Finals Preview: Last Chance to Catch These Stars
May 31, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
More good stories emerge from MHSAA Track and Field Finals day than perhaps any other during our school year.
And arguably the most significant this entire spring will be final good-byes to some of the top female athletes ever to compete in this sport.
Grosse Pointe South twins Hannah and Haley Meier, Detroit Country Day’s Kendall Baisden, West Bloomfield's Erin Finn and Reed City’s Sami Michell are among standouts who will compete in an MHSAA event for the last time Saturday.
Read more about them below in our breakdown of the team favorites and key individuals at all seven MHSAA girls championship meets. Of course, we can’t mention everyone here who may do big things this weekend – but we’ll have coverage of every meet as well on Second Half beginning late Saturday night.
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 Grosse Pointe South, No. 2 East Kentwood, No. 3 Rockford.
Grosse Pointe South: The two-time reigning champion can continue building on an impressive run with perhaps its most dominant team of the last three seasons. The Blue Devils have six qualifiers in field events, 10 in individual races, and all four relays come in with top-eight qualifying times – including the national record holders in the 3,200 relay (Kelsie Schwartz, Ersula Farrow, Haley Meier and Hannah Meier), who ran an 8:48.29 last season. Hannah Meier owns two more LP Division 1 Finals records (more below).
East Kentwood: Senior Mariah Davis is one of the state’s top throwers and has two of the team’s eight field event qualifying berths. The team also will compete in three relays, but only three individual races – although freshman Sekayi Bracey has the top qualifying time in the 100 and 200 (more below).
Rockford: Distance running remains the name of the game for the Rams, who have seven individual race berths and also will run all four relays – with three posting qualifying times among the top eight in Division 1. Rockford also qualified five times for field events.
Southfield-Lathrup’s Keianna Ingram: The senior high jumper set the meet record of 5-9 last season and qualified at Regionals this spring at 5-8.
Jackson’s Cierra Pryor: She too set a meet record last season as a junior with a long jump of 19-0, and jumped 18-9 at her Regional. Pryor also tied for the second-fastest qualifying time in the 100, 11.9 seconds.
East Kentwood’s Sekayi Bracey: Just a freshman, Bracey has the fastest qualifying times in the 100 (11.7) and 200 (24.2), and both would be Finals records in Divisions 2-4. She’ll need to cut just a few tenths of a second to break Shayla Mahan’s all-Finals record of 11.5 in the 100, set in 2006, but about half a second to catch Mahan’s all-Finals 200 record of 23.74. Bracey also qualified third in long jump at 18-2.75.
Grosse Pointe South’s Hannah and Haley Meier: The much-celebrated twins should add a few more accolades in their final MHSAA Final. Hannah, set the all-Finals record in the 800 of 2:07.37 in 2011 and also set the all-Finals record of 4:42.6 in the 1,600 that spring. She has the third-best qualifying time in the latter this weekend, and Haley has the second-fastest.
West Bloomfield’s Erin Finn: This senior also has established herself as one of the nation’s top high school distance runners, and enters her last MHSAA Final with the fastest qualifying times in the 1,600 (4:49.3) and 3,200 (10:25.4). She set the all-Finals record in the latter last season with a time of 10:17.86.
Other returning individual champions: Jae’vyn Wortham, Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse (discus, qualified this spring number one in discus and tied for 16th in shot put).
LP DIVISION 2 at Ada Forest Hills Eastern
Top ranked: No. 1 Ada Forest Hills Eastern, No. 2 Dearborn Divine Child, No. 3 Williamston.
Ada Forest Hills Eastern: The Hawks have a solid collection of qualifiers with three in field events and nine in individual races. But they’ll make their points in the relays – all four enter with qualifying times among the top five in their respective races, keyed by the top-qualifying 400 relay. FHE’s 400 team ran a 48.8 at its Regional, the best of any Division 2 team by nearly a second and only 11 hundredths off Detroit Renaissance’s Division 2 Final record of 48.69 set in 2000.
Dearborn Divine Child: A large group of frontrunners makes the Falcons the possible favorite again – they tied for first last season, won outright in 2010 and finished runners-up in 2011. All four relays qualified among the top eight overall in the division, with the 800 and 1,600 relays running the fastest Regional times. Paige Patterson (more below), Mallory Myler and Kayla Gandy enter Saturday with a combined four top qualifying times in their respective events – among 10 individual race qualifications total for the team.
