As a football coach with limited experience running a track program, Meridian’s Mike Bilina had a simple strategy heading into the Division 3 state meet.
Bilina had been notified in the middle of the season by his predecessor Dave Pettyplace that the Mustangs had a great shot to win the state team title and he knew just what to do.
“I call myself the track manager, not the coach,” he said. “I filled out the card and got out of the way.”
Good strategy.
With senior Christian Petre having a hand in scoring 36 points, Meridian put up a total of 39 and won the championship. Hillsdale was second with 34.
“It was exciting,” Bilina said. “We knew that if we came out and ran the times were were capable of running, we’d have a good shot and that’s what we did.
“We only took six guys, which is not as many as a lot of other teams, but they were all studs.”
Petre won the 100 meters last year and wound up second to Thomas Robinson of Wyoming Lee with a time of 11.12.
“That kid was a sophomore in his first year in track and he was big,” said Bilina. “He was 6-3 and he got us by a lean.”
Petre placed third in the 200 last year and moved up to second this time with a 22.26. Robinson got him again by a hair.
“I guess it was disappointing not to win, but he ran two good races,” said Blina. “He really didn’t have time to brood anyway, because he had a couple of relays to run, too.”
Petre joined forces with Matt Hoffman, Miles LeViere and his brother, Monte Petre, to win the gold medal in the 800 relay in a time of 1:29.21.
Christian and Monte then teamed with LeViere and Andre Smith to win the 400 relay in a state record time of 43.14.
Monte Petre also earned All-State honors flying solo, placing sixth in the 100 in 11.41.
“We won the team state championship and set a state record,” said Bilina. “It was just a great day for the kids.”