Preview: LP Girls Finals Welcome Back Stars, Hopefuls Ready to Join Them
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 1, 2023
The MHSAA Lower Peninsula Girls Track & Field Finals have showcased plenty of stars over the years, and Saturday’s meets will celebrate more with returning competitors owning a combined 22 individual championships won over the last three seasons.
But this season’s field also sticks out because of several hopefuls who appear on the verge of greatness as well, many of whom we highlight below.
All four LP Finals will again be contested at Grand Rapids-area schools, with pole vault and long jump beginning at 9 a.m., race semifinals and the 3,200 relay at 10 a.m. and the rest of the running finals starting at noon. Tickets cost $11 and are available digitally only via GoFan.
MHSAA.tv will live-stream all four meets beginning at 10 a.m., viewable with subscription.
Following is a glance at team contenders and individuals to watch in all four divisions:
LP Division 1 at Rockford
Team forecast: After winning three straight LPD1 team titles, Oak Park finished second last season to Detroit Renaissance – which had finished second twice in a row before claiming its first title since 2007. Those two are the likely favorites again, and Renaissance won their Regional matchup two weeks ago 135½-108 as they combined to post the top two times in three relays from all LPD1 Regionals. Oak Park continues to surge with one of the top hurdler groups in recent memory, while Renaissance’s depth in elite sprinters has been unmatched despite graduating one of the all-time greats last spring. All of that said, keep an eye on Ann Arbor Huron too. The River Rats finished third last season, are paced by an elite sprinter and have the potential to pick up points in a variety of events.
Jayla Dace, Detroit Renaissance sophomore: After qualifying in the 200 and running on the winning 800 relay last season, Dace enters this weekend after running the fastest 100 (11.91) and fourth-fastest 200 (24.95) at LPD1 Regionals while also slated to run on two contending relays.
Arianne Olson, Holland West Ottawa senior: Last season’s 3,200 champion and 1,600 runner-up enters with the third-fastest 3,200 (10:48.40) from LPD1 Regionals and also again will run the 1,600 and on a contending relay.
Mackenzie Robinson, Ann Arbor Huron senior: She finished second in the 100 and 200 last season and ran on champion and runner-up relays, and she could be in for an even bigger finish after posting the second-fastest LPD1 Regional 100 (12.11) and 200 (24.74) and running on the third-fastest 400 relay two weeks ago.
Morgan Roundtree, Oak Park junior: Her sophomore-year Finals included a 300 hurdles title and runner-up finishes in the 100 hurdles and 800 relay. She enters this weekend with the fastest LPD1 Regional time in the 300 (41.86), third-fastest in the 100 hurdles (14.14) and running on two contending relays again.
Abigail Russell, Allen Park junior: She swept the throws as a sophomore and could be in line to do the same this weekend with the top LPD1 Regional throw in discus (148-3) by more than 12 feet and the second-farthest shot put (42-5) behind only Howell senior standout Sophie Daugard.
Kamryn Tatum, West Bloomfield freshman: She enters her first Finals having run the fastest 200 (24.70) and 400 (56.08) times in any LPD1 Regional, with those times fast enough to have finished third in those races at last year’s Finals.
Nonah Waldron, Oak Park senior: She’s finishing a career that’s included the last two 100 hurdles championships and a 300 hurdles title as a sophomore. She enters this weekend with the fastest LPD1 Regional time in the 100 hurdles (13.61), second-fastest to Roundtree in the 300 (42.70) and likely to run on the same two contending relays as that teammate.
LP Division 2 at Ada Forest Hills Eastern
Team forecast: The last five Finals have seen five schools win Division 2 once and three more schools finish second at least once. East Grand Rapids nearly doubled up the field last year, however, and power in distance races and relays could have the Pioneers on track again. New Boston Huron was fourth last season behind the scoring of Elizabeth Anderson and could follow her into contention, and Dearborn Divine Child has qualifiers in all but pole vault and a pair of relays expected to do exceptionally well.
Elizabeth Anderson, New Boston Huron senior: She won the 200 and 400 and was runner-up in the 100 last season to score 28 of her team’s 29 points, and she could take that over 30 this weekend entering with the fastest LPD2 Regional times in the 200 (24.93) and 400 (56.62), the second-fastest in the 100 (12.34) and as part of one of the fasted 1,600 relays.
