Preview: Line-ups Loaded for Girls Finals

May 29, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Few things are guaranteed during this, the busiest weekend of the high school sports calendar in Michigan.

But here’s something to count on – attend an MHSAA Girls Track & Field Final, and you’re sure to see at least one record-setting talent if not a field loaded with standouts.

See below for some of the teams and individuals who should be among those in the championship mix at seven girls meets Saturday. 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: Grosse Pointe South 231, Oak Park 186, Rockford 160.71.

Oak Park – The sprinters and hurdlers who played major roles in last season’s championship run are back, making Oak Park a major favorite. Junior Anna Jefferson is coming off setting a meet record in the 400; she’s seeded third in that race (55.68) and third in the 200 (24.84). Junior Brianna Holloway is seeded third in the 100 hurdles (14.62) and first in the 300 (43.33), senior Kailsi Latta-Thompson is seeded seventh in the 100 hurdles (15.12) and 11th in the 300 (46.61), senior Jayla Fleming is fifth in the 800 (2:16.52) and sophomore Tamea McKelvy is seeded second in the 100 (12.23). Senior Ersula Farrow adds a top seed in the 800 (2:08.88) after winning that event in 2014, and all four relays also are seeded first: 400 (48.34), 800 (1:40.82), 1,600 (3:49.06) and 3,200 (9:06.01).

Northville – The reigning runner-up should be in contention again with a handful of standouts contending in multiple events. Senior Lauren Rodriguez is seeded second in the 100 hurdles (14.44) and seventh in the 300 (45.50), junior Chloe Abbott is second in the 400 (55.49) and fourth in the 200 (24.88) and junior Lexa Barrott is second in the 1,600 (4:58.69) and ninth in the 3,200 (10:55.16). The 1,600 relay (3:53.89) also is seeded second, and the 800 relay (1:42.11) is seeded third.

East Kentwood – The Falcons finished third last season in part because of multiple championships won by Sekayi Bracey; now a junior, she’s top-seeded in the 100 (12.17), 200 (24.61) and long jump (18-3). She also runs on the second-seeded 400 relay (48.88). Senior Briana Nelson could add big points in throws; she’s seeded third in the discus (127-6) and first in shot put (44-2).

Birmingham Seaholm’s Audrey Belf – One of the top distance runners in recent MHSAA history will try to finish her high school career with a repeat in the 3,200 (10:10.28). She could approach the record of 10:08.23 run by West Bloomfield’s Erin Finn two seasons ago.

Ann Arbor Skyline’s Charde Madoula-Bey – Reigning shot put champion and discus placer will throw both again as a junior and had the eighth-best shot put (39-4½) for LPD1 Regionals.

Rockford’s Sammy Cuneo – After finishing third in both the 100 and 200 last season as a junior, should challenge Bracey again in the 200 with the second seeded time (24.64) and has the top Regional time in the 400 (55.44).

Rockford’s Maegan McCarthy – Last season’s runner-up in the shot put and discus as a junior has the third-seeded shot put (42-4½) and top discus throw (141-9) heading into this weekend.

Flushing’s Bre Perry – Only a sophomore, Perry completed a Regional jump of 5-8 that was just an inch off the LPD1 Finals record.

Port Huron Northern’s Mackenzie Shell – Won pole vault last season as a junior and is a major favorite to repeat with her Regional vault this month nine inches higher than the current all-Finals record set in 2009.

LP DIVISION 2 at Zeeland

Top Regional scores:  Warren Regina 180, Ortonville-Brandon 139, Grand Rapids South Christian 134.

Flint Southwestern – Fifth place but only 6.5 points off the lead last season, Southwestern has the scorers to push to the top. The 400 (49.50) and 800 (1:43.62) relays are seeded first, and senior Miaisha Blair runs on both and also has the sixth-seeded 200 time (26.16) and fourth-best long jump (17-5¼). Senior Mildrenae Young also runs on both of those relays and is seeded first in the 200 (25.83) and ninth in the 100 (12.65). Both were on the 400 team that won last season’s Final.  

