LHS sends standout group to state finals after strong regional showing

Greta Kehrer, left, in the hurdles. Photo submitted by Stephanie Kehrer.

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.

CADILLAC — Ludington’s boys and girls track and field teams turned in a strong overall performance Saturday at the regional meet, sending multiple athletes and relay teams on to the Division 2 state finals.

Coach John Lipa said the Orioles competed well throughout the day despite difficult conditions, including a stiff south wind on the home stretch.

The Ludington boys’ 4×800-meter relay team of Sam Reister, Micah Theis, Raymond Karboski and Tyler Keillor placed second and requalified for the state meet. The Orioles had previously secured a state berth at the conference championships with Gabe Grierson and Oliver Kolb on the relay squad.

Walt Autrey at the shot put. Photo submitted by Susan Sniewgowski.

“I was very proud of how Sam and Micah filled in for the relay and ran tough legs with a stiff south wind on the home stretch,” Lipa said.

Walt Autrey captured a regional championship in the shot put with a winning throw of 55 feet, 4.75 inches.

Freshman Jayce Hodges also had a strong showing for Ludington, placing sixth in the 100-meter dash and helping the Orioles’ 4×400 relay team finish third, narrowly missing state qualification.

“Jayce had a solid day in both the 100 and 200,” Lipa said. “Taking sixth in the 100 is awesome for a freshman.”

Karboski finished runner-up in the 800-meter run, while teammate Oliver Kolb placed fifth. Lipa said both runners were boxed in early during the race.

Eliza Schwass. Photo submitted by Susan Sniegowski.

“They both ran great but got boxed in pretty bad going into lap two, which really cost them good positioning coming down the home stretch,” Lipa said. “Raymond fought hard and got back up, not winning as we had hoped but still moving on.”

On the girls side, Eliza Schwass led the Orioles with regional championships in both the 800-meter and 3,200-meter runs.

Greta Kehrer placed second in the 100-meter hurdles with a season-best time of 16.55 seconds to qualify for the state finals.

Carly Moffitt recorded a personal-best leap of 15-8 in the long jump to finish sixth, while Lilly Slater cleared a personal-best 4-11 in the high jump to place fourth. Teammate Cami Brahm took fifth in the high jump after already qualifying for state at the conference championships.

Ludington’s girls 4×400 relay team of Cece Ryan, Leah Allen, Harper Rasmussen and Schwass also narrowly missed a state qualifying spot.

“All in all, it was a great day for the Orioles,” Lipa said.

Ludington’s boys state qualifiers are Karboski in the 800 and the 4×800 relay team of Oliver Kolb, Tyler Keillor and Gabe Grierson, with Reister and Theis serving as alternates. Autrey also qualified in the shot put.

Girls state qualifiers include Brahm in the high jump, Kehrer in the 100 hurdles and Schwass in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs.