FLRC’s August track meet—the last one for 2019—was a nice, relaxing time on the Lansing track, with kids as young as 2 and adults in their 70s. The Auburn Pulsars, Lansing Lightning, and SOAR clubs were once again in attendance, with Brett Shelton of SOAR again hosting informal long jump and shot put field events.

We led off with the 100m, with 19-year-old Francis Ongkodjojo taking the win in 11.89 seconds, but 43-year-old Dana Wood of SOAR notching a 12.86 for second. 13-year-old Annoura Stewart won the women’s crown in 16.71 seconds, just ahead of 8-year-old Nasia White of the Lansing Lightning.

Next, to move our marquee event earlier in the evening, we ran the 1 mile race, with four MITHACAL MILE SERIES age groups being decided in this final installment. Overall, Sam Lagasse maintained his unbeaten streak despite a blistering first three laps from Adam Pacheck. Lagasse’s kick once again served him a win in 4:26, with Pacheck coming in second in 4:31. That win also cemented Lagasse’s win in the 20-29 age group in the MITHACAL MILE SERIES. Rich Heffron took third in 4:39, locking up the 30-39 age group as well. In earlier heats, 10-year-old Jacob Varga and 13-year-old Keegan Brady of the Auburn Pulsars clinched the 1-10 and 11-15 age groups with an 8:07 and a 5:37, respectively. On the women’s side, 18-year-old Catriona Breen ran a strong 5:32 to outpace 17-year-old Catie Eisenhut of the Lansing Lighting in 5:30.

In the 400m, Trevor Donovan won handily in 55.76, but 14-year-old Jerry Czyz of the Auburn Pulsars wasn’t far behind in 59.09. The diminutive 8-year-old Abigail Wagner of SOAR, who may have the best kick of the meet, pound for pound, took the women’s race in 1:22, beating out 13-year-old Abby Silva of the Lansing Lightning.

Finally, the 800m wasn’t a huge race, but Mike Stewart used it to notch his first-ever overall win in a race with a strong 2:30. Hot on his heels was 13-year-old Keegan Brady of the Auburn Pulsars with a 2:31, and in third place overall and our female winner was 18-year-old Catriona Breen in 2:35. 11-year-old Kyleen Brady of the Auburn Pulsars was the second female in 2:49.

Thanks to Lansing High School and Coach Becca Lovenheim for hosting FLRC’s summer track season again. It has been a pleasure to use the Lansing track facilities, and we appreciate the Lansing Sports Boosters providing concessions as well. These meets wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated volunteers of FLRC’s Track Team. Josh Brockner took on head timer duties, with Tom Rishel serving as starter with our new and more reliable starting pistol. Jullien Flynn managed seeding with aplomb and published results within minutes after each event ended. Bill Watson and Jason Tuori lined up all the heats as clerks-of-course. Adam Pacheck’s girlfriend Christine recorded bibs of finishers in the longer races while simultaneously cheering for Adam in his bid to unseat Sam Lagasse. Tonya Engst ran registration (and then the mile) with help from Carl Franck, Truck Rossiter was backup timer and lap caller (when he wasn’t running the mile as the oldest guy on the track), and lots of people—including Steve Folsom, Tim Ingall, and a few parents whose names I missed—helped with sprint timing.

That’s it for 2019, and we hope you’ll join us for our indoor track meet series starting in January 2020!