2019 Benzie County Spring Sports

2019 BENZIE COUNTY SPRING SPORTS A special publication of the

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“We are aiming for at least regionals.

We want to get all of the titles” – MACI KUNKEL SENIOR PITCHER

BENZIE CENTRAL SOFTBALL: Pictured (front row, left to right) are coach Scott Brautigam, Emily Barron, Kayla Lemcool, Ally Johnston, Morgan Noffsinger, Maci Kunkel, Jasmine Kenner, (back row, left to right) Cerra Oakley, Angie Warsecke, Emily Gelakosky, Melia Lorenz and Kylee Streeter. (Photo/Robert Myers)

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Benzie softball determined to add to championship banner

By Robert Myers Staff Writer

BENZONIA — The Benzie Central softball team has a bold mission for 2019.

After struggling and coming up short in the district championship game last spring, the Huskies are determined to make a name for themselves this year.

And that means winning championships, multiple championships.

“We are aiming for at least regionals. We want to get all of the titles,” said senior Maci Kunkel, who will serve as the team’s No. 1 pitcher this year.

“We want to get on the banner in the gym.”

Kunkel’s passion is partially

fueled by past failure. Benzie Central’s softball team has not won conference or district titles within the lifetimes of its current players. The Huskies have never won a regional title in the sport.

That said, coach Scott Brautigam believes the experience of coming close to conference titles the past two years and a district title last year may help his players finally get over the hump.

“At least they got to see it and know what needs to be done. We didn’t finish the job last year, but we definitely know what needs to be done,” he said.

Benzie Central’s championship quest will begin at the conference level, where the defending champion Frankfort Panthers and other tough foes

await.

“There are several teams that could be tough (in the conference),” Brautigam said.

“Glen Lake has two good pitchers. They’ll be tough. Mike (Thompson) always does a good job coaching at Frankfort. He’ll have his team ready to go, and it’s the same over at Kingsley.

They have talent. All of those games will be tough.”

Benzie Central’s hunt for a district championship will take the Huskies to Cadillac, where they will face a field of Division 2 foes. Gladwin, Ogemaw Heights and Reed City will join the Huskies and Vikings in search of the district championship and right to advance. Regional play will take place at Petoskey.

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“We’ve got some talented ball players that know how to play the game. They love the game. They are dedicated to it, and they’ll work hard,” – ERIC JOHNSTON

BENZIE CENTRAL SOFTBALLCOACH

Huskies looking to keep eyes on the ball in 2019

By Robert Myers Staff Writer

BENZONIA — Baseball season has begun at Benzie Central.

While the Huskies would love to claim a conference or district title this spring, those things are too far in the future to worry about. Instead, Benzie Central’s gaze rests simply on the next practice, the next game.

“We are just looking to take it one play, one ball, one pitch at a time, and see where it goes.

Hopefully we can win some ball games,” said sophomore Dylan Bates.

They may talk modestly about their team in public, but the Huskies certainly have potential to win games, and a lot of them. Though they lost several more players than expected from last year’s young team, the Huskies still bring back a talented group that loves the game of baseball.

“We’ve got some talented ball players that know how to play the game. They love the game. They are dedicated to

it, and they’ll work hard,” said Benzie Central Eric Johnston.

Johnston’s overall numbers may be down, but Benzie Central does possess strong pitching depth, and the team’s players are all skilled at multiple positions.

“The nice thing is we have some depth at catcher this year (Darren Childs, Jared Kraeft and Jesse Schlotterbeck). That gives me a little bit more flexibility,” Johnston said. “Jesse has done a nice job getting into shape this year after an injury last year. He’s worked hard. So, we are going to be good there.”

With this group, Johnston has put a heavy focus on the fundamentals.

“Like any house, you have to have the foundation. You have to have the fundamentals to play consistently and to play well,” Johnston said. “If you can’t catch a ball or can’t throw a ball, you’re not going to do very well. With the pitch count rule, defense is huge, because if you’re giving up outs, that’s just more pitches that a guy has to endure, which is going to cost you in the end.”

