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State champion Wandrie paces 2023 Daily Tribune All-Area girls track and field team

jared greenleaf, cheboygan daily tribune
·5 min read

State champions.

All-staters.

Regional champions.

Conference champions.

When it comes to this past Cheboygan area girls track and field campaign, there was an incredible amount of success. Several athletes really stood out in what was an exciting season from start to finish.

With that being said, here's a look at the Daily Tribune's 2023 All-Area girls track and field squad.

Inland Lakes' Natalie Wandrie, who won state titles in the discus and shot put, is this year's Daily Tribune Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
Inland Lakes' Natalie Wandrie, who won state titles in the discus and shot put, is this year's Daily Tribune Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

Natalie Wandrie, Inland Lakes, Sr. 

Events: Shot Put, Discus, Sprints, Sprint Relays

Highlights: Well, this one was pretty obvious. When you win a pair of state titles, I'm pretty sure you've earned a spot on this team. Wandrie finished off a magnificent career by capturing Division 4 championships in the discus and shot put in Hudsonville on June 3. In addition to breaking some school records along the way, she captured Ski Valley and regional titles in the same events. She was also a leg on the regional title-winning 400 relay team that earned all-state honors.

Inland Lakes' Larissa Huffman, who made the All-Area team, earned all-state honors in four different events during her senior season.
Inland Lakes' Larissa Huffman, who made the All-Area team, earned all-state honors in four different events during her senior season.

Larissa Huffman, Inland Lakes, Sr. 

Events: Hurdles, High Jump, Sprint Relays

Highlights: While Wandrie was the only state champion from the area this past spring, Huffman was the only athlete that earned all-state honors in four different events at the finals. Huffman's best finish was a runner-up showing in the 100 hurdles. During the campaign, she broke the I-L school record in the 300 event, won regional and Ski Valley titles in both hurdles, and was exceptional as a high jumper and a member of the Bulldogs' relay teams. Will continue her career at St. Norbert College (Wisc.) next fall.  

Onaway's Madilyn Crull earned All-Area team honors after a strong senior season.
Onaway's Madilyn Crull earned All-Area team honors after a strong senior season.

Madilyn Crull, Onaway, Sr. 

Events: 100, 200, High Jump, Long Jump

Highlights: Once again, the Onaway star finished with all-state honors in the high jump and 100. She also won Ski Valley and regional championships in the 100 and 200, and even qualified for states in the long jump with a runner-up showing at regionals. Just a stellar all-around athlete who will go down as one of Onaway's all-time greats. Next season, she'll begin her college career at Davenport University.

Inland Lakes' Lauren Fenstermaker made the All-Area team.
Inland Lakes' Lauren Fenstermaker made the All-Area team.

Lauren Fenstermaker, Inland Lakes, Sr. 

Events: Sprints, Sprint Relays

Highlights: Defended her Ski Valley championship in the 400 and was able to qualify for states in the 200, the 400, and the 400 relay. Fenstermaker played her role in helping the 400 relay team secure all-state honors. It was a terrific senior campaign for an athlete who's been so vital in the Bulldogs' success in recent years. Will run at Albion College next season.

Senior Hannah Robinson and the Inland Lakes girls track and field team recently won their home invitational by edging out Sault Ste. Marie.
Senior Hannah Robinson and the Inland Lakes girls track and field team recently won their home invitational by edging out Sault Ste. Marie.

Hannah Robinson, Inland Lakes, Sr. 

Events: High Jump, Mid-distance, Mid-distance Relays

Highlights: One of those athletes who didn't seem to mind taking part in any event, Robinson qualified for states in the high jump and the 3200 relay. Like many of her teammates, Robinson was a points-scoring machine in the bigger meets, helping the Bulldogs to regional and Ski Valley championships. One of her top overall finishes was a runner-up honor in the high jump at the conference meet. Will continue her track career when she runs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Fla.) next season.  

Inland Lakes senior Luci Bunker competes in the pole vault event during Tuesday's Bulldog Invitational.
Inland Lakes senior Luci Bunker competes in the pole vault event during Tuesday's Bulldog Invitational.

Luci Bunker, Inland Lakes, Sr. 

Events: Pole Vault, Distance, Mid-distance Relays

Highlights: Did just about everything for the Bulldogs, whether it was running distance events, relays or pole vaulting. Bunker captured regional and Ski Valley titles in the pole vault, while also qualifying for states in the same event as well as the 3200 relay. Another one of those great team athletes, she generated many points during the conference and regional title runs for the Bulldogs.

Bella Ecker represented the Cheboygan girls on the All-Area track team.
Bella Ecker represented the Cheboygan girls on the All-Area track team.

Bella Ecker, Cheboygan, Jr.

Events: High Jump, Long Jump, Sprints

Highlights: One of the most versatile athletes in the area, Ecker finished second in the long jump and third in the high jump at the Straits Area Conference meet. Also had a solid showing at regionals by earning points in the high jump. With Kinsey Carpenter out most of the season due to an injury, Ecker stepped up and was a consistent points scorer for the Chiefs in sprinting events. Could be in for a huge senior campaign next spring.

TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Natalie Wandrie, Inland Lakes – It's one thing to win a state title in one event. It's another to win multiple, which gives Wandrie the nod here. Just a spectacular athlete who won so much during her senior season, Wandrie came up with one of the greatest track careers in area history. Instrumental in the Bulldogs' runs to conference and regional crowns, but also played a vital role in the team finishing third overall at states. Exceptional every step of the way.

After guiding the Inland Lakes girls to a Ski Valley title, a regional title, and a third-place finish at the state finals, Sarah Furman has been named the Daily Tribune's Girls Track and Field Coach of the Year.
After guiding the Inland Lakes girls to a Ski Valley title, a regional title, and a third-place finish at the state finals, Sarah Furman has been named the Daily Tribune's Girls Track and Field Coach of the Year.

TRACK COACH OF THE YEAR: Sarah Furman, Inland Lakes – One of the best coaches around, Furman guided her Bulldogs to a sensational campaign that featured a second straight Ski Valley title and a first regional championship since 2019. That's not easy to do, especially when JoBurg is in your conference and regional. The Bulldogs won the conference in stunning fashion last year, but this year they blew the competition away. Furman's Bulldogs also finished third overall in the state finals, their best finish since the late 1970s. A fantastic job all the way around.

All-Area Honorable Mentions: Ava Bury (Cheboygan), Anastasia Schramm (Cheboygan), Sammy Harke (Cheboygan), Chloe Robinson (Inland Lakes), Kaylee Taglauer (Inland Lakes), Trinity Splan (Onaway)

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: State champion Wandrie paces 2023 Daily Tribune All-Area girls track and field team