By Chris Hagan
Review Staff Writer
The Lake Orion track and field program has been known for its speed and agility.
The boy’s track team has won the OAA. Red Division the last three years, and are looking forward to league competition this year. The team will have an uphill battle as Coach Stan Ford graduated several all-state runners making his run for regionals even more challenging.
‘Both will prove to be a challenge to this year’s team,? he said. ‘There will be some new names contributing to our success this year and this opens the door for some to demonstrate what they can do.?
Coach Ford is returning runners that have competed at the state level but did not place in the standings. Now that those runners have shown they have what it takes to reach the state competition it’s now time to prove themselves.
‘We’re young and we have talent but this is the year we see how much talent and hard work there is,? Ford said.
The OAA Red Division went from six teams to eight this year which will make competition steeper. The Dragons will be led by an all-senior group of captains: Matt Krause, Tanner Fraser, Logan Shadaia, and Nick Nunn. They give the team not only talented depth, but leadership depth as the four compete in various events across the board.
Ford sees a lot potential and strengthening talent amongst his group of freshmen runners of which we credits the middle school programs. Although he doesn’t foresee too much involvement on the varsity level, Ford is eager to see their skill sets improve and yet again win the Freshman Oakland County Meet.
‘For coaches we’re really excited for this year and the door is open for the kids to step up,? Ford said. ‘They’re excited because they’ve seen the best come out of there and they want to continue that tradition.?
The boy’s varsity team travel to Rochester Adams on Wednesday, April 15.
Sprints – Seniors Matt Krause, Tanner Fraser, and returning 200-meter league champion, junior Sheldon Drake. They will lead this years talented sprint crew and make up a good part of the sprint relays along with jniors Jaylen Wiggens and William McDonald, sophomores Max Horneffer, Dallas Cleary, and La’Juan Broner. Freshman Justin Fraser may also contribute.
Distance – Junior Andrew Lorant is a returning all-state cross country runner, and leads a young group of talented runners. Juniors Jacob Arenz, Matthew Arenz, and sophomores Michael Jarvis and Jack Everts, will provide depth and help make up some good distance relays.
Mid-distance ? junior Kevin Hansen has worked hard in the off-season, and will help replace some of the all-state talent that graduated last year, in the 400m dash. Sophomore Jaren Albright, junior John Arnold, senior Devon DePauw, freshman Nathan Giem, and freshman Nolan Maupin have looked good in practice.
Hurdles – junior Kyle Duffy, and freshman Tyler Skabicki will help in both the 110-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles. Junior Jalen Wiggens could be a big surprise, too.
Field Events ? senior Logan Shadaia will lead the way for the Dragons, along with junior Justin Cathers in the shot put and discus. senior Jayson Iliades and junior Cameron Shadaia will add some depth. Junior Jaylen Wiggens in the Long Jump, along with Connor Schiltt in the high jump will be valuable. Senior Nick Nunn and junior Greg Maki will help cover the pole vault.
2015 Girls Track
The girl’s track team is looking forward to another strong track season in its third season under Coach Dave Hutson. Last year, the girls won the Freshman Oakland County meet and finished’third in the regional championship.
The girls continued last year’s success by placing third in the OAA Red Division and have also qualified in three events for the state meet.
As the team kicks off its first outdoor meet against Rochester Adams on Wednesday, April 15, they’ll be doing so with the largest group of sophomores and seniors Hutson has ever coached.
‘Our team has much depth across all events, but also is still very young with a talented sophomore class,? Hutson said. ‘We hope to have a’strong showing in the OAA Red Division and the regional again this year. We are excited to get this’year underway.??
Like other track and field teams around the state, the Dragon girl’s team is doing a lot of training and conditioning but the upcoming meet will give the coaches a strong baseline on where the strengths and weaknesses lie.
In addition to building endurance and leg strength, Coach Hutson is placing a lot of emphasis on mental conditioning.
‘We have a large contingent of young kids with a huge freshmen class last year with over 30 girls,? Hutson said. ‘We want to get into more of positive mindset and make them understand that we do belong.?
This year, the Dragon’s team of 75 girls are led by the following athletes:
Sprinters ?’junior Lauren Harris,’sophomore Mackenzie Sequin, sophomore Sydney Johnson, sophomore Morgan Hastings, and freshman McKenna Monaghan.
Middle Distance ? sophomore Margaret Hastings, sophomore Claudia Skrna, sophomore Lauren Brennecke,’sophomore Hayley Purdy,’and if healthy, senior Madeline Ray.
Distance ? senior Danielle Carr, who has committed to run at Butler University in Indiana; senior Erin Womack, junior Emily Fluent; and sophomore Bellina Gaskey.
Hurdles ? senior Jadin Fields, who has committed to Notre Dame College in Ohio, and sophomore Natalie Husted.
Field Events ? senior Mary Cech and sophomore Taylor Eaton will be handling the throwing while senior Sarah Simpson and sophomore Jordan Gould will add a lot of talent and depth to the pole vault. Senior Ashley Griesser and sophomore Natalie Husted will bring a lot of skill to the jumps.