Mourning Those Who Contributed Much

ROCKFORD – Reece Emeott went from not knowing state history to making it.

The East Kentwood senior said he wasn't aware he could become the first pole vaulter in state history to win three-straight MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Finals titles until he was informed that was indeed what he accomplished following Saturday's meet at Rockford. 

Emeott shook off some unexpected setbacks to win this time with a vault of 16 feet, 6 inches. After becoming the first sophomore ever to win the Division 1 pole vault two years ago, then repeating the feat last spring, Emeott said he prefers not to live in the past.

"I try to focus on the now," said Emeott, whose finish sparked the Falcons to their Finals team title since 2019. "I don't think about the past or winning other state titles. I just take it day-by-day, but that is crazy, to win three state titles."

East Kentwood narrowly won the team prize, finishing with 63 points to 62 for runner-up Detroit Catholic Central.

Emeott's title featured a couple of strange turns, including a pass at the15-feet, 9-inch mark, then a miss at 16 feet. At one point late in the event, he ranked just fifth.

"It wasn't how I planned it at all," said Emeott, who will compete at Michigan next season. "I had a sprained foot, and I was kind of nervous about it. I couldn't do everything I wanted. There's pressure, but only because I need to score points to help the team. It would have been bad luck not to win."

Falcons coach Dave Emeott, whose teams have now won nine Finals titles, said the latest championship comes on the heels of a book he wrote last December, "Beyond The Finish Line." The book stresses the importance of relationships, positive parental involvement, the role of winning and being process oriented. Emeott admits the program may have drifted from those factors since winning three straight Division 1 titles from 2017-19.

"We had kind of a drought, and I looked at myself and the team and tried to figure out what we were doing," he said. "I thought, 'Hey, maybe we should be doing those things again. It was a magical year. I thought we could be in the conversation (for a title), but then again, there were days I would have said I don't know."

East Kentwood's other first place came from the 800 relay (1:26.76).

Among the other championships were a pair by Detroit Catholic Central's Zacchaeus Brocks, who captured the 300 hurdles (36.33) and 110 hurdles (13.40). The 300 time is the fourth-best in the country. He was seeded first in both events.

"I got out hard and set the tone," said Brocks, whose 2025 season was prematurely ended by a stress fracture in his toe. "I knew it was in me. I was anxious, but never defeated. I knew I had the confidence and grit to go out and get it. It's a great legacy to leave."

Rodney Endsley of Walled Lake Western was also a double winner, taking the 200 (21.14) and 400 (47.11), with the 16th and 17^th-best times, respectively, in state history in those two events.

"I'm not a cocky guy, but when I feel I can win, I do," he said.

Wendell Childs Jr. of Clarkston successfully defended his 2025 title by winning the 800 (1:50.81), less than two seconds ahead of runner-up Greg Myers of Ypsilanti Lincoln. Childs Jr. won last year's title with a 1:51.49.

"Greg is a tough competitor, and I worked and worked to get to the point where I didn't think anybody could beat me," he said. "Last year was big for me, but I knew this was going to be tough."

Luka Hammond of Grand Haven also repeated by winning the 1,600 (4:09.53). Hammond said he learned a valuable lesson about health after what he called "limping" through last fall's cross country season.

"My body got beat up, and I learned my lesson," he said. "I learned that missing a couple days doesn't need to affect you. The most important thing is to be healthy, and I didn't have any problems this spring.

"There was definitely more pressure because I wasn't even supposed to be here last year. I'd be lying if I said I could be here. But you can't let that get the best of you."

Vernall Lee of Detroit Martin Luther King won the 100 (10.76), barely inching past runner-up Peyton Trammer of Belleville (10.77).

"It's a good feeling," said Lee, who was slowed by a pulled hamstring and broken ankle suffered six months ago. "It's mental. I knew it was going to be a tough challenge when I couldn't even walk. I'm still not completely healthy (with the hamstring), maybe 75-80 percent. But the ankle is completely healed."

Among the other champs were Detroit Catholic Central’s Paxton Heitsch in the shot (58-6) and Malachi Clayton in the long jump (24-5). Jase Behmlander of Saginaw Heritage won the high jump (6-10), Cameron Gramzow of New Baltimore Anchor Bay won the discus (172-1) and Brandon Cloud of Northville won the 3,200 (9:02.40).

Detroit Renaissance won the 1,600 relay (3:17.14), Detroit Catholic Central the 400 (41.50) and Ann Arbor Pioneer the 3,200 (7:40.02).

Macomb L’Anse Creuse North’s Cooper Shain (100, 200, 400) and South Lyon’s Owen Moerdyke (shot put) finished first in adaptive events.

Click for full results.

PHOTOS (Top) East Kentwood's Reece Emeott clears the bar during a pole vault Saturday. (Middle) Detroit Catholic Central's Zacchaeus Brocks, center, sprints toward the finish in the 110 hurdles. (Click for more from John Brabbs, Carter Sherline and Jamie McNinch/RunMichigan.com.)