Camryn Bodine, East Grand Rapids senior: Last season’s 800 champion ran the fastest LPD2 Regional time in that race (2:13.14) two weeks ago by nearly four seconds and will also run on two contending relays after helping hers to first, second and seventh places in 2022.
Janae Hudson, Marysville junior: She could move up substantially after placing third in discus and 10th in shot put last season, coming off the top LPD2 Regional shot put (41-4½) and second-longest discus toss (125-5).
Ella Jenkins, Warren Regina senior: The reigning champion in the 300 hurdles and runner-up in the 100 hurdles ran the fastest LPD2 Regional time in the 100 hurdles (15.14) and second-fastest in the 300 (47.55).
Drew Muller, East Grand Rapids junior: The reigning 1,600 champ and 800 fifth-place finisher – and LPD2 cross country champion in the fall – ran the fastest 1,600 LPD2 Regional time (5:03.32) and fourth-fastest 800 (2:17.88) and will also run on two contending relays after hers finished first and second last year.
Keyanna O’Tey, Sturgis sophomore: She qualified for the 100 in LPD1 as a freshman and could play a starring role Saturday entering with the fastest LPD2 Regional time in the 100 (12.10), second-fastest in the 200 (25.49) and as part of two contending sprint relays.
Natalie VanOtteren, Grand Rapids Christian junior: She finished seventh in the 3,200 and ran on a runner-up relay a year ago and enters this weekend with the fastest LPD2 Regional time in the 3,200 (11:09.76) and second-fastest in the 1,600 (5:07.06).
Jordyn Wright, Tecumseh senior: The reigning pole vault champion by a foot posted the top LPD2 Regional height (11-9) two weeks ago and is expected to run two relays as well.
LP Division 3 at Kent City
Team forecast: Hart and Pewamo-Westphalia both have won two championships over the last five seasons, and Hart was first and P-W second a year ago. Hart again has the mix of sprint, distance, field event and relay standouts to finish first, and P-W has nearly the same amount and variety. But they’ll have company. Lansing Catholic has strong contenders in five races and two relays, Olivet could score big in relays, field events and hurdles; and Onsted could jump up with a handful of potential winners as well.
Ryan Finstrom, Grayling junior: Last season’s discus champion and fourth-place shot put finisher returns this weekend looking for a discus repeat after throwing the fourth-farthest LPD3 Regional toss (119-1).
Addison Hovey, Hart sophomore: She played a big role in last year’s title run with runner-up finishes in high jump and as part of the 400 relay, and she’ll return this weekend with the top LPD3 Regional time in the 100 (12.38) and top high jump (5-3) plus as part of two relays.
Heidi Newhouse, Lawton junior: The reigning high jump champion also finished just outside scoring range in the 400 last season, and she’ll enter this weekend tied for the second-best LPD3 Regional high jump (5-1) and third-fastest 400 (59.76).
Ally Olszewski, Grand Rapids West Catholic senior: She won the pole vault last season by half a foot and her 10-3 LPD3 Regional vault two weeks ago was half a foot better than the field. She also posted the fourth-best LPD3 Regional long jump (15-9½) and will run the 200 and again on the 800 relay after helping the latter to fourth place a year ago.
Madison Osterberg, Jackson Lumen Christi junior: After finishing 800 runner-up and seventh in the 1,600 a year ago, plus running on the runner-up 800 relay, Osterberg enters with the fastest LPD3 Regional times in the 1,600 (4:59.62) and 3,200 (11:01.05), the second-fastest in the 800 (2:16.56), and she will also run on a contending 3,200 relay.
Emmry Ross, Onsted sophomore: Her Finals debut included championships in the 400 and as part of the 1,600 relay and a runner-up finish as part of the 800 relay. She returns with the top LPD3 Regional times in the 400 (57.07) and 800 (2:15.03) and as part of contenders in the 800 and 3,200 relays.
Gloria Stepanovich, Benzie Central senior: The reigning long jump champion will return seeking a repeat after placing second at her Regional but only 1¼ inches off the lead.
LP Division 4 at Hudsonville
Team forecast: A close race came down to just a few points last season, with Muskegon Western Michigan Christian edging 2021 champion Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart by four. This could be close again – but with a different collection of contenders. Fowler, fourth last season, may be back in the mix with elite relays leading the way. Frankfort is back after finishing third and bolsters a strong field events group to go with relay strength. Hillsdale Academy could follow a strong distance group into contention, and Buckley should put up some points with a pair of stars. Portland St. Patrick is another interesting possibility with runners all over the meet and three contending relays.