The Huskies play their first conference game at 4:15 p.m. on April 16 at Glen Lake. According to Johnston Kingsley enters the year the favorite to claim the league title, but the Huskies join Frankfort, Glen Lake and Onekama as strong contenders that could easily beat anyone else in the conference on any given night. “(In the Northwest Conference), we have some very talented coaches. We have some very talented athletes,” Johnston said. “I know that if we don’t come out and play our best every single game, there’s no reason why we won’t end up in last place. If you take anybody lightly in this league, they are going to put a hurting on you.”

When it comes to district play, the Huskies will move up to Division 2 this spring. Benzie Central will face Cadillac, Gladwin, Ludington and Ogemaw Heights at Cadillac to determine which team will advance to the regional round, also at Cadillac.

BENZIE CENTRAL BASEBALL: Pictured (front row, left to right) are Dylan Bates, Darren Childs, Jared Kraeft, Dylan Frisbie; (back row, left to right) Tom Ross, Spencer Steeves, Chris Dunlop, Brendan Benkert and Keegan Watkins. Not pictured: Jesse Schlotterbeck, Brice Green and Kevin Taghon. (Photo/Robert Myers)

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BENZIE CENTRAL GIRLS TRACK: Pictured (front row, left to right) are Chelsey Lindman, Faith Grose, Hayley VanWagoner, Maya Musgrave, Cierra Guay, Savannah Rogers, Kelsey Novogradac, Victoria Cobb; (second row, left to right) Kaylee Novogradac, Zoe Lozowski, Paige Johnston, Cassidy Pallin, Paige Smith, Alyssa Brouwer, Faith Bishop, Alison Moore, Macy Adams; (third row, left to right) Grace Okros, Sierra Pallin, Bella Huddleston, Abby Bretzke, Liath Ramirez, Ellen Bretzke, Andrea Taghon, Mae Talsma; (back row, left to right) Lilly Leatherman, Kayla Gatrell, Annabelle Fortine, Peyton Burch, Thea Gray and Hannah Francis. Not pictured: Versailles Bechler, Rilee Garlinghouse, Elise Johnson, Ilona Kokkinen, Lilli Lysholm and Cecile Mallon. (Photo/Robert Myers)

Best of Luck Benzie Central girls track poised for strong 2019

By Robert Myers Staff Writer

On a Great Spring Season

BENZONIA – With a potent mix of veterans and newcomers, the Benzie Central girls track and field team looks poised to contend once again in 2019.

The Huskies enter the season with quality athletes in every event and goals of competing for conference, regional and team state championships.

“We don’t really have an event where we don’t have quality kids in there,” said Benzie Central coach Traci Kelly.

“Hurdles, distance and high jump are our key events, but we are going to score points in the other events too.”

The distance crew will certainly make some noise this spring, led by senior Sierra Pallin. She is joined by Faith Grose, Cierra Guay and star freshmen Elise Johnson and Hayley VanWagoner, along with

a versatile group of athletes (Paige Johnston, Ellen Bretzke and Maya Musgrave to name a few), who could excel in any number of events.

In the sprints, the Huskies lost several key runners to graduation, but still return a deep and talented group capable of scoring points for the team.

Several of the Huskies’ top sprinters are also hurdlers. Abby Bretzke returns to lead the way after qualifying for state finals in the 300-meter hurdles and the high jump last spring.

In addition to achieving team and individual success, Bretzke also wants to build a strong team culture.

“I’m looking forward to working with this new team, the freshmen, really making this a big team program,” Bretzke said. “I want to see everyone cheering at every event possible. I love seeing the throwers cheering during the two-mile and the hurdlers cheering on the

discus throwers. Seeing everyone appreciate each event really brings the team together.”

Her teammate in the sprints and hurdles, Andrea Taghon, echoed those thoughts.

“I’m really looking forward to helping out the freshmen and seeing how far they come throughout the season and coming closer together as a team,” Taghon said. “We were close last year. We want to be tight like that again and stay focused throughout the entire season,” Besides the running events, Benzie Central projects to be competitive in all of the field events, in particular the jumps. Abby Bretzke and Mae Talsma lead the way in the high jump, while returning long jumpers Paige Johnston, Grace Okros, Kayla Gatrell and Rilee Garlinghouse could all score points for their team.

Additionally, Musgrave leads a group of rising stars in the pole vault.

