MCC’s Maddy Sterling handing of to Sophia Quick. Photo contributed by Sarah Wood.
MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Smith & Eddy Insurance and Michelle and Andrew Thomas.
BIG RAPIDS — Mason County Central’s girls track and field team proved it could compete with larger programs Friday, finishing fourth out of 10 teams at the Big Rapids Cardinal Invitational.
Facing a deep field, the Lady Spartans relied on a surge of personal records and strong finishes across events to stay in contention for a team trophy, ultimately missing by a narrow margin.
Maylan Sanders led MCC on the track, extending her undefeated season in the hurdles by winning both events. She set a personal record of 46.94 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles, edging the field for first place and earning an automatic berth to the state finals.
The Spartans added multiple personal bests in the sprints. Reegan Healy clocked 1:12.19 in the 400 meters, while Luella Purple posted a 1:26.82. Aubrey Hansen also recorded a personal best in the 100.
MCC’s distance runners delivered strong performances. Nevaeh Battice placed third in the 800 meters and ran a personal-best 5:46.95 to finish fifth in the 1,600. Raelyn Wilson added a personal record of 2:51.10 in the 800, and Sophia Quick ran 6:16.61 in the 1,600.
The 4×400 relay team of Madelyn Sterley, Wilson, Battice and Sanders secured second place, finishing behind Portland St. Patrick.
In the field events, Faith Hawke placed second in the discus with a throw of 111 feet, 4 inches and added a fifth-place finish in the shot put. Grace Wright recorded a personal-best discus throw of 62-7. Bailey Bullard tied for fifth in the pole vault.
Coach Jacob Boone said the performance showed the team’s growth.
“Taking fourth place against a deep, 10-team field of larger schools is great for our smaller team,” Boone said. “Even though we just missed bringing home a trophy, seeing our girls rise to the occasion and hit so many personal records under pressure shows incredible growth and toughness.”
The Mason County Central boys team also placed fourth out of 10 teams.
Eli Glamzi won the high jump with a personal-best clearance of 6-2. Jackson Poll captured the 110 hurdles in 15.6 seconds and finished second in the 300 hurdles at 41.33. Desmond Thomas placed second in the discus with a personal-best throw of 136-2, and Kolby Kessel finished second in the pole vault at 11-6.
Coach Patrick Nelson noted the team’s performance came despite challenging weather conditions.
“We ran very well and set several personal records,” Nelson said. “We had some snow at one point, and I’d prefer we never see snow again in May.”
Mason County Central returns to action Tuesday at Shelby High School in a meet against Shelby and Hesperia.
Full results can be found here: https://www.athletic.net/
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