TRACK: Mott, Clarkston track down regional titles
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Finally, the stars aligned just right Friday for Waterford Mott.
The Corsairs put on a display of speed and endurance to round up 88 points to win its first Division 1 boys track and field regional title in school history.
Waterford Kettering had its best-ever regional finish with 75 points for the runner-up slot, just ahead of Holly’s 74 and defending champion Lake Orion’s 73 points. West Bloomfield finished fifth (63.5).
“It finally aligned right, at least for us at this regional,” smiled veteran Mott coach Ryan Robinson. “It’s kind of strange. But if you watched the while meet you would have thought that Mott wasn’t doing all that much during the first half of the meet. We only scored three points in the field events and we scratched out of the (3,200) relay and we had the top seed. We took a gamble there to let them do well in some open races. But we sure scored a lot of points the second half of the meet. Our distance kids did really well.”
Meanwhile, favored Clarkston ran roughshod over the field in the girls meet with 109.5 points, well ahead of defending champion Bloomfield Hills’ 74 points. Waterford Mott (68), Lake Orion (56.6), Utica Eisenhower (53.5) and Rochester (50.5) followed in the next group of the 14-school field.
The Wolves, who won their first regional title since 2007 and eighth overall, racked up points in all directions to dominate.
“We had some changes this year. Track is no longer an individual sport at Clarkston. It’s all about team,” said hurdler Taylor Mullins. “We all came today to run our best and try to win.”
Clarkston won the 400 relay (50.18) and 800 relay (1:44.08) and Mullins broke the tape in the 300 hurdles (44.85) too lead the Wolves. Nicole Hanson added a second in the 1,600 and fourth in 3,200 to aid the Wolves’ cause.
Clarkston also qualified by taking third in the 1,600 relay and Megan Nicholson topped the field in the high jump (5-3) and was amongst the many who added points to the Wolves’ victory parade.
“It was a great team effort. I wouldn’t say that there were any surprises but we had some kids step up with some great efforts,” said first-year Clarkston coach Kevin Breen. “I thought Taylor Mullins did a great job in the hurdles and relays and Nicole Hanson grueled it out by qualifying in the mile and two-mile. Our relays did really well. We qualified in three relays and scored in all four. And we also had he winner in the high jump.d that was to win and We did what we came to do and qualify as many girls as possible.”
Stoney Creek’s Linnea Tebulius (25.9) won the 200 and 400 (57.17), as the Sweeden-transplant continued to shine in her sole season this side of the big pond.
“The 400 is a really tough race. At least I won,” sighed Tebulius.
Romeo’s Emma Wilson fought off Clarkston’s Lynsie Graham to win the 3,200 (10:44.79).
Mott freshman Katie Osika clocked an impressive 2:12.59 to win the 800 and she ran a leg on the winning 3,200 relay (9:35.03) and 1,600 relay (3:59.77), where four schools qualified.
Holly’s Emily Alvarado won the discus (117-8) and Lake Orion’s Sarah Simpson had the top effort in the pole vault (9-6) with teammate Colleen Campbell collecting second (9-0).
Bloomfield Hills’ Amanda Sape the shot put (39-8) and teammate Diana Holsey leapt 16-11.5 to win the long jump and also won the 100 hurdles (14.81). Dazha Coffey was second in the event (15.42) to pace the Blackhawks.
Eisenhower’s Samantha Allmacher the 1,600 (5:06.78) and the Eagles’ Hailey Bardon broke the tape in the 100 (12.76).
In the boys meet, Mott’s Ryan Robinson Jr. won the 800 (1:58.19) in a rare appearance in the event and finished second to Holly’s Nate Frasier (9:24.78), as part of six qualifiers in the longest distance race.
Mott’s Kyle Miller added a win in the 300 hurdles (40.31) for the Corsairs.
“I ran fresh,” said Frasier, who scratched out of the 1,600. “I think that helped. I made my move and I thought that everyone else was right behind me. I kept pushing until the end. Now, I want to have some good races at the league and county next week to get ready for the state meet.”
Oxford’s Conor Bandel won the shot put (58-9.5) and discus (187-1), while the Wildcats’ Jacob Lewinski added a win in the pole vault (13-0). Bandel is the state leader in both throws events this spring.
Romeo’s Brad Tanner edged Clarkston’s Merrick Canada (22-3.5 to 22.2) in the long jump and Romeo’s Jacob Domagalski pushed the pace in the 1,600 (4:15.86) to lead a group of five qualifiers.
Kettering’s Jacob Netschke won the high jump (6-3) and Dantoniss Smith captured gold in the 100 (11.08) and anchored the winning 400 relay (43.37) for the Captains.
Lake Orion’s Sheldon Drake broke the tape in the 200 (22.44), just ahead of Kettering’s Dantoniss.
Adams capped the meet with surprise victory in the 1,600 relay (3:28.88). Holly won the 3,200 relay (8:01.22), just ahead of Lake Orion (8:02.08).
West Bloomfield’s Navon Mosely added a win in the 400 (50.64). Stoney Creek broke its school record in winning the 800 relay (1:30.13) and Jack Barrow qualified with a runner-up finish in the 110 hurdles for the Cougars.
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