(Chelsea Update would like to thank coach Eric Swager for the information in this story.)
The Chelsea High School boys’ track and field team won its second straight regional championship, besting 16 teams.
“A very solid performance by our guys last Friday,” said coach Eric Swager. “We were still stinging from a narrow 3-point loss at the SEC meet, and had it in our minds that we would perform at this meet.”
Swager said he thought that 100 points would take the championship, and we exceeded that by a comfortable margin by scoring 117.
“Some very good efforts and execution in a number of events drove the victory,” the coach said.
Jacob Stubbs’ two individual titles (1600 and 800) were huge, as were the victories of Micheal Smith (discus) and Dave St. Pierre (pole vault), as well as the victorious 4×100 relay team of Kenny McDowell, Ty Nelson, Jeremy Policht, and Zach Skogheim.
“All of the above guys will attend the state finals on May 31 in Grand Rapids Houseman Field.
In addition, the 4×400 relay of Stubbs, Nelson, James Biller, and David Trimas qualified with their runner-up effort, as did pole vaulter Denrick Acton.
The sprint squad in general was the big surprise of the meet, Swager said.
In addition to the above relay, Kenny McDowell shocked the region with his 3rd place finish in the 100 meters. He came in ranked ninth, but was a man on a mission through the prelims and semis, and finished with his best track day ever, Swager said.
The 3rd place effort of the 4×200 relay, and the 3rd place run by James Biller in the 400 were also above expectations.
“I do want to give credit to the whole coaching staff, the administration, and all the parents who have supported us throughout this season,” he said, adding, “Another memorable day for Chelsea Men’s Track.”
