Saugatuck secures fourth at state track finals behind DeGraaf’s multi-event performance
State finals in Kent City highlight individual success for Saugatuck athletes, though team points trail champions Olivet
Saugatuck High School’s track and field programme delivered a significant result at the Michigan state finals held at Kent City High School on Saturday, May 30, as the Trailblazers secured fourth place in the Division 3 women’s meet. The outcome was driven largely by the multi-event performances of junior Novella DeGraaf, who contributed 20 of the team’s total 30 points.
DeGraaf, who had previously overcome a knee injury that sidelined her during her sophomore season, demonstrated sustained versatility across three events. She finished as state runner-up in the pole vault with a height of 10 feet 9 inches, before securing third-place finishes in the 100-meter hurdles (14.83 seconds) and the long jump (17 feet 2 inches).
The Saugatuck women’s 4x800-meter relay team also delivered a strong performance, finishing third with a time of 9 minutes 51.40 seconds. The quartet of Kamryn Sixberry, Ellyse Heyser, Lyvia Curtis, and Alina Martinson provided crucial points for the team, while Martinson also placed fifth in the 400 meters (59.44 seconds) and 21st in the 800 meters (2:28.78).
In the broader context of the Division 3 women’s competition, Olivet claimed the title with 82 points, followed by Lansing Catholic with 76 points and Pewamo-Westphalia with 61.5 points. The result marks a competitive showing for Saugatuck, though the point gap to the top teams remains significant.
The boys’ meet saw Saugatuck finish 27th overall with six points. Monroe St. Mary’s won the Division 3 boys’ title with 39 points. Saugatuck’s Charlie Robison took third in the 300-meter hurdles (39.57 seconds), while the boys’ 4x800 relay team finished 18th.
In the Division 4 women’s meet, Holland Calvary finished as runner-up in the 4x800-meter relay with a time of 8:16.52. The Crusaders finished 28th overall with eight points, behind champions Hillsdale Academy, which scored 46 points to hold off Eau Claire (44 points).
