Preview: Star Power Expected to Shine
June 2, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The MHSAA Track & Field Finals again will draw one of the largest groups of competitors of any championship event in the state this school year.
And fans surely will recognize a number of names from Finals past – including, on the boys side, a number of seniors looking to add to their previous piles of titles.
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 be sure to check out MHSAA.TV for live streaming of running events from both peninsulas, available with subscription.
LP Division 1 at East Kentwood
Top Regional scores: East Kentwood 171½, Macomb Dakota 163, Rockford 160.
East Kentwood: The Falcons finished third a year ago, but a few years doesn’t erase memories of the program’s five Division 1 championships between 2009-14 and runner-up finish in 2015. Senior Khance Meyers could pile up points again as the reigning champion in the 100 and 200 meters – he has the division’s fastest times in both of those events this season (10.55 and 21.02, the latter wind-aided). The Falcons’ 800 relay also has run the fastest time in LP Division 1 and in the 1,600 the second fastest, and East Kentwood athletes have division top-three performances in three other events as well this spring.
Oak Park: Reigning 800 champion Cameron Cooper is back to pace the team champion, and he’s run the fastest race at that distance in LP Division 1 at 1:50.80 and had the fastest Regional 1,600 by more than a second. All four of Oak Park’s relays have run times among the top four in the division this season, with Cooper’s 1,600 relay has the fastest in that race at 3:16.56.
Rockford: The Rams finished nine points back of Oak Park last season but could make it much closer this time around. Junior Cole Johnson has run the division’s fastest 1,600 (4:09.43) and second-fastest 800 this season. Rockford also ran the division’s fastest 400 relay just last weekend (41.64), and has run the third-fastest times in the 800 and 1,600.
Ann Arbor Skyline junior Anthony Giannobile: The reigning champion in the 1,600 has run only the seventh fastest time in the division this spring, but should contend again.
East Lansing senior Kentre Patterson: The reigning champion in the 110 hurdles has run the fastest time in LP Division 1 in that race this spring (13.95) and the second-fastest time in the 300 (38.80).
Salem senior Mason Phillips: He returned to track & field this season for the first time since freshman year and started long jumping about a month ago – but his wind-aided season high of 24 feet, 1 inch, would tie the all-Finals record if he can replicate it Saturday without the breeze.
LP Division 2 at Zeeland
Top Regional scores: Dearborn Divine Child 179, Coldwater 150½, Zeeland East 144.
Corunna: The Cavaliers should be contenders for their first team championship since winning Class B back-to-back in 1998 and 1999. On Tuesday, senior Noah Jacobs ran the division’s fastest 3,200 this season (9:17.55) and sophomore brother Ben Jacobs ran the fastest 1,600 (4:20.46). They also are part of the 3,200 relay (7:57.58) that posted the division’s fastest time in the event over the weekend.
Grand Rapids Christian: The Eagles have top-10 performances this season in six individual events and three relays, with senior Faida Muriithi entering this weekend with the top long jump (23-1¾) this spring. The 800 relay (1:30.52) also has the fastest time in this division in that event.
Lansing Waverly: The Warriors look good to contend for their first MHSAA team title after the girls team won its first last spring. Waverly on Tuesday ran the division’s fastest 1,600 relay (3:25.96) and senior Wanya’ Sanders ran the fastest 400 (49.38). Sophomore Keshaun Harris has run top-three times in both hurdles races and he and Sanders are part of an 800 relay that has the second fastest time in the division.
Pierre Brown, Romulus junior: He finished third in the 100 last season and enters this weekend with the top time in the 100 (10.82) in the division this spring.
Noah Caudy, Lake Odessa Lakewood senior: The reigning champion in the 110 hurdles (and fourth-place finisher in the 300) could claim two titles; his 14.12 from his Regional is the fastest in the 110 race, and his 37.71 in the 300 earlier this week also is an LP Division 2 best.
