The boys track team at Rockford got the 2012 season underway with a resounding 111-26 win over West Ottawa at home on Thursday, April 12 in the OK Red opener. They completed the week with a second-place showing at the inaugural Rockford Track Invitational on Saturday, April 14. The Rams tallied 501 points to come in behind only Williamston (557.5) despite having several key cogs missing from the lineup.
“Thursday was a great meet and a good start to the season,” said Rockford Coach Andy Martin. “We ran tough and we ran hard as a team. We feel like we could have won as a team on Saturday, but we were missing some kids due to illnesses and other things, but you also have to overcome things as well. It was a great day Saturday and it will hopefully become an annual event. We got great feedback from all of the schools that were here.”
“This week should set us up well for next week’s meet against East Kentwood,” continued Coach Martin. “They have beaten every team in the state of Michigan by 60 points over the last three years. Thursday should be a fun night for everyone and we think we match up pretty well with them. They have an edge in certain events and I think we have an edge in other events. I can’t wait and the kids are pretty excited as well.”
Ben Braden set a new personal record in the shot put at 52′ 9″ and also took the discus against West Ottawa. Chris Eggenberger won the 100- and 200-meter dashes, and Drew Woznick also was a multiple event winner by claiming the 800- and 1,600-meter races.
In Saturday’s invitational, it was again a huge day for Eggenberger. He took the 100 meters in 11.24 seconds and the 200 meters in 22.86 while also taking part in the first-place 400-meter relay squad that ran a solid 44.39 second time.
Brandon Lubenow was also a part of the 400-meter relay time as well as taking the high jump at 6′ 3″ and coming in second in the 100 meters. Kim Gilbert and Jeremy Blauser were the other members of the 400-meter relay team.
The final winners on the day for Rockford were the 3,200-meter relay team of Drew Woznick, Chris Coles, Casey Aman, and Austin Benoit. They ran a time of 8:15.2 to easily outdistance the field.
Before squaring off with East Kentwood, the Rams travel to Muskegon for another OK Red meet on Tuesday, April 17 (too late for press) against the Big Reds.
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