Four years ago, Clarkston seniors Nicki Johns, Chelsie Marshall, Kat Sedlack and Mandi Suddeth though it would be fun to join the school equestrian team. Today, they and their teammates are state champs.
After 33 hours of competition spanning from Oct. 13-16, the Clarkston equestrian team captured the Division B State Title. Lowell finished as the runner-up Reserve Champion.
All 10 riders played key roles in the 17-event victory, but none were more dramatic than Marshall’s two first place finishes in the 16th event to clinch the title. Ironically, Marshall was not scheduled for that event, but an injury to senior Rebecca Reas? horse lead to the last minute substitution.
‘The senior leadership on this team was epitomized when Chelsie pulled out two firsts late in the competition to clinch the victory,? said Assistant Coach Mark DeLisle, who was a member of Clarkston’s last state championship team in 1982.
The meet started on a high note as jumpers Johns, Michelle Voelker and Jordan Waller tallied 35 points, with Johns taking two first places. This gave the team an early lead they would never relinquish.
The second day of competition began the same way as Song Miller, Suddeth and Paige Zielinski teamed up to capture 31 points in western fitting and showing, with Suddeth taking a first place.
Zielinski then headed to the trail class with sisters Rebecca and Samantha Reas. They earned 19 more points, as Zielinski was awarded two second place finishes. CHS ended with eight more points at days end.
On Oct. 15, the morning started slowly for Clarkston as several teams put up big numbers to keep the score tight. But in the afternoon, the Wolves? riders excelled in the bareback and saddleseat events, scoring 95 points to take a 61 point lead. Suddeth added her second first place finish, the sixth for the team.
‘The competition was great,? said Coach Marcelle Vore, who just coached her final season. ‘Four schools were in it until the very end. We fought hard every day.?
Many on the team felt their victory was as much about perseverance as talent.
‘In most sports, you have to give your all for two to three hours,? said Sedlak, who scored multiple points in all seats. ‘With equestrian competitions, the intensity and work grows hourly and continues until the very last class (event).?
Coaches felt the team’s versatility was their strength this season. This was evident as points were spread evenly between the western (89), huntseat (74) and saddleseat (74) events. For the first time ever, the Wolves had a speed duo in Marshall and Voelker, who combined for 50 points.
For most of the seniors, this was their final competitive horse show. Some will sell their horses and head off to college soon. For their teammates, they will return next year to defend their title.
‘This is my last show,? said Suddeth. ‘It’s sad, but it’s okay because I have this lasting memory to take with me.?
Vore ends her six-year run with five district titles and also having guided the Wolves to Reserve State Champion status in 2003, a third place finish at states in 2004, and now the 2005 State Champion title.
‘My favorite part of coaching has been getting to know the kids and being part of their lives,? Vore said. ‘That’s what I’ll miss the most.?