In this issue:

• MVP Award

• That Northville Relay

• Terminology Matters

• D1 State Meet Awards

• Post-HS Shout-Outs

• Champion of Champions This Weekend

• Legend: Not A HS Star, He Won Olympic Gold

• The Little Stuff At The End

MVP Award? Waldron All The Way

There isn’t such a thing for our state finals, but if there were, there’s no question who would get my award. Nonah Waldron didn’t just lead her Oak Park teammates to the state title. She didn’t just win two individual events. She delivered one of the greatest moments in the 126-year history of our state finals.

You need to appreciate the background to know why I found a tear in my eye after announcing her win in the the 300 hurdles. This is a girl who didn’t get a chance as a freshman because of the pandemic—same story for all of our seniors. As a sophomore she won both the 100H and 300H and seemed ready to take on anything. Little did the public realize what challenges she would soon face. That summer, she lost her father. She dedicated herself to running in his memory.

The next state finals, she defended her 100H title, but disaster hit in the 300s when she went down hard. She tore her labrum and spent many months trying to rehabilitate her hip so that she could hurdle again. The road back was hard—with that injury it would have been very difficult even for a pro athlete surrounded by world-class therapists. Slowly but surely, she clawed her way back to the top. In early April she ran the fastest season debut at 100H in state history, 13.71. A month later she smashed the state record in the 300 hurdles set by her friend, teammate, and training partner Morgan Roundtree.

At Rockford, it was time to deliver under pressure. She won her third-straight title in the 100H in 13.56, a time only 3 others in state history have ever bettered. Then she ran solid legs on two Oak Park relays that finished runner-up to rival Renaissance. Then came the final section of the 300 hurdles.

Both Waldron and Roundtree got out like demons, but by the third hurdle, Waldron started touching down a little bit ahead. Roundtree stayed close until the top of the turn, when Waldron surely heard her father’s voice. She reached for every strength she could find, she ran harder than she ever had in her life. Her margin grew bigger with each stride—and Roundtree in second was not folding, but running the fastest race of her life. Nonah crossed the line in 40.37. It is a time every bit as legendary as the 35.90 state record that Kenneth Ferguson ran in the boys hurdles back in 2002.

The numbers are mind-blowing. State Record by 0.80. D1 Meet Record by 2.01. No. 2 clocking in the nation this year. No. 10 performer in U.S. history. This won’t be the last we see of USC-bound Nonah Waldron. But it will be the moment etched in many of our hearts forever.

That Northville Relay!

The other State Record to fall this weekend came courtesy of Northville’s amazing 4 × 800. We knew it was at risk beforehand. The Mustangs came in with a 7:44.71 state leader, a time that tied their state-winning time from last year. But wow, did they come through!

First Brendan Latta covered the opening leg in 1:55.58, very close to his open PR of 1:55.16. Then Brock Malaikal overachieved with a 1:57.28; his PR (from last year) is 1:57.58. David Whitaker ran third and put the record in laser focus with his 1:51.75—not bad for a guy with a 1:53.90 PR. Brendan Herger finished up, as reliably as he has all season. He needed a 1:54.35 to break the D1 meet record; he needed a 1:51.64 to break Milford’s State Record 7:36.26 from 2012 Nationals. He went for it all and his 1:50.71 put the exclamation mark on a 7:35.32 State Record, U.S.-leading time (and No. 20 in U.S. history).

Terminology Matters, Part 1

If you’ve been reading carefully, you will have noticed that I have been using 2 very distinct terms: State Records and Meet Records. In our sport they mean very different things, and yet they are constantly mangled and confused by reporters, live stream commentators as well as coaches who don’t know enough about our sport to know the difference.

“State Record” = the best legitimate mark by a high schooler from our state in any legitimate track meet. Basically used in the same way that we use “American Record” and “World Record.”

“Meet Record” = the best mark ever done at a certain meet. Same as “Olympic Record” or “NCAA Meet Record.” This is the wording that MHSAA uses in their meet program. The MHSAA doesn’t keep track of State Records; Michtrack does (and has been doing so exclusively since 1996). So, if you, say, set a record at the D4 finals, what you set was a “D4 Meet Record.” Not a State Record.

