×

Esky girls, Braves’ boys finish first at DCI meet

RAPID RIVER — Mid Peninsula junior Landry Koski had been counting the days since her last high school track meet and Gladstone senior Blake Servant made quite a haul here Tuesday.

Servant won four events, helping the Gladstone boys earn the Delta County Invitational title with 212 points. They were followed by Escanaba 150 and Rapid River 115.

The Esky girls were crowned champions with 164, followed by Gladstone 147 and Rapid River 102.

Koski collected three firsts on this cloudy and chilly day, taking the 1600-meter run in six minutes, 17.84 seconds, 3200 (13:32.89) and helping the winning 800 relay.

“I’m actually glad to get one under my belt,” said Koski. “It has been 696 days since the U.P. (Division 3) Finals at Kingsford. It was strange not being able to run with last year’s seniors.”

Servant captured the 110-meter hurdles in 15.6 seconds, 300s (43.6), long jump at 19 feet, four inches and discus (137-0).

Classmate Calvin Thibault added firsts in the 100 (11.81) and 200 (24.85) and was runner-up in the hurdle races.

“That was a real nice performance by Blake,” said Braves coach Gary Whitmer. “Calvin ran real strong in the 100 and 200 and our freshman Nate Young was right behind Calvin, which is good for him.”

Sophomore Drew Hughes copped the 1600 (4:57.65) and 3200 (11:10.31) and senior Ethan Milam won high jump (6-3).

Gladstone also swept the sprint relays.

“It was great to get first in those,” said Whitmer. “That got us pointed in the right direction. We took a couple seconds off our 400 relay. We had a terrible last handoff. Eliminate that and we’re running times close to Iron Mountain (which ran 46.25 at Gladstone last week).”

“Drew ran the last quarter of the 1600 real fast (67 seconds) and Lucas (Hughes) had some nice jumps (in long jump and high jump). The kids ran faster than they had been running.”

Esky senior Derek Douglas had a hand in three firsts, taking the 400 (54.63) and 800 (2:11.97) and helping the winning 3200 relay.

“I was hoping to do better in the 800,” said Douglas, who ran a 2:08 split in the relay. “We didn’t have much of a break between the 400 and 800 and my legs started to get tired. I got a good workout today, that’s for sure. It feels great to compete again. That’s what I train for.”

Rapid River got a first from junior Corey Novak in shot put (35-7 1/2) and its 1600 relay.

The Esky girls won three relays. Senior Anna Smith took high jump (4-10), and junior Ciara Ostrenga copped the 400 (1:03.69).

“We had some good performances,” said Esky coach Dan DeLong. “Ciara ran a good 400, and Anna tied a personal-best in high jump. All three of our pole vaulters cleared the qualifying height, and Annabelle (Neumeier) ran solid in the 1600 and 3200. It was good to just get this meet in. The weather forecast didn’t look good for today. I was afraid we’d get rained out.

“Gladstone has a lot of great kids, and the smaller schools have some quality athletes. Mid Pen has some tough kids.”

Senior Ahna Larson provided the Braves with firsts in the 100 hurdles (17.19), 300s (47.85) and long jump (14-11), and junior Jamisyn Bergeron won the 100 (13.47), 200 (28.74) and placed third in the 400.

“I went out a little too hard in the 400, but I’m happy with my 100,” said Bergeron. “My starts felt pretty good. It helped to get the first meet in last week. That got us ready for today.”

Sophomore Emily Siebert added a first for the Braves in pole vault (7-6).

Rapid River senior Morgan Anderson swept the weight events, taking shot put (31-0) and discus (91-7) and Mid Pen senior Daisy Englund won the 800 (2:45.43) and was runner-up in the 400.

“Daisy has been real good,” said Koski. “I’m looking forward to seeing her run in college (Ferris State). I’m going to try to get to as many of her meets as I can.

“We have a lot of fresh talent. This was Tia Nummilien’s first high school track meet. She has a lot of potential, and we have mostly freshmen in the 800 relay. We didn’t know what to expect with that relay.”

For the full meet results, please visit www.dailypress.net.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today