Marquette Boys Score in 16 Events to Extend Team Championship Streak
By
John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com
June 1, 2024
KINGSFORD — The Marquette boys hung on to first place for the fourth consecutive year here Saturday, scoring 163 points at the Upper Peninsula Division 1 Track & Field Finals.
They were followed by Kingsford with 101 and Houghton with 67.
“We did really well,” Sentinels’ coach Derek Marr said. “I’m really proud of the fact we were able to score points in 16 of 17 events, and it was good to see our guys win three relays. It’s great to see a full team effort. A few years ago people talked about how good we were in the distances, but we weren’t satisfied with that. We wanted to be a well-rounded team.”
Junior Kyler Sager won long jump at 19 feet, 11½ inches and anchored the winning 400 relay, clocked at 44.4 seconds.
“Our coaches preach handoffs, and today they went real well,” he said. “Starts are also a big part of it.”
Junior Jacob MacPhee added a first in the 400 (50.47), anchored the winning 800 (1:32.47) and 1,600 (3:32.5) relays and placed second in the 200 (23.58).
The Sentinels also showed their depth in the distances. Even though they didn’t get any firsts in the longer races, they were able to take three places in the 800 and 1,600 and two in the 3,200.
Senior Cullen Papin was runner-up in the 800 (2:02.84), and sophomore Seppi Camilli took second in the 3,200 (9:42.89).
Sault Ste. Marie sophomore Gabe Litzner set the UPD1 Finals record in the 3,200 (9:35.62), shaving nearly 11 seconds off the previous best by Marquette’s Carson Vanderschaff (9:46.53) from two years ago.
“I was two seconds away from a PR (personal record),” Litzner said. “I was going to hold on for six laps and try to pick it up. I’m real happy about this one. After coming back from the injuries I had, this one is very special. (I’m) most proud of this of any of my events. It’s the greatest feeling ever. I didn’t think I’d ever make it to the Finals again, let alone win it.”
Litzner, who sustained serious injuries in a vehicle/pedestrian accident in Sault Ste. Marie this winter, was also runner-up in the 1,600 (4:27.33).
Houghton junior Luke Hill took the 800 (2:00.05) and 1,600 (4:26.32) and anchored the winning 3,200 relay (8:26.14).
The Gremlins also got a first in the 300 hurdles from senior Brody Mattila (39.87), who edged Negaunee junior Brady Mager by six hundredths of a second.
Earlier, Mattila was runner-up to Gladstone senior Luke Bracket in the 110s at 15.34. Bracket won in 15:09.
“Brody really pushed me,” Bracket said. “I’m good friends with Brody. It was good to have that competition. Winning this race was my goal. It feels good to get No. 1 after taking second two years in a row.”
Kingsford’s leaders were seniors Michael Floriano and Noah Johnson. Floriano took the 100 (11.54) and 200 (23.13), and Johnson won shot put (46-7) and discus (141-½).
Also winning were Menominee sophomore Darrent Butler in high jump (6-2) and Sault senior Rayce Rizzo in pole vault (13-0). Marquette junior Jim Bennett (100, 200 and 400) and Sault Ste. Marie junior Johnny Osborn (shot put) won adaptive event championships.
PHOTOS (Top) After crossing the finish line Saturday, Marquette's Kyler Sager celebrates winning the 400 relay. (Middle) Gladstone's Luke Bracket (4) gets over the last hurdle before Houghton's Brody Mattila to win the 110 hurdles. (Click for more from Cara Kamps/RunMichigan.com.)
Newberry Clinches 1st Track & Field Finals Repeat in 2 Decades
By
John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com
June 1, 2025
KINGSFORD — Nearly two decades ago, the Newberry boys became Upper Peninsula Division 2 track & field champs in back-to-back years.
They accomplished the same here Saturday, retaining their Division 3 title with 84 points, Runner-up Lake Linden-Hubbell scored 73, with Bessemer a surprising third at 46.
“We kind of did what we had all season,” Newberry coach Drew Schultz said. “We were kind of top heavy. We were lacking depth a little, but I knew if the guys did what they did all season, I liked our chances. This is the first time we won back-to-back years since I was in high school (2005-06). This is fun, bringing four championship trophies back to the eastern U.P. Pickford’s kids did a nice job (sweeping titles) in D-2.”
Newberry started this day on a positive note, winning the 3,200-meter relay in a season-best 8:42.67.
Senior Connor Carlson, who anchored that relay, also placed fourth in the 200 (24.31) and 400 (54.07).
“It feels good to win,” he said moments after finishing the relay. “I love winning. Garrett (Lewicki) ran a great first leg. Everyone was rolling. This sets the tone pretty good.”
Lewicki also anchored the 1,600 relay which placed second (3:42.47), and took third in the open 800 (2:09.83).
Newberry senior Matt Rahilly won long jump at 20-4½ and high jump (6-0), placed second in the 100 (11.51) and third in the 200 (24.24). Classmate Ethan Pavey added a first in shot put (43-6½).
Senior Dakota Taylor, who will run cross country at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey this fall, provided Engadine with a solid showing. He took second in the 3,200 in a personal-best 10:20.96 and third in the 1,600 (4:51.61), and helped the Eagles place fourth in the 3,200 relay (9:08.59).
Brimley swept the sprint relays, taking the 400 (46.78) and 800 (1:36.75), and senior Adrian Kunowski took pole vault (11-1).
“I’d say our handoffs went well,” Brimley sophomore Gus Vonseggem said. “We didn’t qualify last year. Cooper (Jones) and Trey (Lynn) joining the team made a difference. We really wanted to break the school record. We still need to make our handoffs a little better. It takes a lot of offseason work. Overall, we’re happy with the team’s performance.”
Chassell senior and Michigan Tech recruit Kalvin Kytta was a triple-winner, taking the 800 at 2:03.71, 1,600 in a personal-best 4:28.58 and 3,200 (10:11.42).
“I’m very happy with my season,” he said. “I was going for the record in the 3,200, but just couldn’t quite get that today. The PR (personal record) in the mile was kind of a reflection win.
“Glory to God for sure. He gives me the strength to do all this. I’m getting to know the guys a little at Tech. I’m thankful to God for providing me with this opportunity.”
Lake Linden-Hubbell sophomore Lukas Axford captured the 300 hurdles (42.46) and anchored the winning 1,600 relay (3:41.89). Watersmeet senior Thomas Caron was a double winner, taking the 200 (23.91) and 400 (52.36) and adding a fourth in the 100 (11.75).
Bessemer senior Bryce Martin won the 100 (11.44), and sophomore Jayden Verrett was runner-up in the 200 (23.92), third in the 100 (11.52) and anchored two second-place sprint relays.
PHOTOS (Top) Newberry's Garrett Lewicki hands off the baton to Danny Mikus during the 1,600 relay Saturday. (Middle) Lake Linden-Hubbell's Lukas Axford celebrates his team's win in that race. (Click for more from Cara Kamps/RunMichigan.com.)