Brandon’s varsity girls track blazed a new trail in its first-ever appearance in the Saginaw Valley State University Indoor Meet.
The Blackhawks finished third in the Division 2 bracket of the meet Mar. 23 at SVSU, compiling a total of 61.7 points. Ypsilanti took first among Division 2 teams with 74.5 points, while Kearsley was second with 64.7.
Coach Greg Hyde said the fact the meet took place indoors gave him a chance to see more of the team’s competitors in action, particularly the freshmen who have never competed at the high school level before.
‘Because there’s not as many events indoors, I can move the kids around more freely,? he said. ‘I try to get as many kids in as I can. We’ve seen some very positive events this season.?
Sarah Bond, for the second straight meet, set a new school record in the shot put. Her throw of 38?11? was good enough to place her first at the meet.
Kelly Wilson was the other Blackhawk to capture first in an individual event, winning the 800 meter dash in 2:34.24. Brandon’s 3200 meter relay team of Wilson, Kayla Doan, Kristin Williams and Kelsey Carmean also won first place with a time of 10:38.58.
Two other Blackhawks finished in the top four in their respective events. Savannah Stedman finished second in the high jump with a jump of 5?, while Carmean placed fourth in the 3200 meter run with a time of 12:28.
Other Blackhawks placing in individual events were Megan Ostrowski (sixth, pole vault, 7?), Noressia Sockwell (seventh, 60 meter hurdles, 11:25) and Kelly Craciun (eighth, 3200 meter run (13:28.7).
In addition, the 800 meter relay team of Alanna Hendrickson, Jamilla Richardson, Danielle Westphal and Sarah Privette placed sixth (2:01.34) and the 1600 meter relay team of Allie Sowa, Doan, Richardson and Danielle Kwasiborski placed seventh (4:44.84).
On Mar. 24, the Brandon boys team placed ninth in the Division 2 SVSU indoor meet with 29 points. Chippewa Hills finished first with 74.5 points.
Brandon’s best event at the meet was the shot put, as Josh Papineau won the event with a throw of 42?7-1/2?, while Kyle Worden finished fourth at 42?.
Other Brandon individual placers were Nick Mackie in the 400 meter dash (fourth, 56.09), Stewart Olney in the high jump (eighth, 5?6?), and Jawan Simpson in the 60 meter dash (eighth, 7.63).
In addition, three Brandon relay teams placed at the meet. The 3200 meter relay team of Mackie, Alan Cole, Tyler Knight and Josh Tolan finished fifth; the 1600 meter relay team of Mackie, Kevin Gibson, Dylan Kent and James Whitton placed eighth; and the 800 meter relay team of Simpson, Chris Ritchie, Steve Webber and Stefon Johnson also placed eighth.
‘It’s really good to start out the season that way,? Brandon coach Mike Jordan said.