The Wolves started the season with a jump, run and throw as they hosted a tri-meet against the Highlanders and Falcons last Thursday.
‘We did really well,? said Clarkston Boys Track and Field Head Coach John Bennink. ‘We won both meets. From top to bottom in each race we did really well. Our distance kids showed up and scored in every event. Our sprint kids really took over early on. We broke the 800-meter run school record. It was kind of a surprise.?
The boys beat both Rochester Adams and Rochester as they saw strong performances from Ian Eriksen, who won the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash as brother, Nolan, took second in the 100-meter dash. He was also on the sprint relay teams which won.
‘He had a great day,? said Bennink.
Caine Watlington won the long jump with 20 inches and 11 inches and was also on the 400-meter relay with Eriksen.
‘He had a strong day all around,? Bennink added. ‘Grant Henley, Dan Billette, Nate Heierman had solid days in the distance events. Henley had a tremendous day. He scored high the mile, 2-mile and the 3,200-meter relay. It was an impressive start for all of those guys. ?
The girls beat Rochester Adams, 81-47. Finishing first were Maddie Wilson, 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash; Lynsie Gram, 1,600-meter run; Taylor Mullins, 300-meter hurdles and long jump; Nicole Hanson, 800-meter run; Holly Woods, discus and shot put; Megan Nicholson, high jump. The 800-meter and 1,600-meter relay teams both took first.
The girls lost to Rochester, 68.5-60.5. Finishing first were Mullins, 300-meter hurdles and long jump; Hanson, 800-meter run; Gram, 3,200-meter run; and Nicholson, high jump.
The 3,200-meter relay, 800-meter relay, 1,600-meter relay teams also took first place.
The teams opened the week on Tuesday at Oxford. They will head to the Wildcats? territory against on Saturday for the Oxford Invitational.
‘Oxford has some talented kids in different areas who will give us trouble,? Bennink noted. ‘They have a good high jumper and some distance guys who can really run.?
He added Clarkston’s strengths going in are their sprinters and distance athletes.
‘We have one of the best sprinters in the state in Ian,? he said. ‘We have two of the better jumpers in our area in Merrick Canada and Caine. Grant, Dan and Nate are really going to set themselves apart from the rest of the groups as far as distance goes.?
Those strengths will help as the Wolves host Lake Orion next Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
‘Lake Orion will be a big challenge for us,? said Bennink. ‘I think those three meets will tell us what we really have. We are excited about it.?