
Pickford Boys Score Big in Sprints, Hurdles & Jumps to Run Finals Streak to 3
By
John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com
June 1, 2025
KINGSFORD — The Pickford boys made it a three-peat here Saturday, earning their third straight Upper Peninsula Division 2 track & field championship with 127½ points.
They were followed by Munising with 77½ points and Rudyard with 63.
Pickford junior John Anderson set U.P. Finals and school records in high jump, soaring 6-7, three inches higher than the previous record by James Sutton of Newberry 12 years ago.
“This feels great,” he said. “I’ve been chasing that for a while. We had a light practice here yesterday (Friday) and I worked on form. Warm weather and a positive mindset also helped. … This is definitely a good confidence builder.”
Anderson became runner-up in the 110-meter hurdles after Bark River-Harris sophomore Gionni McDonough dived across the finish line for the victory. Anderson also took second in long jump (19-½)
“Before the race I knew it was going to be close,” McDonough said. “Right before the finish I decided to go for it. There was nothing to lose. Without diving I don’t think I would have won it. Pickford really does have a strong program. I told the guys I’m going to give it my all and maybe they will, too.”
McDonough was clocked in 16.18 seconds, a personal record by fourth tenths of a second, with Anderson at 16.20.
Pickford junior Gunner Bennin added a first in the 400 (52.87), anchored the winning 800 relay (1:35.79) and placed second in the 100 (11.38) and third in the 200 (23.54).
“I knew the wind was going to be a factor in the backstretch,” he said. “Our handoffs went real well. I got the baton a little late, but was able to hold on. We ran a season-best time. That definitely helped set the tone.”
Senior Tom Storey added a first in the 300 hurdles (42.7), tied for second with Gwinn senior Don Jourden in pole vault (10-6) and placed fourth in the 110 hurdles (17.1).
McDonough was runner-up in the 300s (44.15) and helped the Broncos take third in the 400 relay (47.17).
The Panthers also won the 1,600 relay (3:43.53) and placed second in the 3,200 (8:50.1). Junior Carver Day, a part of both relays, added a third place in long jump with a personal-best leap of 18-7½.
Munising senior Dan Goss had a hand in four firsts, taking the 800 (2:05.63), 1,600 (4:38.12) and 3,200 (10:34.55) and leading off the winning 3,200 relay (8:45.96). Classmate Trevor Nolan was runner-up in the 800 (2:07.09) and 1,600 (4:40.97).
Ironwood junior Talon Hughes took the 100 (11.18) and 200 (23.22) and placed third in the 110 hurdles (16.45).
PHOTOS (Top) Pickford's Carver Day hands off the baton to Luke Koben in the 3,200 relay Saturday in Kingsford. (Middle) Bark River-Harris's Gionni McDonough dives for the finish line and beats Pickford's John Anderson by two hundredths of a second in the 100 hurdles. (Click for more from Cara Kamps/RunMichigan.com.)