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BENZIE CENTRAL GIRLS TRACK: Pictured (front row, left to right) are Eli Tallent, Austin Potts, Dylan Hatt, Kevin Hubbell, Tyler Joan, Therron Gniposky, Chris Corey, Zach Grundy; (second row, left to right) Logan Jones, Marc Crossman, Parker Bentley, Devon Harris, Zach Blough, Cody Hanson, Hunter McDaniel, Gabe Ahlson, Patrick Kage; (third row, left to right) Cole Tinker, Ike Koschielski, Joe Wade, Antonio Ramirez, Joe Orfe, Tyler Iverson, Seth Stoltz, Caleb Crossman; (fourth row, left to right) Dylan Chrzanowski, Gavin Tulgetske, Brandon Tinker, Caleb Walmsley, Wesley VanPoortfliet, Dustin Bailey, Ryan Bishop, Connor McLaren, Michael Wooten; (back row, left to right) Matt Wooten, Dustin Finkhouse, Pedro Roman, Noah Barnes, Tyler Kintigh, Wyatt Thaller and Ryan Kennedy. Not Pictured: Andrew Ciloski, Donny Crossman, Charlie Corey, Matt Gosma, Saunder Stoltz, Hunter Walmsley, Ed Wilson, Paul Stepanovich and Craig Seger.

(Photo/Robert Myers)

Deep boys track team ready to win trophies for the Huskies

By Robert Myers Staff Writer

BENZONIA – Benzie Central’s boys track and field team finds itself loaded with talent in every event as it looks to reclaim a conference title and make some noise in Division 2 this spring.

Perhaps what stands out most about this year’s team is its depth, depth that could give the Huskies a shot at a coveted MITCA Team State trophy.

“All of our events are covered and covered well. We shoot for MITCA every year. That’s our big team event,” said Benzie Central coach Traci Kelly. “Having depth in all of those events and kids willing to try new things is huge … MITCA is a true team event.

It’s not one person going out and winning four events. You can’t have a weak event. You have to fill each one soundly.”

The Huskies feature big names in the running events,

but if they add some hardware to their trophy case this spring, it will likely start in the field events.

“You can score so much out of the field. If you can have a strong field event score, going into running events, it just kind of starts a wave,” Kelly said.

“A lot of big invites start in the field. To get that success going, it’s good.”

Connor McLaren and Caleb Walmsley both return as contenders in the high jump.

Saunder Stoltz could score big for the team in the long jump, and Cody Hanson comes back as the team’s top returning thrower. Antonio Ramirez leads a promising group of vaulters.

The Huskies look strong in every running event. They could easily qualify for state in every relay thanks to a large group of returners and emerging middle-distance stars.

The cream of the relay crop might be the 4x800-meter

relay, where Noah Barnes, Tyler Kintigh, Connor McLaren and Pedro Roman all return from a fifth-place finish in the state last year and have their eyes set on a state championship and school record this spring.

Kintigh looks poised to lead a strong distance group, while Stoltz is the team’s top returning sprinter. Both athletes earned individual all-state finishes last spring.

Leading the Huskies to meet the challenge is a strong senior class, with leaders such as thrower Brandon Tinker. Their goal: To lead by example and help the young athletes achieve the success and enjoyment they have found in the sport.

“It’s a new experience. I’ve been trying to teach some of the underclassmen. It’s been really exciting,” Tinker said. “I’ve been excited to share all that I know, and I look forward to seeing the younger athletes improve throughout the season.”

“All of our events are covered and covered well. We shoot for MITCA every year. That’s our big team event. Having depth in all of those events and kids willing to try new things is huge ... MITCA is a true team event.

– TRACI KELLY

BENZIE CENTRAL TRACK COACH

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Benzie Central golf looking to build foundation

By Robert Myers Staff Writer BENZONIA – Championship dreams may still be far off, but Benzie Central’s boys golf team shows signs of building a solid foundation heading into 2019.

Once again, the number of newcomers outnumbers the returners on the team.

Nonetheless, Benzie Central golf coach Matt Olson sees promise in some of his younger golfers.