Grand Rapids South Christian – The Sailors have enough contributors to also do well in a low-scoring meet. The 1,600 relay is seeded first (3:59.38) and the 800 relay (1:46.69) sixth. Senior Alexis Miller could provide distance points, entering 10th in the 1,600 (5:16.78) and 11th in the 3,200 (11:43.33), while freshman Mariel Burxvoort is expected to do big things seeded second in the 300 (46.04) and seventh in the 100 hurdles (15.51). Junior Abbie Porter is seeded sixth in the 400 (59.15) and senior Laura Grasman is eighth in discus (118-9).

Lansing Waverly – Two relay championships placed Waverly second last season and only three points behind champion Remus Chippewa Hills. The 400 relay this season is seeded second (49.82) running three freshmen and a sophomore, and the 800 is seeded third (145.44) with the same group. Freshman Tra’chele Roberts is seeded fifth in the 200 (26.10) and the sophomore, Teaghan Thomas, is among those seeded 12th in high jump (5-2).

Battle Creek Harper Creek’s Charley Andrews – Reigning high jump champion is seeded second as a sophomore (5-6) and also ninth in the 800 (2:22.63) to go with running three relays.

Spring Lake’s Carlyn Arteaga – Last season’s 800 champ as a junior is seeded fourth in that race (2:20.36) and third in the 1,600 (5:08.47).

Mount Morris’ Gabriella Collins – Won long jump in 2014 by more than five inches and should score even more as a senior with the eighth seed in that event (17-1¼), second seed in the 100 hurdles (15.10) and top seed in the 300 (45.30).

Marine City’s Hannah Coverdill – Seeded only eighth in the 100 hurdles (15.59) and 12th in the 300 (47.30) but won the 300 and was fourth in the 100 as a sophomore at last season’s Final.

Carleton Airport’s Zoe Eby – After claiming last season’s 400 title by less than a second, Eby could add a few wins as a sophomore. She's seeded seventh in the 100 (12.64), third in the 200 (25.83), second in the 400 (58.21) and seventh in long jump (17-2½).

St. Johns’ Karrigan Smith – The Redwings senior set the 1,600 meet record last season at 4:51.53 and has the top seed time this weekend at 5:00.76. She’s also seeded second in the 800 (2:18.71).

East Grand Rapids' Kaela Theut – Last season’s 3,200 champion isn’t running that race, but is seeded third in the 800 (2:19.82) and sixth in the 1,600 (5:11.36).

LP DIVISION 3 at Comstock Park

Top Regional scores: Macomb Lutheran North 276, Pewamo-Westphalia 179, Frankenmuth 157.

Frankenmuth: The Eagles are competing for their third title in four seasons and fifth over seven led by one of last season’s Finals standouts – Sydney Bronner tied the LP Division 3 Final high jump record, won the 100 hurdles and ran on a record-setting 800 relay. She’s seeded second in the 100 hurdles (15.87), third in the 300 hurdles (47.48) and among those second in high jump (5-2). The 800 relay is seeded second (1:47.99) and the team’s 400 relay is second as well (51.49). Sarah Beulla, last season’s 200 runner-up, is seeded fifth in that race (26.51) and sixth in the 100 (12.95). There’s scoring to come from field events as well, with Stephanie Lambeth seeded first in pole vault (12-3) with a top Regional height three inches higher than the LP Division 3 Finals record, and Kerri Frahm seeded seventh in discus (114-11).

Macomb Lutheran North – After scoring big at its Regional, Lutheran North will pursue its first MHSAA title. Gina Patterson has been one of the state’s top distance runners over the last few seasons and is seeded first in the 3,200 (10:49.81). Nicole Ignasiak was fourth in shot put at last season’s Finals and is seeded third in that event (38-2½) and second in discus (119-6). Kristin Freeman is top-seeded in high jump (5-3) after finishing sixth last year, Emily Matkin is seventh in the 100 (12.98), and the 400 relay (51.55) is seeded third.

Pewamo-Westphalia – Brenna and Marissa Wirth played leading roles in last season’s runner-up finish and should be key again; Brenna is seeded third in the 100 (12.74), second in the 200 (26.04) and fifth in the 400 (59.41). Marissa is seventh in the 200 (26.72) and runs on the fifth-seeded 800 relay (1:49.36). Both run on the third-seeded 1,600 (4:09.34) relay.

Traverse City St. Francis’ Holly Bullough – Won the 800 and 1,600 and was second in the 400 at last season’s Division 4 Finals, and matches up well in Division 3 with the second-fastest times in the 800 (2:10.14) and 1,600 (4:54.79) and fourth-fastest in the 400 (59.21).

