Lakes Begin 'to Bring the Legacy Back'
By
John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com
June 4, 2017
KINGSFORD — The Lake Linden-Hubbell girls ended a lengthy title drought Saturday, earning top honors at the Upper Peninsula Division 3 Track & Field Finals.
Lake Linden scored 110 points to secure its first title since 1983, when it was competing in Class D. Pickford squeezed past Cedarville by less than a point for the runner-up honor, and Bark River-Harris took fourth.
“We’re trying to bring the legacy back,” said junior Laura Lyons. “Mr. G (coach Gary Guisfredi) is doing everything he can to help us carry on the program.”
Lyons led the Lakes by taking the 200-meter dash in 27.53 seconds, long jump at 15 feet, 5 inches, and by helping the winning 1,600 relay (4:23.23) and placing second in the 400 (1:01.37).
In the 400, she was runner-up to DeTour senior Sarah Bailey (1:00.52).
“I think my starts were pretty good,” said Lyons. “I was in lane 8 in the 200, which made it hard to see the other girls.
“I didn’t know Sarah before today. Track is also a social event. Everybody’s just so friendly.”
Lake Linden’s Mariah Wilmer won the 800 in a school-record 2:27.08, followed by Bailey (2:28.59) and Rock Mid Peninsula eighth-grader Daisy Englund (2:35.71).
Wilmer also helped the winning 800 (1:54.99) and 1,600 relays.
Jamie Hendrickson provided the Lakes with firsts in high jump at 5-1 and by helping the winning 400 (54.10) and 1,600 relays. Sienna Anderson added a victory in the 100 hurdles (17.55).
Pickford’s Clare Cottle won pole vault (8-6), and Cedarville’s Mackenzie Barr won discus (103-10), edging Ontonagon’s Holly Wardynski by 6½ inches.
In addition to her victory in the 400, Bailey was runner-up in the 800 (2:28.59) and fourth in the 200 (28.22).
“I think that was my best time (in the 400),” said Bailey, who plans to play volleyball at Lake Superior State University this fall. “I had a pretty good start and tried to get toward the front. I had never seen (Lyons) before, but she was a good motivator. It’s always a challenge when you come here because you never know what you’re going to get.”
BR-H sophomore Hailee Demers took the 100 dash (13.30) and 300 hurdles (49.46) and placed second in the 200 (27.68). Junior teammate Jaelin Lockwood was second in the 100 (13.59) and long jump (15-4).
Dollar Bay senior Cami Daavettila won the 1,600 (5:41.78), and Chassell’s Lela Rautiola took the 3,200 (12:47.38).
“I was pleased with my time in the 1,600,” said Daavettila. “The weather was perfect for the mile and I got a PR (personal record). There was a little bit of a breeze, but nothing to hold you back.”
Engadine junior Ashtyn Buss took first in shot put (36-3) and fourth in discus (95-7).
PHOTOS: (Top) Lake Linden-Hubbell’s Lily Kumpula takes off during her leg of the 400 relay. (Middle) DeTour’s Sarah Bailey completes her championship dash in the 400. (Photos by Cara Kamps.)
West Iron County Claims 1st MHSAA Crown
By
John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com
June 2, 2013
KINGSFORD — It was a historical day for the West Iron County girls at Saturday's Upper Peninsula Track Finals as they were crowned champions for the first time.
The Wykons topped the Division 2 standings with 144 points. Manistique brought home its first runner-up trophy with 99 and Newberry placed third at 84.
"We were down by 12 points at one point during the meet, but I knew we could make up the points," said West Iron coach Kristi Berutti. "The girls were so awesome. They literally did better than they were ranked. This (U.P. title) was our goal from the beginning. We had only two seniors, but they were great leaders. We'll be strong again next year."
West Iron junior Cassilyn Pellizzer won the 300-meter hurdles in a school-record 48.7 seconds, was runner-up in the 100 hurdles (17.41), took third in high jump at 4 feet, 10 inches and helped the winning 1,600 relay.
"I usually get tired on the home stretch and hit the last two hurdles," said Pellizzer, who appeared smooth going over the final two hurdles this time. "I was so nervous before and kind of transferred that energy to the race. The U.P. title was icing on the cake."
The Wykons, who won three relays, also got firsts from Carli Johnson in the 200 (28.3), Alexis Golfis in long jump (14-3¾) and Megan Miatech in shot put (34-10).
Freshman Holly Blowers took the 800 (2:29.56) for Manistique, which also won the 400 relay.
"We're very happy with being runners-up," said Manistique coach Chris Marana. "This is a big accomplishment for us. Hopefully, this will jumpstart us next year. We're losing some good seniors who will be hard to replace. But we have some good kids coming back. We knew we had to be at our A-plus game to beat West Iron. Our girls definitely competed hard, but West Iron was on top of its game today.”
Newberry freshman Natalie Beaulieu won the 1,600 in a personal-best 5:34.37 and also the 3,200 (12:12.55).
"I'm pretty happy with that," Beaulieu said. "I wanted to try to keep a steady pace. But with this being the U.P. Finals, I found that I went out a little harder. Although, this wasn't anything unexpected. I felt good in the 3,200 relay and 1,600 and was able to get into a rhythm.”
Iron Mountain senior Hailey LaFleur was a double winner, taking the 100 (13.49) and 400 (1:03.02).
PHOTOS: (Top) West Iron County's Cassilyn Pellizzer clears a hurdle en route to winning the 300 race and setting a school record of 48.7 seconds. (Middle) Iron Mountain senior Hailey LaFleur won two championships Saturday. (Photo by Paul Gerard. Click to see more photo coverage from RunMichigan.com.)