Preview: Don't Miss This Grand Finale
May 31, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Pick a division – any of seven Saturday – and you’re bound to find a senior standout finishing his career at the MHSAA Boys Track & Field Finals.
Michigan high schools regularly graduate star-loaded classes in this sport – but with reigning champions headlining lineups all over the Lower and Upper Peninsula this weekend, this grand finale guarantees to be memorable.
Below is a look at some of the teams and individuals to watch at Saturday’s boys meets. All events begin at 9 a.m. local time on both peninsulas.
Click for meet information including all qualifiers. Check out MHSAA.tv for live streaming of running events from both peninsulas, available with subscription and beginning at 10 a.m., and come back Saturday night for results as they come in and coverage of all seven meets on Second Half.
LP Division 1 at East Kentwood
Top Regional team scores: 1. Grosse Pointe South 142, 2. East Kentwood 139.5, 3. Alpena 130, 4. Plymouth 125, 5. Macomb Dakota 114.
Team forecast: East Kentwood has won the last two LPD1 championships and seven of the last 10. The Falcons look like significant favorites again with the fastest Regional times in the 400, 800 and 1,600 relays, top-five times in five individual races and contenders in at least three field events.
Detroit Renaissance’s Dylan Brown: The junior sprinter ran the top Regional time in the 200 (21.69) and second-fastest in the 100 (10.75) and also runs on two contending relays. He was part of the winning 800 relay and finished fifth in the 200 last season for Detroit Martin Luther King.
Ann Arbor Pioneer’s Nick Foster: The senior distance standout is looking to add to last season’s championships in the 3,200 and as part of the 3,200 relay. His 9:16.60 in the 3,200 was the third fastest in LPD1 Regionals this spring, and he ran the fastest 1,600 (4:12.87).
Lansing Waverly’s Keshaun Harris: The reigning 300 hurdles champion is seeking to sweep those races after finishing a close second as well in the 110 race last spring. He had the fastest LPD1 Regional time in the 110 (14.23) and sixth-fastest in the 300 (38.71).
Rockford’s Noah Stallworth: After coming in fifth in the 100 and eighth in the 200 as a junior, Stallworth had the fastest 100 (10.54) and second-fastest 200 (21.79) at LPD1 Regionals and runs on 400 and 1,600 relays that both were the third fastest in qualifying. He was part of the 400 relay champion in 2017.
LP Division 2 at Zeeland
Top Regional team scores: 1. Dearborn Divine Child 193, 2. Zeeland West 157, 3. Corunna 139.67, 4. Parma Western 130, 5. Yale 118.
Team forecast: The LPD2 Finals have seen 15 schools win the championship at least once over the last 16 seasons. Zeeland West might the favorite this time, after also winning in 2014, with big scoring possible in the hurdles, middle and distance races, long jump and at least three relays.
Otsego’s Alex Comerford: Last season’s 3,200 champ will look to finish his high school career with a pair of titles after running the second-fastest LPD2 Regional time in that race (9:25.94) and fastest in the 1,600 (4:18.41) – although he faces strong competition in Corunna senior Ben Jacobs and East Grand Rapids junior Evan Bishop.
Tecumseh’s Jacob Denison: The 400 winner last season as a junior had the sixth-fastest LPD2 Regional time in that race (50.25) but the second-fastest in the 200 (22.29) and also runs on an 800 relay that should contend.
Saginaw’s Tony Martin: The reigning long jump champion went over 26 feet during a regular-season meet, which would break the all-Finals record by two feet. He won his Regional at 21-10.25, the second-best jump in LPD2 Regional competition behind the 22-3.5 of Hudsonville Unity Christian junior Isaac TeSlaa.
Coldwater’s Dylan Targgart: Coming off a sweep of the throws last season as a sophomore, Targgart had the best tosses in both the shot put (61 feet) and discus (166-8) at LPD2 Regionals. He should make a run at the LPD2 Finals shot put record of 61-8 set by Ogemaw Heights’ Anthony Zettel in 2011.
LP Division 3 at Jenison
Top Regional team scores: 1. Berrien Springs 174.5, 2. Warren Michigan Collegiate 161, 3. Caro 148, 4. Adrian Madison 139.5, 5. Madison Heights Bishop Foley 134.