Johnathon Sholl, Sturgis senior: Although his 22.63 is only the eighth fastest 200 time in the division this spring, he is the reigning champion in the event after running a time last year that would be the fastest this season.
LP Division 3 at Comstock Park
Top Regional scores: 1. Warren Michigan Collegiate 151, 2. Clare 147½, 3. Chesaning 146½.
Chesaning: The Indians finished fourth last season with 28 points and could surpass that total just in relays; they have the top 400 (43.76) time in LP Division 3 this season, the fastest as well in the 800 (1:30.20) and the third-fastest in the 1,600. Juniors Sam Forsyth (22-1) and Brandon Keys (22-0½) have the top long jumps in the division this spring as well.
Hillsdale: The Hornets finished runners-up the last two seasons but might have enough to push for their first title. Junior Devin VanDusen ran the division’s second-fastest 100 this season at the Regional and will run on three relays. Senior Rees Nemeth should be a contender in the 110 hurdles, and has the top pole vault (15-9) by nearly a foot in LP Division 3. Senior Spencer Eves is tied for the top high jump (6-6) this spring, and thrower Tristan Burcham and long jumper Nathan Gimenez give Hillsdale contenders in the other three field events as well.
Saugatuck: The LP Division 4 champion two straight seasons and three of the last four will try to add a Division 3 title to the mix, although this time without four-time individual champion Blake Dunn, who was lost to a knee injury early this spring. Still, the team has pushed on led in part by sophomore Corey Gorgas and senior Zachary Pettinga, who both have times among the best in the division in the 3,200 and run on the 3,200 relay that’s posted the division’s fastest time (8:09.50) this season; Gorgas also ranks among the fastest 1,600 runners this spring.
Anthony Evilsizor, Constantine senior: He has the fourth-fastest time in the division in the 800, but is the reigning champ with a time last year that would be the best in the division this spring.
Evan Goodell, St. Louis senior: The reigning 3,200 champion is the one to beat in both distance races, entering with the division’s top times in both the 1,600 (4:18.18) and 3,200 (9:05.06). That 3,200 time would break the meet record by seven seconds.
Thomas Robinson, Wyoming Lee junior: The reigning champion in the 100 and 200 has run the division’s fastest times in both of those events this spring (10.78 and 21.78, respectively). Those times are within hundredths of a second of the meet records in those races.
Dan Stone, Frankenmuth senior: After taking fourth in discus and second in shot put as a junior, Stone has the top throws in both events this spring (183-10 and 59-11, respectively), the discus by nearly 20 feet and the shot put by nearly four.
LP Division 4 at Grand Rapids Houseman Field
Top Regional scores: 1. Whittemore-Prescott 187, Lutheran Westland 179, Manton 161½.
Concord: The Yellow Jackets’ rise from ninth last season could start with senior Daniel Mikovits, the reigning champ in the 800 with the fastest time in that race (1:56.75) in this division this season. Three qualifying relays have posted times among the top eight in the division as well, while seniors Bradley Hawkins (discus) and Justin Detgen (3,200) also are likely contenders.
Evart: Last season’s runner-up graduated a two-event champion but has athletes who have posted top-10 performances in the division this season in two sprints, two distance races and two field events. Junior Scott Martin is tied for top high jump (6-6), and the 400 relay’s best time ranks second.
Whittemore-Prescott: The Cardinals were sixth last season but only six points out of second place. The 800 relay’s top time of 1:32.43 is best in the division this season, and two more relays rank among the top six. Whittemore-Prescott could also get some needed points in the 400, 3,200 and field events and have qualifiers all over Saturday’s lineup.
Jeremy Kloss, Harbor Springs senior: He took only sixth in the 1,600 and 3,200 last season, but has the fastest times in the division in both races this spring (4:26.71 and 9:49.52, respectively).
Alec Muck, Sand Creek sophomore: The reigning 200 champion also took third in the 100 last year; his 22.43 in the 200 at the Regional is the fastest time in the division this spring, and his 11.04 in the 100 last weekend ranks third in that race.