BENZIE CENTRAL GOLF: Pictured (front row, left to right) are Ethan Lemmen, Emily Drake, Drew “We are going to be really Warsecke, Hannah Lilly, Joy Tester; (back row, left to right) coach Matt Olson, Caden Stewart, Dray young, but that is going to bode Hewitt, Ryan Kennedy and Jake Kennedy. Not pictured: Tomas Bilicki and Madison Miner. (Photo/ well in a few years,” Olson said.

Robert Myers) “We have some freshmen who

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are really interested in golf and have a little experience with golf.

We haven’t had a whole lot of that in the past. Hopefully, we can build off of that a little bit.”

Olson will turn to returning senior Ryan Kennedy and sophomore Jake Kennedy to lead his team on the course this year, after the two brothers posted solid scores last year.

“Jake is a returning honorable mention all-conference golfer from last year, and Ryan probably would have been too if he hadn’t gone on the Chicago trip. Both of those guys have a great shot at all-conference,” Olson said.

Benzie Central competes in the Northwest Conference, which has been dominated in recent years by teams such as Frankfort, Leland and Suttons Bay, who annually seem to advance to the state finals.

Olson knows his team needs more seasoning to compete with those powerhouses, but he hopes to slowly move up the conference ranks by competing against and defeating schools like Glen Lake, Kingsley and Onekama.

“We want to go out and be competitive with some of the other schools in the conference, the ones who are not going to the state finals every year, and be able to beat those teams,” Olson said. “Hopefully, the kids have fun and develop a love for golf. Maybe that will get them to golf in the summer a little bit and get a little better.”

Overall, Olson just wants to see incremental improvement.

“Benzie isn’t known for their golf program. We’re just trying to build it up and get kids interested,” he said. “Hopefully, that transitions into something a little bit more.”

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Benzie Central girls soccer short on experience, strong on attitude

By Robert Myers Staff Writer

BENZONIA – Benzie Central girls soccer enters 2019 short on experience, but the Huskies look to make up for that with hard work and strong team chemistry.

After losing a large senior class to graduation last spring, only Jenna Cole, Novia Dalzell and Annalise Tallent served as regular starters last year.

Benzie Central coach Aubrey Ann Parker brings back a few others with game experience and expects a couple of newcomers to step into starting roles, but overall, she said plenty of positions remain up for grabs.

“I tell the girls: ‘You should be coming to each practice hungry, because the reality is there aren’t that many people who are higher skill-wise than anyone else. Most positions are up for grabs at this point,’” Parker said.

Fortunately for the Huskies, Parker said that her players have embraced her challenge.

“The attitudes are great.

Everybody is coming to every practice with a great work ethic. That makes me super excited,” Parker said. “I feel like this group is really willing to listen. Last year people came in with set ideas of where they were going to play ... This year, we don’t have that. We are able to try new things and put people in new positions.”

With so many players playing new positions with new teammates, Parker has put extra focus this year on activities to promote team chemistry.

“A huge part of it is playing together and communicating … A huge part of that is trust.

Getting other people to trust

you, a lot of times you have to make yourself vulnerable – show that you are human and have flaws. That’s one thing that we are working on this year,” Parker said. “The more that we can learn to trust each other and the better that we can communicate, the better off we will be.”

Among the leaders to step up this year has been Dalzell, who said she learned a lot about leadership from watching last year’s seniors and is now eager to make her mark on the program.

“It feels really good to be a leader. Last year, I looked up to the seniors. They left a really good impact on me,” Dalzell said. “I learned a lot of respect (from them) and how to treat everyone right … My goal is to have a positive attitude, to have really good team bonding and to be able to win some games”

BENZIE CENTRAL SOCCER: Pictured are (front row, left to right) coach Aubrey Parker, team mascot Nova, Allie Barker, AuSable Kreiner, Novia Dalzell, Isabel Pataky, Alana Kuhlen, Rachel Vanhoorne; (back row, left to right) Brook Lautner, Annalise Tallent, Lauren Serrano, Reeve Katt, Emily Johnson, Clara Reed, Ashley Simerson, Lea Baeverle, Leia Schendell, Trinity Dalzell and Maelyn Beasley. Not Pictured: Jenna Cole. (Photo/Robert Myers)

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Experienced Frankfort golf team looks to return to state finals

By Robert Myers Staff Writer

FHS GOLF: Pictured (front row, left to right) are Aldridge Cicchelli, Riley Thorr, Casey Confer, Adam Mills; (back row, left to right) Ethan Evans, Seth Darling, Jack Reznich, Luke Hammon, Will Newbold and Daniel Newbold. (Photo/Robert Myers)

FRANKFORT — An experienced, tight-knit group of Panthers return to the golf course this spring in search of their fifth straight state finals appearance.

