Chips & Portagers medal at CMU

MOUNT PLEASANT — The Manistee and Onekama track and field teams opened their seasons with a long meet that resulted in them not returning home until after 1 a.m. Friday.

At least they didn’t come back empty-handed as the Portagers and Chippewas both had a number of medalists at the Central Michigan University indoor invitational Thursday.

Manistee and Onekama competed among 15 Division 3 and 4 schools.

Manistee freshman Annie Fuller had a strong varsity debut by taking a pair of individual first places and was part of a winning relay. Fuller won the 400 (1:02.2) and 800 (2:40) and, along with Sarah Chandler, Courtney Stefanski and Jessica Gustad, took first in the 1,600-meter relay in 4:29.

“Usually it’s a rude awakening,” Manistee coach Sam Joseph said of Fuller’s transition from middle school to varsity track. “Not this time. She was amazing.”

Onekama’s Nisha Collins won the long jump (15-feet-8 3/4), Jaylee Brown took first in the pole vault (9-9) while the 800 relay team of Breanna Fink, Collins, Alycia Peterson and Meredith Hengy won in 1:56.32.

McKaya Groenwald took second in the 800 while Faith Moerdyk was third, Fink was third in the 60 (8.45), Brown was fourth in the 60 hurdles (10.59) while the 3,200 relay team of Kelly Babcock, Moerdyk, Taylor Anderson and Groenwald placed third in 11:42.

“It was a good start to the season and a good confidence booster,” said Onekama girls coach Bonnie Brown. “I like what I’m seeing.”

 Tyler Fogarty was the lone medal winner for the Onekama boys by taking second in the pole vault at 12-6.

“That’s a great start for him,” said Onekama boys coach Anthony Torres. “He almost cleared 13 (feet), but I’m still happy with how he did.”

Fogarty also took eighth in the 200 (25.4), Shane Peterson was 11th in the 800 (2:15), John Girven took 11th in the 3,200 (11:00) and the 800 relay team of Drew Slevin, Fogarty, Quinn Matthews and Jordan Coe took sixth in 1:42.

“I was proud of how everyone ran and the way the kids came out and performed,” Torres said. “It was a good start.”

Manistee’s Evan Slawinski had a strong start to the season by taking second in the 60 (7.25) and third in the 200 (23.7) and, along with Tyler Maiville, Scott Wethy and Drew Sheffield, took second in the 1,600 relay in 3:45.

Jarret Deisch took sixth in the 800 (2:17) while the 3,200 relay team of Sheffield, Deisch, Zac Barry and Jon Bailey took fifth in 9:18.

“They ran good,” Joseph said. “Evan was disappointed in the 200, but I used it as as motivating factor.”

Chandler took third in the 400 (1:04.2) and tied Fuller for fifth in the high jump at 4-8. The 800 relay team of No’el Solis, Becca Barry, Stefanski and Gustad placed fourth (1:58), Taylor Antal took fifth in the 1,600 (6:08) while Solis was eighth in the 60 (8.62) and 200 (29.09).

Joseph said senior distance runner Kelly Schubert sat out the meet with a mild muscle pull.

Manistee News Advocate staff report
March 23, 2012

www.onekama.k12.mi.us Serving Onekama School since 1997