TRACK AND FIELD: DC girls come together, win another state title

By Chris Zadorozny

For the second straight year and for the third time in the past four years, the Team of One is No. 1.

The Divine Child girls’ track team went to the Division 2 state meet at Forest Hills Eastern High School Saturday and laid waste to the field.

Last season the Falcons tied for the state title, but this year there was no doubt as to which team was best.

The Falcons scored 81 points to win going away. Host Forest Hills Eastern was runner-up and well back with 53.

“We are a Team of One,” said veteran Divine Child coach Tony Mifsud, who saw all 14 of his state-qualifiers contribute to the championship effort.

“If it is to be, then it is up to me” is one of the inspirational quotes that Mifsud used to motivate his squad this season and every Falcon ran as if they took that message to heart.

The seniors led the Falcons, and although a small class, they came up with big results.

Siena Heights commit Ashley O’Neill placed seventh in the shot put (38-feet, 3 1/4-inches) and 13th in the discus (115-2). Her sister Rachel, a junior, placed eighth in the shot put (37-11 3/4). Both O’Neill sisters earned all-state honors with their finishes in the shot put.

Senior Paige Patterson, a 12-time all-stater, placed second in the 200 dash (24.98) and 400 dash (57.44). She also anchored the first-place 4×400 relay squad (3:58.78). Running with her in that event were senior Mallory Myler and juniors Liz Mullen and Erin Drabicki.

With her three top-eight finishes, along with a first-place finish in the 4×800 (1:41.35), Patterson earned four more all-state honors.

Myler, the 12-time all-stater, placed fourth in the 100 hurdles (15.11) and first in the 300 hurdles (44.82). Myler set a new school record in the 300 hurdles, while achieving the third fastest time in the state in all divisions with her first-place finish.

Mullen, a seven-time all-stater, placed ninth in the 400 dash (59.62) and also helped the 4×400 squad to first and the 4×800 squad to a third-place finish. Mullen also helped the 4×100 relay squad to a second-place finish. It was not a first, but the Falcons ran a school-record 49.61 and it took a state-meet record 48.4 by Forest Hills Eastern to beat them.

Drabicki became a two-time all-stater with her first-place finishes in the 4×400 and 4×800. Fellow junior Lindsey Brewis also earned all-state honors in the 4×800 and a fourth-place finish in the 3200 run (11:07.69).

Sophomores Hannah Korpics and Kelsee Kinder ran on the 4×100 relay, earning them both all-state honors for the first time.

Fellow sophomores Kayla Gandy and Ellayna Iaquaniello joined in on the fun.

Gandy was second in the 100 hurdles and 13th in the 300 and Iaquaniello helped the 4×800, along with a 19th place finish in the 800 run (2:27.54).

To round out the fantastic day for the Falcons, freshman Haley Divis earned all-state honors after helping the 4×800 squad to the first place finish.

Shannon Rice (long jump) and Jessica Semaan (pole vault) also competed for the Falcons Saturday.

“This team is one for the decades to come, a truly devoted group of young adults coming together for the common good/goal of the team,” said Mifsud.

“This is great, especially for our four senior captains who directed this team in 2013.

Along with O’Neill going to Siena Heights, Stephanie Norwood will be attending Albion for cross-country and track, while both Patterson and Myler, who have clear college potential, are undecided at this point.

To read the original post that appeared in the Dearborn Press & Guide on June 4, 2013, go to www.miprepzone.com/pressandguide

TRACK AND FIELD: Bearooz is sole state placer in boys’ state finals

By Chris Zadorozny

The only athlete to place at the state competition in Division I for the boy’s from the Dearborn area schools came from the Dearborn High School.

Junior Bearooz Yacoobi placed fifth in the shot put (52-feet, 10-inches), just eight feet behind the first-place finisher, Cullen Prena from Walled Lake Central.

In Division II, Dearborn Heights Robichaud and Dearborn Divine Child had seven combined finishers at the state meet at Forest Hills Eastern High School in Grand Rapids.

For the Bulldogs, junior Torin Anderson placed fourth in the 300 hurdles (38.79), just missing out on first place by the seven-tenths of a second.