Senior Will Newbold leads the way. Last season, he recorded the lowest score (69) in school history and later finished eighth in the state. Seniors Jack Reznich and Riley Thorr join him to create a very experienced core.

Additionally, Luke Hammon, a junior, and Daniel Newbold, a sophomore, also return with state final experience.

“I don’t usually set too high of expectations myself, but the kids tend to do that on their own. They want to get back to state finals,” said Frankfort coach Tom Thorr. “They work hard, and it’s uncanny how

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they have that ability to buckle down. They are competitive ...

The more work you put into the game, the better you are going to get. These kids will go out and play and play. That’s what’s it’s going to take.”

Frankfort’s golfers find their greatest strength in the camaraderie they share as best friends on and off the course.

“We know if one of us is having a bad day, we have faith in all of our teammates to back us up and play well. We’ll pick each other up on our off days,” said Riley Thorr. “It helps to have a very easy going atmosphere.

Before and after tournaments, we are lifting each other up.”

Frankfort’s golfers may come across as easy going, but, as their coach mentioned, when the time comes, they know how to focus on the business at hand.

“It’s nice knowing that I don’t have to worry about who I’m golfing with. Everyone is going to be taking it seriously,” Reznich said.

Beyond Frankfort’s veteran core, Thorr said he looks forward to seeing what some of the younger golfers can do out on the course this spring.

“Ridge (Cicchelli) has been playing. Seth (Darling) has been playing. Adam Mills and Ethan Evans are coming in as freshmen. I am excited to see what they can do,” Thorr said. “Casey (Confer) has been around a year or two. Hopefully, he’ll get some time on the course. I don’t see why I won’t get an opportunity to play every kid in a match or two this year.”

Regionals will take place on May 29 at Treetops Resort, hosted by Johannesburg-Lewiston.

There, the Panthers will look to finish at least in the top three to return to state finals.

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FHS BASEBALL: Pictured (front row, left to right) are William O’Dwyer, Caleb Smith, Brenden Orcutt, Kirk Beeman, Augie Pasche, Ryan Witkop, Felipe Gomez, Connor Sharp; (back row, left to right) assistant coach Courtney Bower, assistant coach Brad Riedy, Connor Lamerson, Brian Walter, Brian McCarthy, Quincy Thayer, Jack Stefanski, Chase Ely, Blake Miller, Bjornar Somme and head coach Derek Jackson. Not pictured: assistant coach Jon Eno, Camryn Lewis, Griffin Anderson, Brendon Huft, Clay Bigley and Estlin Kenyon. (Photo/Robert Myers)

Frankfort baseball young, but promising in 2019

By Robert Myers Staff Writer

FRANKFORT — Despite the loss of seven senior starters from last year’s conference championship team, Frankfort’s baseball team appears to have a strong foundation for the future this spring.

New coach Derek Jackson enters the spring high on the Panthers’ potential. He said that all his team needs to do is throw strikes and play good fundamental baseball and they could go farther than people expect this year. “(Our pitchers) are just going to throw strikes and we will play good defense behind them,” Jackson said. “Beal City won a state title last year with a good pitcher and just a lot of fundamentally sound kids.”

Sophomore Jack Stefanski is not ready to talk about state titles yet, but he does like the

potential of what Frankfort could become over the next two or three years.

“We aren’t thinking about (a state championship yet).

We’ve got to start small. This is a young group. We are going to be together for two or three years,” Stefanski said. “I’m a sophomore. Another leader is a sophomore. Chase Ely is an 11th grader. We are going to be young. We just have to keep pushing and our time will come.”

While Stefanski will serve as Frankfort’s No. 1 pitcher, another sophomore will also play a major role. Connor Sharp won the job in left field as a freshman, and now he looks primed to take over behind home plate.

