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It’s going to be a sprint to mid-May for Livingston County girls track and field teams.
It will seem like the blink of an eye from when they begin competing to when they need to be at their best to qualify for the state meet at regionals.
Only Charyl Stockwell and Howell got in an indoor meet before spring break, with the other teams getting started this week or, in Pinckney’s case, as late as April 8.
For Pinckney, which could conceivably sweep the boys and girls regional championships, there are only 37 days between their first meet and a May 15 regional at Chelsea. Fowlerville has 42 days, while Brighton and Hartland have 43 days.
Livingston County’s Division 1 teams will move to Mason for a regional May 16 that includes the same group of teams that competed in Grand Ledge the last two years. Pinckney has moved away from Dearborn Divine Child, which won the girls Division 2 title, to Chelsea on May 15. Fowlerville will compete May 16 in Division 2 at Frankenmuth, while Charyl Stockwell is at Stockbridge for a Division 3 regional May 17.
This week’s season-opening meets feature Brighton at Howell Thursday and the Fowlerville Open invitational Friday.
► Last season: 3rd place KLAA, 1st place regionals
► Top returners: Elle Bissett (distance), Sr.; Maizie Cavanaugh (distance), Jr.; Kaydence Hoolsema (jumps), Soph.; Callie Kyser (sprints, jumps), Jr.; Lydia LaMarra (distance), Jr.; Juliet Lewis (middle distance), Jr.; Alyssa Mainka (throws), Jr.; Addison Payne (sprints), Sr.; Adrianna Pembroke (sprints), Sr.; Abby Storch (sprints, jumps), Sr.; Mali Thelen (jumps), Sr.; Selena White (sprints), Jr.
► Outlook: Brighton brings back eight athletes who scored points at regionals to help the Bulldogs win their first championship since 2008. Lewis qualified for the state meet in the 800 and on two relays, while Payne qualified in the 400. Payne, Lewis and White are back from the state-qualifying 1,600 relay. LaMarra and Bissett take over as the leaders of a distance crew that is always a strength for the Bulldogs. Brighton has enough depth across 17 events to contend for another regional title.
► Coach Sam Etter: “The most beautiful thing we saw at regionals last year was people that are willing to work together and support one another and do what’s not necessarily expected, but what’s asked of them and really reach and take the extra step. We scored a bunch of points that weren’t expected on paper. Feeling encouraged to take that next step is what’s going to help us this year.”
► Last season: 4th place MIAC, 3rd place regionals
► Top returners: Ciera Geary (distance), Sr.; Lauren Hammond (sprints), Jr.; Ella Heffner (middle distance), Jr.; Becka Lethorn (pole vault, sprints), Jr.; Abigail Pick (middle distance), Soph.; Bailey Yates (hurdles, jumps), Soph.; Maecy Zarate (distance), Soph.
► Outlook: The Sentinels have only 14 girls on their roster, but have enough quality to do well in bigger meets. Lethorn is a two-time regional champion in pole vault who made all-state in Division 3 last year. Heffner is a two-time regional champ in the 800 and was on a qualifying 1,600 relay with Hammond, who ran a school-record 27.83 seconds in the 200 indoors. Yates set the school record of 52.31 in the 300 hurdles last year.
► Coach Ron Abner: “This girls team is going to score quite well at regionals. We’ve been second in regionals with as few as seven girls. It’s not out of the realm of possibility we get this done with 13 or 14 girls.”
► Last season: 5th place CAAC Red, 8th place regionals
► Top returners: Maria Beach (middle distance, pole vault), Jr.; Fiona Gitulli (sprints, long jump), Sr.; Norah Presley (throws), Sr.; Evie Redinger (sprinter), Sr.; Delaney Richardson (distance), Jr.
► Outlook: Fowlerville doesn’t have an athlete who has been to the state meet. Gitulli missed qualifying last year by one place in the long jump, finishing third with a leap of 15 feet, 11.5 inches. She has been the Gladiators’ top sprinter since she was a freshman. Richardson is Fowlerville’s top distance runner, winning the 3,200 four times and the 1,600 twice in dual meets last season. Presley has a personal best of 93-10 in discus.
