Greater Lansing high school boys track and field overview
Here is an overview of the high school boys track and field teams in Greater Lansing. This listing reflects info provided by area coaches.
CAAC BLUE
▶Coaches' predictions: 1. East Lansing, 2. Grand Ledge, T-3. DeWitt, T-3. Holt, 5. Okemos, 6. Waverly, 7. Everett
▶Top athletes: Eden Lampi, East Lansing; Andrew Novak, DeWitt; Donovan Patterson, East Lansing; Ryan Sunderman, East Lansing; Deon Taylor, Waverly; Evan Walker, Waverly
DEWITT
▶ Last season: 6th
▶ Coach: BJ Tomanek (3rd season)
▶Top returners: Drew Novak (sr.) sprints/relays, Ian Fowler (sr.) middle distance/distance/relays, Brennan McKone (sr.) middle distance/distance/relays, Jackson Walthorn (jr.) middle distance/distance/relays, Nolan Inglis (jr.) middle distance/distance, Jensen Ridley (sr.) sprints/relays, Aiden Aldrich (sr.) sprints/relays
▶ Other contributors: Raborn (fr.) distance
▶ Outlook: Novak, Fowler, McKone and Walthorn are returning all-league athletes and state qualifiers for the Panthers.
EAST LANSING
▶ Last season: 6-0 (1st)
▶ Coach: Octavis Long (2nd season)
▶Top returners: Donovan Patterson (sr.) sprints, Eden Lampi (sr.) middle distance/distance, Michael Cyrul (sr.) middle distance/distance, Romeo Washington (sr.) hurdles/jumps, Alex Nkepang (so.) throws, Ryan Sunderman (sr.) middle distance/distance, Jeff Bridges (jr.) sprints, Darryle Geter (jr.) hurdles
▶Other contributors: D'wayte Sams (jr.) sprints, Micah O'Neal (sr.) pole vault, Liam Preisser (so.) middle distance/distance, Aaron White (sr.) throws, Payton Jones (so.) hurdles, Kai Martin (sr.) middle distance/distrance, Wardrell Wicker (so.) jumps, Caleb Ross (fr.) sprints, Julian Terranova (sr.) throws
▶Outlook: With a balance of contributions from its sprints, relays and field events, East Lansing hopes to continue its program success and capture another league title. Sunderman, Cyrul and Lampi return as state qualifiers for the Trojans
EVERETT
▶ Coach: Claude Thomas II (1st season)
▶ Top returners: Mason Chadwell (jr.) sprints, Sincere Wright (jr.) sprints, Help Djuma (sr.) distance, Elijah Swift (jr.) distance
▶ Other contributors: Felix Spitz (fr.), Jeremiah De La Garza (fr.)
▶ Outlook: The sprinters will look to lead the Vikings this year in the competitive CAAC Blue. Juniors Mason Chadwell and Sincere Wright will head up that talented group.
OKEMOS
▶ Last season: 3rd
▶ Coach: Brian Harrod (22nd season)
▶ Top returners: Adam Cohoon (jr.) pole vault, Carter Storey (sr.) sprints, Collin Alexander (sr.) hurdles, Ian Morgan (so.) distance, Leon Johnson (jr.) sprints, Logan Davis (sr.) jumps, Nathan Beemer (jr.) distance, Nathan Wilkinson (jr.) distance, Connor Fochtman (so.) distance.
▶ Other contributors: Aiden Cantlon (jr.) sprints, Bryan Coleman (so.) sprints, Carter Allen (fr.) sprints, Malcom Cesario (so.) distance, Nathan Akanbi (so.) sprints, Simon Shutt (fr.) distance.
▶ Outlook: The Wolves bring back a very balanced roster led by Adam Cohoon, Carter Storey and Collin Alexander as the look to compete in the CAAC Blue.
WAVERLY
▶ Last season: 2-4
▶ Coach: David Pike (35th season)
▶ Top returners: Evan Walker (Sr.) sprints, jumps, Deon Taylor (Sr.) sprints, Jahi Wood (Sr.) sprints, Kharee Davis (Sr.) sprints, Jeremiah Spencer (Jr.) sprints, Keenan Harris (Sr.) hurdles, Deunte Phifer (Sr.) jumps, Jeremiah Evans (Jr.) sprints, Logan Lee (Sr.) throws, Justice Dungey (Sr.) throws
▶ Other contributors: Kameron Amunga (So.) distance, Thaddeus Overly (fr.) distance, Ezra Easterly (Jr.) distance, Ray Hall (Sr.) distance
▶ Outlook: The Warriors return four sprinters who hold school records, headlined by Evan Walker and Deon Taylor, and will look to push Waverly to compete in the CAAC Blue. Logan Lee and Justice Dungey look to propel the throwers and Deunte Phifer returns as an All-Conference high jumper.
