Distance events proved to be very impressive on the boy’s side with Stephan Walker and Tommy Brinn leading the way. Here's a look back at the preview and the outcome of the Indoor State Championships
Photo by Davey RunMichigan
60 Meters
Preview: Cass Tech junior Dior Mathis has the fastest time coming in with a 6.93. Jackson senior Eric Crenshaw and Flint Southwestern junior Justin Clarke will test him. This event is missing star power with defending State Champion James "Bubba" Jackson of Grand Ledge not running.
Outcome: I couldn't help but get happy when I saw Mathis win this event. I had flashbacks when he was a kid running for Detroit PAL and how he has worked really hard to get to this point. East Kentwood senior Tyrone Green came in a close second.
60 Hurdles
Preview: Renaldo Powell senior from Wayne has the fastest seedtime with 8.04 but High jump star Chris Jimmerson of Okemos is an eyelash behind with a time of 8.07. Look for this race to a very close one.
Outcome: Southfield high senior Travon Johnson won this event over Powell in a very close one/ Where Powell had the fastest time going into the finals.
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200 meters
Preview: Outdoor All-Stater senior Aaron Taylor has the fastest seed time (22.56). A very impressive time. He is followed by Southfield junior Niko Williams- Richey (22.69). This field also includes last year's runner-up Ira Moorer.
Outcome: Williams-Richey beat Woodhaven Junior Aaron Bailey in probably the closest contested race of the entire meet with Bailey losing his balance at the finish line.
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400 Meters
Preview: With Tommy Brinn and Williams-Richey running the 800 and 200 meters it opens doors for Ann Arbor Pioneer senior Paris Horgrow and Lansing Eastern All-American Tavirrio Davis. This will also be an exciting race. With Hargrow having the State's fastest time on a 200-meter surface.
Outcome: Belleville junior Johnte Thompson kept the 400-meter state title in Belleville joining former teammate Tennessee’s Varrick Tucker as 400-meter state champion. Edging Davis for the title.
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800 Meters
Preview: You can throw seed times out the window in this one. Orchard lake St. Mary senior Taylor Peruski has the fastest time, but look for Otsego's senior and State champion Tommy Brinn to push the action. Along with Grandville Calvin Christian senior Edwin Wainina.
Outcome: Tommy Brinn ran away with this one just missing the state record by .34 Brinn was named athlete of the meet.
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1600 Meters
Preview: Just like the girls 1600 meters this looks to be the most competitive event with Troy junior Mike Atchoo and Midland Dow senior and Defending State cross country champion Stephan Walker. Walker beat Atchoo Outdoors last season but Atchoo has the fastest seedtime.
Outcome: Like I said in the preview it would come down to Walker and Atchoo and boy did it ever with the two going head - to - head the entire race. With Walker pulling away at the end of the race.
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3200 Meter run
Preview: D-3 All-Stater Tec Adams of Harbor Springs has the fastest seed time (9:29) ran on a 300 meter surface. Howntown hero senior Kevin Oblinger of Mount Pleast Sacred Heart has the second fastest time in 9:34 also on a 300 meter
Outcome: Grand Rapids West Catholic senior Antonio Schafer pulled out an upset soundly defeating both Oblinger and Adams.
High Jump
Preview: A year ago 6'4" won the indoor state championship. This year 6'4" might not make All-State. Okemos senior Chris Jimmerson who has jumped 6’10 more than once this season leads the High jump. He is followed by Haslett senior Bradley James 6'8".
Outcome: Jimmerson and Bradley both just missed the meet record by a quarter of an inch by jumping 6'10" with Bradley having more misses at lower heights giving the title to Jimmerson
Long Jump:
Preview: Flushing senior Jeff Kline has posted the best jump in nearly a decade in the long jump and has been the leader the entire season. This will be a test for Jeff to prove he can do it in a big meet. Allendale senior Thomas Soisson follows him. Look for Davis Lansing Eastern to be in the mix.
Outcome: Kline proved he could win the big winning the State title along with jumping 23'4" a top twenty all-time jump as well as winning Mile split Michigan Athlete of the year.
Triple Jump
Preview: Grand Blanc Senior Julius Rogers has the best jump coming in. I look for Rogers to pull this out with more than a two feet lead over the competition.
Outcome: Rogers wins this one in a big way bringing the title back to Grand Blanc with him being the only repeat champion on the boys side.
Pole Vault
Preview: Gone is Joe Wesley but this event should still get the hands to clapping. Grand Rapids C.C. senior Austin Dewildt and Fowlerville Junior Max Babits will continue their rivalry in this event with only one inch separating them 15-3 and 15-2. Also look for Saranac senior Codi Mattix and Livonia Churchill senior Derek Peterman to be in the mix of things.
Outcome: Babbits wins by 6 inches over Dewildt who struggle early on 14-9 to 14-3
Shot Put:
Preview: Last years runner-up Allendale senior Zach Hill returns with intentions of winning it this season he has posted two plus 60 throws this year. Portage Northern senior Andrew Evans will challenge him.
Outcome: The winner Hill not only won but also walked away with a new state record to go with the meet's field event M.V.P.
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Distance Medley:
Preview: This relay will probably be the most competitive of all of the relays. Final Boss comes in with a time of 10:45, A2 TC 10:46 but the Detroit Chargers have beaten both of them Head to Head. This will be the chess match of the meet.
Outcome: Breen pulled off a big victory beating Ann Arbor track club by two seconds. Final Boss the # 1 seed coming in finished 6th.
4 x 200 relay
Preview: The Michigan Accelerators have the top time in this event. Followed by Think Detroit Pal. If I know the coaches Hall. James Hall of Michigan Accelerators and former Olympian Darnell Hall of TDP they will put out there very best for this one.
Outcome: Like I said in the preview the coaches Hall would put their best athletes on the track for this one and it would go down to the wire. The Accelerators edge Think Detroit 1:32.16 to 1:32.49
4 x 400 relay
Preview: The Accelerators and Think Detroit Pal again has the two fastest times in this relay (3:24) and (3:27). Look for a very exciting conclusion to the Michigan Indoor season when these two teams cross the finish line.
Outcome: This meet ended with the most exciting race of the day with 4 lead changes with the Accelerators edging the 810 All-Stars at the finish line.
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4 x 800 relay
Preview: The Cold Machine has the fastest time 8:11 followed by the Michigan Accelerators (8:14). This should be a really good race with the Machine pulling it out.
Outcome: The Michigan Accelerators proved me wrong by beating the Cold machine. And winning there first of three relay victories of the day.