GIRLS TRACK: Adams, Notre Dame Prep crack top 10 at state finals
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
EAST KENTWOOD — On a day when Grosse Pointe South put on a track and field clinic, area girls track teams still had their moment in the limelight.
South defended its state title with 77.5 points, showcasing some of the nation’s top distance events competitors. Four NorthOaklandSports schools cracked the scoring column, led by Rochester Adams’ fourth-place finish (33 points).
Oxford was 18th (11 points), while Ortonville Brandon 25th (9) and Troy Athens 45th (3) also reached the scoring column.
Ann Arbor Huron was second for the second straight year with 64 points and Rockford placed third (35). Adams, Saline (33), East Kentwood (31), Novi (30), Ann Arbor Pioneer (24), Jackson (20) and Detroit Cass Tech (16) rounded out the top 10.
South won four events and made national headlines when the foursome of Kelsie Schwartz, Ersula Farrow, Haley Meier and Hannah Meier clocked 8:48.29 in the 3,200-meter relay — the Division 1 state-meet record, all-division state meet record, the all-time Michigan record and the national federation all-time record.
Hannah Meier ran 4:43.05 in the 1,600, one of the fastest times in state history, and also won the 800 (2:08.57). The Meier twins, along with Farrow and Caitlin Moore, broke the tape in the 1,600 relay (3:53.9).
Adams had its best finish in school history to add to its banner year. Jamie Morrissey finished second in the 800 (2:10.8) and anchored the runner-up 1,600 relay (3:58.45) that also featured Sophie Smith, Amber Jamison and Jessica Howell.
Howell was also fourth in the long jump (17-9.5) and sixth in the 100 (25.66), Heather Johnson ran eighth in the 300 hurdles (46.75) and Gabrielle Thivierge, after and up-and-down season, finished in the runner-up slot in the 3,200 (10:41.10) to pace the Highlanders.
Oxford finished sixth in the 3,200 relay (9:16.33). Brooke Kovacic was fourth in the 3,200 (10:44.2) and Brittany Johnson sixth in the 800 (2:15.04).
Tiffany Owens second in the 100 (12.14) and Anna Fochesato was seventh in the high jump (5-4) to account for Brandon’s points.
First-year track athlete Sinclair Russell, who is bound to Oakland University for basketball, finished sixth in the high jump (5-4).
DIVISION 2
Dearborn Divine Child and Birmingham Detroit Country Day both scored 60 points to share the D-2 state crown at Houseman Field in Grand Rapids.
DeWitt (41), Allendale (32), East Grand Rapids (32), Williamston (31), Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (29), Grand Rapids South Christian (26), Grand Rapids Christian (23) and Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern (20) rounded out the top 10.
Notre Dame Prep was the only NorthOaklandsports-area school to score and the Fighting Irish’s 29 points was enough for an all-time best seventh overall.
Sara Barron won the 800 (2:13.83) and 1,600 (4:51.67), the latter a D-2 state-meet record .Andrea Pangori was sixth in the high jump (5-2), while Barron, Candice Mack, Taylor Timko and Sarah LewAllen ran third in the 1,600 relay (4:04.53).
Auburn Hills Avondale was the only other local school to crack the scoring column, scoring five points. Anna Haritos was fourth in the 300 hurdles (46.43) to pace the Yellowjackets.
DIVISION 4
Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest freshman Lizzy Rouce was the sole area performer to score points, placing third in the 400 (1:00.62).
Fowler won the team title with 54 points and Traverse City St. Francis was second (50).
Beal City was third (42), Hesperia fourth (28.33) and Onekama fifth (28).
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