Manistee’s Annie Fuller – Won the 1,600 and 800 at last season’s Final, resetting her meet record in the latter, and her 1,600 seed time of 4:52.95 is nearly half a second faster than the LP Division 3 Finals record. Her 800 seed time of 2:09.02 would set that record again as well.

Adrian Madison’s Meagan Rosales – Placed in a relay last season, but enters this weekend with higher expectations thanks to top seeds in the 400 (56.5) and 300 hurdles (46.28).

Charlevoix’s Amber Way – Like Patterson and Fuller, Way has been one of the state’s top distance runners of late and owns the meet record in the 1,600 of 10:35.33. Her seed time of 11:24.21 is fifth.

Napoleon’s Kaniya Weatherspoon – Last season’s long jump champ also placed in the 200 and on two relays, and should repeat if not surpass that this weekend. Her long jump (16-11½) seeds her fourth in that event, while she’s third in the 400 (59.03) and 17th in the 200.

LP DIVISION 4 at Hudsonville Baldwin Middle School

Top Regional scores: Saugatuck 181, Deckerville 178.5, Fowler 178.

Pittsford – A talented group of sophomores could key Pittsford’s first championship run. Three provide value in field events – Maddie Clark is seeded second in discus (123-9), Katie Clement is third in pole vault (9-3) and Merenda Ayers is fourth in shot put (34-2½). Sophomore Jaycie Burger adds a sixth seed in the 800 (2:26.23) to go with senior Ruth Letherer's seven seeds in the 1,600 (5:26.78) and 3,200 (12:07.74). But the deciding points could come in the relays, where Pittsford has a second seed in the 800 (1:48.94), third in the 1,600 (4:14.19) and third in the 3,200 (10:07.34).

Reading – The reigning champion graduated meet record-holder Michelle Davis, but senior sister Jennifer Davis is seeded first in the 100 (12.59) and 200 (25.94) and third in the 400 (59.48). Freshman Baleigh Irelan is seeded second in the 100 hurdles (16.03) and fourth in the 300 (48.55), while junior Terasa Eidenier is sixth in the 1,600 (5:26.75) and fourth in the 800 (2:25.59), and freshman McKenzi Bassage is ninth in the 1,600 (5:26.81) and third in the 3,200 (11:54.19).

Fowler – The back-to-back champion in 2011 and 2012 was third last season but could move back into the top spot with strong relays and at least a pair of scoring individuals. The 1,600 relay is seeded first at 4:11.88 and the 400 is third at 52.16. Senior Allison Hufnagel runs on the 1,600 and also is among those seeded first in high jump (5-1) while running third in the 300 (48.30). Junior Julie Thelen is seeded eighth in the 400 (1:00.94) and also runs on the 1,600.

Mason County Eastern’s Jordan Goodman – Won the 100 last season as a freshman and is seeded fourth in that race (12.86), fourth in the 400 (1:00.19), 10th in the 200 (27.28) and 11th in long jump (15-6½).

Battle Creek St. Philip’s Ava Strenge – The Tigers sophomore won the LP Division 4 cross country title in the fall and is seeded first in the 3,200 (11:36.12) and second in the 1,600 (5:18.14) after taking second in both last season.

Birmingham Roeper’s Akwia Tilton – Placed in the long jump and 200 last season as a sophomore; she’s seeded first in the long jump (17-9), third in the 200 (26.63) and seventh in the 100 (13.10).

UP DIVISION 1 at Kingsford

Top Regional scores: Marquette 77, Negaunee 63, Houghton 52.5.

Marquette – The Redettes are seeking their fifth straight championship and are anchored by one of the top distance runners in Upper Peninsula history. Junior Lindsey Rudden (2:14.8) won her Regional 800 and 1,600 (5:06.20) after winning both last season. Reigning 3,200 champion Amber Huebner is a sophomore and won that race at her Regional in 11:50, and senior Hunter Viitala won the high jump (4-10) at her Regional after winning 300 hurdles at last season’s Final.

Negaunee – The runner-up in 2012 and 2013, Negaunee’s hopes may lie in the strength of its middle and distance runners. Ashley Tresseder won the Regional title in the 400 (1:03.25), while Aleda Johnson was first in the 800 (2:33.52) and Clara Johnson won the 1,600 (5:39.39) and 3,200 (12:50.83). Hailee Richards added a first in the discus (92-9½) after winning that event at last season’s Final.

