Greater Lansing high school girls track and field overview
Here is an overview of the high school girls track and field teams in Greater Lansing. This reflects information submitted by area coaches.
CAAC BLUE
▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. Grand Ledge, 2. DeWitt, 3. Okemos, T-4. East Lansing, T-4. Okemos, 6. Waverly, 7. Everett
▶ Top athletes: Janell Brown, East Lansing; Shannon Gillahan, Okemos; Violet Greborunis, Okemos; Gabrielle Pruitt, East Lansing; Ashley Richburg, Grand Ledge; Lauren Walker, Holt; Kayla Williams, DeWitt
DEWITT
▶ Last season: 3rd
▶ Coach: BJ Tomanek (3rd season)
▶ Top returners: Kayla Williams (jr.) middle distance/distance/relays, Mia Williams (jr.) sprints/middle distance/distance/relays, Ayla Holben (jr.) sprints/middle distance/distance/relays, Autumn Thompson (jr.) middle distance/distance/relays, Averie Miller (sr.) sprints/relays
▶ Outlook: Kayla and Mia Williams, Holben and Thompson are returning all-league athletes for the Panthers.
EAST LANSING
▶ Last season: 3-4 (3rd)
▶ Coach: Charles Pollard (48th season)
▶ Top returners: Amelia Biehl (sr.) sprints/relays, Janell Brown (sr.) hurdles/relays, Ayla Bowers (sr.) throws, Gabrielle Pruitt (jr.) sprints/relays, Lola Fore Ogunfolabi (so.) relays/sprints, Fabour Nwobu (so.) hurdles/sprints, Anika Mullins (sr.) sprints/relays, Abby Minnick (jr.) distance, Peyton Roland (jr.) middle distance/relays
▶ Other contributors: Ella Finger (sr.) distance, Ariyana James (jr.) high jump/sprints, Naomi Knox (so.) high jump/sprints, Nora Johnson (fr.) distance
▶ Outlook: Pollard believes this could be the best season in a few years for the Trojans, who return several all-league performers from last season. Biehl, Brown, Bowers, Pruitt and Ogunfolabi were all-league in their events.
EVERETT
▶ Coach: Claude Thomas II (1st season)
▶ Top returners: Ella Gordon (sr.) sprints, Jakya Mack Smith (sr.) sprints, Emily Sandoval (so) distance, Adia Nealy (so.) hurdles
▶ Other contributors: Adia Nealy (so.) hurdles, Amber Stephenson (fr.) sprints
▶ Outlook: Jakya Mack Smith and Ella Gordon will lead the Vikings in the CAAC Blue as two of the stronger sprinters in the area and will look to qualify for the state meet.
GRAND LEDGE
▶ Last season: 1st
▶ Coach: Fred Hutchinson (17th season)
▶ Top returners: Ashley Richburg (sr.) sprints, Avi Skinner (so.) distance, Brooklyn Meyers (sr.) throws, Katie Blue (so.) pole vault, hurdles, Zoe Yaney (sr.) sprints, jumps
▶ Outlook: Richburg returns as a Division 1 all-state long jumper for the Comets, who will try to defend their CAAC Blue title. Grand Ledge will field a mix of returning regional champions and young talent.
HOLT
▶ Last season: 5th
▶ Coach: Jonathan Watson (16th season)
▶ Top returners: Lauren Walker (jr.) sprints/middle distance/distance.relays, Malayna Thompson (jr.) sprints, Jessica Bossenbroek (sr.) sprints/middle distance, Shaelyn Schwem (sr.) throws, Kara Barker (so.) sprints
▶ Other contributors: Ella Reaves (jr.) middle distance/distance, Deasia Norman (fr.) sprints, Malysia Thompson (fr.) hurdles/sprints
▶ Outlook: The versatile Walker leads the returners for the Rams, who also have nearly all of the pieces back from their state qualifying 400, 800 and 1,600 relays. The additions of Norman, Reaves and Malaysia Thompson add to Holt's depth in the sprints and middle-distance events. The Rams hope to return to the state finals.
OKEMOS
▶ Last season: 3rd
▶ Coach: Brian Harrod (22nd season)
▶ Top returners: Eliana Ethington (sr.) throws, Bryna Mead-O’Brien (sr.) distance, Elizabeth Schafer (so.) distance, Lana Hawks (jr.) sprints, Lilli Vandervennet (sr.) distance, Lily Salazar (sr.) distance, October Harns (so.) distance, Rowan Smith (so.) hurdles, jumps, Shannon Gillahan (sr.) distance, Violet Greborunis (jr.) hurdles, jumps.
