Pickford Boys Dominance not to be Denied as Panthers Extend Title Streak to 5
By
John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com
May 31, 2026
KINGSFORD — The Pickford boys continued their winning ways here Saturday, taking home an Upper Peninsula Track & Field Finals championship trophy for the fifth-straight year.
Their current streak started in 2022 when they were still competing in Division 3. Since moving up to D-2, the Panthers have gone 4-for-4.
This time the Panthers scored 139 points, followed by Rudyard with 104 and Bark River-Harris at 77.
Pickford senior John Anderson became a triple-winner, taking the 300-meter hurdles in a personal-best 42.01 seconds, high jump with a leap of 6-6 and long jump at 20-2½. Classmate Gunner Bennin added a first in the 400 in a season-best 52.54 and helped the Panthers take the 400 relay. He also was runner-up in the 100 (11.57) and 200 (23.25).
Rudyard senior Steve Kirschner also won three individual events including the 800 in a personal-best 2:04.6, the 1,600 (4:38.99) and 3,200 with a season-best 10:51.37 and helped the Bulldogs capture the 1,600 relay.
In the 3,200, Kirschner was followed by classmate Seth Templeton (11:08.33) and freshman teammate Jack LaLone (11:15.02).
Freshman Jett Sawyer provided the Bulldogs with an additional first with a leap of 11-0 in pole vault.
BR-H junior Gionni McDonough retained his title in the 110 hurdles with a 15.61, followed by Anderson in a personal-best 15.87 and Ironwood senior Talon Hughes (15.92). McDonough then placed second in the 300 hurdles in a season-best 43.81, and long jump with personal-best leap of 20-½. His classmate, Ben Knauf, was runner-up in the 800 (2:09.74) and 1,600 in a personal-best 4:43.
Norway senior Josh Schiltz won discus (127-2) and was part of the winning 800 relay, and Hughes became a double-winner by taking the 100 (11.36) and 200 (23.07).
Munising senior Avery Murk took shot put with a personal-best toss of 42-4 and classmate Dylan Adkins, who will attend classes at Michigan Tech this fall, was runner-up in the 400 (53.52) and third in the 100 (11.8).
“There were some fast people here today,” Adkins said. “I didn’t PR in anything, but I think the breeze had some effect in the backstretch. Overall, the day went okay. My starts were good. I haven’t had too many issues. I think my high school career went pretty good overall.”
PHOTOS (Top) In the 400 relay, Pickford's Gunner Bennin wins with Norway (4) and Rudyard (5) taking second and third respectively. Other members of the winning team included Joseph Lane, Josh Lovin, and Ethan Caldwell. (Middle) Rudyard's Steven Kirschner celebrates winning the 1,600 relay. Other members of the winning team were Ty LaLone, Eli Folkersma, and Jett Sawyer. (Click for more from Cara Kamps/RunMichigan.com.)
With 2nd Place in Final Race, Newberry Clinches 1st in Final Team Standings
By
John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com
June 2, 2024
KINGSFORD — The race for the Upper Peninsula Division 3 boys track & field championship came right down to the wire Saturday as Newberry edged St. Ignace 96-92 for top honors.
Third-place team finisher Lake Linden-Hubbell won the day’s final race, the 1,600-meter relay, in 3 minutes, 41.94 seconds, and Newberry hung on to edge St. Ignace by two steps for second place and its first title in eight years.
Newberry, which was runner-up to Munising last year, was clocked at 3:43.07 in the 1,600 relay on this sunny and mild late afternoon. The Saints finished nine hundredths of a second later.
“We knew we had to beat St. Ignace to win,” Newberry senior Kennedy Depew said after finishing the anchor leg. “This was my last race ever. I knew I had to give it my all. That’s also why I knew I had to scratch from the open 400. I would have been in four events. I think scratching from the 400 helped me save some energy. We weren’t satisfied with runner-up last year, which makes this year’s championship all the more satisfying.”
Classmate Gabe Luck provided Newberry with its lone individual first with a heave of 44 feet, 1¾ inches in shot put.
“We had a lot of injuries this year,” Newberry coach Drew Schultz said. “For all the obstacles we had, we wouldn’t have it any other way, having two of the best athletes decide it in the last race. I’m extremely proud of our guys. To win it that way is just insane. I’m proud of all our eastern-end kids.”
Depew also was runner-up in the 100-meter dash in 11.63 seconds.
Senior Jon Ingalls, who ran the last leg for the Saints, won the 110 hurdles (16.39) and 300s (42.89) and helped them place second in the 400 relay (45.94).
“Both hurdles were decent,” Ingalls said. “Those weren’t my best times, but it feels good to grind out a few more wins.”
Senior Owen Lester also provided the Saints with a victory in pole vault (12-6).
LL-H got firsts from senior Gabe Popko in discus at 153 feet, 4¼ inches, and classmate Matt Jokela in the 400 (51.09). Jokela also took third in the 100 (11.65).
“Real good hydration and confidence are keys,” Jokela said. “I think having confidence helps a little. I usually don’t go too hard out of the blocks. Then, I usually try to go as hard as I can in the last 200.”
Chassell junior Kalvin Kytta claimed three firsts, taking the 800 in a personal-best 2:03.62, 1,600 (4:39.58) and 3,200 (10:27.32).
“Three wins, I’m pretty happy with that,” he said. “The 800 went real well. Overall, I’m very happy with my performance today.”
Fourth-place Bessemer set UPD3 Finals records in the 400 relay (45.3) and 800 (1:34.64). Powers North Central previously set the record in the 400 (45.34) two years ago and Rock Mid Peninsula had held the 800 record since 2001 when it ran a 1:35.1.
“We shaved two seconds off in the 800 relay which feels good, and our handoffs in the 400 were good all year,” Bessemer senior Landon Peterson said. “Our school record in the 400 is 44.98, which is something we’ve done three times this year. Running on a rubber track gives you a much better grip, which helped us a lot today.”
Bessemer senior Tom Trudgeon became a four-event winner, also taking the 100 (11.46) and 200 (23.85).
Crystal Falls Forest Park freshman Vic Guiliani won high jump (6-0), and sophomore Michael Rexford went 19-9 in long jump, providing Escanaba Holy Name with its first U.P. Finals title since the school reopened in 2021.
PHOTOS (Top) Newberry runners celebrate taking second place in the 1,600 relay, allowing them to finish ahead of St. Ignace for the team title in Upper Peninsula Division 3. (Middle) Chassell's Kalvin Kytta and Cedarville/DeTour's Ethan Snyder lead the pack of 1,600 runners. (Click for more from Cara Kamps/RunMichigan.com.)