Grace Stark Blitzes Hurdles in 13.16 at Michigan State Meet

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

For Grace Stark, running back-to-back events is not a problem. In fact, the White Lake Lakeland junior seems to thrive on it.

At the Michigan State Division 1 Track and Field Championships held at East Kentwood High, Stark won the 100 hurdles with an all-time state best 13.16 seconds. Her time is US#2. She followed that performance immediately by winning the 100-meter dash in 11.74.

Stark finished second in both events last year by narrow margins.

“I’m used to running both back-to-back and usually winning, but I just wanted to keep the emotions in until the end, and not worry about the tiredness that I had,” Stark told the Detroit Free Press.

Ericka VanderLende of Rockland won the Division 1 1,600 meters in 4:45.17.

Ann Arbor Pioneer senior Anne Forsyth won the D1 3,200 meters in 10:08.07 for a meet record.

In the field, Corinne Jemison of East Kentwood launched the biggest shot put mark in starte history with 49-11.75. Malin Smith of Lansing Waverly won the D1 discus (163-9) title.

In Division 1 boys, senior Trevor Stephenson helped lead East Kentwood to a state title as he won the pole vault and cleared 16-9.50 for an all-time Michigan record.

“One time I tried practicing at 17 feet -- once, and I wasn’t even close,” he said to the Detroit Free Press. “It was a really big surprise to get 16-9.50, but I figured some stuff out with my vaults earlier, and that just shot me up.”

On the track, Rockford standout distance runner Cole Johnson won the 800 (1:53.11) and 1,600 (4:08.47).    

Division 2

At Zeeland Stadium in Zeeland, University of Michigan-bound distance runner Olivia Theis clocked 10:37.08 in the 3,200 for a D2 meet record. She also finished second in the 1,600 to Holland Christian's Kayla Windemuller, who won in 4:49.55.

Junior Payten Williams of Bridgeport won the 100 (12.06) and 200 (24.73).

In boys action, sophomore Dylan Targgart of Coldwater won the D2 discus (170-10) and shot put (61-2) titles.

Senior Thomas Robinson of Wyoming Lee claimed the 100 (10.85) and 200 (21.62).

Alex Comerford, a junior from Otsego won the 3,200 in 9:07.25.

Division 3

At the Division 3 meet at Comstock Park High, Judy Rector of Hanover-Hart clocked 2:13.44 and 4:52.59 to win the 800 and 1,600.

Houghton Lake senior Jackson Blanchard set a new divisional record in the 110 hurdles, running 14.23. He added a title in the 300 hurdles (37.79).

Saugatuk junior Corey Gorgas won the 1,600 (4:15.74) and 3,200 (9:17.32).

Division 4

Southfield Christian's Chika Amene won the 100 (12.44) and 200 (25.53) and placed second in the 400 (57.53) at the Division 4 meet at the Hudsonville Athletic Complex in Grand Rapids.

Concord senior Samantha Saenz swept the distance events, winning the 800 (2:16.31), 1,600 (5:00.46) and the 3,200 (11:15.51).

Fowler swept the relays, winning the 4x100, 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800 to score 40 points. Not surprisingly, Fowler won the girls team championship.

In D4 boys, Sand Creek junior Alec Muck won the 100 (10.98) and 200 (22.02). 

RESULTS - LPD1 | LPD2 | LPD3 | LPD4 | UPD1 | UPD2 | UPD3 

Team champions

Lower Peninsula

D1 -- East Kentwood boys 61 points; Oak Park girls 61 points

D2 -- Coldwater boys 60; Zeeland East girls 64 

D3 -- Clare boys 44; St. Charles girls 46

D4 -- Kalamazoo Hackett boys 51; Fowler girls 87

Upper Peninsula

D1 -- Marquette boys 82 points; Negaunee girls 114

D2 -- Ishpeming boys 86 points; St. Ignace girls 128

D3 -- Bessemer boys 100 points; Lake Linden-Hubbell girls 55