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High 5s: 5/15/12

May 15, 2012

This week's honorees include arguably Michigan's top distance runner, top lacrosse player, and a baseball team looking to assert itself at the top while representing the state's largest city.

Lauren Hooker
East Grand Rapids senior
Lacrosse

(Updated May 19) Hooker, who plays attack, led the Pioneers to a 20-0 start. She's scored 101 goals -- already third-most for a single season in the MHSAA record book, and more than 25 percent of her team's total. Add in her 33 assists, and her 134 total points are fifth in MHSAA history for one season. East Grand Rapids is ranked No. 1 both in Division 2 and regardless of division based on the computer rankings supplied by LaxPower.com. Hooker also was the low scorer on the Pioneers golf team that finished eighth at the fall's Division 3 Final, and she missed the individual top 10 by only two strokes. She's signed to play lacrosse at Marquette University next season.

Scoring touch: "I don't try and dodge all the time. I don't like to work my way through people to score. I just try to find an opening."

Up next: "I'm not exactly sure yet (what I'll study), probably something in the sciences. Maybe something like criminology. I always wanted to be an FBI agent when I was growing up."

I learned the most about lacrosse from: "Two of my best friends play for the University of Oregon (Jana and Jess Drummond). And Coach (Jeff) Oates has spent a lot of time with me, talking to me, helping me during the offseason."

Different strokes: "I love the intensity (of lacrosse). I love the team aspect. It's competitive, but fun at the same time. Everyone on our team loves it together. ... In golf, I like how you're still part of the team, but an individual. To help the team, it's on you. It's a good contrast to lacrosse." 

Garret Zuk

White Lake Lakeland senior

Track and Field

Zuk, the reigning MHSAA Division 1 cross country champion, ran career bests of 9:09.2 in the 3,200 meters and 4:16.92 in the 1,600 to take first in the former and second by two hundredths of a second in the latter at Saturday's Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship meet at Pinckney. But his best moment might've come when he finished second on purpose -- to Walled Lake Northern's Devin Kimberlin in the 3,200 last Tuesday after pacing the sophomore through the race to a career-best time, and then letting him win at the end. (Click to read more). Zuk was an MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award winner this winter and is the co-salutatorian of his class with a 4.22 grade-point average. He will run this fall at Michigan State University.

"I've done it for kids on my own team. Normally, I'm in a position where things are still hanging in the balance and we need the points to win. But the way this meet was ... there was no way we could win. I saw the kind of effort Devin was trying to put in, and there was no reason not to help out."

Up next: Zuk will run both cross country and track at MSU, as is the norm at the college level. He's planning to study mechanical engineering, with an eye on the aerospace field -- think NASA, Boeing, etc. Not surprisingly, math is his best subject.

I learned the most about running from: Retired longtime Lakeland coach Randy Wilkins and current cross country coach Joe Verellen. "The combination of those two (taught me) a lot of what I know and what I practice in my running.

I look up to: "Every American distance runner has to look up to Steve Prefontaine at one time or another. What Pre stood for, the way he went about running; it's inspiring to everyone."

Detroit Western International baseball

The Cowboys are 22-4 and winners of 11 straight heading into Friday afternoon's Detroit Public School League Tournament semifinal. They are the top seed after finishing the league regular season undefeated, and have their sights set on a trip to Battle Creek this month after coming within an out of the MHSAA Semifinals a year ago. Of 16 players on this spring's team, 14 were on last year's as well. Click to read more.

This spring's previous honorees

Newberry's Garrett Lewicki hands off the baton to Danny Mikus during the 1,600 relay Saturday.

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).Lake Linden-Hubbell's Lukas Axford celebrates his team's win in that race.

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.

Click for full results.

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.)