► Coach Matt Copeland: “We’re going to try to compete and set the tone early and see if we can squeak out a couple points and really work on getting better every day, so when we get to championship season maybe we can surprise some people.”
► Last season: 13th place KLAA, 10th place regionals
► Top returners: Ava Goodman (distance), Soph.; Sophia Keenan (sprints), Sr.; Elliana Neuer (distance), Soph.; Sophia Nunnery (distance), Jr.; Kendel Simmons (pole vault), Soph.; Presley Wilson (middle distance), Soph.
► Outlook: Hartland could have the top freshman in the county in Hannah DePestel, who ran 26.44 seconds for 200 meters, 59.11 for 400 and 2:25.12 for 800 during the indoor season. The returning group is led by the distance trio of Goodman, Neuer and Nunnery, who led Hartland to its first cross country state meet since 2011 in the fall. The Eagles have holes to fill in field events after graduating two-time all-state shot putter Aubree Meyer. As is the case with many teams, some athletes who could’ve helped Hartland chose not to return to focus on one sport.
► Coach Matt Gutteridge: “We have almost 50 girls out. There are a lot of new faces, so hopefully we can find some kids to develop. They’re all working hard and having fun. It’s just a lot of young kids. It’s going to be a minute in that regard.”
► Last season: 10th place KLAA, 8th place regionals
► Top returners: McKenna Gill (sprints, long jump), Soph.; Rori Gregory (high jump), Sr. Anna Halliday (distance), Soph.; Norah Hull (sprints, long jump), Soph.; Emma Kanka (throws), Jr.; Rylee Sams-Fisher (sprints), Soph.
► Outlook: Howell’s strength is in a sophomore class the Highlanders hope can develop into a class similar to the seniors two years ago who led a regional runner-up finish. Gill, Hull and Sams-Fisher ran on a sixth-place 400 relay team at regionals as freshmen. Kanka was a state qualifier in shot put two years ago.
► Coach Josh Noble: “We’re pretty young. We’re really moving in the right direction though. Last year, we had some really solid seniors but only had about 30 or so girls. We’re in the 50s this year. That’s a good sign, because the more numbers you get, the more competitive practices are and the more competitive meets are going to be for us.”
► Outlook: Junior distance runner Taylor Wiegand is a one-girl team who has made all-state in cross country and track. She was a Division 4 regional champion in the 800 in 2:25.5 last year before making all-state with an eighth-place finish. Wiegand is a two-time cross country all-stater who took 10th in the Division 4 finals in the fall.
► Last season: 1st place SEC White, 2nd place regionals
► Top returners: Madison Cooke (sprints), Sr.; Davea Crowe (hurdles, sprints), Soph.; Emillie Evans (sprints), Sr.; Nadia Jacobs (pole vault), Sr.; Mya Karolak (high jump), Sr.; Maddie Karsies (distance), Sr.; Jaelyn Ray (distance), Soph.; Brooklyn Reason (middle distance), Jr.; Addison Wroblewski (sprints), Soph.
► Outlook: Pinckney has moved back to a regional at Chelsea after scoring an incredible 151 points last year and getting only a second-place finish to Division 2 state champion Dearborn Divine Child. The Pirates return four regional champions in Ray (1,600, 3,200), Crowe (300 hurdles), Karolak (high jump) and Jacobs (pole vault). Cooke was on three state-qualifying relays. Cooke and Crowe helped the 800 relay set a school record of 1:44.22 and place fifth in Division 2.
► Coach Daniel Patrick: “This regional will be more where kids can pull points. This will be more of a shootout this year. We’ll be in the run for it, for sure. We have a small team, 30 to 35 girls, but it’s a quality team again. That’s what got us through last year even being small, having the talent we did and being able to put in the work.”
Contact Bill Khan at [email protected]. Follow him on X @BillKhan
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: What's the outlook for Livingston County girls track and field in 2025?
Continue reading...
