Gearing up for an exhilarating track season, both the Glen Lake boys and girls teams are poised to hit the ground running.
Their journey begins with a home meet against Benzie and Leland on Wednesday, April 17.
The Lakers are refocusing after returning from spring break and a senior trip to New York City.
Glen Lake senior Dylan Cundiff is excited to get the wheels moving again.
“(My favorite thing about track) If I’m being honest, probably not the running, just hanging out with my teammates. I go hard on the running,” he said.
Cundiff will be running the 400, and 800-meter runs along with a few sprints and relays.
The biggest goal for Cundiff is trying to break the school record of the 4x800-meter run.
“This year we’re trying to break the school record,” Cundiff said.
The Lakers finished seventh overall in the MHSAA Division 4 state championships for the 4x800-relay.
Cundiff made honorable mention of the Dream Team last season.
Glen Lake junior Colebrook Sutherland was another state qualifier in the mile, two-mile, and 800-meter run.
“I ran a lot of cross country races (last year) and I did a lot of off season work too. I’ve got a big goal. I want to improve my times a lot,” Sutherland said. “We’re trying to get back into shape right now, but we’ve got a good freshman coming to help with relays.”
Sutherland’s favorite part about the track season is the comradery and going out and working hard everyday.
“I want to break some records and leave a legacy,” Sutherland said.
Sutherland took home the regional championship in the 1600-meter run earlier this season with a 4:47. A few weeks later, he finished 14th at the state championships with a personal record time of 4:37.
Breaking a school record is also on the mind of senior Tyler Bixby. The Lakers were merely five seconds away from breaking the school record with a time of 8:25.
“Just the chance to maybe set some school records ... It’s my last year and I have to finish sports off strong at Glen Lake,” Bixby said.
Bixby and Sutherland were named to the 2023 Track Dream Team last year.
Bixby finished fourth at regionals and conference in the 300meter hurdles with a personal record time of 43.73. He was an anchor of the Lakers 4x100-relay team that finished fifth at the conference championships. Bixby helped lead the 4x800 from the third leg position to finish seventh at the state championships.
The Lakers will have to replace Dream Team MVP Warren Alysworth who finished fifth at the state championship in the discus. They will also have to replace Joey Schwindt of the 4x800-relay team.
The girls team will be representing another strong squad heading into the 2024 spring season.
Glen Lake senior Kariesue Taghon had a stellar junior season that led her to the state championships in the 100 and 200meter dash.
She also served as the anchor of the Lakers 4x200-relay team that finished sixth at states and second at regionals with times of 1:50 and 1:53.
The Lakers will have to replace speedsters Ruby Hogan, Gemma Lerchen and Maddie Bradford who were both on the state championship qualifier relay team.
Glen Lake senior Eleanor Valkner had a Dream Team honorable for her throwing capabilities. Sophomores Jenna Van Skyhawk and Ava Garvin will also be counted on heavily during their sophomore campaigns.
The Lakers will be hosting a second home meet on Wednesday, May 1 at 4:15 p.m.
The MHSAA regional meet will take place on Saturday, May 18 at 3:30 p.m.
