Avondale runs third at D-2 finals
Auburn Hills Avondale's Jeff Douglas (left) and Takemi Smith helped the Yellowjackets finish in the team standings at Saturday's Division 2 state finals. File Photo
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
GRAND RAPIDS — Auburn Hills Avondale suffered a blow earlier in the season, losing Zac Mikjla and Kyle Redwine to injury, which pretty much hurt the Yellowjackets’ chance to go after a state title.
Avondale still posted the school’s best finish at the Lower Peninsula Division2 boys track and field state finals Saturday at Houseman Stadium in Grand Rapids.
With only six state qualifiers, Avondale, which has several high finishes at invitationals this season, finished tied for third with 40 points, 15 more points than last year.
With several athletes scratching out of the sprints, Avondale bettered its fifth-place finish of a year ago.
The Yellowjackets’ foursome of Nathan Chapman, Takemi Smith, Jeff Douglas and Trevon Salter set the D-2 state-meet record in winning the 800-meter relay (1:28.11). Smith, Douglas, Xavier Burns and Salter set another D-2 meet record in winning the 400 relay (42.75).
Salter, who placed fourth in the long jump (22-1 ¼), capped the day by setting another record, winning the 400 meters in 48.7.
Avondale’s other points came from Ryan Brancheau in the high jump (6-6).
East Lansing scored 56 points to win the team title. Chelsea was second with 48 points, with Birmingham Detroit Country Day also scoring 40 points to tie Avondale for third. Defending champion Byron Center was fifth (36 points).
Avondale’s girls scored 13 points, good for 14th place.
Country Day won the team title, with Dearborn Divine Child (44), Flint Southwestern Academy (43), Romulus (36) and East Grand Rapids (27) rounding out the top five.
Yasmine Jones was third in the 100 (12.2) and 200 (25.33) to pace Avondale. Anna Haritos ran eighth in the 300 hurdles (47.48).
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Category: Auburn Hills Avondale, High School, Prep Wraps
