The Brandon Blackhawks boys track team completed the 2013 season tied for fifth in the Flint Metro League.
Head Coach Mark Mills, Assistant Coach Tony Ceccacci and Coach Eric Donders lead the team which included several school records.
‘We’re a young team with 35 boys on the roster,? said Donders. ‘However, they worked hard all season and developed a strong team concept. We stressed to the boys not so much the start of the season, rather the end of season performance. In 2012 we finished in last place in the FML this year we moved up to a three way tie for fifth. As the season progressed the boys started to work together more with a strong work ethic and really gelled at the end’the results of hard work.?
In the MHSAA Regional meet at Brandon High School on May 17, two school records broken or tied. Derek Klanke broke the school record in the 100 meter dash (10.79), a record that had stood since 1987. In the 800 meter relay Alec Dubay, Robert Fisher, Matt Sears and Derek Klanke broke the school record set in 1989 with a time of 1:32.65. Also, three state qualifiers emerged: in the pole vault Cody Haragos finished second at 12 feet-10 inches; Derek Klanke finished third in the 100 meters with a time of 10.79; Ty Thronson finished fourth in the 800 meters at 1:57.10.
On May 22 in the FML meet in the 3,200 meter relay, 8:16:51, Sam Toward, Colin Hooker, Kyle Doyon and Ty Thronson finished first. In the 800 meters Sam Townard finished in a time of 2:04:81 and Ty Thronson in the 400 meters with a time of 51:31.
On June 1 at the East Kentwood High School state meet, Cody Haragos vaulted 12 feet six inches, but did not place. Derek Klanke did not place.
However, Ty Thronson ran the 800 meters in 1:57.38, topping a BHS record which stood since 1967 held by Wayne Wills, past Brandon School Board member and current Ortonville Village Council President. At the time, it was the state record.
‘Records are made to be broken,? said Wills, 64. ‘I was thrilled it was Ty who took the record. His father (Chris) and I worked on two school bond projects together at Brandon. Chris played a big role in the new athletic complex at Brandon. Also, Ty was adopted from Ukraine, he’s accomplished a lot here.?
Alec Dubay, Robert Fisher, Scott Loughlin and Matt Sears received team captain awards. Most team spirit was received by Robert Fisher, most improved was Sam Towar, and MVP was Ty Thronson. Alec Dubay earned the Brandon Blackhawk Award by the Brandon Sports Boosters.