- The Michtrack Newsletter
- Posts
- #103 - New Coaches Association Formed
Inside This Issue
New Coaches Association Formed
Long simmering complaints about lack of representation for black coaches as well as for the state’s most populous area have boiled over with the creation of the Michigan Association of Black Track & Field Coaches (MABTFC). The organization, already nearly 60 strong, held its first meeting Wednesday night (February 18) at Oak Park.
So far the bulk of membership is from the Metro Detroit area, but that has been based on word-of-mouth communication. The membership list reads like a Who’s Who of notable coaches responsible for countless champions over the years. Founders have stressed that despite its name, the group is open to all. Already there are several white members, for instance.
That there has been growing tension in Michigan’s coaching community is evident to anyone who has kept an eye on recent exchanges among coaches, especially with the recent proposal to take away MHSAA team championship recognition from the winners at the track & field state finals, and instead bestow the trophy upon winners of a state “team” championship. The proposal would upend over 100 years of tradition in the state while further empowering large, well-funded programs, a move that would shut out many black majority urban schools. The proposal, which has historically had MITCA support, is currently on the table in the MHSAA’s rule and regulations committee.
Founders of the MABTFC say that while discussions of creating a new coaching organization have been happening for years, it was the scoring proposal that has been the catalyst to making it happen now. At their inaugural meeting, it was the major issue tackled, with the adoption of a petition opposing the measure.
Brandon Jiles, winner of 9 of the last 11 D1 girls titles for Oak Park, recently sent out an email where he outlined his concerns about MITCA as well as his objections to the team scoring plan. “One of my primary concerns is the lack of diversity—both in terms of racial representation and geographic balance—within MITCA’s boards and committees. When reviewing leadership and decision-making groups, there appears to be minimal representation from coaches east of Lansing, and an absence of people of color in many of these spaces.” (entire letter below)
The response from MITCA president Cliff Somers, “Thank you for voicing your concerns. These proposals come from surveys of the MITCA membership. We would encourage you to join MITCA to participate in voting and voice your concerns as a member.”
That echoes previous statements heard many times in the past from MITCA leadership: if you want a voice, join and speak up. The message, which seems reasonable on the surface, has not proven effective, and the creation of MABTFC underscores that.
Perhaps MITCA—and by extension, the MHSAA—should have been doing more in terms of communication and outreach to make sure that the changes coming to the sport have the backing of all of the communities that are a part of the sport. Look at our state track finals (speaking for D1 and D2, the ones I have watched closely). They are incredibly diverse racially and culturally, quite a contrast from the voting crowd at a typical MITCA track clinic.
As Matt Armelagos posted on Facebook, “The onus should be on those in positions of power to ensure all communities (gender, race, age, areas of the state) are represented. For instance, the MHSAA rules & regs committee. Despite half of our athletes being women, only one woman had a vote. Despite 12/40 regions and 40% of the state's population residing in metro Detroit, only 2 people from the Detroit area were on the committee.”
Now with a second coaching organization having gotten a running start, the ball is in the MHSAA’s court. We reached out to the MHSAA for comment, but at press time had not yet received a response. We hope to run one in the next newsletter.
Jiles: “Lack of Diversity”
Good afternoon,
I am writing to express my concerns and disappointment regarding the current agenda being advanced by certain coaches in pushing the team state proposal to the MHSAA.
To be clear, I support many of the initiatives put forward by MITCA, but I also believe it is necessary to acknowledge areas where the association continues to fall short. One of my primary concerns is the lack of diversity—both in terms of racial representation and geographic balance—within MITCA’s boards and committees. When reviewing leadership and decision-making groups, there appears to be minimal representation from coaches east of Lansing, and an absence of people of color in many of these spaces.
I am a track and field coach and an educator, but I am a Black man first, and it is difficult not to question whether equity and inclusion are truly priorities within MITCA. I raise this concern reluctantly, yet honestly, because many of the agendas, formalities, and proposed changes appear to disproportionately reflect the interests of affluent (districts), small-town, conservative communities rather than the full and diverse population that makes up high school track and field in Michigan. That perception is troubling and deserves reflection.
