BOYS MEET RECAP

Alpena’s boys had a standout performance, particularly in mid-distance, hurdles, and relays. Junior Braeden Mathis played a leading role, winning the 400-meter dash with a time of 54.55 seconds.

“During my 400m dash that I placed first in with a time of 54.55, the thought of getting out hard and staying strong the entire race was constantly running through my mind,” Mathis said. “Once I got to the last 100 meters, I knew that I had to give it my all to be able to win the race.”

Alpena swept the 400m with John Brege and Charles Renard finishing second and third, and the Wildcats also swept the 800m behind Logan Szumila, Brendan Werth, and Thmurston Imhoff. Alpena controlled the distance races as well, taking the top four spots in the 1,600 (Logan Szumila in first, Brendan Werth in second, Imhoff in third, Jaxson Kendziorski in fourth) and three of the top four in the 3,200m, led by Isaac Thoms (first), Braylon Kennedy (second), and Zachary Schleede (fourth).

News Photo by Leslianne Johns Braeden Mathis runs in the 400m where he placed first on Wednesday.

In the hurdles, Braeden Schaedig won both the 110m (17.94) and 300m (46.62). Alpena also saw a second-place finish in the 300m hurdles from Carson Heath. In the sprints, Thorin Rogers won the 100m (12.01), followed by Ty Dever (second). Rogers and Dever placed second and third, respectively, in the 200m.

Alpena’s relay teams performed well, winning the 4x100m (46.59), 4x200m (1:37.16), and 4x400m (3:53.86), and placing second in the 4x800m (9:37.63). Mathis anchored multiple relays.

“Before the meet, some team goals I set were to compete to the best of my ability in each of my events, and to hopefully come out on top,” Mathis said. “After setting these goals, I achieved first place in the 400m, 4x400m relay, 4x200m relay, and a respectable third place in the long jump.”

In the field, Cruz Guthrie won the pole vault (9′ 6″) and placed second in high jump (5′ 0″). Henry Wirgau led Alpena in throws, finishing sixth in discus (103′ 9″) and seventh in shot put (36′ 10″). Cadillac had strong performances in throws, placing five athletes ahead in discus and sweeping the top five in shot put. In long jump, Dever and Mathis placed second and third for Alpena.

“In between my events, I try and stay as loose as I can by not sitting down, and definitely staying hydrated so I am able to compete to the best of my ability in each of my events,” Mathis said. “My toughest turnaround is definitely trying to manage my 100% in my final race of the day, after giving it in each of my other races.”

GIRLS MEET RECAP

Alpena’s girls team finished the meet with seven event wins and several strong placements, particularly in distance, relays, and field events.

Izzy Szymanski won the 1,600m (6:03.96), and Madi Taylor took first in the 3,200m (14:03.10). Marion Renard and Elizabeth Barnhill placed second and third in the 800m. Elizabeth Rabbideau and Lexi Gembel placed second and fifth in the 400, while Carolyn Parker placed fourth in long jump (13′ 2″). Cadillac won the 100, 200, and 400 events.

Sarah Rabbideau claimed first in the high jump (4′ 6″), and Haley Stenz took first in the pole vault (7′ 6″). In throws, Melody Kauffman was Alpena’s top competitor, finishing second in both shot put (30′ 6″) and discus (90′ 7″), right behind Cadillac’s Jordan Sprik.

Alpena’s relay teams secured wins in the 4x100m (1:01.51), 4x200m (2:19.97), and 4x800m (11:45.28), and placed second in the 4x400m (5:10.87).

Reflecting on the overall effort, Mathis said, “Today, I felt the team did the best of our ability to compete at the top level, under the poor weather conditions against strong competition. I’m very proud of the work the team has committed into this season, and I am looking forward to our invitational meet on Friday in Mount Pleasant and how we compete with the teams in our division.”

Alpena will return to action this Friday at an invitational in Mount Pleasant.