CAAC RED
▶Coaches' predictions: 1. Mason, 2. St. Johns, 3. Fowlerville T-4. Haslett, T-4. Williamston, 6. Eastern
▶Top athletes: Nakai Amachree, Haslett; Tyler Baker, Mason; Dylan Carmody, Haslett; AJ Martel, Mason
EASTERN
▶ Last season: 6th
▶ Coach: Kitte Lynch (10th season)
▶ Top returners: Gabi Martinez (jr.) distance, Malachi Reed (sr.) throws, Souleymane Hisseine (sr.) sprints, jumps,. Roman Cardenas (jr.) distance, Asa Pumphrey (so.) sprints
▶ Other contributors: Koamir Mohammad (so.) sprints, jumps, Kenyatta Gee (so.) sprints, jumps
▶ Outlook: The Quakers will a field a fairly young roster led by seniors Malachi Reed and Souleymane Hisseine in the CAAC Red.
HASLETT
▶ Coach: Mike Homan (6th season)
▶Top returners: Nate Carmody (sr.) distance, Dylan Lydic (jr.) distance, Dontrell Dennis (jr.) sprints/long jump, Damius Redmond (so.) jumps, Greg Myles (so.) throws, Eddie Oesterling (jr.) throws, Nakai Amachree (sr.) sprints, Kory Amachree (so.) sprints, Lee Dudasik (sr.) mid-distance
▶Other contributors: Brody Quinn (sr.) sprints, Cornelius Walker (jr.) sprints
▶Outlook: The Vikings have a core of their team from last season returning. With the addition of what Homan said is a strong freshman class, Haslett hopes to finish in the upper half of the CAAC Red.
MASON
▶ Last season: 5-0 (1st)
▶ Coach: Eric Haynie (24th season)
▶Top returners: Derek Badgley (sr.) hurdles, Tyler Baker (sr.) jumps/hurdles, Dalton Dunn (jr.) mid-distance, Atticus Erb (sr.) pole vault, AJ Martel (sr.) sprints/hurdles, Blake Mathews (sr.) distance, Brennan Miller (sr.) throws, Cole Ries (sr.) sprints/hurdles, Nick Saade (sr.) throws, Tex Smith (jr.) mid-distance, Nick Wells (sr.) high jump, Ethan Charlot (so.) sprints, Alex Doneth (jr.) distance
▶ Other contributors: Breslin Jacob-Crowley (jr.) pole vault/sprints, Connor McCormick (jr.) mid-distance
▶Outlook: The Bulldogs finished as the Division 2 state runner-up last season and have several key returners from that squad. Baker was the high hurdles state champion and the runner-up in the long jump and Martel won the 300 hurdles to lead the talent back. Mason is in pursuit of another league title and wants to have a strong showing at the regional and state meets.
ST. JOHNS
▶Last season: 3-2 (3rd)
▶Coach: Nicole McCastle (3rd season)
▶Top returners: Isaac Staib (sr.) middle distance/distance/relays, Matthew Schrauben (sr.) distance/relays, Chris Karasek (sr.) pole vault/relays, Carson Schneider (so.) middle distance/relays, Bryce Pratl (so.) hurdles
▶ Other contributors: Alex Oberlin (fr.) sprints/relays
▶Outlook: Staib and Schrauben were part of a 3,200 relay that finished 12th at the state meet last season. The Redwings return a few other all-league athletes and hope to have a competitive season.
WILLIAMSTON
▶ Last season: 3rd
▶ Coach: Kyle Robinson (1st season)
▶ Top returners: Anthony Berger (jr.) distance, Steven Bush (so.) sprints, Tom Donnelly (so.) sprints, Raymond Herek (so.) distance, Hudson Hunt (sr.) Peter Jones (jr.) throws, Noah Pfeifle (jr.) sprints, Tommy Pratt (so.) sprints/jumps, Joe Smith (so.) sprints, Eston Thorburn (so.) sprints, Hunter Wibert (jr.) distance, Daniel Wilson (sr.) distance.
▶ Other contributors: Riley Chandel (sr.) throws, Zach Cribbs (sr.) sprints, Jonathan Eifert (jr.) throws, Hughes (jr.) pole vault, Kersten (so.) sprints, jumps, Max McCune (sr.) sprints, Matthew Peterson (jr.) pole vault, Ben Smith (sr.) jumps, Adam Weston (fr.) distance
▶ Outlook: The Hornets bring back a deep group of sprinters as it looks to lead a younger roster to help them compete in the CAAC Red. Daniel Wilson returns after an injury-plagued season and looks to lead the Hornets in the distance events.