It will seem like the blink of an eye from when they begin competing to when they need to be at their best to qualify for the state meet at regionals.
Only Charyl Stockwell and Howell got in an indoor meet before spring break, with the other teams getting started this week or, in Pinckney’s case, as late as April 8.
For Pinckney, which could conceivably sweep the boys and girls regional championships, there are only 37 days between their first meet and a May 15 regional at Chelsea. Fowlerville has 42 days, while Brighton and Hartland have 43 days.
Livingston County’s Division 1 teams will move to Mason for a regional May 16 that includes the same group of teams that competed in Grand Ledge the last two years. Pinckney has moved away from Dearborn Divine Child, which won the girls Division 2 title, to Chelsea on May 15. Fowlerville will compete May 16 in Division 2 at Frankenmuth, while Charyl Stockwell is at Stockbridge for a Division 3 regional May 17.
This week’s season-opening meets feature Brighton at Howell Thursday and the Fowlerville Open invitational Friday.
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Brighton
► Last season: 3rd place KLAA, 1st place regionals
► Top returners: Elle Bissett (distance), Sr.; Maizie Cavanaugh (distance), Jr.; Kaydence Hoolsema (jumps), Soph.; Callie Kyser (sprints, jumps), Jr.; Lydia LaMarra (distance), Jr.; Juliet Lewis (middle distance), Jr.; Alyssa Mainka (throws), Jr.; Addison Payne (sprints), Sr.; Adrianna Pembroke (sprints), Sr.; Abby Storch (sprints, jumps), Sr.; Mali Thelen (jumps), Sr.; Selena White (sprints), Jr.
► Outlook: Brighton brings back eight athletes who scored points at regionals to help the Bulldogs win their first championship since 2008. Lewis qualified for the state meet in the 800 and on two relays, while Payne qualified in the 400. Payne, Lewis and White are back from the state-qualifying 1,600 relay. LaMarra and Bissett take over as the leaders of a distance crew that is always a strength for the Bulldogs. Brighton has enough depth across 17 events to contend for another regional title.
► Coach Sam Etter: “The most beautiful thing we saw at regionals last year was people that are willing to work together and support one another and do what’s not necessarily expected, but what’s asked of them and really reach and take the extra step. We scored a bunch of points that weren’t expected on paper. Feeling encouraged to take that next step is what’s going to help us this year.”
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Charyl Stockwell
► Last season: 4th place MIAC, 3rd place regionals
► Top returners: Ciera Geary (distance), Sr.; Lauren Hammond (sprints), Jr.; Ella Heffner (middle distance), Jr.; Becka Lethorn (pole vault, sprints), Jr.; Abigail Pick (middle distance), Soph.; Bailey Yates (hurdles, jumps), Soph.; Maecy Zarate (distance), Soph.
► Outlook: The Sentinels have only 14 girls on their roster, but have enough quality to do well in bigger meets. Lethorn is a two-time regional champion in pole vault who made all-state in Division 3 last year. Heffner is a two-time regional champ in the 800 and was on a qualifying 1,600 relay with Hammond, who ran a school-record 27.83 seconds in the 200 indoors. Yates set the school record of 52.31 in the 300 hurdles last year.
► Coach Ron Abner: “This girls team is going to score quite well at regionals. We’ve been second in regionals with as few as seven girls. It’s not out of the realm of possibility we get this done with 13 or 14 girls.”
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Fowlerville
► Last season: 5th place CAAC Red, 8th place regionals
► Top returners: Maria Beach (middle distance, pole vault), Jr.; Fiona Gitulli (sprints, long jump), Sr.; Norah Presley (throws), Sr.; Evie Redinger (sprinter), Sr.; Delaney Richardson (distance), Jr.
► Outlook: Fowlerville doesn’t have an athlete who has been to the state meet. Gitulli missed qualifying last year by one place in the long jump, finishing third with a leap of 15 feet, 11.5 inches. She has been the Gladiators’ top sprinter since she was a freshman. Richardson is Fowlerville’s top distance runner, winning the 3,200 four times and the 1,600 twice in dual meets last season. Presley has a personal best of 93-10 in discus.