Molly Brown, Addison sophomore: She had an impressive debut last season with two top-five relay finishes, a 10th in the 100 hurdles and fifth in the 300 hurdles. But this could be even better as she brings in the top LPD4 Regional times in the 100 hurdles (16.03) and 300 hurdles (46.82), the second-fastest in the 100 dash (12.98) and the seventh-best long jump.
Olivia Findlay, Marlette junior: Last season’s runner-up in the high jump and fifth-place finisher in the long jump is a favorite in both with the top LPD4 Regional performances in both at 5-5 and 16-11¾, respectively. She also posted the sixth-fastest 100 hurdles time (17.12) to qualify.
Aiden Harrand, Buckley junior: She’s won the 1,600 the last two seasons, the 800 last year and finished fourth in the 3,200 as well, and was the LPD4 cross country champ in the fall. Her LPD4 Regional times in the 800 (2:19.15), 1,600 (5:06.52) and 3,200 (11:26.04) all topped those lists.
Anna Plum, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart senior: She’s the reigning champion in the 300 hurdles and was part of winning and runner-up relays as well as a qualifier in the 100 hurdles last season. She could put up plenty of points again entering with the fourth-fastest LPD4 Regional times in the 100 (13.06) and 200 (26.75) and the third-fastest in the 300 hurdles (48.46).
Megan Roberts, Hillsdale Academy senior: After missing last season’s Finals with an injury, Roberts will get another chance to build on a sophomore debut that included a relay championship, two relay runner-up finishes and a sixth place in the 800. She will run on two relays that posted the fastest LPD4 Regional times in their respective races and also the 400 after racing to an LPD4 Regional-best 59.85 two weeks ago.
Natalie Wandrie, Indian River Inland Lakes senior: She finished seventh in the shot put and 11th in the discus last season but could be set for a big finish with the top LPD4 Regional discus toss of 124-3½ and the third-longest shot put (37-3). She’ll also run a relay.
PHOTO Oak Park’s Nonah Waldron leaps a hurdle during last season’s LPD1 Finals. (Click for more from RunMichigan.com.)
Memorable Debut Ignites Massey's Inspiring Impact on Adaptive Athletics
By
Scott Hassinger
Special for MHSAA.com
May 7, 2025
STURGIS – Very few high school track & field athletes have an opportunity to finish their freshman seasons the way Sturgis' Vivian Massey did last spring.
Massey, now a sophomore, won the adaptive shot put championship last spring at the Lower Peninsula Division 1 Finals at East Kentwood. She took first with a personal-best and Finals-record throw of 12 foot, 7 inches, using a 4-kilogram (8.82-pound) ball).
"Getting a state record throw is really cool, but being able to show others that something like that is possible for an adaptive athlete is even better," Massey said.
Sturgis has been one of the pioneer programs in the state as participation by adaptive athletes increases in the sport. The Trojans are led by the husband and wife duo of JB and Lesley Starkey; JB serves as Sturgis' head boys coach, while Lesley guides the girls team.
Former Sturgis athlete Jillian Romanyk, a 2023 graduate, won LP Division 2 Finals titles her senior year in the shot put (13-7) and 100-meter dash (30.53) competing in a wheelchair.
Massey has the condition achondroplasia, a genetic disorder that causes the most common form of dwarfism. It affects the growth plates in bones, resulting in abnormal bone growth and shortened limbs.
"I used to play soccer up until I was in fifth or sixth grade. But by then everyone became taller and faster than me, so I just stopped. I thought I was done competing in sports then,” said Massey, who hopes to one day study forensic psychology in college. “It just feels really good to still be able to compete. Our track family here at Sturgis is really close, and we are all there for each other. Eventually I'd like to try throwing the discus as well. I'd like to throw in college, but who knows if that will happen or not."
Vivian grew up around track & field. Her older sister Hannah, a 2020 Sturgis graduate, and brother Alex (2024) were both throwers for the Trojans.
"When I was in eighth grade I started throwing with them during the indoor season and continued with it into high school. It just seemed like a good fit for me," Vivian explained.
There were a few adjustments Massey had to make when she began competing in outdoor track her freshman year, but having her older brother in the Sturgis program with her was an immense help.
"The experience of competing wasn't that new to me when I reached high school, but the outdoor season took a little getting used to. Having my brother and a few of his friends right there to help me was very helpful," she said.
