Huron's Anderson named Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year
NEW BOSTON – Elizabeth Anderson used to gaze up at New Boston Huron’s track and field record board and dream of the possibilities.
Anderson finished her career with an amazing six school records, including five that were set this spring.
The three-time state champion has been named Monroe County Region Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year for the third time in voting by The Monroe News sports staff.
Anderson had her freshman season wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic. During that year she often looked at the record board.
“I always knew I would go after the sprint records,” she said. “It’s astounding that I got them all.”
Anderson’s individual school records all were set in this year’s Division 2 state finals when she ran :12.04 in the 100 meters, :24.65 in the 200, and :55.38 in the 400.
She also was part of school standards in three relays.
This spring she helped the 400 (:52.0) and 800 (4:10.02) set records and the 800 (1:49.7) made the record board last season. Madelyn Barbour joined Anderson on all three and Neena Hale was part of the 400 and 800 teams. Jordan Hickey completed the 400 quartet, Chloe Evans ran on the 800 and Breeann Roupe and Avery Turk rounded out the 1,600.
Huron coach Danielle Lobato realizes that what Anderson did is phenomenal, but none of it surprises her.
Now when she looks up, she sees her name – a lot.
“It’s a testament to her hard work and determination that she got better and put in the time and effort,” the coach said. “She is very talented, but she set goals and achieved them."
More: Huron's Anderson captures state title
Lobato says Anderson made the entire team better.
“It’s such are rarity to have an athlete of her caliber,” she said. “As her teammates, a lot of girls got an opportunity to see what goes into being great. They can see what is possible.”
Phil Speare, who has been the head coach for Jefferson’s girls team for 28 years, puts Anderson in a class by herself.
“She’s the greatest sprinter ever in the Huron League,” he said. “I’ve never seen anyone do the 100, 200, and 400 so effectively.”
Anderson won state titles in the 200 and 400 meters and was second in the 100 last season.
She set a goal of sweeping the sprints in her senior season, but there was one thing she didn’t count on in making that plan. Sturgis moved down from Division 1 to Division 2, bringing Keyanna O’Tey into direct competition with Anderson.
The sophomore ran :11.84 in the 100 and :24.61 in the 200 in this year's Division 2 state finals to nip Anderson by a fraction of a second in both events.
Anderson took the title in the 400.
More: Anderson excels in Division 2 Regional
“I had PRs (personal records) in all three,” she said. “There’s nothing to be mad about. Sometimes you can’t win them. I did my best.”
She was very pleased with her performance in the 400, winning by nearly two seconds.
“The 400 has always been my favorite race,” she said. “I’ve been in the mid-55s for a long time. I finally got into the low 55s.”
Anderson will run next year at Michigan State.
“I really like the coaches,” she said. “They care about you as an individual, not just as an athlete. And I really liked the campus.”
Jefferson graduate Rebekah Smelzer-Pickard, who also was the Region Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year three times, is the director of track and field operations for the Spartans.
Anderson’s workload might be a little lighter during meets for MSU.
“I don’t think I’ll run the 100 anymore,” she said. “I’ll probably specialize in the 200 and 400. The 100 was really never my thing.”
The daughter of Michele and Greg Anderson of New Boston is excited about heading to East Lansing.
“Right now, I’ll probably study kinesiology and try to become a physical therapist, but who knows, that might change,” she said.
One thing unlikely to change any time soon is Anderson’s name on Huron’s record board.
GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETE OF YEAR
2023: Elizabeth Anderson, Huron
2022: Elizabeth Anderson, Huron
2021: Elizabeth Anderson, Huron
2020: No winner, COVID-19
2019: Ellie Fichtner, Huron
2018: Katelyn St. Bernard, Jefferson
2017: Zoe Eby, Airport
2016: Ashley Herrmann, Summerfield
2015: Zoe Eby, Airport
2014: Miranda Johnson, Whiteford
2013: Miranda Johnson, Whiteford
2012: Miranda Johnson, Whiteford
2011: Shana Flanary, Monroe
2010: Nicole Urdahl, Airport
2009: Jordan Tomecek, Milan
2008: Meg Bellino, SMCC
2007: Lindsey Gakenheimer, Monroe
2006: Bekah Smeltzer, Jefferson
2005: Bekah Smeltzer, Jefferson
2004: Bekah Smeltzer, Jefferson
2003: Alissa Hall, SMCC
2002: Danielle Miller, Flat Rock
2001: Danielle Miller, Flat Rock
2000: Danielle Miller, Flat Rock
1999: Danielle Miller, Flat Rock
1998: Rachel Smith, Monroe
1997: Rachel Smith, Monroe
1996: Shar Lammers, Carlson
1995: Rhonda Cangealose, Dundee
1994: Tara Perry, Monroe
1993: Kristen Maunu, Flat Rock
1992: Tara Perry, Monroe
1991: Kendra Akers, Milan
1990: Lynn Beutler, Erie Mason
1989: Clarissa Jones, Flat Rock
1988: Donielle Manor, SMCC
1987: Amy Parsil, Bedford
1986: Dyan Jenkins, Dundee
1985: Anjer DeLaine, Milan
1984: Yvonne Laderach, Erie Mason
1983: Karen Sapp, Bedford
1982: Ann Hammond, Ida
1981: Julie Ravary, Erie Mason
1980: Julie Ravary, Erie Mason
1979: Lori Striggow, Bedford
1978: Debbie Love, Airport
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Huron's Anderson named Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year