Senior Josh Schumack also placed fourth, in the 400 dash (49.90), missing first by just a second and a half. Fellow senior Marshall Burns Jr. placed 18th in the long jump (20-3) and the 4×400 relay squad placed fourth (3:26.14). The Bulldogs earned 14 points at the meet.

For Divine Child, the three finishers earned a combined eight points, as sophomore George Sawaya placed sixth in the high jump (6-4) to earn the first three points. Junior Frederick Boyd placed fifth in the 110 hurdles (14.88), only four-tenths of a second from first place, earning four points for his squad.

Finally, senior Griffin Miller placed eighth in the 3200 run (9:42.12) to earn the final point for the Falcons at the meet.

To read the original post that appeared in the Dearborn Press & Guide on June 4, 2013, go to www.miprepzone.com/pressandguide

TRACK AND FIELD: DC’s Coach Williams earns high honor

By Chris Zadorozny

Randy Williams, head coach of the Dearborn Divine Child boys’ track squad was honored last Wednesday when he was inducted into the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division II Track & Field Athlete Hall of Fame as part of the 2013 class.

The honor that was bestowed upon Williams, one that he says is, “a dream come true.”

Along with Kirby Blackley of the University of Findlay, and Derek Miles of the University of South Dakota, all three were inducted in a ceremony in Pueblo, CO.

“It felt good,” Williams said. “After 37 years, to be recognized for your accomplishments on the track as being one of the best is a dream come true.”

Williams is one of the best hurdlers in Division II history.

He was a two-time NCAA champion in the 400 hurdles in 1975 and 1976 and a nine-time All-American between the 400 hurdles, the 4×100 and 4×400 relays.

Track & Field News ranked him in the top 10 during his time as a hurdler.

He credits his accomplishments to his coach at KSU, Dr. Kenneth Gibson.

“He taught me how to appreciate the love of the sport. Being able to run against the best in the world, week-in and week-out, prepared me on how to tackle life challenges today.”

He graduated from KSU in 1978, and said that was the biggest accomplishment for him during his time there.

“I went there for an education and received a full academic scholarship. I was able to accomplish that goal,” said Williams. “There was no way back in 1973, that I could afford to go to college.”

In 2005, he was inducted into the Kentucky State University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Williams said he was proud to represent himself as a Metro Detroiter and he still is.

Williams is a 19-year veteran of the Detroit Police Department and a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard. He has served on active duty for four years, which has included two tours of duty in the Middle East.

Williams is currently in his 17th year as coach of the Dearborn Divine Child squad.

“I always tell my team that they can be the best in whatever you put your mind to,” he said.

“I also preach to my athletes the seven words that made me what I am: motivation, dedication, determination, the will, the want, the need and the desire.

“You need each of these to be successful in whatever you do; from education, sports, to career and life. If you are missing just one word, you will not be the best in what you do.”

Williams will help coach three of his athletes at the Michigan Track & Field Championships this Saturday at Forest Hill Eastern High School, just outside of Grand Rapids.

To read the original post that appeared in the Dearborn Press & Guide on May 28, 2013, go to www.miprepzone.com/pressandguide

TRACK AND FIELD: Falcon girls crush CHSL competition; win MITCA event

By Chris Zadorozny

Eleven first place finishes and 18 other top-five finishes propelled the Dearborn Divine Child girls’ track squad to a Catholic League Championship last Tuesday. The Falcons won in convincing fashion with 208 points. Warren Regina came in second, with just 98 points.

Senior Paige Patterson led the way with first-place finishes in the 200 (25.93) and the 400 (59.77).

All four relay squads came in first place, as well.

The 4×100 (51.55), 4×200 (1:48.31), 4×400 (4:09.44) and the 4×800 (10:01.71) were all winners.

Junior Lindsey Brewis and sophomore Kayla Gandy outran their opponents in the 3,200 (11:49.85), and the 100 hurdles (15.90), respectively.

Junior Erin Drabicki, sophomore Ellayna Iaquaniello and freshman Sammy Soter all finished second in their respective events.

Drabicki was runner-up (1:02.88) in the 400, Iaquaniello (2:29.39) in the 800, and Soter (5:37.48) in the 1,600.

Soter also finished third in the 1,600 (2:32.01), while fellow freshman Haley Divis finished a very close fourth (2:32.10). Junior Liz Mullen was right behind both of them in fifth place (2:32.59).