Regarding the team state discussion itself, I speak from experience. As a high school athlete, I competed in the team state meet when it was held at Brighton, so I fully understand the historical context and nuances of the discussion. However, the notion of redefining a the actual MHSAA state championship through a dual-meet style format fundamentally contradicts how championship track and field has operated in Michigan—and nationally—for decades.
For over a century, winning a state championship in track and field has meant assembling a strong, balanced championship team—sometimes large, sometimes small—built on elite talent and excellent coaching. This aligns with how conference championships operate at the collegiate level and how the NCAA recognizes team success in track and field. To replace that model with a dual-meet format feels less like progress and more like a self-serving change that benefits a limited group, potentially driven more by ego than by what is best for the sport.
This is not intended as a personal attack. However, it is clear that certain individuals continue to push agendas that seek to rewrite the history of Michigan track and field rather than build upon it. Despite other areas where growth is needed, Michigan high school track and field remains among the best in the nation, and I have witnessed that firsthand.
I have coached alongside outstanding staffs and have had the privilege of working with exceptional athletes, including Kenneth Ferguson, Shayla Mahan, Taylor Manson, Cameron Cooper, Kendall Baisden, Anna Jefferson, Nonah Waldron and the list could go on and on. These athletes developed within the system and structure that exists today—one that, while imperfect, has produced elite competitors and upheld the integrity of the sport.
I do not claim any special status, but I do understand track and field and cross country deeply. My hope is that MITCA takes a step back and considers whether the direction being proposed truly serves all athletes, coaches, and communities across the state—or only a select few.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my perspective.
Respectfully,
Brandon Jiles
More Sub-4:00 Performers
Sure, we know it’s the shoes, and for some the bicarb. And ultra-fast tracks help. Still, we had two more additions to the sub-4:00 mile list for Michigan HS alumni at the David Hemery Valentine’s Invitational at Boston University.
Henry Dixon, who won the D2 800 title last spring for Forest Hills Eastern, is now a frosh at Michigan, and he won his heat Friday night in a a big 3:56.81. Note that Dixon has run the third-fastest initial sub-4:00 (after Morgan Beadlescomb’s 3:52.03 and Steve Sherer’s 3:56.00). A few heats later, Illinois frosh Pol Molins won his race in 3:58.89. The Spaniard was an exchange student at Benzie Central, and in ‘23 placed 2nd in the D3 1600 behind teammate Hunter Jones.
Michigan’s Sub-4:00 Milers In Chrono Order
Note this is a list of the first time they have broken 4:00—not their lifetime bests.
3:59.1i Greg Meyer (GR W Catholic-New Jersey AA) 1/28/1978
3:59.2 Tom Duits (Hastings-WMU) 4/29/1978
3:59.05i Dan Heikkinen (Adrian-Athletics West) 1/23/1982
3:59.93i Brian Diemer (GR S Christian-UM) 2/12/1983
3:58.76 Earl Jones (Taylor Center- Santa Monica TC) 5/17/1986
3:58.94i Mike Michno (Inkster Cherry Hill-New Balance) 2/16/1991
3:59.1 Gerard Donakowski (DH Riverside-Nike North) 6/ 9/1991
3:57.34i Paul McMullen (Cadillac-EMU) 2/ 4/1995
3:59.92i Brian Hyde (East Kentwood-William & Mary) 1/28/1995
3:59.83i Jordan Desilets (Lake Orion-EMU) 2/ 7/2004
3:56.00i Steve Sherer (Saline-Nike Farm Team) 2/ 2/2008
