By JOHN RAFFEL
Clare finished runner-up to
Pewamo-Westphalia in the Division 3
state meet.
“On the guys side, it was one of
the greatest finishes in school history
with our Division 3 state runner-up
finish,” Clare coach Adam Burhans
said. “Athletes who believed and stuck
with the program chose to envision
that they could be one of the best
groups ever, and in the end, they were.
We normally would have won the
MHSAA state title with the number
of points we scored (47) but it was
a dogfight all day with Pewamo
Westphalia, perhaps their best team
ever, who tallied 57 on the day.
“People underestimate what it takes
to even score at this meet, let alone
that many points as a team. It normally
takes an elite athlete to score 1 point to
be All-State. To score that many on an
off-and-on rainy day against that level
of competition says a lot.”
These athletes were superb:
Andrew Klaus, career PR in the 3,200
(10:13.54). Neiko Ketchum (11-9) and
Ethan Reeves (12-9) vaulted well in a
non-stop rain. The 3200 relay team of
Connor Schmidt, Brayden Schmidt,
Kona Crump, and Andrew Klaus ran
their fastest time with that group of
guys (8:47.26).
The 400 Relay team of Mason Heintz,
Joey Bouchey, Jacob Halicek, and Ryan
Rodenbo ran the No. 4 time all-time
for our school (44.74).
The 800 Relay team of Jeffrey Schafer,
Jacob Halicek, Ryan Rodenbo, and
Keagen Paisley was state runner-up
and posted the No. 3 time all-time
(1:30.37).
Jake Punches was all-state in shot
put (51-3) and discus (151-5) — both
tosses ranking No. 6 all-time; and Brad
White had a banner day. . . establishing
three school records on the day: the
1600 (4:17.31), the 800 (1:53.16),
and as anchor of the state champion
1600 relay team of Owhin Thompson,
Jeffrey Schafer, Nic Porter, and White
(3:22.38).
Conan Weeks (sophomore) was state
champion in the long jump in 22 feet.
2.25 inches.
Menu