▶ Other contributors: Arlinda Boehme (sr.) sprints, Gabby Fugazzi (fr.) distance, Natalia Hawks (fr.) sprints
▶ Outlook: Okemos brings back several seniors who will help it compete in the CAAC Blue. Ethington leads the throwers and Mead-O’Brien and Elizabeth Schafer headline a deep group of distance runners.
CAAC RED
▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. Mason, 2. St. Johns, 3. Williamston, 4. Fowlerville,, 5. Haslett, 6. Eastern
▶ Top athletes: MacKynzie Bush, Wiliamston, Christina Dixon, Haslett; Riley Gill, Mason; Tori Lator, Mason; Ava Schafer, St. Johns
EASTERN
▶ Last season: 6th
▶ Coach: Kitte Lynch (10th season)
▶ Top returners: Ava Diaz (so.) sprints, jumps, Djemillah Hassan (so.) distance, Riahannah Lewis (so.) sprints, jumps, Kaleigh Pfeiffer (sr) hurdles, Nevaeh Reed (jr.) throws
▶ Other contributors: Lexandria Albarez (so.) distance, Hanna Kent (so.) sprints
▶ Outlook: A talented group of sophomores will look to push the Quakers to compete in the CAAC Red. Kaleigh Pfeiffer headlines the hurdlers and Nevaeh Reed will lead the throwers.
HASLETT
▶ Coach: Mike Homan
▶ Top returners: Dora Henry (sr.) distance, Caroline Flynn (sr.) distance, Audrey Corbet (so.) pole vault, Christina Dixon (so.) sprints/middle distance, Faith Mkandawire (jr.) sprints, Kate Church (so.) distance
▶ Other contributors: Alexis Turner (so.) sprints, Avery Humble (jr.) jumps, Samantha Goorin (sr.) middle distance
▶ Outlook: The Vikings lost several key seniors from last spring and will lean on their returning core as they look to find success. Homan hopes Haslett can finish the spring strong.
MASON
▶ Last season: 1st
▶ Coach: Dave Jones (29th season)
▶ Top returners: Reese Ball (sr.) throws, Kaelyn Craddock (sr.) mid-distance, Meghan Ford (sr.) distance, Riley Gill (sr.) hurdles, sprints, Jada Houghton (sr.) throws, Aubrey Kolberg (jr.) hurdles, Josi Lator (so.) sprints, Tori Lator (jr.) sprints, Melody Meyer (sr.) sprints, Sierra Palmer (sr.) throws, Taylor Rowe (jr.) sprints, jumps, Jocelyn Shattuck (jr.) sprints
▶ Other contributors: Morgan Allen (fr.) distance, Jackie Hebert (fr.) mid-distance, Lucy Dennis (fr.) sprints, Ariel Reemsnyder (fr.), Grace Surato (jr.) mid-distance
▶ Outlook: The Bulldogs are looking to clinch an eighth consecutive league title this year behind the largest roster they have fielded in recent years. Following last season’s third-place finish at the state meet, Mason will look to repeat their success and more.
ST. JOHNS
▶ Last season: 3-2 (3rd)
▶ Coach: Mike Maloney (9th season)
▶ Top returners: Isabelle Branch (sr.) hurdles, Clara Fletcher (sr.) distance, Miriam Kloha (so.) distance, Annaliza McCann (jr.) middle distance, Lillian Sackrider (sr.) middle distance, Ella Schafer (sr.) field, Katelyn Thelen (sr.) field, Abigail Young (sr.) distance
▶ Other contributors: Ava Schafer (fr.) distance, Oakley Davis (fr.) sprints, Rachel Kirk (fr.) sprints//field
▶ Outlook: The Redwings expect to be competitive this season with a combination of experience and talented newcomers.