Calumet’s Chelsea Jacques – The reigning 100 and 200 champion dominated those races at her Regional, winning the 100 (12.9) by more than half a second and the 200 (26.86) by nearly a full second.

Menominee’s Paiton Plutchak – Last season’s 100 hurdles champion by nearly half a second finished second in that race at her Regional (16.10) and fourth in the 200 (28.0).

Gladstone’s Jamie Snowaert – Last season’s pole vault champion finished only second at her Regional (8-6), but went 9-6 to win that 2014 title.

Calumet’s Hailey Wickstrom – Tied for third at her Regional with a high jump of 5-0 but won the Finals championship last season at the same height.

UP DIVISION 2 at Kingsford

Top Regionals scores: Ishpeming 94, Iron River West Iron County 71, Ishpeming Westwood 50.

Ishpeming – The Hematites dominated their Regional winning three field events, five individual races and all four relays. Marissa Maino placed third in shot put at last season’s Final and won shot put (33-8¼) and discus (91-2) at the Regional. Nassi Thomas also could dominate – she won the long jump (15-4), 200 (28.59) and 400 (14.33) at the Regional. Khora Swanson added wins in the 800 (2:36.31) and 1,600 (5:46.51).

Iron River West Iron County – Reigning 400 champion Emmy Kinner leads last season’s team runner-up, and she won that race (1:03.46), the 100 (13.59) and 200 (28.19) at the Regional.

Manistique’s Katie Davis – Finished third in pole vault at last year’s Final and is the top returning competitor in that event. She won her Regional in 8-6, last season’s winning Final height.

Ishpeming Westwood’s Katie Etelamaki – Placed in the top four in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 at last season’s Final, and won the 1,600 (5:44.28) and 3,200 (12:15.38) in dominant fashion at her Regional.

Hancock’s Mary Jarvis – Swept the hurdles races in her Regional, winning the 100 in 17.13 and 300 in 50.12.

UP DIVISION 3 at Kingsford

Top Regional scores: Munising 70, Lake Linden-Hubbell 60.33, Stephenson 56.

Munsing – Seeking its first team championship since 2009, Munising can rely on distance ace Marissa Immel and pole vaulter Michaela Peramaki. Immel won the 1,600 (5:52.51) and tied for first in the 3,200 (14:03.17) at her Regional after taking second in the 1,600 and fourth in the 800 and 3,200 at last year’s Final, when Munising finished fifth as a team. Peramaki is the reigning pole vault Final champion and won that event at her Regional (9-0), where she also was third in long jump and fourth in both the 100 and 200.

Lake Linden-Hubbell – Carli Ongie claimed the team’s lone individual title in 2014, in the 800, and she’ll run for the repeat despite finishing second at her Regional (2:35.65). Lake Linden-Hubbell nearly doubled the field in winning that Regional despite not winning a race; the Lakes dominated field events, however, winning four with Sarah Audette finishing first in long jump (15-11), pole vault (9-6) and high jump (5-0). She was second in pole vault at last season’s Final.

Brimley’s Anne Archambeau – Won discus and finished second in shot put at the 2014 Final; won discus (101-11) and finished third in shot (33-0) at her Regional.

Engadine’s Autumn Arseneau – Reigning 200 champion finished second in that race at her Regional (29.56) but won the high jump (4-6) after taking third in that event at last season’s Final.

Cedarville’s Emma Bohn – Last season’s 1,600 champ and 3,200 runner-up will go for three titles again after taking second in the 1,600 (5:47.14) and 3,200 (12:47.61) and third in the 800 (2:41.0) at her Regional.

Brimley’s Kerri Chartrand – Reigning 100 hurdles champ and 300 runner-up could turn into a three-time champ after winning the 100 hurdles (16.78) and taking second in both the 300 (49.0) and in the 200 (28.8) at her Regional.

St. Ignace’s Autumn Orm – Won Division 2 long jump last season and her Division 3 Regional by more than 15 inches in 14-8½.

Carney-Nadeau’s Sara Sivula – Last season’s long jump champion will have a chance at three individual titles after finishing runner-up in both long jump (14-8½) and high jump (4-6) and fourth in the 200 (29.6) at her Regional.