Massey excelled and qualified for the Finals as a freshman after winning her Regional competition.
"It was a very cool experience and a lot of fun qualifying for and winning state. It's still kind of a shock to me when I pause a minute and think about what I accomplished that day. I never expected to win state," Massey said.
She is looking forward to another strong finish this season.
"I really want to get first at Regionals and qualify for state again and hopefully keep improving my performance," Massey said. "The biggest thing I'm working on right now is to not get so nervous and inside my own head. I like to listen to music to help keep me calm before I throw. It helps me focus and block out everything else that's going on around me."
Lesley Starkey, a Title I elementary teacher at Congress School in Sturgis, feels Massey's involvement will have a far-reaching effect on the track & field program and with others long after she graduates.
"Just from a general athlete and seeing what Vivian does is amazing. What she doesn't realize is how impactful she's going to be down the road,” Starkey said. “I have a student at Congress with only one arm. She could be one of our next adaptive athletes, and I'd love to have her come out for our team. So helping other athletes see that they have an opportunity to compete in the adaptive category like Vivian does is huge in the long term. Just by her work ethic and coming out here and competing when it can sometimes be intimidating, is a big contribution to our program and others around the state during her four years here and beyond as well."
Massey’s participation has inspired opposing athletes as well.
"JB and I were at a meet last season in Quincy. Vivian wasn't competing, but Athens had a blind athlete and their coaches weren't even aware that the adaptive category existed at the state level. We spoke with them and told them to make sure she went on to compete at the Regional and the state level,” Starkey said.
“Right now there are four events that adaptive athletes can compete in. They are the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter dashes, and the shot put. The girl from Athens was able to do that and she became a multi-state champion in Division 4."
Massey’s personal-best in the shot put during the indoor season is 15 feet, 3 inches, using a 2 kilogram (4.41 pound) ball.
JB Starkey, a physical education teacher at Sturgis High School, credits her commitment to a weight training program for helping her increase her strength and consistency this season.
"I learn lessons in the weight room every day. I make mistakes with things that Vivian can't do. I'm the one that has to make adjustments so we are making adaptions with her weight training, shot put throwing and even our physical education classes to service her the best that we can,” he said. “She's very flexible and understanding of our mistakes. We're learning over time and getting much better about it.”
Massey had to overcome several physical challenges before she was able to throw effectively.
"So with achondroplasia, I have little or no cartilage in my joints. For example, I can write an essay but it would take more time for me than it would other kids because I'd have to take breaks and let my wrists rest,” Massey said. “I wear a wrist strap in the shot put that helps stabilize my wrist when I'm throwing. I also use J-Hooks to help with my grip when weightlifting in doing reps with the bar. I'm strong enough to hold and do the motion, but my hands can't hold onto the weight.”
Kelly Massey, Vivian's mother, stated that her daughter's condition has never deterred her from accomplishing daily tasks or continuing her athletic career.
"Vivian has to figure out a different way to do everything she does in life, like reaching the kitchen cabinets. Everything is a struggle, but she just makes it happen,” Kelly Massey said. “She started in soccer and we thought her sports career was over, but the Starkeys have done a great job keeping her involved and giving her all the opportunities they possibly can. They truly love this sport, and they will do whatever it takes to get kids participating.”
Alex Massey remembers how Vivian became involved in throwing as an eighth grader.
"During the offseason, a small group of us throwers would come up to the school and throw, and Vivian started coming up there with us. She fell in love with it, and the Starkeys have been with her all the way. Being able to work with her some I think helped keep her motivated," Alex Massey said.
"It was pretty emotional to see Vivian up there throwing at the state meet. She holds herself to a very high standard, and it’s just amazing to see the door that she's opened for other athletes."
Scott Hassinger is a contributing sportswriter for Leader Publications and previously served as the sports editor for the Three Rivers Commercial-News from 1994-2022. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Vivian Massey competes in the adaptive shot put during last season’s Lower Peninsula Division 1 Finals. (Middle) Sturgis High School track & field coaches Leslie and JB Starkey stand for a photo during a Trojans' practice last week. (Below) Massey, right, receives congratulations from Fenton’s Molly Katic, left in wheelchair, following last year’s Finals shot put competition at East Kentwood. (Finals photos provided by JB Starkey. Coaches photo by Scott Hassinger.)