Bryce Washington, Southfield Christian junior: Washington’s 6-3 at his Regional ties for sixth highest in the division this season, but he went 6-5 in winning at last year’s Finals.
Paxton Titus, Brighton Livingston Christian senior: The reigning discus champion also finished seventh in shot put last year, and he has the top tosses in both in 2017 – 182-6 and 58-10, respectively. That best shot put would break the meet record by more than four inches.
UP Division 1 at Kingsford
Top Regional scores: 1. Marquette 92, 2. Houghton 53, 3. Iron Mountain 43.
Marquette: The Redmen have won two straight titles and doubled up the field at their Regional winning all four relays and finishing first in three field events – but with only two individual race champions. Senior Taylor Althouse came in only fourth at the Regional in high jump, but is the reigning Finals champion in that event. Senior Bradley Seaborg is the reigning champion in the 300 hurdles.
Houghton: Last season’s runner-up should again get a major boost from junior Clayton Sayen, who won the 200 and 400 and his Regional and is the reigning 400 Finals champion as well. Senior Casey Lentowich placed among the top six in both hurdles races last season and should score well again.
Ryan Jones, Sault Ste. Marie senior: Last season’s 200 champion actually placed in four events including two as part of relays. He won both the 100 and 200 at his Regional.
Kyle McKenzie, Gladstone senior: McKenzie is the reigning pole vault champ and won his Regional with a vault of 12-0, six inches higher than the next best and also six inches higher than his Finals height a year ago.
UP Division 2 at Kingsford
Top Regional scores: 1. Newberry 104, 2. Ishpeming 67, T-3. Iron River West Iron County & St. Ignace, 29.
Newberry: The Indians are up a division after finishing third in UP Division 3 in 2016. They had the first-place finisher in every relay and all but one race at the Regional, while senior John Paramski got field event victories in the discus and shot put. Senior hurdler Alex Johnson and junior sprinter Andre James also both had multiple Regional wins.
Ishpeming: The Hematites are trying for their fourth straight Division 2 championship after pulling off the feat last year without an individual champion (but by winning three relays). Senior Grady Kerst should lead the charge; he won the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 at his Regional.
Alex Dewald, Hancock senior: He won both the 100 and 200 as a junior, and will need to make a jump after finishing fourth in both at his Regional this year.
David LaVake, St. Ignace senior: He was only fourth in his individual events at the Regional, the 100 and 400, but won the 400 last season at the Finals when he also ran on three relays.
Mitchell Peterson, St. Ignace senior: The reigning pole vault champion won by six inches last season, with the same distance (11-6) putting him second at the Regional last month.
Bryan Schram, Iron River West Iron County sophomore: After winning the shot put as a freshman (and finishing second in discus), Schram will try to win both throws after earning Regional titles in both.
UP Division 3 at Kingsford
Top Regional scores: 1. Rapid River 93, 2. Pickford 87½, 3. Bessemer 84.
Rapid River: The reigning Division 3 champion returns reigning discus champion and shot put placer junior Logan Hardwick and crushed its Regional by winning every relay and all but one individual race (plus two field events). Junior Lucas Sundling won the 100, 200 and 400 at the Regional and won the 400 at the Finals last year for Big Bay de Noc.
Pickford: The Panthers should make a nice jump after tying for seventh last season. Pickford won three relays at its Regional and likely has the lead jumper in freshman Nick Edington, who won both the long and high at the Regional.
Garrett O’Neil, Felch North Dickinson senior: After winning both hurdles races as a junior, O’Neil is a strong favorite to repeat in both after winning them at his Regional by significant margins.
PHOTO: St. Louis' Evan Goodell, left, and Corunna's Noah Jacobs, here at the Ithaca Invitational this spring, are favorites to win distance championships while competing in different divisions at this weekend's MHSAA Track & Field Finals. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
Preview: 4 Team Championships, Many More Contenders at LP Boys Finals
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 3, 2022
There are a number of knowns entering Saturday’s MHSAA Lower Peninsula Boys Track & Field Finals, as a number of stars are returning and looking to add to their past achievements.