If you know a coach or armchair expert who still says, “State Records can only be set at the state meet,” what you have there is someone whose learning curve flatlined in the last century.

Terminology Matters, Part 2

Now we’re getting into some fun stuff. If this doesn’t inspire heated letters to the editor, nothing will! The official name of the meet we’ve been talking about is “the MHSAA Track & Field Finals”. Under that umbrella, each site has its own name. I announced at the “Lower Peninsula Division I Championships.” Yet everyone calls it “the State Meet” or “States” (I’m not going to even deal with singular vs plural here—I confess I’m usually singular but have been know to slip a plural in here or there).

When announcing, I have been instructed to stick to the official “Lower Peninsula” wording. In the heat of the meet, I know I slip up on that all the time. Luckily no one has kept track or chewed me out on that (yet).

But in real life—and on the Michtrack website and newsletter—it is the “State Finals” to me. There are track aficionados who get after me about this: “What about the UP?”

What about them? The population of the UP is 301,608; that’s 3% of our state. And the MHSAA has given then an open door to participate in our State Finals anytime their athletic directors decide to start coming back down (as they do in multiple other sports). And hence, in official terms, Michigan is the only state in the United States that doesn’t have an actual state championship in our sport.

Consider this: Ottawa County is just about to pass the entire UP in terms of population. Can you imagine a sport being denied the right to compete in a state championship because Ottawa County doesn’t want to participate? Isn’t that kind of what’s going on here?

Background: the UP used to compete in state finals in track and XC. Then during World War II, they stopped coming because of wartime fuel rationing. They never came back. It’s frustrating to a lot of people, not the least of whom are any UP TF/XC athletes who’d like to test themselves outside of the tiny pond. Will this ever change? No idea. Our state finals are being held hostage by ADs who either don’t think their athletes are worth the gas money or would rather fill their trophy cases with cheaply-won “state” trophies. It’s time to start rethinking that status quo.

And Now, For Some Awards!

This is pretty random, but it’s the only way I can think of to organize the jumble of thoughts I’ve had bouncing around in my head since I turned off the mic in Rockford.

Favorite Name To Announce: This is a name that I’ve announced multiple times this season, and I simply love to say it. The syllables just roll together beautifully. “Anjali Kidambi.” Unfortunately, the Novi distance runner was a senior this season, so I only get one more chance to say it. She’s entered in the 3200 this weekend at the MITCA Champion of Champions meet. (Mom & Dad did a good job on this name.) There is a runner-up: I really like announcing “Shravya Ghantasala” too. Another grad. I’m going to have to find new favorites next year.

Most-Botched Name: Yes, I get them wrong sometimes. It pains me, because sometimes I’m pretty good with names. I got Udodi Onwuzurike right, after all! I always appreciate corrections, but one hit me hard on Saturday. Walkie-talkie shout from the timer after I had destroyed Maya Guikema’s name for the umpteenth time this year: “Anyone who knows Dutch names would never have screwed that up!” he said. And yes, he was right. Had I thought about it for a second, I should have known it’s GUY-kema. Apologies to her and all her loved ones.

Most Commented-on Statistic: I throw out a lot of statistics when I’m announcing D1—that’s just how I roll. When Braxton Brann won the 200m after winning the 110H, that gave me an opportunity to summon the ghost of Clarence Christopher. The Lansing star was the last two win those two events in the same Class A/D1 meet, back in 1895 (that’s no typo). 128 years ago. That was the first state finals, held on a half-mile horse track at the Jackson County Fairgrounds (bulldozed 5 years ago).

Christopher won a lot more than those two events. He actually won the 100, 220, 440, 120 hurdles, pole vault, long jump, triple jump and standing triple jump. Competition wasn’t as good as it is now, but don’t think Christopher was a lousy athlete in the right place at the right time. He was really quite good. His triple jump of 42-1 would have won this year’s MITS State title by more than a foot. The next year he long jumped 21-6.5, which would have placed 7th in D1 this year (and he jumped off dirt, with shoes that if worn by a kid at a meet today would be worth a call to Child Protective Services).