CAAC WHITE
▶Coaches' predictions: 1. Charlotte, T-2. Ionia, T-2. Olivet, 4. Portland, 5. Eaton Rapids, 6. Lansing Catholic, 7. Sexton, 8. Lakewood
▶Top athletes: Cutler Brandt, Charlotte, Maliki Garza, Charlotte; Lucas Hopkins, Olivet; Bo Lincoln, Olivet; JAcob Montgomery, Ionia; William Ribby, Eaton Rapids; Tayvian Smith, Sexton; Hurley Young, Sexton
CHARLOTTE
▶ Last season: 5-0 (1st)
▶ Coach: Nicholas Perkins (9th season)
▶Top returners: Cutler Brandt (sr.) sprints/relays/long jump, Braylen Eaton (jr.) distance, Maliki Garza (sr.) sprints/relays, Jason Green (sr.) sprints/relays/long jump, Kaiden Holmes (jr.) sprints/relays, Nicholas Hoogstra (so.) relays, Phoenix Lawton (so.) relays, Bryce McConnell (so.) sprints/relays/long jump
▶ Other contributors: Tyler Bidelman (sr.) throws/sprints, Ben Buzzard (sr.) sprints/jumps, Evan Colosky (so.) sprints/middle distance, Braylon Holmes (fr.) sprints/long jump
▶Outlook: The Orioles are in pursuit of a third straight league title. Charlotte graduated a lot of talent from last year's championship team but has some key newcomers and returners who it hopes will help it again be strong. Brandt and Garza were all-state athletes last season and among the key returners.
EATON RAPIDS
▶ Last season: 3rd
▶ Coach: Erik Smith (13th season)
▶Top returners: William Ribby (sr.) pole vault/long jump; Jack Huntington (jr.) distance, Drew Holevac (jr.) distance, Noah Worden (jr.) middle distance, Marvin Deh (sr.) long jump, Mitch Jewett (jr.) throws, Carter Buckingham (jr.) sprints, Camden Cleary (jr.) sprints, Brandon Huntington (jr.) middle distance, Deng Ayuel (so.) pole vault
▶ Other contributors: Jacob Bush (so.) sprints, Jackson White (so.) sprints, Oliver Wiles (sr.) throws, Cody Benkovsky (jr.) distance
▶Outlook: The Greyhounds hope to replace the production of some of the athletes who helped them have a strong season last spring. With a core of veteran returners, Eaton Rapids hopes it can build on last year's success and advance several athletes to the state meet.
IONIA
▶ Last season: 2nd
▶ Coach: James Merrifield
▶Top returners: Jacob Montgomery (sr.) distance/middle distance, Tyson Evans (sr.) distance/middle distance, Ellis Yokom (sr.) distance, Miles Perrien (sr.) sprints, Braylon Granger (jr.) hurdles/long jump, Henry Castle (jr.) throws, Charles Frost (jr.) throws, Seth Wandel (sr.) throws
▶ Other contributors: Dillon Adams (fr.) middle distance, Chad Campbell (fr.) sprints/long jump, Vincent Flores (so.) hurdles
▶Outlook: Montgomery was the league champion in the 800 and 1,600 and could break the school record in the 800 this spring. He is among the returning pieces who will try to help the Bulldogs contend for a CAAC White title.
LANSING CATHOLIC
▶ Last season: 5th
▶ Coach: Tim Simpson (22nd season)
▶Top returners: Leland VanAlstine (so.) hurdles/sprints, Braden Rabideau (jr.) sprints, Troy Chen (sr.) throws, Blaise Demko (so.) distance, Lucas Gates (so.) distance, AJ Gates (jr.) pole vault, Ren Matias (jr.) sprints
▶ Other contributors: Jon Raphael (so.) sprints, Chris Sims (sr.) field, Everett Beach (fr.) distance, Teo Krumm (fr.) distance, Finn Korte (fr.) distance, Juwon Shon (fr.) sprints, Gavin Rabideau (so.) sprints
▶Outlook: The Cougars have a young team that has lots of freshmen and sophomores who are just starting to see their potential. While young, the team is the biggest in numbers in years for Lansing Catholic. Simpson believes Chen, Ranideau and Van Alstine can make a big mark this season in their events.
