Jeff Chaney
Sports Scene
The Rockford boys track team has had many highly-talented distance runners in the past 15 years who have helped the Rams run to the front of the field in Division 1 track.
Runners like Dathan Ritzenhein, an Olympic qualifier in the marathon, and Jason Hartman, who just took fourth at this spring’s Boston Marathon, previously ran for the Rams.
This year is no different, as junior Drew Woznick leads a bunch solid distance runners from Rockford.
“It feels pretty cool [to be a distance runner on the team] with the history that we have,” Woznick said. “Even with our coach [boys’ track coach Andy Martin], he was a very good runner and won state for cross country. And Dathan has gone to the Olympics, so it is very cool.”
This year has been good for Woznick, as he’s turned in times of 2:03 in the 800-meter run; 4:34 in the 1,600-meter run; and 10:02 in the 3,200-meter run.
He’ll look for improvements as the season moves on. His personal records are 4:23 in the 1,600 and 9:49 in the 3,200.
Plus, Woznick has shown his versatility and unselfishness by running the 400-meter dash this year.
His best time in that event is 51.67 seconds, but he says he would prefer to run longer distances.
In a recent meet against OK Red Conference rival East Kentwood, Woznick ran the 400-meter dash. After its completion, he told Martin, “That’s the most tired I’ve been in a race.”
“It was pretty close to run it,” Woznick said. “I wouldn’t say it’s harder, or not as hard, as the two mile, it’s just a different race – it’s more violent. It’s an all-out sprint and gets over so quickly. Unlike a two mile, where its an all-out grind for eight laps.
“I have run it a couple of times,” he added. “I guess it’s been to help the team, so he throws me in there some times. I don’t know if I’m focusing on it, but I will do that to help the team a couple of times this season.”
It is that kind of attitude that makes Martin happy that he has Woznick at his disposal.
“He’s been my distance horse, but against Muskegon, I asked him to run the 400 and he won it,” Martin said. “He’s a good kid and will do anything to help the team.”
Martin finally admitted that he had some assistant coaches chirping in his ear to get Woznick entered in the 400.
“My dad and grandpa told me I should run him in the 400,” Martin said. “Last year I could have but didn’t because I needed him in distance events. This year I can take advantage of his versatility.”
Aside from being good in the on the track, Woznick holds his own in the classroom.
“He’s smart and good,” Martin said. “He has a 4.48 GPA. He’s just a great kid.”
Woznick didn’t have the cross country season he had hoped for, because he was battling illness. He hopes to end his junior season with a great run by the track team.
Last year, the Rams were fourth at the MHSAA Division 1 finals.
“I think we have the potential to be really good,” Woznick said. “It’s hard to say how we will do at the state meet. If everyone stays healthy and improves, I think we have a shot at giving East Kentwood [the three-time defending Division 1 state champs] a run for their money in conference and at state.”