By DYLAN SAVELA, News Advocate Sports Writer

SCOTTVILLE — At the Scottville Optimist Invitational Friday night, Manistee knew it could count on one thing — seniors McKenzie Majchrzak and Ryan Helminiak jumping long and high.

Out of the 11 schools competing, Helminiak placed first in the high jump (6-3) and Majchrzak placed second for the girls (5-4).

Majchrzak also took first in the long jump while setting a personal record (16-8).

“They continue to impress,” Manistee coach Eric Thuemmel said of the two seniors. “You can rely on them to score in every meet. I know McKenzie is really disappointed that she didn’t repeat as champion (in the high jump) but, that’s just going to make (her) stronger.  “She’ll be back again next week at the Traverse City Invitational. She’s really looking forward to going against that Class A competition.”

Majchrzak admitted to being “bummed” about falling just short in the high jump due to a technicality, but was excited about her efforts in the long jump.

“It was great, because I haven’t placed first in this meet in the long jump and I (set a personal record) by six inches.”

Manistee girls finished eighth with 39.5 total points, while the boys finished sixth with 45.

Onekama's Tobi Schoedel (in blue) took seventh in the 1,600-meter run Friday. (Photo by Dylan Savela/News Advocate)

Similarly to the Chippewas, Onekama has been able to count on freshman Jaylee Brown to score well in her events, particularly the pole vault.

“She had kind of a rough day. She had a couple misses and it came down to her last couple vaults,” Onekama girls coach Bonnie Brown said of Jaylee’s first-place finish in the pole vault (8-3).

“But, we’re tickled pink,” Brown added about her team’s fifth place finish (56) out of the 11 teams competing. “Looking at all the big schools here we had no idea we’d do this well.”

The Onekama boys finished 11th with 33.5, but coach Mickey Story wasn’t worried about teams performance.

“It’s good competition. Well, actually more than good. I think this is tougher than a regional would be,” Story said. “But, Parker Johnson came in first in pole vault and is undefeated this year, and we’re pretty happy with our 3,200-meter relay coming in third.”