Wilkinson takes over at Bedford following sudden death of coach
TEMPERANCE – Stefan Wilkinson wasn’t planning to be the head coach Bedford’s boys track and field team this spring.
The former football and track and field coach at Morenci wanted to ease into his new job as math and physical education teacher at Bedford.
But the sudden death of Bedford teacher Scott Earl in late January changed everything. Earl coached the Mules last spring.
“That was very tough on everyone – the school, the kids, the community,” Wilkinson said. “I had talked with Coach Earl a little bit about possibly helping him out this year.”
Wilkinson started thinking about how he could help the school through the difficult time. He decided to apply for the job.
“I just hope I can help out,” he said. “I want to make sure the boys have a good season and honor Coach Earl.
“A lot of people around the community have said they want to help out and we have some real good leaders on the team to take charge.”
AIRPORT
Coach: Fran Stasa, sixth year.
Top athletes: Seniors Matt Foor, Owen Verduyn; junior Callum Bell; sophomore Anthony Tamahkyarov.
Season outlook: Foor should challenge his own school records in the throws, Verduyn has recovered from a foot injury that slowed him down last season and Bell was second on the team in points in 2023.
Coach’s comments: “Track is a great sport because it is all about the individual … This is a great group of athletes They are highly motivated and full of energy. Good times are coming.”
BEDFORD
Coach: Stefan Wilkinson, first year.
Top athletes: Seniors Jack Durivage, Mason Schultz; juniors Nick Balla, Alex Beck, Aiden Ortiz, Owen Przybylski, Sawyer Ulery; sophomores Dane Hieronimous, Jacob Spoonmoore; freshmen Maddi Duke, Cameron Varner, Alex Mapes.
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Season outlook: The Mules have a strong group of underclassmen to join many of last season’s top point winners.
Coach’s comments: “We return great leaders across multiple grade levels. … We will lean on veteran leadership to set the example for our younger athletes to reach our goals as a team.”
DUNDEE
Coach: Kevin Jarema, ninth year.
Top athletes: Seniors Danny Kreger, Jackson Perrine, Braiden Whitaker, Logan Johnson; juniors Isaak Rubley, TK Westbrook, Dallas Bench, Jackson Martin, Abe Bruck, Caleb Vaughn; sophomores Kaiden Kominek, Calvin Campbell, Luke Bishop, Braxx McBee, Braxton Ellison.
Season outlook: The Vikings have 52 boys out for the team and 40 of them are freshmen or sophomores. They host their first meet on their new track on April 2. Basketball and football star Whitaker is out for track for the first time.
Coach’s comments: “Our top end guys can compete with anyone in the league. Hopefully the underclassmen improve over the season.”
ERIE MASON
Coach: Alex Russeau, sixth year.
Top athletes: Seniors Jackson Iocoangeli, Aaron Koehn, Anderson Kaufman, Ethan Albright; juniors Austin Sulier, Zach Worden, Parker Campbell, Anthony Crooks, Landen Nastale.
Season outlook: Russeau likes the depth of this group and say there is great competition for who will win spots in invitationals.
Coach’s comments: “This team is the one that I have been looking forward to having for four years now. All of the major scoring athletes are upperclassmen and experienced.”
FLAT ROCK
Coach: Joel Stapleton, 15th year.
Top athletes: Jacob Stanislawski, Lucas Taraskiewicz, Nathan Vargo, Isaac Arredondo, Jacob Hagan, Caleb Rollins.
Season outlook: The Rams should be strong in the throws and distance events, but will be counting on a lot of young athletes to fill in some other spots.
Coach’s comments: “ It should be an exciting year where anything can happen. … We have a nice mix of returning veterans with a good number of freshmen.”
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
Coach: Drew Sweany, ninth year.
Top athletes: Seniors Mikey Owens, Ethan Smith, Gabe Lyle, Christian Fort, Quinn Burgei; juniors Nate Lawe, Brendan Stanley, Drew Sikora, Nate Pehote; sophomores Izaiah Wright, Kenny McCurdy, Avery Ortiz, Jacob Collins, Noah Latzy.
Season outlook: Sweany has the largest turnout in his nine seasons as Carlson’s coach, but more than half of them are freshmen and sophomore.
Coach’s comments: “I am hoping our strength in numbers will allow us the opportunity to specialize certain athletes in specific events and fill other holes in the lineup with other individuals.”
IDA
Coach: Brad Lorenz, fourth year.
Top athletes: Seniors Grantham Nelson, Donny Lutz, Dylan Tengler; junior Wyatt Dirkmaat; sophomores Brenner Nelson, Jaxon Bolster; freshman Brandon Commet.
Season outlook: The Blue Streaks graduated their top sprinter and thrower, but lost just three seniors total.