Team forecast: Similar to LPD2, this division has seen nine schools take turns winning the last nine championships (although three schools have come in second at least twice during that time). Berrien Springs was the runner-up a year ago and should put up some points – but keep an eye out for Pewamo-Westphalia and Saugatuck. P-W should contend in the throws, sprints, middle distance and at least two relays, while Saugatuck – the Division 4 champion or co-champion three of the last six seasons – has the favorites in both distance and hurdles races.
Saugatuck’s Brad Dunn: After taking third in the 110 and fifth in the 300 hurdles last season, Dunn had the top LPD3 Regional times in both this spring as a senior at 14.66 and 40.18 seconds, respectively.
Saugatuck’s Corey Gorgas: After sweeping the 1,600 and 3,200 last season as a junior, Gorgas is favored to do so with the top LPD3 Regional times of 4:19.24 and 9:43.98, respectively – although 800 favorite Jeremey Kloss from Harbor Springs should be right there with him in the 1,600, as should Caro star Yami Albrecht.
Grandville Calvin Christian’s Caleb Schutte: The senior sprinter won the 100 last year and was on the winning 400 relay as a sophomore. He enters this weekend with the second-fastest LPD3 Regional time in the 100 at 11.01 and the fastest in the 200 at 22.24.
Berrien Springs’ Sam Spaulding: The reigning high jump champ won his Regional at 6-2, which ties him for fifth among all LPD3 Regional performances. He’s gone 6-5 this senior season, which would put him one inch shy of the best qualifying mark.
Kent City’s Giovanni Weeks: Another reigning champion looking to go out on top is Weeks, who won the 200 last season and finished just behind Schutte in that race (22.34) and also in the 100 (11.08) at the Regional. His winning Regional long jump of 21-3.5 was fourth in the division for all Regionals.
LP Division 4 at Hudsonville Baldwin Middle School
Top Regional team scores: 1. Lutheran Westland 172, 2. Southfield Christian 158, 3. Addison 155.25, 4. Maple City Glen Lake 138, 5. Kalamazoo Hackett 135.
Team forecast: Hackett won its first MHSAA Finals championship in this sport last season, and Addison could become a first-time champ with at least one competitor in all but one race and three of five field events. Hillsdale Academy could be that team this weekend too with favorites in at least three events and a solid contender in a fourth. Breckenridge is another possible first-time champion with the possibility of earning big points in the throws, distance races and sprint relays.
Kalamazoo Hackett’s Heath Baldwin: After winning the 110 hurdles and long jump last year, Baldwin will make a run at four championships in his last high school meet. He had the second-fastest LPD4 Regional times in the 110 (15.06) and 300 hurdles (40.63), tied for the fourth-highest high jump (6-3) and also won his long jump at 20-0.5.
Hale’s Patrick Harris: The champion in the 400 the last two years just missed qualifying in that race but will cap his high school career running the 200 and on a relay.
Sand Creek’s Alec Muck: The senior sprinter is one of the biggest stars competing, regardless of division, as he looks to add to his five championships including with a fourth straight in the 200. His 200 Regional time (22.85) came in fourth overall for LPD4 and his 100 time of 11.04 ranks second as he looks to win that title for the third straight season. He’s also part of the fastest 400 relay (44.44) coming off LPD4 Regional competition.
Carson City-Crystal’s Daniel Smith: The reigning shot put champ had the second-longest toss during LPD4 Regionals at 51-11.25, but again must contend with another senior, Breckenridge’s Brennan Waslusky (54-9.5) after finishing second to him at that meet two weeks ago.
UP Division 1 at Kingsford
Top Regional team scores: 1. Gladstone 79.5, 2. Ishpeming Westwood 56, 3. Marquette 55.5.
Team forecast: Gladstone will attempt to break Marquette’s four-year hold on Upper Peninsula Division 1 after coming in third a year ago. The Braves had 10 event champions at their Regional to Marquette’s four in the same meet.
Gladstone’s Adam Bruce: The 3,200 champion in 2017 as a sophomore, Bruce will try to finish his senior season with a distance sweep after posting the fastest 1,600 (4:40.73) and second-fastest 3,200 (10:29.38) at UPD1 Regionals.
Marquette’s Raphael Millado: The senior standout won both the long and high jumps last season and enters with the best UPD1 Regional showings in both at 19-11 and 6-2, respectively. He also had the fourth-fastest 200 qualifying time (24.12).
Escanaba’s Dayton Miron: The reigning pole vault champion enters this weekend’s meet tied with the second-highest vault at a UPD1 Regional (11-0), and he’ll also cap his junior season running on three relays.