WILLIAMSTON
▶ Last season: 4-1 (2nd)
▶ Coach: Ray Herek (2nd season)
▶ Top returners: MacKynzie Bush (so.) sprints, Nicole Schafer (jr.) middle distrance/distance/high jump, Ellie Thorburn (sr.) throws/sprints, Jaiden Griffith (jr.) sprints, Abby Grocki (sr.) pole vault/sprints, Addy Palmer (jr.) sprints/long jump, Elli Cannon (so.) sprints/long jump, Madyson Bush (so.) sprints, Reese Supianoski (so.) middle distance/distance
▶ Other contributors: Sophia Schafer (fr.) hurdles/middle distance/distance
▶ Outlook: Schafer, Thorburn and Griffith were state qualifiers last year and MacKynzie Bush was the Honor Roll champion in the 100 to lead the returning athletes for the Hornets. With its depth in the sprints and field events, Williamston expects to be among the top teams in the CAAC Red again.
CAAC WHITE
▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. Olivet, 2. Charlotte, 3. Ionia, 4. Lansing Catholic, 5. Eaton Rapids, 6. Portland, 7. Lakewood, 8. Sexton
▶ Top athletes: Annabelle Bower, Portland; Kayla Ewing, Charlotte; Destiny McDaniels, Bath; Frances Melinn, Lansing Catholic; Zoe Newberry, Eaton Rapids; McKenna Nichols, Charlotte; Tessa Roe, Lansing Catholic
CHARLOTTE
▶ Last season: 5-0 (1st)
▶ Coach: Jeremiah Jewell (5th season)
▶ Top returners: Kayla Ewing (sr.) sprints/hurdles/relays, Elina Byers (jr.) sprints/relays, Kallie Nichols (so.) relays/high jump, McKenna Nichols (so.) relay/long jump, Baylee Moore (so.) relays/sprints, Avari Montgomery (so.) relays/middle distance/distance, Ella Schutter (so.) hurdles
▶ Other contributors: Avery Silvas (fr.) middle distance/relays/high jump, Helena Goodrich (fr.) middle distance/distance, Sunny Sparks (fr.) sprints/relays/throws, Jaelyn Baker (sr.) sprints/relays
▶ Outlook: Charlotte expects to be in the mix for a second straight league title after losing just a few seniors from last season. The Orioles have a roster of 44, which includes a strong freshman class that is expected to contribute. Moore, Ewing and Kallie and McKenna Nichols are returning state qualifiers for Charlotte.
EATON RAPIDS
▶ Last season: 3-3 (5th)
▶ Coach: Bob Ribby (29th season)
▶ Top returners: Audrey Norder (sr.) middle distance, Sienna Eaton (sr.) distance, Amanda Zeler (sr.) sprints, Bethany Stowell (sr.) throws, Annika Ribby (jr.) sprints, Zoe Newberry (jr.) sprints, Gracyn McDaniel (jr.) throws, Marra Collins (so.) pole vault, Madalyn Wagner (so.) hurdles
▶ Other contributors: Rylee Winkelman (fr.) middle distance, Brooklyn Hekman (fr.) distance, Annabelle Brunner (fr.) middle distance, Mara Elorza (sr.) middle distance
▶ Outlook: With a blend of returning talent and newcomers, the Greyhounds will try to improve upon last season.
IONIA
▶ Coach: James Merrifield (38th season)
▶ Top returners: Ella Udell (jr.) sprints/high jump, Mimi Wegener (jr.) pole vault/hurdles/sprints, Makenna Waterman (sr.) throws, Lily Reams (sr.) throws, Hannah Luttman (so.) middle distance, Avery Hoppough (fr.) sprints
▶ Other contributors: Grace Droste (so.) sprints, Paisley Peterson (so.) sprints, Logan Thomas (fr.) pole vault/high jump/sprints, Carleigh Thompson (so.) distance, Jadyn Gardner (jr.) throws/jumps
▶ Outlook: Waterman was the league runner-up in the discus and Wegener finished second in the pole vault for the Bulldogs, who hope to finish in the top half of the CAAC White.
LANSING CATHOLIC
▶ Last season: 2nd
▶ Coach: Tim Simpson (24th season)
▶ Top returners: Tessa Roe (sr.) distance/middle distance, Frances Melinn (so.) hurdles/middle distance, Julia Sambaer (jr.) sprints, Ella Pricco (jr.) sprints, Allison Spence (sr.) throws, Stella Lipinski (so.) middle distance
▶ Other contributors: Grace Wonch (fr.) distance, Olivia Riley (fr.) sprints, Viv Hagen (fr.) sprints, Avery Miller (fr.) jumps/distance, Kaitlyn Ludwig (jr.) distance, Bella Yun (fr.) sprints, Catherine Wildern (fr.) pole vault
▶ Outlook: Roe and Melinn are returning all-state athletes for the Cougars, who expect to get contributions this spring from some talented freshmen. Lansing Catholic hopes for a strong season that will include a top-five finish in Division 3.