Williamston: This is one of the younger Hornets teams of late, but they could improve on last season’s sixth-place finish with five qualifications in field events plus three relay berths. All three relays ran qualifying times 10th or better in the division.
Kendall Baisden, Detroit Country Day: The Yellowjackets’ senior is one of the most decorated champions in MHSAA history. She won the 400 last season in a meet-record 54.58 seconds to go with two individual championships as a freshman and three more won as a sophomore. She posted the third-best 200 Regional time in Division 2 at 25.6 and the 10th-best in the 400, 59.8.
Paige Patterson, Dearborn Divine Child: Also a senior, Patterson is favored to finish with two more MHSAA championships after winning the 200 last season in 24.91. She tied for the top Regional time in that race, 25.1, and also enters with the best 400 Regional time of 57.6 after finishing third in that race at last season’s MHSAA Final.
Janina Pollatz, Grand Rapids Christian: The senior is the reigning pole vault champion, going 11-3 last season. She tied for the second-best Regional vault at 11-2 and also leaped the second-best long jump of 17-2.
Kathryn Mills, Eaton Rapids: The Greyhounds junior is hoping to win the high jump for a third straight season and tied for the best Regional jump of 5-4. She also tied for the 15th-best Regional time in the 100 hurdles, 15.9.
LP DIVISION 3 at Comstock Park
Top ranked: No. 1 Frankenmuth, No. 2 Benzonia Benzie Central, No. 3 Hopkins.
Frankenmuth: The reigning champion won by nine points last season and again is loaded with scoring potential. Eight qualifiers are ranked among the top 12 in their respective events based on Regional performances – thrower Ashley Frahm, hurdler Sydney Bronner and sprinter Angie Ritter all are expected to contend in multiple events. The 800 relay ran the fastest Regional time in the division, 1:47.2, and all four relays ran times that ranked among the top 12 in those races.
Benzie Central: Last season’s runner-up should score big with its relays – all four posted Regional times among the top 10 in the division, and three of four posted times among the top five division-wide. Benzie Central also has seven individual race qualifiers and three in the field events.
Hopkins: After tying for 10th last season, Hopkins too could make a big jump thanks to relays. All four enter this weekend with Regional times that ranked among the top six for the entire division. Hopkins also has six individual race qualifiers and three in field events.
Sami Michell, Reed City: A senior, Michell last season became just the second girl and fourth athlete boys or girls to win four MHSAA individual titles in a single Finals meet. The University of Michigan recruit suffered a knee injury during volleyball season but should threaten her Division 3 record in the 100 hurdles of 13.84 (she ran a 13.9 at the Regional) going for her fourth title in that race; Michell also ran a division-best 45.2 in the 300 hurdles at the Regional and owns the all-Finals record in that race of 42.23. She also had the second-fastest 200 time in the division and will attempt to defend her two long jump Finals titles.
Brianna Dinneen, Buchanan: The Bucks senior should make a run at finishing her career as the elite sprinter in Division 3 history. She ran an 11.9 in her 100 Regional, better than the MHSAA Final record of 12.09 by Keyria Calloway of Detroit Crockett set in a 2006 semifinal. Dinneen’s 200 Regional time of 24.9 is just off the Division 3 Final record of 24.82 set by Laingsburg’s Julie Johnson in 2002. Dinneen also qualified in the long jump and 400.
Amber Way, Charlevoix: The sophomore’s 10:51.8 in the Regional 3,200 would best the Division 3 Final record in the race of 10:57.16 set by Nicole Bush of Wyoming Kelloggsville in 2004. Way also should contend in the 1,600 after running that race in 5:10.4 at the Regional.
Raquel Serna, St. Louis: The Sharks senior is a solid favorite in the 1,600 with the division’s best Regional time of 4:58.6, and she too ran a Regional time in the 3,200 that would break the MHSAA Division 3 Final record – 10:53.6. She also should score in the 800.
Other returning individual champions: Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port’s Kayla Deering (shot put, qualified this spring number one in that event and 18th in discus), Schoolcraft’s Kara Craig (high jump, qualified this spring tied for 10th), Leroy Pine River’s Devyn Powell (400, qualified this spring second), Manistee’s Annie Fuller (800, qualified this spring second, sixth in the 1,600 and fourth in the 3,200).
LP DIVISION 4 at Hudsonville Baldwin Street Middle School
Top ranked: No. 1 Beal City, No. 2 Sand Creek, No. 3 Traverse City St. Francis.