Gladstone’s Calvin Thibault: The sophomore sprinter/hurdler could end up the star of this meet. He won the 110 and 300 hurdles last season and had the fastest UPD1 Regional times in those races two weeks ago at 15.40 and 41.25, respectively. He also paced the UPD1 qualifiers in the 100 (11.49) and 200 (23.64).
UP Division 2 at Kingsford
Top Regional team scores: 1. Newberry 74, 2. Ishpeming 65, 3. Norway 52.5.
Team forecast: Ishpeming is the reigning champion and has won four of the last five UPD2 titles, with Newberry defeating the runner-up Hematites to claim the championship in 2017. They competed in and won separate Regionals two weeks ago, but on paper Newberry appears to have the upper hand.
Manistique’s Schyler Andersen: The junior standout will make a run at four individual titles with the fastest UPD2 Regional time in the 400 (52.61), top discus throw (140-10), second-best shot put (43-0) and second-fastest 200 (23.70). His best at the 2018 Finals was a fourth place in shot put.
Gwinn’s David Duvall: After taking eighth in the 110 hurdles a year ago as a freshman, Duvall could make a big jump entering this weekend with the top UPD2 Regional times in the 100 (17.72) and 300 (45.35) and the second-best long jump (17-7.5).
Newberry’s Jaylen James: He’s ready to lead Newberry’s team title hunt after helping two relay champs a year ago. He enters with the best UPD2 Regional long jump (18-10), 100 (tie – 11.49), 200 (23.15) and running on the favored 800 relay (1:38.53).
Manistique’s Alex Misniakiewicz: The junior got close last season with two second places and a third in individual events. He enters this weekend as the top qualifier in the 800 (2:10.51), 1,600 (4:44.94) and second-best in the 3,200 (10:49.24).
UP Division 3 at Kingsford
Top Regional team scores: 1. Rapid River 105, 2. Bessemer 86, 3. Brimley 72.5.
Team forecast: Bessemer last season won its first championship in this sport since 1951 and should be in the mix again with the top performers from all UPD3 Regionals combined in nine events. Rapid River was the runner-up in 2018 after two straight titles in 2016 and 2017.
Bessemer’s Uriah Aili: The reigning champion in the 3,200 will make a run at winning at least three races as a senior with the top UPD3 Regional times in the 800 (2:02.41) and 3,200 (10:09.5) and second-fastest in the 1,600 (4:44.49). He also qualified in discus (103-3).
Cedarville’s Thomas Bohn: His 4:33.24 a year ago is the meet record, and he’s ahead of Aili in that race coming into this weekend at 4:43.81. Bohn, a junior, also will run the 3,200 (11:01.82) and 800 (2:07.84).
Bessemer’s Tyler Busch: The reigning shot put champion will look to repeat as a senior, entering with the best toss from UPD3 Regionals at 46-6.
Stephenson’s Montel Glover: The top UPD3 Regional performer in the 100 (11.30), 200 (23.85) and 400 (51.39) won all three of those races in UPD2 the last two seasons, and he’ll also run on a 1,600 relay with a chance at a title.
Bessemer’s Jamie Jett: He’ll look to add to his 2018 110 hurdles and 800 relay championships as a junior, entering this weekend with the top UPD3 Regional times in the 110 (16.76) and 300 (44.11). He’s also running the 200 (24.60) and competing in long jump (18-1.5).
PHOTOS: (Top) Stephenson’s Montel Glover, right, finishes just ahead of L’Anse’s Foster Miller in the 200 at last season’s UP Division 2 Finals. (Middle) Sand Creek’s Alec Muck powers through for one of his sprint championships in LP Division 4 last spring. (Click to see more from RunMichigan.com.)
Preview: Lower Peninsula Boys Finals Filled with Standout Seniors
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 1, 2023
Seniors competing at this weekend’s Lower Peninsula Boys Track & Field Finals have won a combined 20 individual championships over the last three seasons, a feat even more impressive considering their freshman season in 2020 was canceled due to COVID-19.
But as is often the case in this sport, picking out individual favorites is a simpler task than reasoning out possible team champions – and that’s certainly true in at least three divisions this weekend.
All four LP Finals will again be contested at Grand Rapids-area schools, with pole vault and long jump beginning at 9 a.m., race semifinals and the 3,200 relay at 10 a.m. and the rest of the running finals starting at noon. Tickets cost $11 and are available digitally only via GoFan.
