Michigan track & field saw strong performances across the state this past holiday weekend. These high school athletes are putting up state caliber marks at early-season meets, and are worth keeping an eye on as the season continues. Here is all that you missed.
Boys
Chris Cole of Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills wasted no time making an impact this season, running 10.93 in the 100m to place second at the Lansing Catholic Early Invite. The junior's mark is one of the fastest sprint times recorded early on this spring.
Brady Rowe turned in a strong run in the quarter mile, clocking 50.21 to place third at the Lansing Catholic Early Invite. The senior from Portland continues to show consistency in the 400m.
Moises Salazar led the way in the half mile, winning the Hillsdale Jack Beilfuss Invitational with a time of 1:57.53. The Adrian senior's performance stands as one of the top 800m marks in the state so far.
Mason Darke, a senior from Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, showed out in the hurdles, winning the 110m hurdles in 14.37 and later taking the title in the 300m hurdles with a time of 38.86 at Byron Center.
Lansing Catholic senior Leland VanAlstine delivered a strong hurdles double at his home invite, winning the 300m hurdles in 41.04 while also placing second in the 110m hurdles with a time of 14.56.
Girls
Julia Hughes impressed across multiple events at the Hillsdale Jack Beilfuss Invitational, winning the 100m hurdles in 15.22 (-2.4) while also placing second in the 300m hurdles with a time of 46.65. The Ida senior showed strong early-season form in both events.
Keira Von Blon of Ann Arbor Pioneer turned in a solid effort in the 800m, running 2:23.10 to place fifth at the Westfield Open. Von Blon is one of the top freshmen in the two-lap race.
Naika Rath competed in both sprint events at the Clinton Redwolf Invite, running 12.70 in the 100m and 26.48 in the 200m. The Hudson senior posted two competitive marks against a deep field over the weekend.
Raquel Walker of Muskegon Reeths-Puffer clocked 12.85 in the 100m at Byron Center, placing tenth in a competitive sprint field. Walker is one of Michigan's top freshman sprinters early on in the season.
Spring Lake junior, Cora Parker, rounded out the group with a strong showing in the 400m, running 1:00.76 to place seventh at the Fruitport at Spring Lake meet.
Michigan track & field saw strong performances across the state this past holiday weekend. These high school athletes are putting up state caliber marks at early-season meets, and are worth keeping an eye on as the season continues. Here is all that you missed.