By Dan Hardenbrook
Saturday was full of magic and history for the Newberry Indians boys and girls track teams at the U.P. Finals in Kingsford on Saturday. A near picture perfect day set the stage for athletes, coaches, and fans to enjoy an unforgettable moment as both Varsity teams claimed their respective Division 3 State Championships. It was the first time in school history that both teams took home a title in the same season.
The Newberry boys, as defending champs, had a target on their back all season. Their year-long quest to stay on top was complete Saturday, when the Indians survived a battle against closest threat Lake Linden Hubbell to earn their second consecutive title.
Coach Drew Schultz, who competed on the 2005 and 2006 State title teams, said that determination paid off.
“I’m extremely proud of the guys for handling their business,” Schultz said. “These seniors saw the re-boot of our program and they have earned a U.P. runners-up trophy, two Regional titles, and back-to-back U.P. titles. We talked about this as an opportunity with no added pressure to repeat. They’ve maintained the standard they created.”
A pair of those seniors stood on top one last time. Matthew Rahilly, who ends his high school career as one of Newberry’s most decorated athletes, soared to wins in the high jump and long jump while also piling up points in the 100M and 200M races.
Normally stoic and locked in, Rahilly’s emotion and excitement was on full display Saturday.
“It had to come to an end at some point and that’s what makes it special,” Rahilly said. “We only get four years to play for our town and represent every person that lives here and supports us and cheers us on. We run or play not just for ourselves or our team, but [for] this town that raised us and helped us grow up to be the people we are!”
Rahilly said he’s proud to say he is from Newberry.
“This place is special to me and I’m so thankful for everyone who has ever helped me in anything I’ve tried,” he said. “I’m glad I could be a part of winning the championship for this town. I wouldn’t have it any other way!”
Fellow senior Ethan Pavey picked up a huge win in the shot put, heaving a near personal best throw on the sport’s biggest stage. When the results were in, Pavey embraced his fellow competitors before celebrating with a large contingent of family and fans that watched his performance. The U.P.’s strongest thrower had delivered in the biggest moment once again.
With Pavey and Rahilly ruling the field events, the Indians started pulling away on the track. Newberry’s 3200 meter relay team—with brothers Grant and Garrett Lewicki, Sam Rahilly, and Connor Carlson—won the very first event of the day. Carlson also had strong showings in the 200M and 400M, and Lewicki was equally impressive in the 800M and also anchored the runner-up 4x400M relay team.
“We lacked the depth we had last year, but this group was very front-loaded. Being able to win more events at U.P.’s definitely got us going Saturday,” said Schultz. “Our mid-distance crew led by Sam and Garrett has been steady all year and they set the tone for the day with that first relay. Matty had a monster day proving he’s the best athlete in the U.P. winning both jumping events. With Connor on the track, they proved they were the best sprinting tandem around. Ethan maintained our dominance in the shot put circle. Those guys elevated each other. The 800-relay team ranked 7th going in and ended up taking 4th, which was huge for us.”
While the boys were focused on going back-to-back, the Lady Indians were trying to erase the disappointment of coming so close last year. Newberry leaned on a performance for the ages to win the championship this year.
Samantha Taylor, who has broken her own records and set new ones all season, put her name among the greatest in MHSAA history on Saturday. Her winning time in the 1600M run (5:08.47) set a new U.P. record. It was nearly 6.5 seconds better than her previous finals record from last season.
Taylor then broke the school record for the third time this season in the 3200M run, lapping the competition and finishing at 11:42.
She said it felt like the hard work had paid off. “I really wanted to try my hardest in the mile, which is my strongest event and work hard in the other races, and it paid off,” Samantha Taylor said. “This makes me feel more confident in my training and gives me a little momentum going into the cross country season. Being supported by my teammates and coaches is definitely a highlight. Going into my senior year this gives me more motivation because it’s going to be my last year.”
She also anchored the second place 1600M relay team.
Younger sister Abby Taylor was hot on her big sister’s tail, finishing second in both 1600M and 3200M runs. She had her own chance to shine in the 800M, winning that event. Abby also anchored the third place 4x800M relay team.
