Clare track teams appear to be loaded again

by BEN MURPHY

Cleaver Sports Writer

The Clare track and field teams are loaded up for another big-time season this spring. The Pioneers are seemingly annual contenders to win the Jack Pine Conference and make the state meet.

The Clare boys finished second place in the league last year and return a whole host of athletes looking to get them over the hump and win the title this year.

“This is the makings of a very good team,” veteran head coach Adam Burhans said. “We have already made an early statement about how strong we will be in the sprints and field events. We will naturally find balance in other parts of the program. We have a strong senior class and their leadership is expected.”

As for the league race, Burhans knows that their depth and experience should help them compete once again.

“We see everyone as a threat, if we maintain our balance and strength, we will be tough to beat,” he said. “(We’re looking for) reps for all and a chance to compete.  We've done a nice job of it so far.”

The girls’ team will once again be led by head coach Kyle McKown. They finished second in the Jack Pine last year as well and took seventh at the Division II Team state meet.

Returning to the team will be Abby Boyd (sprints, jumps), Aleigha Finkbeiner (throws), Ata Dembele (hurdles), Ava Robinson (mid-distance), Brenna Campbell (jumps), Bri Smith (long jump), Brooklinn Barcia (high jump), Brooklyn Zemko (sprints, pole vault), Cara Heintz (sprints), Elizabeth Letherer (distance, mid-distance), Elliaunna Buzanowski (sprints, long jump), Emma Stotzel (distance), Haley Marshall (sprints, hurdles), Hannah Goethe (sprints), Hayden Taylor (sprints), Jersey Peek (sprints, hurdles), Joelle English (sprints), Kaedence Phelps (sprints), Kiley Wentworth (high jump), Lauren Leis (mid-distance), Leah Leis (distance, mid-distance), Lily Fouts (distance), Lydia Page (sprints), Maya Haley (sprints, pole vault), Molly Crawford (throws), Olivia Dubay (distance), Patience Fouchey (hurdles, sprints), Peyton Cantu (sprints), Sophia Buzzelli (distance, mid-distance), Sophia Stevens (throws), Summer Bay (sprints) and Tangelia Finkbeiner (throws).

New to the team will be Alayla Smith (throws), Alison Villa-Bilton (distance, mid-distance), Ava Rose (throws), Bella Pascaretti (sprints), Brooke McWethey (sprints), Brooklyn Parson (sprints), Brooklyn Wieferich (sprints, long jump), Ellie Blystone (sprints, pole vault), Elyse Harmon (sprints, jumps, hurdles), Emma Gibbs (sprints), Halie Buning (sprints), Isabelle Rodgers (sprints, mid-distance), Ivy Russell (sprints, jumps), Jasmine Ketchum (sprints), Jordyn Maki (sprints, jumps), Kamara Cooper (sprints, jumps), Kelsie Haley (sprints), Kennedy Boxx (sprints, pole vault), Lydia Kripa (sprints, pole vault), Lyra Fouts (throws), Madison Root (pole vault), Makensley Gotts (sprints), Melanie Schocknesse (sprints, jumps), Reagan Somers (mid-distance, long jump), Serena Michalski (sprints) and Tayden Dunkle (hurdles, sprints).

“We have a strong returning class on upperclassmen and a large class of incoming freshmen that are adding depth to our team,” McKown said. “Though weather has been a challenge, we've been working on putting in consistent hard work and working on skill development. (We want to) compete for Jack Pine Conference Championship, qualify and finish as high as possible at Division II Team State Championship.”

Clare was at Standish-Sterling on Wednesday, they host the Pioneer Invitational on Friday and they’ll host Pinconning and Gladwin on Wednesday, April 15.