3:59.40i Liam Boylan-Pett (Bath-Georgetown) 1/31/2009
3:57.36i Shane Knoll (Warren Mott-MSU) 2/ 7/2009
3:58.86i Justin Switzer (Waterford Kettering-UM) 2/ 7/2009
3:57.87 Derek Scott (GR Northview-Brooks) 5/23/2009
3:59.92i Michael Atchoo (Troy-Stanford) 2/11/2012
3:57.40 Dan Clark (Jackson Lumen Christi-unat) 8/ 4/2013
3:59.38 Grant Fisher (Grand Blanc HS) 6/ 4/2015
3:59.40 Lex Williams (Dexter-unat) 8/ 7/2015
3:59.36i Connor Mora (Cedar Springs-UM) 1/28/2017
3:59.30i Donavan Brazier (Kenowa Hills-Nike) 12/ 9/2017
3:58.74 Elmar Engholm (Plymouth-SWEDEN) 7/19/2018
3:57.66i Hobbs Kessler (Ann Arbor Skyline HS) 2/ 7/2021
3:52.03i Morgan Beadlescomb (Algonac-MSU) 2/11/2022
3:58.49i Nick Foster (Ann Arbor Pioneer-UM) 2/12/2022
3:58.16i John Petruno (Walled Lake Western-MSU) 2/25/2022
3:57.13i Carter Solomon (Plymouth-Notre Dame) 2/ 4/2023
3:58.78i Benne Anderson (GR Ottawa Hills-Syracuse) 2/10/2024
3:58.71i Trent McFarland (Utica-UM) 1/11/2025
3:59.66i Brendan Herger (Northville-UM) 2/ 8/2025
3:59.28i Evan Bishop (East Granda Rapids-Oregon) 2/21/2025
3:59.02 TJ Hansen (Freeland HS) 5/24/2025
3:56.81i Henry Dixon (Forest Hills Eastern-UM) 2/13/2026
3:58.89i Pol Molins (Benzie Central-Illinois-SPAIN) 2/13/2026
MITS Highlights
The find of the outdoor season last year, Catholic Central’s Samson Gash, has finally opened up indoors, placing 2nd at the LAB on 2/14 to Indiana’s Michael Walker Jr. in 6.36 for 55. That’s =6 in state history. LAB (2/14) results.
Fast 300s at the LAB to Cayla Hawkins (38.22) and Rodney Endsley (34.13).
Greg Myers ran 1:04.68 for 500. That’s the fastest in state history on any size track. Hoisea Jones of Mumford holds the state record with his 1:05.34 for the rarely-run event at the Virginia Tech Invite in 2002.
Rachel Hibbs improved to a 5-5, tying for the state HJ lead.
Saginaw Valley has long held a 5000 as part of its distance fest. It’s always been a cross-section of distance runners participating with a few going after national qualifiers. This year, they called it “Elite” and made it invitation-only. Worked like magic. Emma Hoffman won in 16:09.51, a state best on any size track, with Katie Berkshire at 16:38.28. Four broke 17 and 8 more went under 18:00. Pioneer’s Sienna Klemmer ran 17:13.01 for the fastest 10th grade time ever. SVSU (2/14) Results.
The boys 5000 had Kamari Ronfeldt outfinish Brandon Cloud, 14:42.83 to 14:43.41 Jack MacGregor (14:50.79), Jackson Lam (14:53.14) and Lennox Naswell (14:58.04) also broke 15.
Other races: Kyle Krasan won a nice 800 over Ryan Stojov, 1:54.11 to 1:54.41. Fordson soph Mourad Algahmi took the mile in 4:19.96 and Bryce Cahoon the 3200 in 9:24.40. The relays went to 6 Mile (7:58.79) and Red Tide (10:25.85).
Girls Distance Fest: Natasza Dudek won the 800 in 2:11.60. Jaelyn Ray (2nd overall) led Michiganders with her 4:52.65 in the 1600. A major breakthrough for Annie Hrabovsky in the 3200, with a scintillating 10:13.90. Relays to 6 Mile (9:39.71) & Windsor Legion (12:32.32) with Breen (12:55.63) the top US team.
At the Vault Barn (2/14), Katie Blue and Evie Mathis tied for 1st at 12-3, with 3rd-placer Marra Collins also at that height. Sean Cinzori won the boys vault at 15-3.
At Aquinas (2/14), sophomore Ben Goran won the vault at 15-3, ahead of Grady Myers’ 15-3 for 2nd. Shukuru Makechi took the hurdles at 7.91. Aaliyah Bailey won the girls hurdles in 9.12. Results.
Also, at the GVSU Big Meet (2/13), racing against collegians, Jonah Workman of East Grand Rapids ran the 3000 in 8:24.02 (worth 9:04.35 for 2M). Luka Hammond of Grand Haven ran 4:12.06 in the mile.