After I announced the Christopher stat, a reporter asked me, “Where on earth would you even look that up?” He walked into that one. “Well,” I said, “There’s a book that Jim Moyes and I wrote, and it’s on Amazon.” New edition coming this summer, we hope.

Unheralded Hero: George Tilt (you’ve long heard his voice at UM track meets) really rocked the D1 awards ceremonies —notice they flowed into the timing of the meet the smoothest we have ever seen. He also handled most of the necessary “other” announcements at the meet. That freed me up to do the play-by-play, and I owe George a huge debt.

Best Timing Crew: No question, Jacob and Ellen Kuyvenhoven were crucial to how quickly and completely the results flowed, making us announcers look very good. Above and beyond the call of duty in giving us 4×8 splits as well as many of the splits for the 4×4 last two legs.

Thing That Most Needs Fixing: Field event announcing. The field eventers deserve love from the announcers too. I even apologized to high jump winner Milena Chevallier for not announcing what was perhaps the best D1 girls jump competition ever. But we can only announce what we get, and luckily George Tilt was able to give the field events a bit of coverage. We had a situation where we couldn’t see the indicator boards, and there was no live results from the field. Yet I have gotten live field results via A-net from several high school meets this season, so I don’t think it’s an unreasonable expectation. I am hoping MHSAA mandates live field results at its championships in the future. In the age of widespread technology, our field eventers deserve better than the pencil and paper treatment they’ve been getting for 130 years.

Message That Needs To Get Out: This newsletter is part of trying to expand Michtrack’s coverage of HS track/XC in the state. The biggest barrier to doing more is time, and your financial support of the newsletter helps make that happen. We’ve taken a big gamble with this newsletter and we’re still hoping to make ends meet. If you like what you’ve been getting for free, please consider being a monthly contributor or make a one-time donation (it’s all tax deductible). Consider it a tip jar.

Better yet, if you know any of those billionaires who routinely donate zillions to PACs to try to force their politics on us, see if you can convince one of them that track is good for America too! Heck, one of their rounding errors would fully fund Michtrack for the next 20 years. And I promise, if you find Michtrack a Sugar Daddy, we’ll never ask for $$ again.

What About The Other Divisions??? More coming next week, I promise. I’ve barely had time to look at the other results yet, and it’s been a long few days: jury duty (see below) plus a Sunday happily given to my 2.5 year-old grandson, who raced laps around the kitchen and insisted that I “announce” his races. Then he made me march up and down the street drumming as part of his marching band. So I am exhausted and have hit the wall. No more writing tonight.

Post-HS Shout-Outs!

Jaydin Blackwell: Remember the name? At Oak Park he was a conference champion in the 200 (PR 22.37) and made All-State as part of the Knights’ 4×2 in 2021. He lost his senior year to injury. But now he’s qualified to represent Team USA at the World Paralympic Championships in Paris this summer. He won the 100 (10.96) and the 400 (50.23) in the T38 category at the recent U.S. Nationals in Chula Vista, California. In the 400, he beat the World Record holder in that category.

Hannah Antkoviak: In 2021 she won both D2 hurdles titles for Allegan. She then went to Olivet Nazarene and recently won the NAIA Nationals in the 400 hurdles with her 56.71! She added 3rd in the 100 hurdles at 13.61 (her PR is 13.55). Just how good is 56.71? That would rank her #21 in NCAA D1. Only 5 Michiganders have ever run faster, and two of them were Olympians.

Nathan Mylenek: The former Pontiac Notre Dame star PRed again in the steeplechase, running 8:28.72 for 3rd place at the Music City Track Carnival in Nashville. Only 8 Michiganders have ever run faster.

Grant Fisher: On the biggest of circuits, the Diamond League, the former Grand Blanc star ran the third-fastest 5000 ever by a Michigander, 12:56.99. Great time, but after running near the lead for most of the race, he was not happy with finishing 11th in the stacked race.

Freddie Crittenden: The former Utica hurdler has also been on the Diamond League circuit, placing 5th in Rabat and 6th in Florence. His best time this year is 13.19 (with a 13.13w). Recall he ran 13.00 at the end of last season and is hoping to time his peak right to make the very difficult US team for Budapest.

