The Goodrich girls track team raced toward history June 5 ? in more ways than one.
The Martians edged two other teams to capture the Division 3 girls state track championship, the third state title in any sport in the school’s history and the second this year, following the girls cross-country team’s state title win in the fall. The 1977 boys golf team was Goodrich’s only other state champion.
Goodrich finished with 47 points at the meet, while Lansing Catholic Central tallied 45 points and Kent City compiled 42 points.
The state title win capped a stellar season for the Martians, who went 11-0 in Genesee Area Conference competition, and captured first place in the Lake Fenton Relays, the Goodrich Invitational, regionals, and the league meet.
Despite the team’s accomplishments and press clippings, Goodrich coach John Shaw knew going into the meet that winning the crown would not be easy.
‘I knew we were considered one of the favorites going in, but no one gives you anything,? he said. ‘You have to go out there and earn it. It’s a superior group of girls. They’re a good bunch of competitors.?
In capturing the state crown, Goodrich’s 3,200 meter relay quartet of Samantha Minkler, Kaitlin and Kayla O’Mara, and Janee Jones set a new state record in that event. The Martians finished the race in 9:24.33, breaking the previous Division 3 mark by approximately six seconds.
Shaw said he wasn’t expecting the quartet to break a state record, but they were determined to make history.
‘They wanted to go for the record and they went out and accomplished it,? he said.
Jones also accounted for Goodrich’s other first-place finish at the meet, in the 800 meter run (2:14.89). She also finished second in the 1,600 meter run (4:55.44).
Kayla O’Mara finished fourth in two different individual events for Goodrich, the 1,600 meter run (5:09.38) and the 3,200 meter run (11:26.39), while twin sister Kaitlin placed fifth in the 3,200 meter run (11:26.39).
Other placers for the Martian girls team were: Michelle Elliott in the 100 meter hurdles (sixth, 15:92) and Jacqui Cornwell in the discus (seventh, 115?1?). Elliott set a new varsity record with her time.
In addition, the 1,600 meter relay team of Elliott, Minkler, Kelsey Meyers, and Jones, although they did not place at states, set a new varsity record with a time of 4:15.27.
The Martians also competed in several other events at the state meet: Elliott in the 300 meter hurdles, Meyers and Kaitlin O’Mara in the 1,600 meter run, Minkler in the 800 meter run, and Andrea Tubbs in the pole vault.
In addition, the 800 meter relay team of Elliott, Casey Tubbs, Melissa Luttrell, and Paige Plant competed at the meet.
Cornwell is the only team member among those who placed at the state meet who will be graduating, making next year’s forecast a bright one.
‘Other than that, we have everyone coming back,? Shaw said. ‘We have some outstanding girls coming up from junior high, so it should be another great season.?
The Goodrich boys team placed in two events, compiling a total of four points, at the state meet. Jeff Decator took seventh in the long jump (20?4-3/4?), while the 800 meter relay team of Matt Hill, Chris Roelandt, Wayne Coulman, and Decator also placed seventh (1:32.77).
Charlie Richards also competed for the Martians at states in the 110 meter and 300 meter hurdles, while Decator raced in the 200 meter dash.
The Martian boys team enjoyed much success of their own this year, going 11-0 in GAC action and winning first place in the Lake Fenton Relays, the Goodrich Invitational, and the state meet.