College Highlights
Dow alum Victoria Garces, now at Duke, ran a PR 16:04.88 for 5000 at BU last weekend.
Will Jaiden Smith has opened his season for South Florida with a 7.94 over the big hurdles.
Erika Beistle (Big Rapids/GV) leads D2 with her 59-11 shot.
Tara Townsend (Frankfort/Hillsdale) is No. 4 in the D2 vault rankings at 13-9.25.
Brooke Bowers (Forest Hills Central/GV) is =5 in D2 with her 13-8.5 vault.
Alaina Diaz (Hudsonville/GV) is No. 4 in D2 with her 20-3 long jump.
Shelby Ulven (Zeeland E/GV) is No. 4 in the D2 weight at 66-3.75.
Sawyer Moloy (Sanford-Meridian/SV) is tied for the D2 high jump lead at 7-1.75.
Braden Prielipp (Marion/GV) and Xavier Santiago (Onaway/SV) are both tied for No. 4 in the D2 high jump at 7-1.
Dolan Gonzales (Saline/GV) is No. 3 in D2 vaulting at 17-6.5.
Ben Haas (Clarkston/Hillsdale) leads D2 with his 71-10.75 weight.
Sebastian Tesch (Anchor Bay/GV) is No. 3 in the D2 weight at 70-6.25.
Andrew Kraft (Zeeland W/GV) is No. 3 in the D2 heptathlon (5385).
Emma Stewart (Salem/Siena) leads the NAIA with her 13-4.5 vault.
Charity Jones, a Waterford Kettering alum at Madonna, is No. 3 in the NAIA with her 54.97 for 400.
Emma Valentine (Morrice/Siena) is No. 2 in the NAIA HJ at 5-8.
Maeli Hope (Whitehall/Aquinas) is No. 2 in the NAIA with her 61-4 weight throw.
Lindsey Strutz (Hartland/Aquinas) is No. 3 in the NAIA pentathlon (3553).
Dean Reynolds (Hanover-Horton/Spring Arbor) is No. 3 in the NAIA 800 at 1:50.71.
Camden Khon (Armada/Spring Arbor) is No. 2 in the NAIA with his 4:03.99 mile.
Brad Richards (Fruitport Calvary Christian & Muskegon Catholic/Cornerstone) is No. 5 in the NAIA high jump at 6-9.
Isaac Bowden (Northern MI Christian/Cornerstone) is =2 in the NAIA vault at 16-0.75.
Ryan Shinabery (Hudsonville Unity Christian/Cornerstone) is No. 3 in the NAIA ranks with his 62-1.25 weight.
Other Things
Shuaib Aljabaly: The Coldwater alum, now running for Hansons, popped a big one at the Barcelona Half-Marathon, placing 13th in 1:01:11. Among Michigan natives, only Olympians Dathan Ritzenhein and Todd Williams have run faster.
Hannah Smith: You might have missed her name change, but the former Olivet Nazarene NAIA national champion in the 400 hurdles (PR 56.20) as Hannah Antkoviak now sports a married name and is competing for Michigan as a grad student.
Kenzie Beukes: The former McKenzie Shell from Port Huron Northern long ago , scored an indoor PR last week with her 14-4.75 vault in Lubbock, Texas.
The USATF Combined Events Championships take place at the Fall Creek Pavilion in Indianapolis this weekend. Kalamazoo Hackett alum Heath Baldwin is considered one of the favorites. In 2024 the MSU grad was the NCAA runner-up in the event, later making the Olympic decathlon team. Cheyenne Nesbitt, alum of Essexville-Garber and winner of the ‘24 national title, will be competing in the pentathlon. Results Site.
RIP: Coach Andy Place, 69. An important running influencer in Boyne City and coach at North Central Michigan College, he passed away after an unexpected stroke. His obituary with funeral details.
MITS Circuit: Here’s the full schedule.
MITS Finals: Tentative Schedule
Charitable Giving: Keep in mind that Michtrack is a federally approved 501c3 and that donations to keep our historical work going, as well as this newsletter, are tax deductible. For how to give, visit here.
Comments, suggestions, dad jokes? Email [email protected].
Reply