The new additions to the track and field teams showed what they were made of last week against Rochester High School.
The boys and girls teams both lost, but it gave coaches a look into the future.
‘The guys did good in the first meet,? said Boys Coach John Bennink.
In the 74-54 loss, Bennink saw a few performances stood out from returners Adam Bruderick, Giovan McDougal and newcomer freshman Travis Smith.
‘He did nice for his first meet,? said Bennink.
Smith finished first in the 100 meter dash with a time of 54.11.
‘We had a lot of freshmen and sophomores contribute,? said Bennink. ‘There are a lot of new faces and talent. The more they race, the better they will get.?
Returning are Jeff Kuhl, Brian Benway, John Verros, Chris Canada, Nike Pike and Jovan Porter
‘Benway is a good, solid jumper. Kuhl went to states last year and Bonzheim will help out a lot,? he added.
Against Rochester, the boys placed first in four events.
Branton Dennis, Adam Bruderick, Bonzheim and Kuhl finished the 3200 meter relay in 8:44; Bruderick in 800 meter run, 2:09.9; and in 1600 meter relay, 3:40.3.
The boys host Lake Orion on Tuesday.
The Dragons won their last match against Troy, 73-55.
‘It’s going to be a tough meet,? said Bennink, looking ahead. ‘They have a good distance program. We should be good if we see second and third place. We will match up in sprints.
‘Hopefully by the end of the year we will make some strides,? said Bennink.
The girls lost to Rochester, 94-34.
‘It was a good first meet. Rochester is a good team,? said Coach John Yorke. ‘We had a lot of new fresh faces and a lot of surprises.?
Returning for this season are: two top distance runners, Tiffany Kincaid and Kristen Smith; jumper Megan McCarty; throwers Kortni Chrisman and Devon Rehm; pole-vaulter Dana Johns; and sprinters Rebecca Culver and Johanna Kupe.
Smith and Johns made All-State last year and look good to return to states again this year.
Placing first against Rochester were Caitlyn Post 400 meter dash in 1:01.6 and McCarty in the high jump at 4?10.?
Next, the girls compete against Lake Orion, who lost their meet against Troy 78-49.
‘We will see how much freshman will improve from the first to the second meet,? said Yorke. ‘Some of distance are looking good and will be tough. I think we will do good things against Lake Orion. I saw their times and we can compete.”