MHSAA.tv will live-stream all four meets beginning at 10 a.m., viewable with subscription.
Below is a glance at team contenders and individuals to watch in all four divisions:
LP Division 1 at Rockford
Team forecast: This meet has been won with 34 and 41 points over the last two seasons, and a few standouts could be the difference-makers Saturday. Ann Arbor Huron, led by Braxton Brann, has enough with him to make a run at a first Finals championship. Rockford, a co-champion in 2021, had three top-five seeded relays and speed in the sprints to be in the mix. Reigning champion Detroit U-D Jesuit and sprinter Jaiden Reed could make a strong push again.
Benne Anderson, Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills senior: He’s been the next of a stellar group of distance runners to come through Michigan, winning the LPD1 cross country title in the fall after taking the 3,200 title last spring. His Regional times were first in LPD1 in the 800 (1:52.98) and 3,200 (9:10.53) and second-fastest in the 1,600 (4:14.23).
Andrew Berryhill, Battle Creek Lakeview senior: Last season’s shot put champion and 11th-place finisher in discus posted the top LPD1 Regional throws in both at 58-6½ and 166-0, respectively.
Braxton Brann, Ann Arbor Huron senior: After finishing fourth in the 100 and second in the 200 at last season’s Finals, Brann enters this one coming off the fastest LPD1 Regional times in the 200 (21.65) and 110 hurdles (13.92) and fifth-fastest in the 100 (10.7).
Shamar Heard, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley junior: The reigning champion in the 100 and 200 is switching gears for this weekend entering with the fastest LPD1 Regional time in the 400 (48.46) and as part of two relays.
Nathan Levine, Canton junior: The reigning high jump champion at 6-8 jumped a winning 6-6 at his Regional and likely will contend with Muskegon Reeths-Puffer’s Liam McHugh, who posted a 6-8½ to also win a Regional title.
Kayenn Mabin, Kalamazoo Central senior: He had the second-fastest LPD1 Regional time in both the 110 (14.33) and 300 hurdles (39.21) and also is expected to run on two contending relays. He won the 110 and was fourth in the 300 last season.
Trent McFarland, Utica senior: The reigning 800 champion won last week with the third-fastest LPD1 Regional time overall of 1:53.91, about two seconds off his winning Finals time from 2022.
LP Division 2 at Ada Forest Hills Eastern
Team forecast: The last six LPD2 Finals have seen six schools win championships and three more finish runners-up. Berrien Springs has a chance to break that trend after claiming last year’s title, entering this weekend with the fastest 400 and 800 relays in all Division 2 Regionals, plus contenders in at least three individual events. Whitehall, third last year, is seeking its first Finals title since 1996 and combines a significant group of scorers in races, relays and field events. Forest Hills Eastern was last year’s runner-up and has representatives in nearly every race including all four relays, plus two field events. Vicksburg, Freeland and Corunna also have opportunities.
Dalton DeBeau, Frankenmuth senior: Last season’s discus champion and shot put seventh-place finisher won both at his Regional with throws that were third for shot put (53-9½) and sixth for discus (156-9) among all LPD2 Regional performances.
Stuart Gould, Howard City Tri County senior: His lone event at the 2022 Finals was a win in the 400, and he’ll be a little busier this time also contending in the 200 and running a relay. He finished second in the 400 (49.15) at his Regional to Whitehall junior Trannon Aylor – who finished second to Gould at last year’s Final.
Carter McCalister, Monroe Jefferson senior: He just missed scoring in the 3,200 last season, finishing ninth, but he should put up some points this time entering off the fastest LPD2 Regional times in both the 3,200 (9:20.47) and the 1,600 (4:17.33).
Aiden Sullivan, Ada Forest Hills Eastern senior: The reigning champion in the 800 is coming off a Regional win in 1:58.40, exactly two seconds off his Finals time of a team ago. He’ll also run the 1,600 and on two relays.
Michael Wright, Vicksburg senior: Only a single relay contributor at last year’s Finals, he’s set to offer much more with the fastest LPD2 Regional times in the 100 (10.82) and 200 (22.0) while running on two relays including a contender in the 800.