“He learned a lot from Brett (Zimmerman last year). Brett really took him under his wing, and Connor has been working hard at catcher. We have two

assistant coaches who played the position, so he has learned a lot from them,” Jackson said.

Other players also seem ready to step up into major roles for the Panthers.

“Another player that is really going to step up is Brian McCarthy. He was the last one in the cage last year. He’s always hitting an extra bucket. He’s just constantly doing things to make himself better.

Chase Ely is another kid that’s going to see some action this year. He’s fielding everything hit toward him, and his hands are lightning fast,” Jackson said.

“We’ve got a lot of interchangeable pieces, just based on their abilities and knowledge of the game, and that’s a good problem to have. It’s an exciting time for Frankfort baseball … I am expecting really good things from this young team.”

“We aren’t thinking about (a state championship yet). We’ve got to start small.

This is a young group. "

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FHS SOFTBALL: Pictured (front row, left to right) are manager Elizabeth Tiesworth, Natalie Bigley, Kassidy Hollenbeck, Corrine Wilcox, manager Kinzee Stockdale, Helena Novokova; (back row, left to right) coach Mike Thompson, Katie Beeman, Bre Dawe, Haley Myers, Taylor Myers, Cora Scott, Maggie Kelly and coach Haley Levine. (Photo/ Robert Myers)

Frankfort softball eyeing deep postseason run

By Robert Myers Staff Writer

FRANKFORT — Frankfort softball players look to take inspiration from their school’s

boys basketball team in their quest for a deep postseason run this June.

Last spring, the Panthers took a major step forward.

They swept their conference

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and defeated rival Holton to win a regional championship and reach the quarterfinals. Suddenly, though. the Panthers find themselves wanting more.

“We had this conversation with the girls. Playing in the quarterfinals is all well and good, but scoring one more run and getting to play in the state semifinals in Lansing, that experience is second to none,” said Frankfort coach Mike Thompson. “After watching the boys, I think our girls want the experience of taking it a step further.”

To do so, the Panthers will need players, new and experienced, to step up this year.

Senior Natalie Bigley and junior Haley Myers are both known quantities at the top of the lineup and on the pitching mound. As two-time all-state players, they can be counted on to deliver in 2019.

Beyond them is where Frankfort’s season will be decided. A pair of seniors may prove key this year, as Bre Dawe and Katie Beeman look primed to move up in the lineup. In the meantime, Beeman has also stepped up on defense, working all winter for a potential move to catcher this spring.

“Katie has been working her butt off catching. I think she’ll do good,” Bigley said.

“She’s been to every open gym, and she’s trying to step up for the team, which is exciting to see. That’s a key position.”

Younger players to watch this year include Kassidy Hollenbeck and Maggie Kelly, as well as freshman Taylor Myers. In addition to starting in the field, Taylor Myers looks to serve as the No. 3 pitcher behind Bigley and Haley Myers.

“Taylor has a really bright future,” Thomson said. “The spin that she has on the ball is really good. As soon, as she figures a few things out, she is going to be a pretty dominant player. It’s a wonderful luxury to have at Division 4. A lot of Division 4 schools just have a No. 1 and ride her the whole time, but we are very fortunate to have a No. 1, a No. 2 and an emergency pitcher.”

If all goes well, the Panthers could be playing at Michigan State to end their season, but no matter what, they are looking to create many great memories along the way.

“I have so many good memories (from my years on this team),” Bigley said.

“We’ve just always been a solid team, and I hope this is finally the year when we go and get it, when we finally finish the job.”

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FHS BOYS TRACK: Pictured (left to right) are coach Ed Schindler, Ezekiel Thompson, Jacob Walrad, Xander Stockdale, Keith Larsen, Danny Lee, Chris Provo, Kyle Plesha, Owen Roth, Dakota Borton, Seth Johnson, Hunter Osborne, Tucker Hubbard and coach Steve Braem. Not pictured: Tyler Beitel, Jared Coxe, Oliver Farmer, Austin Payne and Conner Smith. (Photo/Robert Myers)

Vaulters, distance relays to lead Frankfort boys in 2019

By Robert Myers Staff Writer

FRANKFORT — Frankfort boys track and field enters 2019 with its share of questions, but the

Panthers also have plenty of promise.