Beal City: Reigning high jump champion Addie Schumacher should again play a big role as Beal City works to move up from third last season. She tied for the second-best high jump at Regionals and tossed the sixth-best shot put. Only two relays qualified – but both with the third-fastest Regional times in the division – and the team also boasts four more field events qualifications and nine in individual races.
Sand Creek: These Aggies have fewer qualifiers than Beal City, but more expected to score big points. Senior Elizabeth Herriman is the defending shot put champ and had the best toss at Regionals both in that event and discus. Senior Natalie Perry ran top-five division-wide Regional times in both the 1,600 and 3,200, and the 400 and 800 relays turned in times that ranked second in the division.
Traverse City St. Francis: A pair of top individuals and strong relays could push last year’s runner-up to the top. Reigning 400 champ Lauren Buckel posted the fastest Regional time in that race and the second-fastest in the 200, and freshman Holly Bullough ran the second-fastest 800, fastest 1,600 and second-fastest 3,200 in the division. The 800 relay was Division 4’s fastest, and the 1,600 and 3,200 relays were among the top four.
Miranda Johnson, Ottawa Lake Whiteford: The junior has a shot at breaking at least two division records – her 18-3.25 long jump at the Regional would beat the current record by 3.5 inches, and her 12.2 100 would beat the current record by two tenths of a second. She also had the fastest Regional time (25.8) in the division in the 200.
Chantel Davenport, Athens: A senior, she’ll go after the 100 hurdles record of 15.14 set in 2009 – Davenport ran 15.1 at the Regional. She’s also the favorite in the high jump and posted the second-best long jump behind Johnson last weekend.
Ashley White, Detroit Edison Academy: Five sprinters should make a run at that 100 record, but White joins Johnson among those who bested that 12.4 time at Regionals. White, a junior, ran a 12.3 and also posted the third-fastest time in the 200.
Kirsten Olling, Breckenridge: The reigning 3,200 champion has the top Regional time (11:19.4) coming in and the second-fastest in the 1,600 (5:17.9).
Other returning individual champions: Hillsdale Academy’s Shaley Albaugh (800, qualified first this spring).
UP DIVISION 1 at Kingsford
Marquette: The Redettes are loaded for a third-straight MHSAA team title and fifth in six seasons. They have the top qualifying time in the division in all four relays plus the top qualifier in one field event and five individual races. Freshman Lindsey Rudden comes in as the favorite in the 800 (2:21.86), 1,600 (5:15.2) and 3,200 (11:53.21). That 800 time would approach this meet’s record, and the 1,600 time would break it easily. Sophomore Shayla Huebner won the 400 last season and enters with the best Regional time in that event and the second-fastest in the 800.
Negaunee: The reigning runner-up fell seven points shy last season but is led again by senior Ashley Veale, the 2012 champion in both the 100 and 300 hurdles who also will run the 100 and 200. Her 100 hurdles Regional time (16.54) was the best in the division.
Chelsea Jacques, Calumet: Last season as a freshman she set the meet record in the 100 (12.55), and she ran a 12.59 at this spring’s Regional. She also ran the second-best Regional time in the 200, 27.08, after winning the Finals championship in that race as well in 2012.
Jessica Young, Gladstone: The senior is expected to defend her discus title with the top Regional throw (107-3) by more than a foot, and she’s also a contender in the shot put.
UP DIVISION 2 at Kingsford
Iron River West Iron County: The Wykons bring a deep team coming off a third-place finish last season and a Regional title this month. They have at least one qualifier in every event, with Megan Miatech the favorite in both the discus and shot put and Cassilyn Pellizzer the top 300 hurdler at Regionals in the division.
Manistique: The Emeralds finished eighth in Division 1 last season but won their Regional in Division 2 and have the top relay in three races based on Regional times. Freshman Holly Blowers is one to follow – she enters with the best 800 (2:32.04), 1,600 (5:32.3) and second-best 3,200 (11:31.76) times from Regionals.
Hannah Palmeter, Ironwood: The senior is the reigning champion in the 800 and ran the second-fastest Regional time in the division, 2:37.13, ranking behind only Blowers.
UP DIVISION 3 at Kingsford
St. Ignace: The winner of the last three Division 2 championships is running in Division 3 this season. Senior Sarah Cullip won three individual titles last season and owns four overall; she ran the fastest Regional time in the division in the 800 (2:30), 1,600 (5:36) and 3,200 (12:30), and will also pole vault. Another big scorer could be junior Rachel Hetherington, whose times in the 100, 200 and 400 all ranked among the top five from the division’s Regionals.