Division 3 at Kent City
Team forecast: The top seven teams last season finished within 10 points of each other, and a strong group of favorites could make this close at the top again. Sanford Meridian tied for sixth last season and enters with tons of scoring potential in sprints and jumps, including with the fastest 400 and 800 relays from all LPD3 Regionals. Benzie Central, third last spring, could be carried by distance stars Hunter Jones and Pol Molins. Last year’s ninth-place Chesaning has qualifiers all over the meet and contenders in hurdles and relays, and Hart – fifth last season – also is strong in distance, and throws.
Hunter Jones, Benzie Central senior: The graduating Benzie star and four-time cross country champion has won the 1,600 the last two seasons and the 800 last spring as well, and he ran the top LPD3 Regional times in the 800 (1:57.76), 1,600 (4:19.78) and 3,200 (9:24.89) – the latter two by notable margins – and was part of the fifth-fastest 3,200 relay.
Torren Mapes, Delton Kellogg junior: He competed in the 110 hurdles last season but didn’t make the final – but he’ll be in the hunt for multiple championships after running the second-fastest LPD3 Regional time in the 110 (15.34) and third-fastest in the 300 hurdles (41.13).
Kellen Kimes, Hart senior: Last season’s discus champ and shot put runner-up topped the LPD3 Regional performances in both with tosses of 181-9 and 57-11, respectively.
Brayden Riley, Sanford Meridian senior: He qualified in the 200 last season and didn’t make the final but was part of the winning 800 relay. He could pace a team title run entering with the fastest LPD3 Regional time in the 200 (22.25), fourth-fastest in the 100 (11.20) and as part of the two top sprint relays mentioned above.
Tryce Tokar, Ovid-Elsie sophomore: Last season’s pole vault champion as only a freshman posted the top LPD3 Regional vault (14-8¼) by more than eight inches.
Jerry Wiegers, North Muskegon junior: After finishing ninth in the 400 last season, Wiegers is lined up to score with the top 400 LPD3 Regional time (50.58) and second-fastest in the 200 (22.52).
Division 4 at Hudsonville
Team forecast: Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep is the reigning champion and has won three of the last four championships (not counting 2020, where the season was canceled due to COVID-19). The Irish have qualifiers in good position to score in five individual races, three relays and at least three field events. Flint Beecher has coverage in fewer events but big points potential in sprints, hurdles and relays led by speedy Jaylin Townsend. Reading has qualifiers in all but three events and a pair of relays that could lead a team title run.
Alex Affer, Peck senior: Last season’s long jump champ by more than three inches had the second-farthest LPD4 Regional jump this time (21-7¼), just a half-inch shorter than that of Detroit Frederick Douglass’s Anthany Buford, who finished second to Affer at last year’s Finals.
Tyler Bays, Reading senior: He’s back after winning the 800 and finishing third in the 1,600 last spring and returns with the third-best 800 (1:57.86), sixth-best 1,600 (4:32.95) and fourth-best 3,200 (10:00.98) times from all LPD4 Regionals.
Isiah Biers, Coleman senior: He won the pole vault last season by seven inches and enters with the fifth-best vault (12-9) from LPD4 Regionals.
Brady Feldpausch, Fowler sophomore: After running on a relay at last year’s Finals, Feldpausch will be busier entering with the top LPD4 Regional times in both the 110 (15.33) and 300 hurdles (40.84) and as part of two relays.
Liam Mann, Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep senior: The reigning champion in the 200 and runner-up in the 100 also was part of a winning relay last season, and he enters with the second-fastest LPD4 Regional times in both the 100 (11.13) and 200 (22.76) and slated to run on both sprint relays.
Lezawe Osterink, Wyoming Potter’s House Christian senior: He’ll look to add to his 1,600, 3,200 and 3,200 relay championships from a season ago, plus two cross country titles, entering this weekend with the top LPD4 Regional time in the 1,600 (4:22.73) and also running the 3,200 and on two relays.
Braden Prielipp, Marion junior: He won the high jump by seven inches last season, and his 6-3 at his Regional was the third-highest in all of LPD4 two weeks ago. He’ll also long jump and run the 400 and on a relay.
Jaylin Townsend, Flint Beecher senior: He’ll look to add to his two sprint and one relay championship from 2021 and third individual title won last season in the 100. He had the fastest LPD4 Regional times in the 100 (10.99) and 200 (22.23) and will run on two relays expected to contend as well.
PHOTO Potter’s House Christian’s Lezawe Osterink takes the baton during a relay at last season’s LPD4 Finals. (Click for more from RunMichigan.com.)