Sophomore Kelsee Kinder was third (13.49) in the 100, and fourth (28.33) in the 200. Sophomore Mariel Dunn followed Kinder in the 100 with a fifth place finish (13.84).

In the field events, senior Ashley O’Neill led the way with first-place finishes in the shot put (38-.5) and the discus (113-4). O’Neill’s sister Rachel was fourth in the shot put (33-11.5) and third in the discus (93-6).

Senior Mallory Myler finished first in the long jump (16-3.5), while freshman Shannon Rice followed Myler with a second-place finish (16-1.5).

Dunn finished in a tie for second place in the high jump with senior Shannon Schroeder (4-11), while sophomore Dominique Winter was fourth (4-8).

Senior Hannah Schultz and Mariah Fuqua were both fifth in the shot put (31-11) and the discus (91-10), respectively.

At the MITCA (Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association) Division 2 state meet at Zeeland High School last Saturday, the Falcons once again came out on top, finishing first with 1,454 points.

Every runner earned at least one point in running the events.

With 36 runners in each event, the first place finisher earned 36 points, while the last place finisher earned just one.

Patterson once again led her team with two wins in the 200 (25.52) and the 400 (57.65).

Brewis followed Patterson’s performance with first- and second-place finishes of her own; first in the 3,200 (11:21.54) and second in the 1,600 (5:12.71).

Gandy finished second in the 300 hurdles (48.28) and third in the 100 hurdles (15.86). Myler took first in the 300 hurdles (47.47) and fifth in the 100 hurdles (16.05).

Myler also led the way in the 4×200 (1:42.47) and the 4×400 (3:59.02), both of which finished first. Gandy led the way in the first place finish of the 4×100 relay squad (50.78). The 4×800 relay squad finished fourth (9:50.14).

In the field events, Ashley O’Neill once again led the way. She finished first in the discus (128-4) and fourth in the shot put (37-5). Her sister Rachel was fifth in the shot put (36’10”).

The Falcons will now gear-up for the state meet at Forest Hills Eastern this Saturday. They will have competitors in 14 events. Ashley O’Neill in the discus and shot put, while Rachel will go in just in the shot put.

Sophomore Jessica Semaan will compete in the pole vault, while Rice will go in the long jump. Gandy and Myler will go in the 100 and 300 hurdles. Patterson will go in the 200 and 400, while Mullen will go in the 400. Iaquaniello will go in the 800, while Brewis will compete in the 1,600 and 3200. The team will also have their 4×100, 4×200, 4×400, and 4×800 teams competing at the state meet.

To read the original post that appeared in the Dearborn Press & Guide on May 28, 2013, go to www.miprepzone.com/pressandguide

TRACK AND FIELD: DC boys fifth at league meet

By Chris Zadorozny

After a fourth-place finish at regionals two Friday’s ago, the Dearborn Divine Child boy’s track squad competed in the Catholic League Championships last Tuesday at Livonia Ladywood High School where it finished fifth with 55 points.

The Falcons had 14 top-10 finishers, including two first-place finishes.

Junior Fred Boyd and sophomore George Sawaya both finished first in their respective events. Boyd, in the 110 hurdles (15.08), and Sawaya, in the high jump (6-1).

Sawaya also finished second in the long jump (10-8.25), and fourth in the 110 hurdles, while the 4×800 relay team also finished second (8:23.95).

Both the 4×100 (45.15), 4×200 (1:33.34) relay squads finished fourth at the championships and the 4×400 (3:39.71) finished fifth. Junior Zach Welker finished fourth in the 800 run (2:04.89).

Sophomore David Rose and junior Paul Mueller finished sixth (4:51.86) and eighth (4:58.21), respectively in the 1600.

Senior Griffin Miller finished eighth in the 3200 (10:37.11).

Senior Robert Kurkowski finished seventh in the 110 hurdles (16.85) and 10th in the 300 hurdles (47.33). Senior Christian Martain and junior John Filiatraut both finished 10th in the 400 (54.65) and shot put (39-2), respectively.

Saturday is the state meet, where DC will have three runners competing: Sawaya in the high jump, Boyd in the 110 hurdles, and Miller in the 3,200.

To read the original post that appeared in the Dearborn Press & Guide on May 28, 2013, go to www.miprepzone.com/pressandguide