OLIVET
▶ Last season: 7-1, 6-0 GLAC (1st)
▶ Coach: Brian Lincoln (10th season)
▶Top returners: Bo Lincoln (sr.) hurdles/jumps/relays, Wyatt Pocklington (sr.) sprints/relays, Tayven Feldpausch (sr.) middle distance/relays, Luke Hopkins (sr.) middle distance/relays, Conner Fountain (sr.) distance, Drew Garcia (jr.) high jump/hurdles, Kadeem McDowell (sr.) sprints/relays, Hayden Redfield (sr.) sprints/relays, Ethan Schaefer (so.) middle distance, Hudson O'Dell (sr.) throws, Aden Nystrom (jr.) hurdles/relays/long jump
▶ Other contributors: Ty Evert (so.) hurdles, Landon Lincoln (fr.) sprints/middle distance, Josh Kleinfelt (so.) throws, Noah Flach (jr.) middle distance, Dawson Feldpausch (so.) middle distance, Evan Schaefer (so.) distance, Ezra Dexter (sr.) long jump/pole vault/sprint
▶Outlook: The Eagles have a roster loaded with seniors and have depth in numerous events with the hurdles and distance events being strengths. Olivet hopes to be in the mix for a league title and be competitive at its regional.
PORTLAND
▶ Last season: 2-3 (4th)
▶ Coach: Bart Simpson (4th season)
▶Top returners: Makyah Mora (sr.) sprints/relays/hurdles, Matt Seavey (sr.) distance/middle distance, Isaac Dakin (sr.) hurdles/sprints/pole vault, Chris Battley (jr.) sprints/relays, Mason McGregor (jr.) sprints/relays, Nolan Zbytowski (so.) sprints/relays, Owen Moore (so.) distance, Brady Rowe (so.) sprints/relays/jumps, Evan Gross (so.) sprints/jumps
▶ Other contributors: Andrew Feldpaush (so.) distance, Isiah Bower (fr.) throws, Tanner Darunday (fr.) throws/high jump, Landon Guilford (fr.) throws
▶Outlook: The numbers in the program are up again for the Raiders, who expect to be led by some strong seniors who Simpson expects to be key scorers. Portland expects to be very competitive in all dual meets with its roster numbers. Mora, Seavey, Zbytowski and Moore are returning all-league performers.
SEXTON
▶ Last season: 6th
▶ Coach: Coye Bouyer (6th season)
▶ Top returners: Andre Whitehorn (jr.) sprints, Hurley Young (sr.) sprints, Tayvian Smith (jr.) sprints, Seth Bouyer (sr.) sprints, Beta Malakayo (jr.) jumps, Marcus Glen (sr.) throws
▶ Other contributors: Abdual Foreman (fr.) hurdles, Zaki Hurd (so.) sprints, Tresor Bakia (so.) distance, De’Amor Andrews (so.) throws, sprints
▶ Outlook: The J-Dubbs return a deep group of sprinters who will look to qualify for states again and help them compete in the CAAC White. Sexton will look to the throwers and the long jumpers to help the team compete in the league.
CMAC
▶Coaches' predictions: 1. Pewamo-Westphalia, 2. Fowler, 3. Laingsburg, 4. Bath, 5. Saranac, 6. Dansville, 7. Potterville, 8. Portland St. Patrick
▶Top athletes: Jack Borgman, Laingsburg; Collin Farmer, Pewamo-Westphalia; Brady Feldpasuch, Fowlerl Gavin Nurenberg, Pewamo-Westphalia; Bradlee Uhlmann, Bath
FOWLER
▶ Last season: 2nd
▶ Coach: Brett Schafer (9th season)
▶Top returners: Brady Feldpausch (jr.) hurdles/relays; Ford Phillips (jr.) sprints/relays, Nate Spicer (jr.) relays, Tristan Smith (sr.) relays, Ben Kohagen (jr.) jumps, Carter Lance (sr.) jumps
▶ Other contributors: Carson Hyland (fr.) sprints, Colt Nobach (so.) sprints, Cole Hufnagel (jr.) throws, Adyn O'Rourke (sr.) throws, Jonathan Ruiz (sr.) long jump/relays,
▶Outlook: Feldpausch, Phillips, Spicer and Smith earned all-state honors last season and are key returners for an Eagles squad that was one of the CMAC's best last spring.
LAINGSBURG
▶ Last season: 3rd
▶ Coach: Brian Borgman (20th season)
▶Top returners: Jack Borgman (sr.) pole vault/sprints, Noah Devereaux (so.) relays, Mitchell George (jr.) sprints/high jump, Leandro Dolega-Caceres (so.) sprints/high jump, James Foltz (so.) middle distance/distance, Shaun Mills (so.) throws, Troy Matthews (sr.) throws
▶Other contributors: Greg Seguin (fr.) sprints/relays, Tristan Sherman (fr.) pole vault
▶Outlook: Jack Borgman owns the school record in the 100 and pole vault and is among the top returners for the Wolfpack. With a large roster, Coach Borgman said Laingsburg has the depth and numbers to be competitive.