Brimley: Despite finishing 37 points behind St. Ignace at their Regional, Brimley has to be considered a contender again after winning this Final the last two seasons. Junior Tabitha Graham likely will be the biggest contributor Saturday. She is the reigning high jump champ, has the second-fastest Regional time in the 400 and also is a contender in the long jump. Sophomore Emily Chartrand is the reigning champion in the 3,200 and had the second-fastest Regional time in the division.
Jamie Dompier, Chassell: The senior already holds a meet record in the 200 of 26.36 and ran a 26.21 at the Regional. Her Regional time in the 100 of 12.45 would break the Final record of 12.5 set in 2003. She also had the division’s fastest Regional time in the 400 (102:33).
Engadine’s Aspen Hood: She should approach a meet record as a freshman – her 47.94 in the Regional 300 hurdles would’ve broken this Final’s record of 48.07 from 2009. She also ran the fastest Regional time in the 100 hurdles (16.3) and the second-fastest in the 200 (26.29). She won the 300 hurdles last season as an eighth grader.
Rudyard’s Savannah Dugan: The junior won the Division 2 discus and shot put last season, setting a meet record in the former of 122-10.25. She had the best Regional throws this spring in both events in Division 3.
Other returning individual champions: Rapid River’s Neena Brockway (discus, qualified eighth in that event and shot put this season), Lake Linden-Hubbell’s Sarah Audette (pole vault, qualified tied for second in that event and 11th in high jump this season.)
PHOTO: Ottawa Lake Whiteford’s Miranda Johnson uncoils on a long jump on the way to winning the Lower Peninsula Division 4 championship last season. (Click to see more at HighSchoolsSportsScene.com.)
Preview: New Crew of Girls Set to Dominate
May 30, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The MHSAA Girls Track and Field Finals bid farewell in 2013 to one of the most impressive and accomplished senior classes in recent memory.
But those departures have opened up plenty of opportunities for the standouts still competing and a new group of talented athletes to step up the podium.
See below for some of the teams and individuals who could be standing on top when their events are done Saturday in the Grand Rapids area and Kingsford High School. 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. Grosse Pointe South 245, Oak Park 163, Northville 154.2.
Grosse Pointe South: The Blue Devils have won the last three LP Division 1 titles, but graduated two of the top distance runners in the nation after last season. Junior Ersula Farrow and senior Kelsie Schwartz have moved into the top spots in those races and could get help from sophomore thrower Kayli Johnson in the shot put and discus.
Oak Park: Keyed by sophomore Anna Jefferson – last year’s champion in the 400 – Oak Park’s sprinters should carry the team into contention. She ran the fastest Regional 400 (54.81) and 200 (25.06) in this division and could make a run at the LP Division 1 Final record in the 400 of 54.29. Sophomore Brianna Hollaway has the sixth-seeded 100 hurdles (14.76) and second-seeded 300 hurdles (44.66) times, and the 1,600 (3:53.48), 400 (48.05) and 800 relays (1:39.89) are all top-seeded. Freshman Tamea McKelvy (second seed in the 100 at 12.26) and junior Jayla Fleming (third seed in the 800 at 2:15.05) also should contribute.
Saline: Last season’s runner-up should be in the hunt again on the strength of its relays – all four are seeded among the top six of their respective events and the 3,200 relay (9:08.55) is the top seed. Senior Kennedy Beazley is the top seed in the 800 (2:11.21) and also runs on two of those relays.
East Kentwood’s Sekayi Bracey: After winning the 100 and 200 as a freshman last season, Bracey has the top seed time in the 100 (12.01), the second-fastest to Jefferson in the 200 (25.11) and had the fourth-farthest long jump (17-0) at Regionals.
Harrison Township L’anse Creuse’s Jaevyn Wortham: The reigning discus champion had the top Regional toss in that event of 135-9 and is seeded 11th in the shot put (37-7).
Novi’s Kerri McMahan: The returning high jump champion won her Regional at 5-6 after jumping the same to win the MHSAA Final in 2013.
Southgate Anderson’s Breanna Luba: The reigning champion in the 300 hurdles returns with the top seed (44.04) plus the seventh in the 100 hurdles (14.93).