The questions begin with the sprints and sprint relays. Although the Panthers have excelled in those events in recent years, they enter this year

having lost significant talent in those events. Now, it will rest on the younger athletes to step up and follow in the footsteps of those

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FHS GIRLS TRACK: Pictured (front row, left to right) are Briellen Clapp, Keyan Clapp, Recia Wilkinson, Madison Odette, Janie Turner; (back row, left to right) coach Ed Schindler, Grace Walrad, Tara Townsend, Tatum Townsend, Madeline McCrae, Morgan Bradley, Jade Nerg and coach Steve Braem. Not Pictured: Reagan Thorr, Emma Yagle and Helen Erginkara. (Photo/Robert Myers)

Frankfort girls track enters spring with small, but talented team

By Robert Myers Staff Writer FRANKFORT — The Frankfort girls track and field team enters 2019 low on numbers but high

on talent.

This theme characterizes the team for the second year in a row. This year, the numbers have climbed slightly north of 10, and the Panthers have a regional championship

within their sights.

“There are a couple of kids — I wish I could put them in six events,” said Frankfort girls track

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record patriot

“In the past we’ve been heavy on distance kids, and now it’s been reversed. It will be exciting to see all of the new fast kids coming up.”

– MELISSA BRADLEY FHS GIRLS TRACK COACH

• spring sports 2019

BOYS CONTINUED FROM who raced before them.

Despite their inexperience in some of the sprints, the Panthers, nonetheless, return a fair amount of talent with state finals experience.

Juniors Jacob Walrad and Xander Stockdale lead the way after both earned all-state finishes a year ago in the pole vault. Seth Johnson qualified for regionals last year and could join them at state. With three potential state qualifiers, Frankfort boys track coach Steve Braem expects pole vault to be his team’s best event.

The Panthers look to bring back talent in their 4x800-meter relay as well. Owen Roth, Danny Lee and Kyle Plesha all return from a state qualifying team last year. Roth could also excel in the open distance events after a

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strong cross country season in the fall.

“I’m really excited about Owen this year,” Braem said.

“He really wants to do well. He had a great cross country season, and he is really focusing on the mile and 800 for us the spring.”

Frankfort has talent coming back in the 4x400-meter relay.

The team finished 12th in the state in 2018 and returns Oliver Farmer, Plesha and Stockdale.

Farmer also has state finals experience in the long jump.

In the throws, Conner Smith profiles as another top returner for the Panthers. He qualified for state finals in the discus a season ago and spent time this winter improving his craft.

Frankfort opens its season at 4:15 p.m. on April 17 with a conference meet at Benzie Central.

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coach Melissa Bradley. “They are really talented .... I think we have a good shot (at the region).”

For the Panthers, everything starts with the pole vault this year.

Conceivably, Frankfort could end the year with three state medalists in the event.

Junior Madi Odette returns after placing eighth in the state last spring. Fellow junior Tatum Townsend, missed qualifying for state finals on a fluke but holds the school record in the event.

Joining them this year, will be Tara Townsend. She could be the best of them all after clearing 10-feet, 7-inches, a mark that would have broken the high school record, at a middle school meet last year.

The Townsend sisters should also lead the Panthers to success in the sprints and sprint relays. Tatum Townsend qualified for state finals in the 200meter dash last year, and Tara Townsend could easily join her in the event at state finals this

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spring.

They will likely be joined in sprint relays with another pair of sisters — Briellen Clapp and Keyan Clapp. In addition to being sprinters, the Clapp sisters are also accomplished shot putters and should immediately contribute there.

Not to be lost in this group is returning sophomore Reagan Thorr. Thorr has a strong chance to qualify for state finals in the long jump, after breaking the 15-foot mark late last season.

She is also a dangerous runner in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes and will likely see action in at least one of the relays.

Janey Turner enters the spring the only distance runner, but Bradley still expects her to represent the distance well by contributing points more often than not.

“In the past we’ve been heavy on distance kids, and now it’s been reversed,” Bradley said. “It will be exciting to see all of the new fast kids coming up.”