Nine Dragons qualify for the D1 state meet

The Lake Orion girls varsity track and field team took first place in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Region 9 finals, while the boys team placed third at the 15-team meet at Lake Orion High School on Friday.

Nine Dragons – five girls and four boys – also qualified for the MHSAA D1 State Meet at East Kentwood High School on June 5.

“This was the big night for individuals to qualify for the state meet. But there is also a team regional championship at stake. After a fourth-place finish at the 10-team OAA League meet, the girls were able to put it all together to upset the favorite, Adams, for a 16-point victory,” said Coach Stan Ford. “Field events were big (point getters).”

Senior Cate Leonhard won the pole vault, with valuable points added from Bella Monterosso, Carlie Knebi and Anna Pheasant, the Dragon pole vaulters scored 18 points in one event.

Leonhard also was fourth in the long jump and second in the 100m hurdles

Freshman Bella DeLong and junior Liz Hoffman scored valuable points in the Discus, and Hoffman also was fourth in the Shot Put.

Leonhard teamed up with Mecayla Long, Natalie Keogh and Alayna Tisch to win the 4 x 100m Relay.

Keogh came back later as part of the fourth place 4 x 200m relay, and individually was fourth in the 200m dash, along with sophomore Cadence Teasley placing sixth.

Junior Alayna Tisch had a great day, winning the 100m dash and the 300m hurdles, along with being on the winning 4 x 100m relay.

Senior Sophie Novak won the 1,600m and the 3,200m runs, then anchored the third place 4 x 400m relay that included, Alayna Tisch, Grace Winkler and Sofie Sally. Sofie was also sixth in the 300m Hurdles for more points.

Regional Champions were Sophie Novak (1,600m and 3,200m runs), Alayna Tisch (100m dash, 300m hurdles, 4 x 100m Relay) and Cate Leonhard (pole vault) and the 4 x 100m relay team of Leonhard, Tisch, Keogh and Long.

Girls State Championship qualifiers

“Five girls, covering seven events will be representing Lake Orion at the State Championships,” Ford said.

Sophie Novak will compete in the 1,600m and 3,200m runs. Alayna Tisch in the 100m dash, 300m hurdles and the 4 x 400m relay, along with Cate Leonhard, Natalie Keogh and Mecayla Long.

Cate will also be competing in the Pole Vault and 100m Hurdles.

LOHS Boys varsity team finishes in third place, four qualify for state meet

The boys team finished third in the region, behind first place Fenton High School and second place Romeo. The Dragons edged out rivals Rochester Adams, Stoney Creek and Clarkston.

On the boys side, four individuals were able to qualify for the state meet.

Junior sprinter Stephen Brown was second in the 100m dash, and then third in the 200m dash, qualifying by time.

Senior Nicolas Laurent was third in the 1,600m run, qualifying by time, and sophomore Luke Peardon was second in the 800m run with his personal best, also qualified.

“And last but not least, sophomore Caleb Jones was Regional Champion in the Long Jump with his personal best,” Ford said.

Other top performances included Joey Owczarek placing seventh in the long jump. Senior Drew Knieper was third in the discus with his best throw of the season. Junior Josh Trudell’s season personal record garnered him fifth in the 300m hurdles.

“And our relay teams scored points with the 4 x 100m Relay placing fourth, (Payne, Thede, Brown, and Bojanowski). Jacob Corless, Carson White, Nicholas Laurent and Luke Peardon were sixth in the 4 x 400m relay, and Corless, White, Will Houvener and Eddie Cromwell were fifth in the 4 x 800m relay,” Ford said. — S.F., J.N.

Photos by Stan Ford.