What’s more difficult to forecast than usual is how the team competitions will finish. All four divisions appear to have multiple serious contenders, and many more possible outcomes.
Events begin at 10 a.m. (EDT) and tickets to attend can be purchased online only at GoFan. The meets also will be broadcast on MHSAA.tv and viewable with subscription.
Below is a glance at team contenders and individuals to watch in all four divisions.
Division 1 at Rockford
Team forecast: Last season saw the top 10 teams packed in within 14 points of each other and co-champs Fenton and Rockford – and Saturday could produce something similar. Detroit U-D Jesuit is seeking its first team title since 1993 and has qualifiers in a variety of events but major strengths in sprints and relays. East Kentwood saw its three-season title streak end with a 13th-place finish last spring, but again has intriguing relay, sprint and hurdle possibilities. Rockford may again be in the hunt as well.
Braxton Brann, Ann Arbor Huron junior: He qualified in the 200 and 300 hurdles last season, and could leave a lasting impact this weekend entering as the top seed in the 100 (10.44) and 200 (21.26) and running on the 400 relay.
Riley Hough, Hartland senior: The latest Michigan distance runner to earn national acclaim, Hough will attempt to follow up his 3,200 title from last year and back-to-back LPD1 cross country championships while seeded first in both the 1,600 (4:13.17) and 3,200 (9:08.71).
Armon Howard, Rochester Adams senior: He's seeded sixth in the 100 hurdles and seventh in the 300, but he has the top 300 time in the state this spring (37.30) and third-best in the 110 (14.37). He also will run on two relays.
Brayden Kennedy, Milford sophomore: He’s joined the state’s elite hurdlers in his second season, entering this weekend seeded first in the 300 (37.43) and second in the 110 (14.62).
Tamaal Myers II, Detroit Cass Tech senior: Last season’s champion in both hurdles races is seeded third in the 300 (37.87) and will run on the top-seeded 1,600 relay.
Jaiden Reed, Detroit U-D Jesuit junior: He also should move up substantially after finishing ninth in the 100 in 2021. Reed is the second seed in both the 100 (10.45) and 200 (21.44) and will run on the second-seeded 400 and top-seeded 800 relays.
Kellen Reed, Holt senior: After qualifying in the 100 last season, he’ll have a much busier Saturday competing in four events. He’s seeded fourth in long jump (22-9) but with the state’s best leap this season of 23-4¾. He’s also seeded sixth in the 100, seventh in the 200 and could run on the top-seeded 400 relay.
Cole Sheldon, Dexter senior: The reigning pole vault champion has the top seed by eight inches at 16 feet and the state’s highest vault of the season at 16-1. He’ll also run on the 800 relay.
Division 2 at Ada Forest Hills Eastern
Team forecast: Reigning champion Frankenmuth could be lined up well with all four relays qualifying including the top-seeded 800 group, plus strengths in the sprints, hurdles and throws. Detroit Martin Luther King will be in the mix too with strong sprints and relays, and a contender in long jump. Flint Powers Catholic should make a push after finishing runner-up by only 3¾ points last season.
Patrick Adams, Allendale senior: The reigning champion in the 110 hurdles is seeded first in both hurdles races – at 15.09 in the 110 and 39.97 in the 300 – and he’ll also run on the 800 relay.
Camryn Battjes, Allendale senior: He won pole vault last season and is back in the mix with a top vault this spring of 14-6½ – although the field might be chasing Charlotte senior Landon Cosby after he went 15-7 at his Regional.
Troy Cranford, Romulus senior: The reigning 200 champion will run the 100, 200 and is seeded fourth in the 400 (50.36).
Austin Hamlin, Flint Powers Catholic senior: The reigning 100 champ is back in that race, seeded third in the 200 (22.49) and running on two top-three seeded relays.
