These are the Cheboygan area track and field athletes to watch for in the 2024 season
CHEBOYGAN – Last spring, track and field was such an entertaining sport to cover.
Records were broken, we had one state champion, and there were all-conference and all-state athletes across the board. Oh yeah, I was in Hudsonville to cover my first-ever track state finals in person.
So, with track season underway, here’s a look at the Cheboygan area boys and girls athletes to watch for in 2024.
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BOYS
Leland Steffen, Cheboygan, Senior – After success in the hurdle events last spring, Steffen will transition to sprints and relays in his final season as a Chief.
Evan Benson, Cheboygan, Junior – Fresh off a solid sophomore season, Benson returns to help lead the Chiefs in the pole vault and sprinting events.
Gabe Sabolsky, Cheboygan, Junior – A solid all-around athlete, Sabolsky will compete in the 400 dash and relay events as well.
Kelsey Lamb, Cheboygan, Senior – One of the speedier kids on the Cheboygan team, Lamb will be involved in sprinting events and the long jump.
Sam Schoonmaker, Inland Lakes, Senior – Earned all-state honors in the high jump as a junior. Like last season, Schoonmaker will also be a key member in I-L's sprint relay teams.
Dylan Zinke, Inland Lakes, Junior – One of I-L's top returning athletes, Zinke will likely make an impact in sprinting and relay events again.
Jadin Mix, Onaway, Senior – Back for one final season following an outstanding junior campaign that saw him qualify for the state finals in the 300 hurdles. Will also run relay events.
Xavier Santiago, Onaway, Senior – Such an exciting athlete to watch, Santiago was stellar in the high jump a season ago, breaking the Onaway school record, winning a regional title and earning all-state honors.
Brendon Brewbaker, Onaway, Senior – One of the fastest kids on the Onaway team, Brewbaker will be one of the Cardinals’ key sprinters and relay legs.
Laith Griffith, Pellston, Senior – Another athlete with a ton of experience, Griffith hopes to finish off his career with success in mid-distance, sprinting and relay events.
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GIRLS
Bella Ecker, Cheboygan, Senior – Will be aiming for Straits Area Conference titles in the long jump and high jump, while also competing in sprint and relay events. Almost qualified for states in the high jump last year.
Ava Bury, Cheboygan, Senior – Returns as Cheboygan’s most experienced mid-distance runner following an impressive junior season. Will compete in relay events as well.
Abbey Zilla, Cheboygan, Senior – A very experienced and talented athlete, Zilla will look to score points for Cheboygan in sprinting events and long jump.
Sammy Harke, Cheboygan, Junior – Cheboygan’s top returning long-distance runner, Harke delivered a terrific sophomore season.
Chloe Robinson, Inland Lakes, Sophomore – One of the Bulldogs’ most versatile athletes, Robinson's top events will arguably be shot put and high jump.
Addison Byrne, Inland Lakes, Sophomore – A returning state qualifier who will once again compete in mid-distance and relay events.
Kaylee Taglauer, Inland Lakes, Sophomore – One of I-L's returning state qualifiers, Taglauer will likely compete in sprinting and relay events again.
Trinity Splan, Onaway, Junior – It was a terrific sophomore campaign for Splan, who qualified for states in the shot put last spring. Will compete in both throwing events.
Ellie Crull, Onaway, Junior – One of Onaway’s most experienced athletes, Crull is a leader in the long-distance events.
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OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON (BOYS)
Hayden LaPointe (Cheboygan), Ashton Goga (Cheboygan), Lucas Sidlauskas (Cheboygan), Jack Wilson (Inland Lakes), Tanner Howard (Inland Lakes), Jake Feagan (Inland Lakes), Levi Rigot (Onaway), Levi Splan (Onaway), Brach Taylor (Pellston), Joshua Grondin (Pellston), Brady Bonter (Pellston)
OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON (GIRLS)
Olivia Patrick (Cheboygan), Cloee Rupp (Cheboygan), Piper Stead (Cheboygan), Elizabeth Furman (Inland Lakes), Mary Myshock (Inland Lakes), Francis Bunker (Inland Lakes), Mackenzie Biesel (Inland Lakes), Andrea Ruppert (Onaway), Hailey Davis (Pellston)
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Experience, state qualifiers lead way on Cheboygan area track athletes to watch
