By John Vrancic
For the Newberry News
Molly McNamara is only in eighth grade.
Yet, she’s not a complete stranger to varsity competition.
She ran on Engadine’s cross country team last fall, placing fourth individually and helping the Eagles earn runner-up honors in the Upper Peninsula Division 3 Finals at Munising last fall.
McNamara made her high school track and field debut in Rapid River May 14 while helping the Eagles squeeze past Rapid River 47-45 for the regional championship.
Third-placing Big Bay de Noc scored 33 points, followed by Rock Mid Peninsula 19, Superior Central 18, Escanaba Holy Name 17 and Hannahville 0.
The Rapid River boys made for the third straight time with 70 points. They were followed by Superior Central 30, Mid Pen 28, Engadine 24, Holy Name 14, Hannahville 14 and Big Bay 1.
McNamara took the girls’ 1600-meter run in 5:56.78 and 3200 (13:00.47), and anchored the winning 3200 relay (11:50.95) during light but steady rain.
“It was fun,” she said. “I’ve been looking forward to this all season. I didn’t want to start too fast. Although I didn’t get the times I wanted, I was pleased with the way everything went overall. I’m looking forward to the U.P. Finals [May 31 at Kingsford]. I’ll be able to race with faster people.”
Also part of that relay were sophomore Kate Kovar, freshman Cassidy Russell, and eighth-grader Bryleigh McLellan.
Junior Bianca Briggs added firsts in the 100 at 13.4 seconds and long jump (14-5) and anchored the winning 800 relay (1:59.45).
“I had a good start in the 100,” she said. “Unfortunately, I false-started in the 200. The track was slippery and I slipped at the start. Although, we ran a season-best time in the 4×200 and it felt wonderful to bring it down by two seconds. Molly ran real nice. I’m proud of her.”
Senior Hali Butkovich placed second in shot put (27-10) and discus (96-9) and classmate Eden Freed was runner-up in the 300 hurdles (59.1) and third in the 100 (21.12).
The Eagles’ 1600 relay, comprised of sophomore Cali Robinson, Russell and eighth-graders Claire Christianson and Sarah Chapman placed second in the 1600 relay (5:04.72) and McLellan added a fourth in the 800 (3:04.18).
Senior Dakota Taylor led the Engadine boys with victories in the 1600 (4:48.56) and 3200 (10:46.36) and helped them qualify in the 3200 relay with a second-place finish (9:11.71).
Freshman Nate Stielstra, also part of that relay, added a first in the 300 hurdles (46.21) and third in the 800 (2:18.79).
Also in that relay were freshman Eddie Frankowiak and junior Duane Krenek, who placed third in the 400 (57.16) and fourth in the 800 (2:19.43).
Sophomore Russell King placed fourth in long jump (16-2).
The top four finishers in individual events and top two relays qualified for the Finals.