PERRY
▶ Last season: (3-3, 4th)
▶ Coach: Steve Bentley (29th season)
▶ Top returners: Alec Chapman (sr.) adaptive sprints/throws, Jacob Adkins (so.) jumps/sprints, Chandler Webb (so.) pole vault/hurdles, Blake Bawks (jr.) pole vault/sprints, Sawyer Beardslee (sr.) hurdles/sprints, Elliott Mergos (sr.) distance, Brody Webb (sr.) throws, Mason Nosis (so.) sprints, E.J. Fisher (jr.) distance
▶ Other contributors: Brody Bentley (fr.) jumps, sprints, Anthony Cochrane (fr.) jumps sprints, Tyler Rockafellow (fr.) distance, Jan Foerderer (sr.) sprints
▶ Outlook: The Ramblers look to make an impact on their first year back in the CMAC, led by team captains Sawyer Beardsley, Elliott Mergos and Brody Webb and adaptive state champion in the shot put Alec Chapman.
PORTLAND ST. PATRICK
▶ Last season: 8th
▶ Coach: Dawn Fedewa (11th season)
▶ Top returners: Nicholas Pung (sr.) hurdles/sprints
▶ Other contributors: Isaac Fox-Elster (so.) mid-distance, James Miller (fr.) sprints, jumps
▶ Outlook: With a roster made up of sophomores and freshmen, the Shamrocks will look to find their stride and compete in the CMAC this season. Nicholas Pung returns as a state qualifier and freshman James Miller joins the team after being a Junior Honor Roll qualifier.
OTHERS
CARSON CITY-CRYSTAL
▶ Last season: 1st MSAC
▶ Coach: Grant Woodman (8th season)
▶ Top returners: Cole Halfman (sr.), Braylon Parmenter (sr.), Cam Miller
▶ Other contributors: Kristian Coon, Damien Lankford, Kieran Craddock (jr.), Hunter Doolittle (jr.)
▶ Outlook: The Eagles return 10 different starters in hopes to repeat as MSAC champions. Cam Miller, Damien Lankford, Carter Clark and Kristian Coon each return as state qualifiers and will look to lead Carson City-Crystal this season.
CORUNNA
▶ Last season: 5-0 Flint Metro Stars (1st)
▶ Coach: Jeff Sawyer (4th season)
▶Top returners: Wyatt Bower (sr.) long jump/sprints/relays, Tarick Bower (sr.) long jump/relays/sprints, Isaac Jacobs (so.) relays, Lucas Kuran (jr.) relays, Jaxon Stauch (jr.) relays, Kenny Evans (sr.) distance/relays
▶ Other contributors: Christian Rose (jr.) long jump/hurdles, Jaden Edington (sr.) throws/high jump
▶Outlook: The Cavaliers entered the season with a streak of 45 dual meet wins and with eight consecutive league titles. The goal is to add to those streaks and try to capture a second straight Division 2 state championship. Wyatt and Tarick Bower lead the returners for Corunna and were key components as the program won a state title.
MAPLE VALLEY
▶ Last season: 1-6
▶ Coach: Jennifer Burpee (6th season)
▶ Top returners: Evan Brandenburg (sr.) sprints, jumps, James Penny (sr.) sprints, throws, Nic Martin (sr.) throws, pole vault, Robert Laws (sr.) mid-distance, Skyler Cook (jr.) throws, sprints, Jackson Burpee (so.) jumps, mid-distance
▶ Other contributors: Quincy Page (fr.) distance
▶ Outlook: Evan Brandenburg leads the roster with several seniors to help them improve and compete in the Big 8 this year.
OVID-ELSIE
▶ Last season: 6-1 (2nd MMAC)
▶ Coach: Doug Long (41st season)
▶ Top returners: Cohen Brown (sr.) throws, Jamison Custer (sr.) sprints, Jacob Miller (so.) distance, Clay Powell (jr.) distance, Brock Spitzley (so.) throws, Bruce Thornton (sr.) sprints, Tryce Tokar (jr.) pole vault, sprints
▶ Other contributors: Clayton Fruchey (jr.) sprints, jumps, Owen Long (so.) sprints, Travis Miller (fr.) sprints, jumps.
▶ Outlook: Tryce Tokar looks to help the Marauders returning as the state champion in pole vault. Ovid-Elsie will field a younger roster that will look to compete for the MMAC title after finishing second last season.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Greater Lansing high school boys track and field overview