With the sisters dominating the distance events, Newberry needed its sprinters to power through as well.
Ada Nwose delivered, blazing her way to a win in the 100M dash. Nwose had an all around big day, taking 3rd in the 200M, 4th in the 300M hurdles, and was a key piece in the 4×400 relay that finished in 2nd place.
Feelings of excitement and perhaps relief overcame a group of ladies who worked hard and wanted it so badly throughout the season. Nobody felt it more than Lady Indians Coach Cori Autterson, who finally led her team to the top of UP Girls Track.
“It was pure adrenaline mixed with overwhelming pride for those girls,” Autterson said. “It was an incredible experience to watch all the heart and determination pour out of them. They deserved it, all their hard work paid off. Even under insane pressure they trusted themselves to do what was needed. During that victory lap, watching them come together as a team one last time, seeing their smiles, and knowing together they finally achieved what we have been chasing all year is a moment that will fuel me for a lifetime.”
What ensued Saturday will stick with the student athletes and the community for a lifetime. Both track teams and the girls golf team were greeted by eagerly awaiting fans for Newberry’s latest traditional championship parade.
In what will go down as one of the single greatest weekends in Newberry sports history, the Orange and Black were at their very best in performance and sportsmanship.
Schultz recognized the magnitude of the moment.
“I was at a loss for words for a while after it was over, I just smile and think about how proud I am of everyone,” he said. “For the girls’ golf team earning their hardware and coming to stay with us at Kingsford, to seeing the ascension of our girls track team, and for the boys to go back-to-back, which happened 20 years ago. I’m just happy to be a part of one of the best weekends in Newberry sports history!”
Newberry girls golf crowned champions
For the first time in more than five decades, a Newberry Girls Golf team has won a state championship. The Lady Indians ended a 51-year drought, coming green on the course at the Oakcrest Golf Club in Norway last Friday. Stringing together a series of solid, and in some cases, career best rounds, Newberry’s combination of Blair Maki, Sailor Raymond, Alazayah Depew, Amelia Shanley, and Sydney Duflo brought home Newberry’s first MHSAA title since 1974.
“On our way over to the U.P. Finals I told both teams the same thing. We need one career best round and three good rounds to have a chance,” said Coach Kenn Depew.
With freshman Blair Maki leading the way and finishing third, the Lady Indians got the big day they were searching for from Alazayah Depew, who rose to the occasion to help the girls bring home the hardware.
“Alazayah had that career best day, shooting her lowest round ever. Blair was excellent again, and Amelia and Sydney both had good rounds. We needed them all because the margin of victory was only three strokes.”
At the end of the 18-hole event, the Lady Indians stood tall with a team score of 465, good enough to edge out runner-up Stephenson, which finished with 468. Munising (480), St. Ignace (507), and Jeffers (515) rounded out the top 5. Maki’s individual round of 105 was the latest great day in a remarkable season for the freshman, who has burst on the scene after steadily climbing the team and conference rankings all season long.
Another freshman who made major strides was Sydney Duflo. Duflo was a three sport varsity athlete this spring, showing determination and commitment that was unmatched by few others. Friday’s golf win, in addition to the success on the track Saturday, along with being the top pitcher for the softball team that had an incredible turnaround this season, capped off an impressive year for one of Newberry’s best and busiest athletes.
Duflo made sure to take it all in, and enjoyed every moment with her teammates.
“It felt special seeing my teammates succeed in the things that they love,” Duflo said. “Being able to be a part of both the gold and track teams felt amazing, because both teams showed so much potential and I’m just proud to be a part of it all!”
The Newberry boys wrapped up a strong 2025 season, finishing fifth. Though short of their incredible wins earlier in the season, the young group gained valuable experience that will help them contend for years to come.
The core group, led by Jarrett Zellar, Oren Dewitt, and Oliver Sevarns, all of whom won events this season, will be joined by a group of former teammates from the middle school level. Those teams dominated and will look to make a major run next season.
For Coach Depew, the great days of golf may just be getting going for the Indians. “I’d say the future is very, very bright for both the girls and the boys golf programs in Newberry,” he said. “It was a great weekend to be an Indian.”