Sterling Heights Stevenson’s Jailah Mason: A senior, she’s raised her jumping another level in her final season and enters with the top seed of 5-8 – only an inch from tying the LP Division 1 Final record.
LP DIVISION 2 at Grand Rapids Houseman Stadium
Top Regional scores: 1. Warren Regina 192.5. 2. St. Joseph 181.66, 3. Remus Chippewa Hills 164.32
Dearborn Divine Child: The two-time reigning champion (Divine Child tied with Detroit Country Day in 2012) is seeking its fourth title in five seasons. But this will be more of a challenge. All four relays are seeded among the top nine, but the Falcons will need strong individual finishes. Junior Hannah Korpics is seeded sixth in the 300 hurdles (47.8) and also is running the 100 hurdles, and senior Lindsey Brewis is seeded sixth in the 1,600 (5:19.6) and also is running the 3,200.
Lansing Waverly: Sprint strength could vault the Warriors into contention. They enter with top seeds in the 800 relay (1:44.46) and 1,600 relay (4:05.73) and have the top two seeds in the 200 with freshman Taylor Manson (25.42) and senior Chante Roberts (25.52). Roberts also is seeded second in the 400 (58.84).
Remus Chippewa Hills: The Warriors could push for their first MHSAA team championship thanks to three relays seeded among the top three and a reigning champion in two events. Senior Megan O’Neil won the 800 and 1,600 in 2013 and has the second seed in the 800 (2:19.98) and fourth in the 1,600 (5:13.61) this weekend. Sophomore Jennifer McNeal has the third seed in the 400 (58.89) and tied for the fifth-best high jump (5-2) at Regionals, while senior Erin Drouillard enters with the fourth-best Regional pole vault (10-6).
Cedar Springs Kenzie Weiler: The standout junior is the top seed in the 3,200 (10:46.86) and should make a run at the meet record of 10:40.22.
DeWitt’s Josie Yesmunt: Last season’s 100 champ has the third-seeded time of 12.56 and also the eighth-seeded time in the 200 (26.29).
Grand Rapids Christian’s Ade Ayoola and Eaton Rapids Kathryn Mills: Mills won the high jump in both 2011 and 2012 and enters with the top Regional jump this season, 5-7. But Ayoola emerged as the champion last season and is one of many who also cleared 5-0 in qualifying.
Zeeland East’s Brittany Casey: The reigning shot put champion had the top Regional throw of 44-0 and the second-longest discus toss (125-1).
LP DIVISION 3 at Comstock Park
Top Regional scores: 1. Macomb Lutheran North 247, 2. Pewamo-Westphalia 185, 3. Frankenmuth 172.
Charlevoix: Led by reigning 3,200 champion and meet record holder in that race Amber Way, Charlevoix has a shot to contend after tying for ninth a year ago. The Rayders qualified in three relays and are seeded third in the 3,200 (9:54.11). Way is again top-seeded in the 3,200 (10:42.63; she set the record in 2013 at 10:48.48) and second in the 1,600 (4:58.66). Senior Caroline Boss is the third seed in the 800 (2:22.38).
Frankenmuth: The Eagles are looking to claim their second title in three seasons and fourth in six years and enter with six tops seeds and a number of others in position to score big. Senior Angie Ritter is seeded first in the 100 (12.24) and 200 (25.75) and also runs on the top-seeded 800 (1:44.51) and 1,600 (4:11.14) relays; the 800 relay could approach the meet record of 1:43.49. Junior Sydney Bronner owns the other two top seeds, in the 100 hurdles (15.6) and high jump (5-4), and she’s seeded third in the 300 hurdles (47.89) and also runs on that 800 relay. Junior Stephanie Lambeth is seeded second in pole vault (11-0).
Pewamo-Westphalia: The reigning champion enters this weekend seeded among the top three in three relays, with the top seed in the 400 (51.08). Senior Kenzie Wieber runs on that team and is the reigning champion in pole vault; she’s the top seed again in that event (11-1) and the fifth seed in the 100 (12.76). Freshman Brenna Wirth could also be a key contributor, entering as the sixth seed in the 400 (1:00.72) and third in the 200 (26.45).
Bridgeport’s Ce’Aira Richardson: The Bearcats senior could cap her career with another title or two to go with her win in the 400 last season. She’s seeded first in that race (58.85) and fourth in the 200 (26.47).