OLIVET
▶ Last season: 8-0, 6-0 GLAC (1st)
▶ Coach: Brian Lincoln (10th season)
▶ Top returners: Cassie Coleman (jr.) sprints, Emily Peters (so.) hurdles/relays, Celina Sinclair (so.) sprints/relays, Olivea Gessner (sr.) middle distance,, Sophie Pell (jr.) hurdles/high jump, Karly King (sr.) hurdles/high jump, Molly Lincoln (jr.) throws/long jump, Madelyn Ellis (so.) throws, Taylor Peters (jr.) middle distance
▶ Other contributors: Bailey Powell (fr.) sprints/relays, Anneliesse Patterson (fr.) distance, Lyla Lapaugh (fr.) hurdles/relays/long jump, Riley Flanders (fr.) hurdles, Korrine McDowell (sr.) sprints
▶ Outlook: Expectations are high for the Eagles after they won a MITCA state title last season. While not as deep, Olivet has key scorers back. Peters, Sinclair, Gessner, Pell and Coleman were part of state championship sprint relays. Olivet has goals to win the CAAC White and compete for a regional championship.
SEXTON
▶ Last season: 6th
▶ Coach: David Washington / Mohogany Wells (1st season)
▶ Top returners: Zionae White (sr.) throws
▶ Other contributors: Cayla Bouyer (fr.) sprints, Ky’rsty Jean Charles (so.) hurdles
▶ Outlook: White will look to lead a young roster as the J-Dubbs aim to compete in the CAAC White. White returns as the league champion in both the shot put and discus for Sexton.
CMAC
▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. Pewamo-Westphalia, 2. Fowler, 3. Portland St. Patrick, 4. Saranac, 5. Laingsburg, 6. Bath, 7. Potterville, 8. Dansville, 9. Perry
▶ Top athletes: Elly Bengel, Pewamo-Westphalia; Kenzie Fedewa, Portland St. Patrick; Saige Martin, Pewamo-Westphalia; Rylee Scheurer, Portland St. Patrick; Katie Spicer, Fowler; Whitney Werner, Pewamo-Westphalia
FOWLER
▶ Last season: 5-1 (2nd)
▶ Coach: Neil Hufnagel (1st season)
▶ Top returners: Theresa Schmitz (sr.) throws, Rebecca Smith (sr.) throws/distance, Harleigh Falor (sr.) throws/sprints, Grace O'Hare (sr.) sprints/relays, Alayna Vandegriff (sr.) sprints/vault, Maddie Sillman (jr.) middle distance/hurdles, Katie Spicer (jr.) sprints/long jump, Kelcie Pung (jr.) distance, Ella Hufnagel (jr.) sprints/jumps
▶ Other contributors: Michaela Spitzley (so.) sprints/relays, Paige Thelen (so.) sprints/hurdles, Nadia Schafer (fr.) pole vault/hurdles
▶ Outlook: The Eagles are embarking on a new era after the retirement of decorated coach Jill Feldpausch, who made their program one of the state's best during her tenure. Fowler hopes to sustain that success and add to its streak of regional titles. The Eagles have several experienced athletes returning to help them chase their goals.
LAINGSBURG
▶ Last season: 4th
▶ Coach: Brian Borgman (20th)
▶ Top returners: Kyleigh Luna (jr.) sprints/relays, Ashley Bilas (sr.) sprints/relays, Emily Rathka (jr.) middle distance/distance/relays, Evelyn Logghe (jr.) middle distance/relays, Hazel Burley (so.) relays/distance, Grace Knull (so.) distance/relays, Bella Strieff (sr.) throws/relay, Sophia Schlaack (so.) throws, Remi Fuller (sr.) high jump
▶ Other contributors: Lillian Morrill (fr.) long jump/sprints/relay, Kendall Michels (fr.) pole vault
▶ Outlook: Luna was a second team all-league performer for the Wolfpack, who have strong numbers in their program. Laingsburg has a younger squad and will see how its athletes step up against more experienced individuals from other schools.
