By David Fleet
dfleet@mihomepaper.com
Hamilton — Clear skies and light winds were just the right mix for the top times, heights, and distances at the Division 2 State Track and Field Championships at Hamilton High School.
On May 31, about 60 schools from across the state, some with only one athlete, others with more than 30 or more attended.
“More than 1,500 male and female athletes attended,” said Al Warden, Goodrich Track Coach. “The stands were packed, the event was really well attended.”
The only Goodrich field event qualifier was Junior Gavin Valley who finished with a high jump of 5 feet 11 inches, The high jump event was won with a height of 6 feet 8 inches.
Field events began at 10 a.m. along with preliminary running events The Goodrich Girls team was small with 10 athletes competing.
In the preliminary 4 x 200 meter relay the Goodrich girls Maggie Francis, Kayla Hariston, Leah Peck and Olivia Millerd ran a season best of 1:47.98, their best time of year, missing the finals by one second.
The first final run of the day is always the 4 X 800 meter relay and the Goodrich girls did not disappoint. As the starting gun sounded 23 girls began the race.
“As you can imagine 23 girls on an eight-lane track finding your space can be a challenge,” said Warden.
The Goodrich four of Kayla Shellenbarger, Alivia Ottinger, Kamryn Lauinger and Layla Jordan won the event with a new Goodrich School record of 9:16.06 surpassing the mark set at the Flint Metro League Championship May 9 of 9:20.19.
“The stands were alive with some 30 Goodrich residents that had traveled about 220 miles to be in Hamilton for the day,” he said.
The second-place team was 11 seconds and the first 12 teams all ran a personal best.
Senior Layla Jordan, after anchoring the 4 x 800 meter relay for the win, placed sixth in the 400 meter with a time of 58.35 and won the 800 meter with a time of 2:12.89 for a second straight State Championship. Jordan then finished third in the 1,600 meter with a time of 4:59.76, a personal best. Bringing home four medals.
Freshman Kayla Shellenbarger, after leading off the 4 x 800 meter relay, placed fourth in the 800 meter with a time of 2:16.13 a personal best and fourth in the 1,600 meter with a time of 5:00.33 another personal best and three state meet medals.
“Her attempt at the 3,200 meters and a fourth medal was not to be,” said Warden. “Most would not even try but with Kayla’s grit she met the challenge but was unable to cut into the top eight finishers.”
Senior Kamryn Lauinger, after running the third leg of the 4 X 800 relay, finished the 1,600 meters with a time of 5:16.86 in a field of 28 athletes.
“Events of this caliber are more about teamwork and compassion, from my vantage, I could see Layla and then Kamryn helping Kayla at the completion of her 1,600,” said Warden.
Goodrich did not compete in the 4 X 400 meter, however, Sturgis High School was in the 4 x 400 and finished sixth sealing the MHSAA State Championship with 54.2 points.
The Goodrich girls were second in the State with 39 points.
“Many believed it was closer but in the final tally Sturgis had the better team,” said Warden.
In the boys 3200-meter Senior Cole Winter gutted out a 9:40.03 a new personal best and a new School record.
“Cole looks to be a changed person over the last year to 18 months,” he said. “Cole was among the top 10 students from the graduating class of 2025 and found a greater passion for running in 2024 and 2025, he improved from 17:06 to 15:57 in the 5K and improved from 12:02 to 9:40 in the 3,200 meters. Both remarkable achievements.”