Elkton-Pigeon-BayPort’s Kayla Deering: Last season’s shot put champion is set to close her career with another title or two as well, entering as the top seed in the shot put (45-1½) and tied for sixth in discus (114-6).
Manistee’s Annie Fuller: The reigning champion in the 800 and 1,600 last season also set the meet record in the 800 (2:11.77). She's seeded first in that race (2:12.42) and the 1,600 (4:56.05).
LP DIVISION 4 at Hudsonville Middle School
Top Regional scores: 1. Beal City 174, 2. Fowler 170, 3. Saugatuck 165.5.
Pittsford: A mix of strong individuals and relays should put Pittsford in the hunt for its first top-two finish since 1994 and perhaps its first title. The 1,600 relay is top-seeded (4:17.69) and the 800 relay (1:50.21) is seeded second. Senior Bethany Kuenzer could play a huge part; she’s second-seeded in the 100 hurdles (15.97) and pole vault (9-9) and fifth-seeded in the 300 hurdles (49.23).
Reading: Last season’s runner-up is keyed by senior Michelle Davis, who is top-seeded in the 100 hurdles (15.62) and 400 (59.22) and third seeded in the 300 hurdles (47.56) after winning that race last season. The 800 relay (1:50.21) is seeded first and the 3,200 relay (10:09.09) and 1,600 relay (4:17.95) are seeded second. Junior Jennifer Davis runs on the 800 relay and is the top seed in the 100 (12.72) and 200 (26.89).
Traverse City St. Francis: The reigning champion has enough star power to score big again. Sophomore Holly Bullough won the 800 and 1,600 last season and is top-seeded in both with times of 2:15.65 and 5:09.94, respectively, and she's also third-seeded in the 400 (1:00.56). Senior Erin McDonnell is seeded third in the 800 (2:26.42), with junior Grace Meachum seeded fourth in the 200 (27.12) and junior Chandler Tarrant tied for third in the pole vault (9-6).
Beal City’s Addie Schumacher: The high jump champion the last two seasons is tied for the fifth seed at 5-1 and also will shot put and throw discus and run on the 800 relay.
Breckenridge’s Kirsten Olling: One of the most accomplished cross country champions in MHSAA history, she can add to her four track titles and win the 3,200 for a fourth time. She’s the top seed in that race with a time of 11:25.92, best by nearly 16 seconds.
Coleman’s Amanda MacDonald: The reigning pole vault champion is top-seeded in that event (9-10) and also will run the 100 and 400.
New Buffalo’s Jade Madison: Last season’s discus champion looks like a possibility to break the meet record in shot put, entering with a top Regional throw of 43-2 – the meet record is 42-7. She’s seeded second in the discus (117-7) and will also run both hurdles races.
Ottawa Lake Whiteford’s Miranda Johnson: She’s already won three MHSAA championships, including last season in the 200 and long jump. She’ll compete in those two events one more time in high school and is seeded highest, fourth, in the 100 (12.87).
UP DIVISION 1 at Kingsford
Top Regional scores: 1. Marquette 83.5, 2. Negaunee 79, 3. Calumet 43.
Marquette: The Redettes have won three straight and five of the last six Division 1 championships, and have one of the top track athletes in Upper Peninsula history. Sophomore Lindsey Rudden owns meet records in the 800 and 1,600 and also won the 3,200 last season; she’s top-seeded in the 400 (1:01.19), 800 (2:23.97) and 1,600 (5:10.04) this weekend and also will run on the top-seeded 1,600 relay (4:19.03). The 3,200 relay (10:36.15) and 800 relay (1:53.15) also are top-seeded. Junior Hunter Viitala runs on the 800 and 1,600 relays and is the reigning high jump champion; she’s seeded first in that event (5-0) and the 300 hurdles (48.12). Junior Kirsten Iwanski is the reigning champ in shot put and top-seeded in that event (34-9½) and third-seeded in discus (96-2), and freshman Izzy Peterson is top-seeded in the 100 (13.07).
Escanaba: The Eskymos are seeded second in three relays and third in the fourth relay and have key individuals including sophomore Sunny Martineau – she’s seeded third in the 300 hurdles (50.49) and second in the 100 hurdles (17.37).
Calumet’s Chelsea Jacques: The reigning champion in both the 100 and 200, she’s seeded third in the 200 (27.76) this time and fifth in the 100 (13.64).
