Goodrich’s girls track team just missed out in its bid for a ‘three-peat.?
At the Division 3 girls state track meet Saturday, June 3 at Comstock Park, the Martians finished in second place with 40 points, only two points behind first-place Kent City. The Martians were seeking their third straight Division 3 state championship.
Coach Jennifer Sweet said the entire team was upbeat after the meet despite being edged out for the title, persevering through a rainy and muggy day at Comstock Park.
‘They didn’t hang their heads or anything,? she said. ‘We wanted to win the meet, and we wanted to hand off the state trophy to Kaitlin O’Mara. We took eight girls into the meet and five placed, and we nearly won the state title. Every one of the girls participated with their hearts.?
O’Mara, a member of the two Goodrich state championship teams, was injured in a January car accident that killed her twin sister Kayla and seriously injured classmate Danielle Bila. She was in attendance at the state meet.
Goodrich’s Kortni Elsworth won first place in the long jump at 17?1/2?, while two other Martians, Kelsey Krych and Kelsey Meyers, earned second-place finishes.
Krych was runner-up in the 800 meter run (2:18.74), while Meyers placed second in the 3,200 meter run (11:32.81). Meyers also finished fourth in the 1,600 meter run (5:16.57).
In addition, the 3,200 meter relay team of Meyers, Krych, Sam Minkler and Mary Haiderer also placed second, clocking in at 11:32.81.
Although none of the Goodrich boys who qualified for the state meet placed, Sweet said they all did very well for themselves.
‘They all ran pretty much their best times,? she said. ‘They ran against some tough competition.?
Meanwhile, in the Division 2 girls state meet at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, Brandon’s Sarah Bond closed out her high school career on a high note, making all-state in both the discus and shot put, the only Brandon girls track competitor to earn all-state recognition.
Bond, who will compete for the Grand Valley State University women’s track team next season, earned fourth in the discus (130?11?) and seventh in the shot put (38?11?).
Brandon sophomore Nick Mackie competed in the Division 2 boys track meet in the 300 meter hurdles, and although his heat time of 41.2 was not enough for him to place at states, Brandon boys coach Mike Jordan said Mackie’s time was very good for a sophomore.
‘That’s what he’s been running all season,? he said. ‘He’s been very consistent. That was his best time this year. He’ll be the fastest 300 meter hurdler coming back in the Flint Metro League next season.?