The 1600-meter relay team of Nick Lamora, Matt Alexander, Brad Kolano and Jesse Kessler were able to deliver a key victory in the final event against Rochester to give the Clarkston boys track team a 66-62 victory.
It was the third time this season the Wolves had a dual meet come down to the final event, but the Wolves lost the first two times.
‘We had a tough season with those first two losses,? Clarkston Coach Walt Wyniemko said. ‘Everybody played a key role in the win against Rochester. To get to that point, where it came down to the last event, we needed everyone to perform well and they did.?
The Wolves entered last week at 2-2-1, but were able to get a victory over the Falcons and tie a tough West Bloomfield team on May 9.
Brad Gail continues to be a force for the Wolves. Gail won both hurdle events at the two dual meets and was a member of the 800-meter relay team which won against Rochester. Gail also won the 110-meter hurdles event at the South Lyon Invitational on May 12.
Wyniemko said Gail has had a great season, but he has his eyes set on the regionals at Holly on May 19. Last season, Gail missed quailfying for the state finals by 0.1 seconds and he is determined not to let that happen again.
‘I really want to go to states in both hurdle events,? Gail said. ‘My goal was always to make it to states and maybe possibly get a school record. I’m pretty close in the 300-meter hurdles. I was a half of a second away against Lake Orion.?
Kessler also ran well against Rochester. In addition to being a member of the winning 1600-meter team, Kessler wont the 200-meter dash and was on the 800-meter relay team with Gail, Eric Thompson and Reed Body.
Other key victories were Nick DeVault in the 100-meter dash, Lamora winning the 800-meters and Kyle Radenburg winning the high jump.
Wyniemko said the team is battling some injuries and hopes his runners are healthy before regionals.
‘Right now our goal is to get healthy,? Wyniemko said. ‘We didn’t have anybody qualify for the state finals last season. We have been hurt all season and hopefully we can get healthy and compete. We have some people, who have the ability to qualify.?