Sault Ste. Marie’s Corina Armstrong: Last season’s pole vault champion as a sophomore is tied with the best Regional vault (9-0) with Gladstone’s Jamie Snowaert.
UP DIVISION 2 at KINGSFORD
Top Regional scores: 1. Iron River West Iron County 97, 2. St. Ignace 80, 3. Newberry 46.
Iron River West Iron County: The Wykons won last season with 2012 champion St. Ignace moving to Division 3, but could repeat with four individual champions returning. Megan Miatech is again the top seed in shot put (36-5¼) after winning last season and also is third seed in the discus (87-3). Alexis Golfis will try to repeat in long jump and leaped 13-8½ at the Regional; she’s also seeded fifth in the 300 hurdles (52.74). Reigning 200 champ Carli Johnson is seeded third in that race (28.44), fifth in the 100 (14.14) and runs on the second-seeded 800 relay (1:57.74) and top seeded 400 relay (55.44). Cassilyn Pellizzer is the reigning champ in 300 hurdles and seeded first in that race (49.54) and the 100 hurdles (17.14) and runs on the top-seeded 1,600 relay (4:24.84). She’s also tied at 4-10 for the top high jump coming out of Regionals. Freshman Emmy Kinner is seeded first in the 100 (13.74), 200 (27.84) and 400 (1:03.34).
St. Ignace: Last season’s title came in Division 3, but the Saints also won Division 2 from 2010-12 and in 2008. They are loaded in field events with a combined 10 entries despite none in pole vault. Three relays are among the top three seeds in those events, with the 800 relay seeded first (1:57.44). Senior Rachel Hetherington is seeded second in the 400 (1:05.04), 200 (28.14) and 100 (13.84).
Hancock’s Olivia Rouleau: Last season’s discus champion is again the top seed (91-1) entering the weekend.
Ironwood’s Rachel Hudacek: In addition to running two relays, Hudacek is the reigning high jump champion and seeded tied for third this time at 4-8.
Manistique’s Holly Blowers: She won the 800 last season and will run that race (2:47.44), the 400 (1:06.34) and 1,600 (6:01.94) and on the 1,600 relay.
Newberry’s Natalie Beaulieu: The reigning champion in the 1,600 and 3,200 is seeded first in three races, those two in 5:39.24 and 12:19.24, respectively, and the 800 (2:37.14).
UP DIVISON 3 at Kingsford
Top Regional scores: 1. Crystal Falls Forest Park 73, 2. Brimley 56, 3. Munising 51.
Brimley: The Bays have dominated this division of late with four championships over the last six seasons and a runner-up finish last spring to St. Ignace, which is back in Division 2. Brimley has eight top-two seeds and three relays among the top three seeds in their races. Kerri Chartrand is the top seed in the 300 hurdles (52.08) and second seed in the 100 hurdles (18.04) and long jump (14-8¼). Emily Chartrand is the third seed in the 800 (2:45.74) and second in the 3,200 (13:13.84), and Anne Archambeau is the top seed in the discus (103-11) and second in the shot put (34-10½).
Crystal Falls Forest Park: The Trojans finished runners-up to Brimley in both 2009 and 2011 but haven’t won a team title since 1975. They have no entries in field events, but do have four top seeds including the favored 800 (1:58.64) and 400 (56.04) relays. Senior Kendra Campell is the top seed in the 100 hurdles (17.94) and third in the 300 (53.24), and classmate Mary Grandahl is the top seed in the 400 (1:07.54) and second-seeded in the 200 (29.04) and 100 (13.64, tied for seed).
Eben Junction Superior Central’s Teslyn Tyner: She’s seeded first in the long jump (15-4½) by six inches after winning that event last season, and tied for second in the 100 (13.64).
Pickford’s Kim Cruickshank: She’s seeded third in the 100 hurdles (18.14) looking to repeat as champion in that event and fourth in the long jump (14-1), and also will run two relays.
Rock Mid Peninsula’s Kelsey Shope: The reigning high jump champion is tied for the third seed in that event (4-4) and also fourth in the 400 (1:08.64) and will run two relays.
Rudyard’s Savannah Dugan: The reigning shot put champion is seeded first ahead of Archambeau in that event (36-2½) and second behind Archambeau in the discus (98-0).
PHOTO: Bridgeport’s Ce’Aira Richardson (middle) won the 400 at last season’s Lower Peninsula Division 3 Final and will run that race and the 200 on Saturday. (Click to see more at HighSchoolsSportsScene.com.)