'She's eager to grow': Versatile Olivia Patrick a big part of Cheboygan track's future

CHEBOYGAN – Olivia Patrick is not afraid to take on a challenge.

When she didn’t participate in one of her normal track and field events – the girls high jump – due to some soreness in her knee, the sophomore wasn’t upset. Instead, she went a different route by competing in the discus during Monday’s Cheboygan Rotary Club Invitational.

“I just started it, I’ve always kind of liked it, I liked looking at it, so I decided to give it a try,” Patrick said. “It was fun.”

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While Patrick fell short of medaling in the discus, her involvement provided a microcosm of the kind of young, versatile Cheboygan athletes who are aiming to deliver for the program now and in the future.

As for her other events, Patrick was up to the task, running a leg on Cheboygan’s 4X200 and 4X400 relay teams, who each placed second on Monday. She was also a member of the 4X100 team that finished third.

“I think it’s fun to have a whole wide range (of events), from the 100 to sometimes the 800 to the discus. I love the 4X400,” Patrick said. “It’s so energetic. They’re a little stressful because of the handoffs, but I think they’re fun. They always get super energetic with people cheering you on.

"What I love the most (about track) is the camaraderie, how you’re in relays with teammates."

Cheboygan track coach Jim Weller hasn’t been with the program long, but he’s been impressed by the all-around talent Patrick possesses. For a coach who’s looking to build a top program, having committed athletes like Patrick certainly helps.

“She can do everything solid. She wants to learn,” Weller said. "She’s eager to grow. If there were a team full of Olivias. Bella’s (Ecker) in a whole other world, but a team of Olivias, a team of Pipers (Stead), and like this guy (Kelsey Lamb), we would be unstoppable.”

What’s also benefited Patrick is that much of her family has competed in track, including her brothers and Sarah Furman, her aunt who coaches at Inland Lakes. Compared to other sports, she believed track was right for her.

“I started in seventh grade when I came to Cheboygan, so I’ve always loved it,” Patrick said. “I don’t play softball. I’m not good at softball or soccer, so I figured I’d try out track.”

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Patrick has continued to impress during her sophomore campaign, but also helping her have been some special upperclassmen who have made things comfortable the entire way.

“I’m going to miss all of our seniors, they’re such a big part of our team,” Patrick said. “I love the seniors. “they’re always so supportive, so nice. They always give you great advice. They’re so experienced, I love being around them, and they’re just fun people.”

CHEBOYGAN ROTARY CLUB INVITATIONAL (Monday, May 6)

TOP CHEBOYGAN GIRLS FINISHERS

1. Bella Ecker, High Jump, 4-10

1. Sammy Harke, 3200, 13:55

2. Abbey Zilla, 100, 13.3

2. Joyce Ormsbee, Shot Put, 27-6

2. 4X200 Relay (Abbey Zilla, Olivia Patrick, Piper Stead, Bella Ecker, 1:57.4)

2. 4X400 Relay (Olivia Patrick, Samantha Bailey, Ava Bury, Bella Ecker, 4:39.9)

2. 4X800 Relay (Sammy Harke, Cloee Rupp, Piper Stead, Ava Bury, 11:30)

T2. Andalee Bailey, Pole Vault, 7-0

3. Samantha Bailey, 300 Hurdles, 53.1

3. 4X100 Relay (Abbey Zilla, Olivia Patrick, Piper Stead, Bella Ecker, 55.7)

4. Sammy Harke, 1600, 6:10

4. Samantha Bailey, 100 Hurdles, 18.2

4. Cloee Rupp, Discus, 73-0

5. Abbey Zilla, 200, 28.3

5. Ava Bury, 800, 2:51

TOP CHEBOYGAN BOYS FINISHERS

1. Lucas Sidlauskas, Shot Put, 43-7

1. Lucas Sidlauskas, Discus, 152-2

1. Gabe Sabolsky, 400, 55.9

2. Leland Brendle, 110 Hurdles, 17.5

2. Leland Steffen, Long Jump, 18-8

2. 4X100 Relay (Ashton Goga, Leland Steffen, Jacob Baiel, Kelsey Lamb, 46.6)

2. 4X400 Relay (Evan Benson, Harold Polzin, Russell Abernathy, Gabe Sabolsky, 3:52.4)

3. Leland Steffan, 100, 11.8

3. Elijah Shaw, 300 Hurdles, 47.3

3. Russell Abernathy, 800, 2:20

3. 4X200 Relay (Kelsey Lamb, Evan Benson, Thomas VanAntwerp, Jacob Baiel, 1:40.3)

3. 4X800 Relay (Gabe Sabolsky, Russell Abernathy, Evan Fradette, Harold Polzin, 9:17)

4. Evan Fradette, 1600, 5:33

4. Elijah Shaw, 110 Hurdles, 18.0

4. Evan Benson, Pole Vault, 10-6

4. Kelsey Lamb, Long Jump, 16-9

5. Zachary Rupp, Shot Put, 35-8.5

5. Ashton Goga, Discus, 98-3

5. Gabe Sabolsky, Pole Vault, 10-0

MIXED THROWERS 4X100 Relay

1. Cheboygan (Madison Abernathy, Joyce Ormsbee, Hayden LaPointe, Lucas Sidlauskas, 55.8)

GIRLS TEAM SCORES: 1. Sault, 191; 2. St. Ignace, 108; 3. Cheboygan, 101; 4. Rogers City, 66; 5. Boyne City, 32; 6. Hillman 28

BOYS TEAM SCORES: 1. Sault, 187; 2. St. Ignace, 135; 3. Cheboygan, 125.5; 4. Boyne City, 50.5; 5. Rogers City, 18; 6. Hillman, 2

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: Patrick an up-and-coming talent with Cheboygan girls track and field