St. Ignace’s Sarah Smith – Won Division 2 shot put and placed in discus and high jump last season, but will only throw shot this weekend after taking second (33-3) in that event at her Regional.

Ontonagon’s Lori Wardynski – Didn’t win a Regional title this time to go with last season’s Final championship in the 300 and runner-up finish in the 100 hurdles, but did finish second in four events – 100 hurdles (16.85), 100 dash (13.59), 300 hurdles (50.04) and high jump (4-10).

PHOTO: East Kentwood's Sekayi Bracey (left) and Oak Park's Anna Jefferson race toward the finish of the 200 during last season's Lower Peninsula Division 1 Final. They posted two of the fastest times in the race in MHSAA Finals history.

Fowler Girls Award 1st-Year Coach with Program's 1st Finals Title since 2019

By Keith Dunlap
Special for MHSAA.com

June 2, 2024

HUDSONVILLE — Sometimes it actually isn’t so hard to replace a legend. Just ask Fowler girls track & field coach Neil Hufnagel.

After last year, Hufnagel took over for longtime Fowler coach Jill Feldpausch, who built the program into a dynasty.

Feldpausch led Fowler to five MHSAA Finals titles from 2011 to 2019, but there was no need for anyone to feel sorry for Hufnagel going into this year.

On the contrary, it might have been the track & field version of inheriting a Fort Knox-sized gold mine. 

“She left the cupboards absolutely packed,” he said. 

That was evident during the Lower Peninsula Division 4 Finals on Saturday at Baldwin Middle School, where Fowler reigned supreme again with a dominant performance.

Fowler finished with 70.5 points, well ahead of the 44 collected by runner-up Portland St. Patrick. 

Fowler had only one first-place event finish, and that was in the last one, taking first in the 1,600 relay in a time of 4:08.44.

But that didn’t end up mattering as Fowler used its depth to score points. 

The Eagles, who finished fourth last year, snapped a mini drought by their standards. 

“We talked a little bit about being workmanlike,” Hufnagel said. “We know that it doesn’t take first places to finish first in the state. We had some good team depth, and we were able to use that.” 

Addison's Molly Brown, right, finishes her 100 hurdles championship win.Saugatuck was third with 34 points. 

There were several individual standouts who flanked Fowler’s team victory. 

Buckley senior Aiden Harrand, who will run next for Wake Forest, won the 1,600 in a time of 4:53.25 and the 400 in a time of 58.25. Harrand also finished second in the 800. 

Between cross country and track, Harrand finished her high school career with 10 Finals championships and showed impressive versatility.

“It’s hard for sure,” Harrand said. “I do a lot of distance training. I have to because I have to be prepared for that mile. I think the speed comes naturally. I do a lot of speed workouts and stuff. But you’ve got to train distance.” 

Another individual standout was Addison junior Molly Brown. She repeated in the 100 hurdles in a time of 15.22, and then won the 300 hurdles in a time of 45.07. 

Brown was second in the 300 hurdles last year, and she obviously was thrilled to build on that defeat and set up what should be a big senior year in 2025. 

“I knew the girl that beat me last year graduated, but I knew that coming in this year, I was going to have to run a really good time to win,” Brown said. “I just really wanted to win.” 

In the field events, Marlette senior Olivia Findlay shined the brightest, winning the long jump with a distance of 17-feet, 4½ inches and the high jump in 5 feet, 5 inches.

Other champions included Unionville-Sebewaing sophomore Layla Bolzman in the 100 and 200, Johannesburg-Lewiston junior Allie Nowak in the 800, Whitmore Lake freshman Kaylie Livingston in the 3,200, Chesterfield Austin Catholic senior Lyla Mullins in the shot put and discus and Mason County Eastern junior Payton Haynes in the pole vault. Frankfort (400), Portland St. Patrick (800) and Whitmore Lake (3,200) also won relays. Athens junior Aleyah Deller won the adaptive 100, 200 and shot put events.

Click for full results.

PHOTOS (Top) Fowler's Katie Spicer crosses the finish line during a sprint Saturday. (Middle) Addison's Molly Brown, right, finishes her 100 hurdles championship win. (Click for more from Ken Swart/RunMichigan.com.)