PERRY
▶ Last season: 2-4 (4th)
▶ Coach: Steve Bentley (29th season)
▶ Top returners: Jaidlyn Sadler (sr.) hurdles, sprints, Abigail Cochrane (jr.) sprints, jumps, Brooklynn Bentley (jr.) sprints, jumps, Ava Hansen (jr.) sprints, jumps, Autumn Pavlica (so.) throws, Ireland Obispo (jr.) throws
▶ Other contributors: Annie Hendricks (so.) sprints, Nina Spedetto (sr.) sprints, Alivia Davis (fr.) throws, Leah Schneider (fr.) Hannah Kelly (fr.) sprints, Claire Schmidtfranz (fr.) distance, Zenna Leitelt (sr.) throws, Hailey Hansen (jr.) throws.
▶ Outlook: Perry has tripled the size of its girls roster as they look to compete in the CMAC with a very young roster. The Ramblers will look to be strong in the field and in the relays.
PORTLAND ST. PATRICK
▶ Last season: (4th)
▶ Coach: Dawn Fedewa (11th season)
▶ Top returners: Rylee Scheurer (sr.) sprints, Sophie Schrauben (sr.) hurdles sprints, Kenzie Fedewa (jr.) sprints, Izzy Kissane (sr.) sprints, Sienna Schafer (fr.) sprints, Kyra Kinsman (sr.) sprints
▶ Other contributors: Bella Russman (jr.) throws, Laynie Meredith (sr.) mid-distance, Olivia Pung (sr.) mid-distance, Arianna Fox-Elster (sr.) sprints, jumps
▶ Outlook: Rylee Scheurer returns as the state champion in the 200 as she looks to lead a very deep roster in the CMAC. Finishing as runner-up in the Division 4 state finals, Portland St. Patrick will look to return to the state meet again this season.
OTHERS
CARSON CITY-CRYSTAL
▶ Last season: 7th MSAC
▶ Coach: Grant Woodman (8th season)
▶ Top returners: Paige Fleisher (sr.) distance, Mary Beth Hyatt (sr.) distance
▶ Other contributors: Kaylie McCracken (fr.) distance, Madison Allen (fr.).
▶ Outlook: Fielding a smaller roster, the Eagles look to compete in the MSAC behind senior captains Fleisher and Hyatt. Allen and McCracken are newcomers who will provide a boost for the Eagles.
CORUNNA
▶ Last season: 4th Flint Metro Stars
▶ Coach: Ashleigh Percival (5th season)
▶ Top returners: Abygail Boles (so.) sprinter, Hayven Thelen (jr.) distance, Taylor Throne throws, Maddy Beard throws, Emma Kirkey pole vault, Rachel Steinacker (so.) jumps
▶ Other contributors: Emma Sidel (fr.) sprints, Jaidyn Nickels (fr.) distance, Kaylee Owens (fr.) throws, Kayla Hook (fr.) jumps
▶ Outlook: Abygail Boles returns as a state-qualified sprinter in the 400 relay to help the Cavaliers compete for a Flint Metro League title. Corunna will field a well balanced roster of experience and a talented group of freshman.
MAPLE VALLEY
▶ Last season: 1-6 GLAC
▶ Coach: Jennifer Burpee (6th season)
▶ Top returners: Madison Koons (sr.) sprints, hurdles, Mackenzie Decker (sr.) sprints, jumps, Siena Lowe (so.) sprints jumps, Athena Morehouse (so.) sprints
▶ Other contributors: Audrey Burpee (fr.) hurdles, sprints, jumps, Ariel Kenya (so.) throws, Leannah Johnson (fr.) sprints, throws
▶ Outlook: The Lions bring back all four members of their honorable mention 400 relay as they look to lead Maple Valley in the Big 8 this season.
OVID-ELSIE
▶ Last season: 7-0 (1st MMAC)
▶ Coach: Nick Hufnagel (7th season)
▶ Top returners: Sam Snider (sr.) sprints, Braeden Tokar (sr.) sprints, Audrey Jones (sr.) jumps, hurdles, Kaia Spies (sr.) distance
▶ Other contributors: Kyla Washburn (fr.) sprints, Aubrey Kurka (jr.) sprints, throws, Jessi Kozlowski (jr.) jumps, hurdles.
▶ Outlook: Snider and Tokar return as All-MMAC sprinters for the Marauders, who look to defend their MMAC title. Johns and Spies are other key returners for Ovid-Elsie.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Greater Lansing high school girls track and field overview
