By Dan Hardenbrook
One of the biggest 4th of July traditions delivered a packed field and tons of patriotism in Engadine on Saturday. The 44th Annual Black Bear Run brought out 177 runners – one of the largest groups of participants in the event’s history on a near picture perfect day.
The event supports Engadine Sports Boosters and is one of their largest fundraiser drives of the year.
The 6K run was again the marquee must-see race, with local legends going at it in a de facto All Star race. Decorated alums, current and former college recruits, state champions, accomplished runners turned coaches, and more made their way through the course in a race that included nearly 200 total runners.
The field included current college runner and former Engadine star Dakota Taylor, super sisters Abby and Sammy Taylor from Newberry, potential breakout Eagle junior to be Eddie Franckowiak, McMillan’s Matt McNamara, who once won a state title with Newberry and is now the Indians’ new Boys Cross Country coach, and many more.
Dakota Taylor took home the top time over the day, winning his division and finishing with the top time overall at 21:36.4. Central Michigan recruit and Newberry record setter Samantha Taylor took the top spot for the ladies at 24:33.9. She was 8th overall among the 177 total entries at the event.
While two Taylors taking the top spots in the men’s and women’s open age groups, another Taylor came in first in the female 15-19 age group. Abby Taylor, now the top runner at the high school level in the EUP, started her summer circuit with a winning time of 25:15. Teammate Molly McNamara was the runner up by just six-tenths of a second, thrilling fans with a photo finish. Current Lady Eagle Sarah Chapman also made the podium in that group, finishing in 3rd place at 26:08.05.
Franckowiak was the top male finisher for the 15-19 boys. His winning time was 22:54.8, nearly a full minute, ahead of Clinton Township resident Carter French (23:52), who came in second. Former Newberry track standout Connor Carlson was third, crossing the line at 24:33.7.
In the 12K run, Nick Colongeli won the men’s open and top overall finish with a top time of 53:02.06. His closest overall competitor was Keith Burton of Ann Arbor. Burton was the age group winner for the male 30-39 division. Newberry native Joe Jankowski was third overall and tops in the male 40-49 age group, finishing at 58:31.9.