Champion of Champions This Weekend

Some great competitions will be on the card for MITCA’s first Champion of Champions Festival at Davison HS Friday and Saturday. One of the top races might be the 800 matchup between Brendan Herger (1:52.19/1:50.71r) and Caleb Bost (1:52.35), both looking to improve on their Rockford times. Look for a solid boys 3200 with Paul Moore (9:10.79), Samuel Jackson (9:16.99) and Logan Begeman (9:17.54).

Sprints will be highlighted by a clash between D1 double runner-up Trey McGinnis (10.65/21.26) and D2 200 champ Michael Wright (10.57/21.72). State leader Braden Prielipp (6-10) will be high jumping. The pole vault will feature list leader Dolan Gonzales (16-1) and Joey Bonacci (15-9).

For the girls, Maya Rollins (13.83) headlines the hurdles, while Rachel Forsyth will focus on the 1600. Madison Osterberg (2:11.91) leads the 800 field. State leader Brooke Bowers (12-6) will be vaulting. Savannah Breitwiser leads a strong discus field.

Weather looks great for the weekend, so the meet should be a fun-to-watch preview of what the new post-season in Michigan will look like in coming years!

Champion of Champions Meet Schedule

Legend: Not A Prep Star, He Won Olympic Gold
Lorenzo Wright: Detroit Miller 1944

He wasn’t even the star of his high school team, yet four years later, Lorenzo Wright would be an Olympic gold medalist.

At Miller High, the city championship was the biggest meet Wright ever competed at. His senior year, he won the long jump in a modest 20-3.5 and led off the winning 4 x 220 relay. At the end of the season, he was the team’s No. 3 scorer.

Wright went to Wayne State, where he blossomed into a star. In his final meet of the season, he won the 100, 220, both hurdle races, the long jump and anchored the winning 4x2. Four days later he joined the Army to fight in the final months of World War II.

Private First Class Wright returned after two years of service and picked up where he left off. He won 5 events at the 1947 conference meet and at the NCAA Championships sailed to 25-9.5 to finish 2^nd in the long jump. It was the third-longest jump in the world that year.

The next winter, he won the U.S. indoor title at 25-3.75; he was only the second man ever to go past 25-feet indoors; the first was Jesse Owens. At the Olympic Trials he finished 3^rd and was also named an alternate for the 4 x 100 relay.

In London, Wright finished a frustrated 4^th in his specialty. But he was given a chance to run second leg in the relay, and his blistering backstretch helped the U.S. win. However, an official disqualified them, saying that the pass from Barney Ewell to Wright was out of zone. The U.S. protested—and after the podium ceremony giving the gold to Britain, the British judges relented when multiple photos showed the exchange was well within the zone. Wright and his teammates were given their gold medals on the boat ride home.

Though he won another U.S. Indoor title in 1952, Wright retired after failing to qualify for the Olympic Trials. He then took a coaching job at Miller High. To add insult to injury, the AAU called that a violation of his amateur status, and banned him for life. He coached successfully in Detroit for over 15 years and in 1969 was the first African-American named in charge of the city’s high school sports programs.

The Little Stuff At The End

No interview this week: Between state meet announcing prep, post-meet exhaustion and my jury duty Monday, no time to talk to any athletes this week. Hopefully I’ll do an interview this weekend in Davison.

Jury Duty Report: I didn’t get picked, but it was close. Spent 5.5 hours in a courtroom today as the judge and lawyers filled a 12-person jury (plus 2 alternates) for what sounded like a grisly murder trial that would last a couple of weeks. I was among the last few waiting to be interviewed when they hit the magic number. Whew!

Thanks to Pete Draugalis for providing photos! If you want to get both senior pics and athletic pics for your athlete next year, give him a shout. He’s the best. https://www.draugalisphotography.net/

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Feedback: Please let me know what you think, even if it’s that you hate me because I think the Upper Peninsula Finals shouldn’t exist. Just hit reply to the email, or write me at [email protected] (either way gets to me just as fast).