Onsted's Ross Chooses Memorable Finish, Olivet Girls Earn Unforgettable Title

By Tom Lang
Special for MHSAA.com

May 31, 2025

KENT CITY – Emmry Ross wanted her senior year at Onsted to be filled with memories, perhaps as much or more than filled with state championships.

Coming into Saturday’s Lower Peninsula Division 3 Finals at Kent City, Ross was the reigning champion in the 400 meters (winning it three times prior), 800 meters (twice prior), 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters – and she was seeded first in all four this weekend.

But Ross decided to scratch the 3,200 race to join the team’s 1,600 relay, with her sister Hadley – for what turned out to be a seventh-place finish.

“There were many factors, but ultimately, it was because my sister was running in the relay and I wanted to run my last race at Onsted with my sister and the incredible team that has been with me the last four years,” Emmry Ross said. “Yes, I won the 3,200 last year, but I wanted to do the relay more – for my sister and just to have some fun in my last race.

“I think those are quite memorable moments. All the wins are great, but the memories are what you’re going to remember most. And so, I think those are some great memories I’ll have forever.”

She also will know forever – as she heads off to the University of Michigan and maybe the Olympics one day – that as a senior she capped her career with Finals championships in the 400 (54.81), 800 (2:07.03) and 1,600 (4:45.44), the latter by a margin of more than 17 seconds.

Ross will become a Wolverine with big goals ahead.

“Michigan is definitely the best option for me,” Ross said. “They have great academics, as well as athletics, and when I talked with the coaches, they talked a lot about the Olympic trials in 2028, which is ultimately a goal of mine. The team atmosphere there was amazing, and the girls were so welcoming. All the colleges I went to were that way, but U-M just really stood out to me.”

Olivet's Emily Peters clears a hurdle on her way to a third championship in the 300.Also standing out Saturday were Olivet’s five runners, who combined to win the team title  with 46 points, five ahead of runner-up Erie Mason.

“We felt most of the year we had a shot,” said Olivet coach Brian Lincoln. “Two years ago, we were second, and last year we were third. So, if things worked out and we were a little lucky, maybe things could work out (for a win).

“Their grit and their guts all year showed, and they did everything you could ask as a coach.”

Olivet sealed the win during the last race of the day, the 1,600 relay, taken by Cassie Coleman, Sophia Pell, Celina Sinclair and Emily Peters – who also earned her third individual Finals title in the 300 hurdles.

“We ran pretty well at the Lansing Honor Roll Tuesday night,” Lincoln said. “It’s such an awesome event. It really gets us ready, because you’re running against some of the best teams in the state, regardless of class. And we got a lot of kids on the podium that night, so we knew we had good shots today.

“Just so proud of these girls for doing what they do.”

Another multiple-event winner was sophomore Addyson Stiverson of Montrose. She took both the shot put and discus titles, after winning shot put last year as well.

“I think it was me developing from last year,” Stiverson said. “I was only a freshman, barely even 15 (years old). My confidence was about the same, but I think I just matured more.

“I prefer the shot put. But I like how it’s more just you. You against you. You can only do what you can do. Nothing else changes what you do.”

Giuliana Nastale, a junior at Erie Mason, won the 100-meter dash in 12.47 seconds and the 200 in 25.68.

“I was very nervous going into this today,” she said soon after stepping off the podium. “I saw everyone’s times, and I was seeded first but it was all so close. So, I was thinking all the time, I’ve got to go, just go. I was so happy, but a little surprised, honestly. Winning meets with my team is a lot more fun. I love this, being here, but I’d rather it be a team win.”

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PHOTOS (Top) Onsted's Emmry Ross pulls away during one of her race championships Saturday in Kent City. (Middle) Olivet's Emily Peters clears a hurdle on her way to a third championship in the 300. (Click for more from RunMichigan.com.)

Pickford Girls Narrowly Outpace Rest to Clinch 1st Finals Title Since 2007

By John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com

June 1, 2025

KINGSFORD — It was a tight race for the title at the Upper Peninsula Division 2 Girls Track & Field Finals on Saturday, as eight points separated the top three teams.

Pickford scored 74 for its first championship since 2007, when it was competing in D-3.

The Panthers were followed by West Iron County at 71 points, Munising with 66 and Ironwood and three-time defending champion Bark River-Harris both with 53.

Junior Talya Schreiber, a two-time UPD3 cross country champion, proved to be the difference-maker on this sunny and mild afternoon, taking the 800-meter run in 2:31.91, 1,600 (5:12.47) and 3,200 (11:23.06) and leading off the winning 3,200 relay (10:50.61).

Senior teammate Brooke Portice added a second place in discus (94-7) and took fourth in shot put (29-4½).

Hancock senior Ella Keranen was runner-up in the 1,600 (5:41.92) and 3,200 (12:43.31) and third in the 800 (2:34.5), and led off the second-place 3,200 relay (11:06.58).

Ironwood senior Aubrey Smith placed second in the 800 (2:34.24) and third in the 1,600 (5:48.38) and 3,200 (12:53.21).

At the start of the 1,600 run, Schreiber (1), Bark River-Harris's Hope Varoni (3), and Hancock's Ella Keranen (8) angle for position.West Iron freshman Bristol Shamion was a triple-event winner, taking the 100 hurdles (17.56) and 300s (49.4) and long jump at 5 feet, and she placed second in the 200 (27.59). Her sister, junior Lacey Shamion, was second in long jump (14-11½) and helped the Wykons take second in the 800 relay (1:54.69) and third in the 1,600 (4:40.55).

BR-H swept the sprint relays, taking the 400 (54.77) and 800 (1:54.57), and junior Mira Johnson won pole vault (8-0). Sophomore Emma Zawada ran in both relays and provided the Broncos with a third in the 300 hurdles (50.85).

Norway had a double-winner in junior Lauren Adams, who took the 100 (12.9) and 200 (27.31) and added a second in the 400 (1:01.66). Munising freshman Addie Bowerman placed second in the 300 hurdles (50.59) and third in the 100s (18.14) and helped the Mustangs win the 1,600 relay (4:28.66). Senior teammate Elizabeth Wing won discus (96-0) and was runner-up in shot put (31-¼), and classmate Dayne Behning placed second in 100 hurdles (17.64) and fourth in the 300 (53.01).

Rudyard’s leader was freshman Amelia Fountain, who won the 400 on a lean, tied for second with Ishpeming sophomore Alexis Riley and Ironwood senior Hannah Vaughn in pole vault (7-6) and took third in the 200 (27.83) and fourth in the 100 (13.36).

Junior Emma Wardon added a first for Ironwood in shot put (36-5½), and Painesdale Jeffers got its lone first from sophomore Brielle Anderson with a leap of 15-7¼ in long jump.

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PHOTOS (Top) Pickford's Haleigh Frank runs the last leg of the 3,200 relay Saturday. Pickford won with Talya Schreiber, Teryn Firack, and Ellie Jentoft. (Middle) At the start of the 1,600 run, Schreiber (1), Bark River-Harris's Hope Varoni (3), and Hancock's Ella Keranen (8) angle for position. Schreiber took first place and Keranen took second. (Click for more from Cara Kamps/RunMichigan.com.)