Varsity Track: Spartans push through rain, post strong finishes at home invitational

Spartan Jovi Campbell-Pickard. Photo 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.

SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central battled cold rain and tough competition Friday at the Lake Michigan Carferry Invitational, with the boys team placing sixth and the girls finishing fifth at Spartan Community Field.

The Spartans competed in a 14-team field despite soggy conditions that impacted times across the meet.

“The times don’t look great, but we weren’t the only team running in it,” boys coach Patrick Nelson said. “We ran very well in a very competitive meet.”

Maple City Glen Lake won the boys meet with 96 points. MCC scored 62.

Jackson Poll led the Spartans, winning both hurdle events. He took first in the 110-meter hurdles in 15.93 seconds and added a victory in the 300 hurdles in 42.09.

Desmond Thomas finished second in discus with a throw of 133 feet, 8 inches. Kolby Kessel placed third in the pole vault at 10-0, and Eli Glamzi was third in the high jump at 5-9.

MCC’s Jackson Poll

MCC’s 4×400 relay team of Eli Smith, Poll, Noah Holden and Jayden Reams placed third in 3:41.94.

Nelson credited meet organizers and volunteers for keeping the event running.

“I want to thank the Lake Michigan Carferry and the volunteers who braved the weather to make the meet run smoothly,” he said.

On the girls side, Mason County Central finished fifth, highlighted by strong performances across multiple events.

“It takes more than a little Lake Michigan rain to dampen the Spartan spirit,” coach Jacob Boone said.

Maylan Sanders continued her standout season, winning both the 100 and 300 hurdles. She narrowly missed the automatic state qualifying mark in the 100 hurdles by .04 seconds.

Distance runner Nevaeh Battice reached a milestone, breaking six minutes in the 1,600 meters for the first time while finishing second. She also placed second in the 800.

The 4×400 relay team of Battice, Sophia Quick, Maddy Sterley and Sanders took third, while the 4×800 relay of Adison Thorne, Sterley, Jovi Campbell-Pickard and Luella Purple finished fourth.

Faith Hawke added points in the field events, placing third in discus and fourth in shot put.

“Watching these girls compete in the early rain and push through shows exactly what this team is made of,” Boone said. “We’re seeing milestones hit every week.”

Mason County Central returns to action Tuesday, April 28, at Ravenna for a double dual with the Bulldogs and North Muskegon.

Full results can be found here: https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/615025/results/all