Falcons soar at Ken Bell

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Jan-Michael Stump
Jan-Michael Stump

May 2, 2009

East Kentwood sets three meet records

from staff reports The Record Eagle Sat May 02, 2009, 12:22 AM EDT

TRAVERSE CITY -- East Kentwood's on a mission.

The Falcons, who ran away with the Ken Bell Invitational title Friday at Traverse City Central, lost the Division 1 boys state track championship by one point to Flint Carman-Ainsworth a year ago -- the second year in a row the Falcons finished second.

"(Two years ago) we were second by about 25 points -- and it felt really good to be second," coach Dave Emeott said. "Last year we lost by one, 56-55. I believe it was the most points ever scored by a second-place team. We felt a little spurned. The whole motivation this year has been that one point. That's our goal -- to get back to the MHSAA championship and win it."

If Friday's performance was any indication, this could be the Falcons' year.

East Kentwood won 10 events, setting meet records in three and nearly breaking marks in two others.

The Falcons finished with 201 points. Traverse City Central was second with 105.

"That's a very good team," Central coach John Lober said. "It's as good a team as we've seen in Traverse City in a long time."

Deonte Hurst set a meet record in the 300 intermediate hurdles (38.72). The Falcons also smashed marks in the 400 (41.74) and 800 (1:28.83) relays.

Dallas Wade just missed the record in the 200. He ran a 21.90. The record is 21.89.

Tyrone Green won the 100 in 10.48, not too far off the record of 10.36.

"Obviously, we have a ton of speed," Emeott said. "We're strong in a lot of events, but we're really good in the sprints -- from the 100 to the 400. We have six kids under 11 flat in the 100. We have six kids at 51.1 or better in the 400. And it's a lot of different kids, not just the same kids."

That makes the Falcons particularly difficult to beat in the sprint relays.

"Their 400 and 800 relay teams are right up there with the best in the state," Lober said.

The Falcons won two field events, including the pole vault where junior Robbie Rix cleared 14'6."

"I told him this is the mecca for the pole vault," Emeott said. "If you're going to do well, you have to do it in Traverse City. There's no city in America that's (produced) pole vaulters like this city.

"I always take pride in winning the pole vault here because I know how much time and pride they put into that event here."

Traverse City Central was led by Blair Bell, who won the 110 high hurdles (14.87), placed third in the 300 intermediates and anchored the third-place 400 and 800 relays.

In addition, James Barbera (46'4") and Peter Johnson (46'3") went one-two in the shot put.

Kingsley won the Division 3 title with 56 points while St. Francis claimed Division 4 with 41.

There were five other area winners: Kalkaska's Ethan Miltenberger in the discus (134'), Elk Rapids' Charlie Hoch in the high jump (6'5"), Suttons Bay's Ben Wynsma in the 1600 (4:31.78), Benzie Central's Nick Radionoff in the 800 (1:59.04) and Petoskey in the 1600 relay (3:34.57).

East Kentwood was the overall winner in the girls meet with 129 points. Benzie took second (82) and Central third (80).

The Falcons were led by Chanese Mendenhall, who won the 100 (12.47) and 200 (26.15).

The individual star of the day was Benzie's Michaela Carnegie. She won the 800 (2:21.87), 1600 (5:14.09) and anchored the victorious 1600 (4:15.24) and 3200 (9:46.08) relays.

Benzie's Devyn Ramsay captured the 3200 (11:16.50).

The Huskies easily won the Division 3 title while St. Francis claimed Division 4 with 38 points.

The Gladiators were led by Hannah Meachum, who swept the 100 (15.91) and 300 (48.49) hurdles.

Other area winners included: Manistee's McKenzie Majchrzak in the high jump (5'4"), Petoskey's Kristi Ellis in the long jump (16'1"), Kingsley's Ashley Graves in the discus (118'9") and Gaylord's Savannah Hypio in the 400.

Traverse City West's Jamie Gotshall and Ashley Leitner tied for second in the pole vault with school-record vaults of 10'6." Meachum was fourth with a school-record vault of 10'6".