► Coach Matt Copeland: “We’re going to try to compete and set the tone early and see if we can squeak out a couple points and really work on getting better every day, so when we get to championship season maybe we can surprise some people.”
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Hartland
► Last season: 13th place KLAA, 10th place regionals
► Top returners: Ava Goodman (distance), Soph.; Sophia Keenan (sprints), Sr.; Elliana Neuer (distance), Soph.; Sophia Nunnery (distance), Jr.; Kendel Simmons (pole vault), Soph.; Presley Wilson (middle distance), Soph.
► Outlook: Hartland could have the top freshman in the county in Hannah DePestel, who ran 26.44 seconds for 200 meters, 59.11 for 400 and 2:25.12 for 800 during the indoor season. The returning group is led by the distance trio of Goodman, Neuer and Nunnery, who led Hartland to its first cross country state meet since 2011 in the fall. The Eagles have holes to fill in field events after graduating two-time all-state shot putter Aubree Meyer. As is the case with many teams, some athletes who could’ve helped Hartland chose not to return to focus on one sport.
► Coach Matt Gutteridge: “We have almost 50 girls out. There are a lot of new faces, so hopefully we can find some kids to develop. They’re all working hard and having fun. It’s just a lot of young kids. It’s going to be a minute in that regard.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Howell
► Last season: 10th place KLAA, 8th place regionals
► Top returners: McKenna Gill (sprints, long jump), Soph.; Rori Gregory (high jump), Sr. Anna Halliday (distance), Soph.; Norah Hull (sprints, long jump), Soph.; Emma Kanka (throws), Jr.; Rylee Sams-Fisher (sprints), Soph.
► Outlook: Howell’s strength is in a sophomore class the Highlanders hope can develop into a class similar to the seniors two years ago who led a regional runner-up finish. Gill, Hull and Sams-Fisher ran on a sixth-place 400 relay team at regionals as freshmen. Kanka was a state qualifier in shot put two years ago.
► Coach Josh Noble: “We’re pretty young. We’re really moving in the right direction though. Last year, we had some really solid seniors but only had about 30 or so girls. We’re in the 50s this year. That’s a good sign, because the more numbers you get, the more competitive practices are and the more competitive meets are going to be for us.”
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Livingston Christian
► Outlook: Junior distance runner Taylor Wiegand is a one-girl team who has made all-state in cross country and track. She was a Division 4 regional champion in the 800 in 2:25.5 last year before making all-state with an eighth-place finish. Wiegand is a two-time cross country all-stater who took 10th in the Division 4 finals in the fall.
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Pinckney
► Last season: 1st place SEC White, 2nd place regionals
► Top returners: Madison Cooke (sprints), Sr.; Davea Crowe (hurdles, sprints), Soph.; Emillie Evans (sprints), Sr.; Nadia Jacobs (pole vault), Sr.; Mya Karolak (high jump), Sr.; Maddie Karsies (distance), Sr.; Jaelyn Ray (distance), Soph.; Brooklyn Reason (middle distance), Jr.; Addison Wroblewski (sprints), Soph.
► Outlook: Pinckney has moved back to a regional at Chelsea after scoring an incredible 151 points last year and getting only a second-place finish to Division 2 state champion Dearborn Divine Child. The Pirates return four regional champions in Ray (1,600, 3,200), Crowe (300 hurdles), Karolak (high jump) and Jacobs (pole vault). Cooke was on three state-qualifying relays. Cooke and Crowe helped the 800 relay set a school record of 1:44.22 and place fifth in Division 2.
► Coach Daniel Patrick: “This regional will be more where kids can pull points. This will be more of a shootout this year. We’ll be in the run for it, for sure. We have a small team, 30 to 35 girls, but it’s a quality team again. That’s what got us through last year even being small, having the talent we did and being able to put in the work.”
Contact Bill Khan at [email protected]. Follow him on X @BillKhan
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: What's the outlook for Livingston County girls track and field in 2025?
Continue reading...
