(Chelsea Update would like to thank Loren Thorburn for the information in this story.)
On Friday, March 22, the Chelsea High School girl’s track and field team traveled to Eastern Michigan University for the 64th Annual Kermit N. Ambrose Huron Relays.
The girl’s track team had a solid performance even though we were missing some key point contributors. Chelsea ended up tied for 12th place out of 31 scoring teams with 10 points.
The top three teams were Detroit Renaissance in first place with 59.75 points, Dearborn Divine Child in second place with 56 points, and Dexter in third place with 54 points.
Chelsea had some notable standout performances by individuals.
Madison Burlett threw 27′ 7.5″ in the shot put, which is a 1-foot personal record (PR), placing 15th out 57 competitors. “We are hoping for more throws like this from her for the upcoming season,” coach Loren Thorburn said.
Molly Mannor and Kendra Patterson each made the finals in the 60m hurdles out of 43 competitors. Mannor placed 9th with a time of 10.53, while Patterson placed 13th with a time of 10.69.
“Molly and Kendra have worked hard over the winter in the hurdles and competed in a number of indoor meets. They will provide much-needed points in the hurdle races,” the coach said.
Other notable standout performances were from Allison Hause and Emily Chizek who each ran legs in the 4x800m relay and the Distance Medley Relay, which placed 5th and 6th respectively.
Hause, a state qualifier in the 1600m last year, and Chizek, a top point earner from last year’s team, are the top two returning distance runners from last year’s squad.
“Their experience and competitiveness will help lead the distance group through the season,” the coach said.
Also, Myranda Montoye, a 2018 state qualifier in the 400m dash and an All-Stater in the 4x400m relay, and Kasey Matusik, a promising sprint returner, each ran legs of the 4x200m relay (placing 11th out 36 teams) and the 4x400m relay (placing 6th out of 31 teams).
“These two runners have also put in countless hours in the indoor track during the winter and will be an important part of the sprint crew,” Thorburn said, adding, “We are excited about the potential of our sprint group. This was a good meet to test our approach to competition and our readiness for the upcoming outdoor season.”
The first outdoor meet takes place on Friday, April 5, at the Freshman-Sophmore/Freshman Invitational held at Dakota High School.
“We are looking forward to improving and competing well this season,” the coach said.