Alex Mansfield, Monroe Jefferson senior: After finishing first in shot put and second in discus last season, he’ll again take a run at both titles seeded first in shot (59-9) and seventh in discus.
Luke Stowasser, Edwardsburg senior: The reigning champion in both jumps is tied for the top high jump in Michigan this season at 6-9 and had the best Regional long jump in LPD2 at 22-1.
Garrett Winter, Parchment senior: He finished fourth in the 3,200 and 10th in the 1,600 in Division 3 a year ago, but has major last-meet opportunities seeded first Saturday in both the 1,600 (4:20.83) and 3,200 (9:32.94).
Division 3 at Kent City
Team forecast: Division 3 has seen 11 champions over the last 12 Finals. The only team that won twice during that time, Sanford Meridian, should contend Saturday. Pewamo-Westphalia is a possibility with strong relays, hurdles and field events. Saugatuck and Benzie Central could follow multi-event individual stars into the mix as well.
Carson Brunk, Potterville senior: He finished fifth in the 800 last season and should cap his high school career in a big way, seeded second in both the 800 (1:57.20) and 1,600 (4:23.20).
Benny Diaz, Saugatuck senior: After sweeping the hurdles races in Division 4 last season, Diaz is seeded first this weekend by nearly a second in the 110 (14.31) and almost a half-second in the 300 (39.75). He’s also seeded sixth in the 100 and fifth in the 200.
Hunter Jones, Benzie Central junior: The reigning 1,600 champ and three-time LPD3 cross country winner is seeded first in the 800 (1:54.42), 1,600 (4:19.51) and 3,200 (9:25.26).
Dane Plichta, Sanford Meridian senior: He finished third in the 200 last season and enters Saturday as the top seed in the 200 (22.36), tied for the top seed in the 100 (11.09) and running on two relays including the second-seeded 800.
Corey Schafer, Pewamo-Westphalia senior: The Pirates could receive their most points from Schafer, who was seventh in the 300 hurdles in 2021. He’s seeded second to Diaz in the 110 (15.26) and 300 (40.15) hurdles this time and will run on two relays.
Division 4 at Hudsonville Baldwin Middle School
Team forecast: Carson City-Crystal ended Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep’s two-season championship run last spring, and 2021 runner-up Saugatuck moving to Division 3 opens up even more possibilities. Hackett should return to contention and Carson City-Crystal will be back among the best as well. Reading, Flint Beecher, Concord and Hillsdale Academy all look to have enough points opportunities to push up the standings.
Tyler Bays, Reading junior: He finished 12th in the 1,600 last season, perhaps previewing this spring as he enters as the top seed in the 800 (1:59.64) and 1,600 (4:31.91) and could run on two of three relays including two second seeds.
Zane Forist, Carson City-Crystal senior: He set LPD4 Finals records in both the shot put and discus last season and has the state’s top throws by significant amounts this spring. He best shot put of 67-4 would threaten the all-Finals record.
Liam Mann, Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep junior: He qualified in the 100 and as part of a relay last season, but could lead Hackett back into the team title mix this time seeded first in the 200 (23.01), second in the 100 (11.06) and running with the top-seeded 800 relay and fourth-seeded 400 group.
Jok Nhial, Wyoming Potter’s House Christian senior: He won the long jump last season and is tied for the fourth seed this time at 20-10. His 21-9½ at last season’s Final would be the top seed.
Jaylin Townsend, Flint Beecher junior: He also had a headlining 2021 Finals with championships in the 100 and 200 and as part of the 800 relay. He enters Saturday top-seeded in the 100 (10.83) and running on the top-seeded 400 relay and fourth-seeded 800 relay.
PHOTOS (Top) Carson City-Crystal's Zane Forist unloads a shot put toss during a league competition May 11. (Middle) Pewamo-Westphalia's Corey Schafer leaps a hurdle during the Alma Invitational on May 13. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)