Coach’s comments: “We’ll need to see growth in our field events and distance races while remaining competitive in sprints to be successful this season.”
JEFFERSON
Coach: Josh Ludwick, ninth year.
Top athletes: Seniors Michael Armetta, Gabe Gelso, Nolan West, Gabe Cadle, Will Steinhour, Xander Hartunian, Collin Andersen, Joey Drew, Tyler Swinkey, Zack Palmer, Joey Ochoa, Issac Masserant, Ben Merkel; juniors Joel Bezeau, Andrew Hintz; sophomores Orion Galloway, Trey Oldenburg, Josh Hargreaves.
More: Jefferson, Airport, Milan shine in Huron Relays at Eastern Michigan
Season outlook: Armetta placed seventh in the state last year in the low hurdles. Other state qualifiers who return at Ben Merkel (long jump) and Xander Hartunian, Nolan West and Gabe Gelso from the 3,200 relay.
Coach’s comments: “We have a heavy senior-lead team. … The kids make no excuses and come prepared to work every day. They finished 2nd in a very tough Regional last year. I think the seniors would like to go out on a high note.”
MILAN
Coach: Chad Lawver, 14th year.
Top athletes: Seniors Noah Bussell, Parker Prior, Warren Pietryka, Virgile Gruwez-Guinet, Gavin Tomecek; juniors Adam Johnson, Nolan Matley.
Season outlook: Bussell took ninth in the state last year in the long jump. He leads a strong group of sprinters.
Coach’s comments: “We have a lot of speed, strong long jumpers and a young core of distance athletes. The kids have been working extremely hard and are super excited to get the season rolling.”
MONROE
Coach: Justin Heck, fifth year.
Top Athletes: Seniors Andrew Foshag, Deshun Richardson, Maxx Adams; juniors Teegan Simmons, Reggie Geftos, Jayson Six; sophomores Keoni Snavely, Nolan Cacioppo, Parker Bomia, Josh Riggs; freshmen Evan Ortiz, Zamir Austin.
Season outlook: Nearly 60 boys came out for the team. The Trojans will be in the throws and distance events and Heck is excited about some new sprinters and jumpers.
Coach's Comment: “We have a lot of new athletes this year who show a lot of promise and if we keep up the effort I've seen this first week of practice our season will be fantastic.”
NEW BOSTON HURON
Coach: Cassy Roupe, fifth year.
Top athletes: Seniors Abdul Ghennewa, Noah Myshock, Rocco Sells; juniors Ryan Anderson, Dylan Hudkins. Lucas Kuhn, Hunter Mihal; sophomores Jordan Stasak, Luke Dulecki.
Season outlook: Building upon another successful cross country season, Huron’s distance team along with the hurdlers and jumpers.
Coach's comments: “We have some unexpected talents joining track for the first time, and we're thrilled to witness their abilities in action.”
SMCC
Coach: Jake Michaels, first year:
Top athletes: Senior Nate Craanen; juniors Drew Harris, Caleb Hendrick, Jon Geiger, Caleb Totten, Chase Missler; sophomores Max Foldvary, Gavin Swartout; freshmen Vince Harris, Easton Kwiatkowski, Lucas Rafko, Cole Reinhardt, Brody West, Owen Calhoun.
Season outlook: A good group of freshmen sprinters will give the Falcons some depth this season to go along with some strong runners from the cross country team.
Coach’s comments: “I am excited to see what this young team is going to do this season. Harris, Hendrick and Craanen will use their experience to show the team how it’s done. This team has great potential and will only get better as the season progresses.”
SUMMERFIELD
Coach: Dave Raymond, first year.
Top athletes: Juniors Teddy Gault, Mitchell Gomulinski; sophomore Brody St. John; freshman Ben Gault.
Season outlook: Raymond, a former varsity basketball coach at Ida and Summerfield, is encouraged by the turnout for the team.
Coach's comments: “I'm looking forward to seeing what the young guys are capable of and we have some solid returners that are looking to make some noise.”
WHITEFORD
Coach: Jay Yockey, second year.
Top athletes: Seniors Keegan Masters, Ryin Ruddy, Zach Kahn, Kolby Masserant, Stepan Masserant; junior Chase Lee; sophomores Nate Andrews, Brody Hillard, Brock Norman, Antonio Nachtrab; freshmen Jess Saylor, Brek Ruddy.
More: Whiteford's Yockey named Boys Track and Field Coach of the Year
Season outlook: Whiteford suffered some serious graduation losses, but the sophomore and freshmen classes are strong.
Coach's comments: “I’m excited to see what our younger guys can and will do this season. We have a good mix of veterans and newcomers that I can see success.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Boys Track Previews: Wilkinson steps in to help grieving Bedford
