(Chelsea Update would like to thank Eric Swager for the information in this story. Results in a PDF at the end.)
The Bulldog boys track and field team competed at the Larry Steeb Meet of Champions Tuesday where the Distance Medley Relay team broke records and became nationally ranked.
“We enjoyed ourselves immensely today – 15 of the 17 guys that went to the meet posted some sort of personal lifetime best,” said coach Eric Swager.
Thorburn, Holm, Will Scott, and Joseph Norwood all had mile PRs.
The highlight of the meet was the Distance Medley Relay. The team went in with the express purpose of breaking the meet record, and hopefully the school record, Swager said. The runners smashed both, by roughly 20 seconds. The 10:12 time is the 6th fastest DMR in the entire nation this year, he said.
“The fact that we are a semi-small school of 840 students who are competitive with the best in the nation is nothing short of phenomenal,” he said, adding, “Three schools in California, and two in Pennsylvania are the only ones faster. “
Tom Oates led off with a 3:04.8 1,200 meter leg – (running 4:06 mile pace for 3 laps).
Chris Roush followed with a 49.1 400-meter split – the fastest 400 split ever recorded in Chelsea High School history.
Connor Gilbreath ran his 800 in 1:59.8, and Liam Heaney anchored in 4:18.8 – which is the fastest mile covered by any division 2 athlete in the state this year. “This relay may have been the best single event performance in Chelsea Track history,” Swager said.
He said, “I am very proud of the whole crew. We are truly blessed here in Chelsea with great coaches, athletes, and parents.”
The team next competes at the state championship in Zeeland Saturday.
Blessed indeed! Congratulations to all the runners and their coaches on a fine performance. Good luck at Zeeland on Saturday.