School. She can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Calhoun, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) Khaled Bukhamseen rounds a turn during a recent Parchment track practice. (Middle top) Bukhamseen, Parchment coach Matt Hodgson, teammate Donavan Hodgson. (Middle below) Bukhamseen trains in the long jump. (Below) David Person, Kira Griggs. (Photos by Pam Shebest.)