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.
Alwine's Risk Rewarded with Top Vault
By
Wes Morgan
Special for MHSAA.com
June 5, 2019
Wyatt Alwine was one more failed attempt away from having a very bad day at last Saturday’s MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Track & Field Finals.
With some of his adrenaline reserve drained from a long rain delay, the Constantine junior — seeded No. 1 entering the meet — described himself as a “mental case” after having missed his first two tries at an opening height of 12 feet, 3 inches, one of which ended in the grass.
After finishing third overall for all-state status a year earlier, Alwine was in danger of not posting a height at all.
“My head just wasn’t there,” he said. “The rain delays didn’t help. I think that was one of the main reasons for a lack of focus.”
A calming influence for Alwine throughout the storms was first-year Constantine pole vault coach Stephanie Teeple — a past three-time Finals champion at Sturgis (1998, 2000, 2001) who went on to do big things at the University of Nebraska and Western Michigan University, including breaking the WMU outdoor record. She always could count on her coach and father, Wes Teeple, who set a school record at Eastern Michigan University and won two league titles, and her mother, Cheryl, who also coached at Sturgis. Oh, and there was older brother Brad to lean on as well. Brad Teeple won a Class B crown in 1999 and went on to compete for Alabama and Nebraska.
Wes and Cheryl Teeple have made it to most Constantine meets this season after Stephanie joined the staff.
“It’s good to have their whole family,” Alwine said. They all come out and support us. It’s a family thing. They definitely know what they’re talking about.”
And when Alwine found himself on the brink of elimination Saturday, he was ready for some encouragement.
“He struggled a little bit on the first two and put it together on the third one,” Stephanie Teeple said of Alwine’s start to the day. “You can either give up or want it, pull through and clear it. Once he got those jitters out, he just improved from there.”
Alwine ended up with a personal-record of 14-3 to win the LPD3 championship, edging Beaverton junior Will Aldrich, who topped out at 14-0 in what ended up being a much more high-flying finals than in 2018. Alwine jumped 13-3 last year for his third-place finish — a height that was not even good enough for a top-eight spot this year.
But even after regaining confidence, Alwine had to trust his coach in crunch time. After clearing 13-9, it was time to take a chance.
Teeple told Alwine to move up to a 15-foot pole that he had never tried. This might not sound difficult to the uninitiated. But for anyone who has had the guts to vault, it’s a rocket ride into the unknown. Added length requires more speed, more strength, a rock-solid plant and nerves of steel. Breaking one out on the biggest stage amplifies the importance of all the above.
“I said, ‘I don’t know about this,’” Alwine recalled. “It’s a big pole. I just listened to her, and it ended up working out.”
“If he wouldn’t have gotten on that bigger pole, I’m not sure he would have gotten over 14-3 to win the meet,” Teeple said. “That’s all it takes, is one kid to get on a bigger pole and it makes all the difference. But that’s what’s good about Wyatt; he is pretty fearless. He has the tools to be a good vaulter, so I’m just glad I get to coach him and do what I know how to do best. I’m really excited for the future to see what he can do.”
Alwine wasn’t able to get over 14-6 cleanly as his leg caught the bar on his descent. After reviewing film of the attempt, Alwine said his body was nearly a foot over the bar.
“I knew I had something special when I got third at state,” Alwine said. “This year, with Miss Teeple coming in, she gave me pointers that really helped me more. It was a lot different. But it kind of clicked a lot better with me. Miss Teeple brought up how the bottom arm is your power. The plant is most important. That and moving up poles got me up to higher heights.
“It kind of got me stoked to do some summer vaulting with her because I know the height is there. It’s exciting (that I won), but I’m already excited to get back to it.”
Wes Morgan has reported for the Kalamazoo Gazette, ESPN and ESPNChicago.com, 247Sports and Blue & Gold Illustrated over the last 12 years and is the publisher of JoeInsider.com. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) Constantine’s Wyatt Alwine clears the pole vault bar during the 2018 season. (Middle) Alwine, this spring. (Top photo courtesy of JoeInsider.com; middle courtesy of Wyatt Alwine.)