Fisher satisfied with cruise control at MIS

By Dick Hoekstra for DyeStat

BROOKLYN, Mich. – It wasn't the cold winds and 30-some degree temperatures that led to Grant Fisher's decision to not to push for a personal-best kind of time in state finals at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday.

 
The senior from Grand Blanc still managed to cruise to a 27-second victory in a 5K time of 14 minutes, 52.5 seconds while repeating as individual state champion in Division 1 which is made up of Michigan's largest high schools.

 
"The weather didn't really affect my race plan," he said. "It was made a little bit in advance. The race plan was to relax for a mile, go pretty hard for the second mile, relax again for maybe 600 meters, and then go hard again to the finish. Everything went according to the race plan, although the wind made things a little tougher than I had hoped. It wasn't splits that I was going for – just effort."

Senior Logan Wetzel of Saline (15:19), junior Anthony Berry of Traverse City Central (15:21) and junior Isaac Harding of Rockford (15:23) all overtook senior Ryan Robinson of Waterford Mott (15:23), who was in second place the majority of the race.

Senior Jesse Hersha of Concord (15:23) in Division 4, which is made up of Michigan's smallest high schools, and senior Keenan Rebera of Lansing Catholic (15:30) in Division 3 both repeated as state champions. Junior Morgan Beadlescomb of Algonac (15:30) improved from 12th last year to win in Division 2.

Senior Audrey Belf of Birmingham Seaholm (17:19) ran 12 seconds faster than her winning time from a year ago despite the weather to repeat as Division 1 girl champion. Her senior teammate Rachel DaDomio (17:29) finished as runner-up, and others took 20th, 40th and 54th to enable the Maples to top Traverse City Central 88-115 for the team title.

"The second mile was pretty windy," she said. "I was hoping to come through a little faster. But I'll get a shot at breaking barriers in other meets."

Belf says she and her teammates will compete in the Nike regional in Terre Haute, Ind., in two weeks, and coach Jeff Devantier said the final decision will be made in the next couple of days. In the past, state association rules have prohibited Michigan schools from competing at NXN.

"I want to help my team qualify for NXN (Nike nationals), and I want to break 17 by the end of the year," Belf said.

Freshman Karenna Duffy (17:33) took third. The next fastest time at MIS on Saturday was run by Traverse City St. Francis junior Holly Bullough (17:51.3), who outkicked senior Amber Way of Charlevoix (17:51.5) to win in Division 3. Bullough is the sister of Michigan State linebacker Riley Bullough and granddaughter of former NFL Buffalo Bills coach Henry Bullough.

"I'm proud of them no matter what, and I know they're proud of me no matter what," said Holly, who won the 800 and 1600-meter runs in Division 4 track and field as a ninth and 10th grader. "But it definitely makes me want to do well when they do super well too.

"My goal was more like top five, although I knew the possibility was there. I didn't notice I was going faster (as she passed others). I was giving it my all. I told myself I can do this, and I just did it right at the end."

The other two state champions were senior Karrigan Smith of St. Johns (18:11) in Division 2, and Battle Creek St. Philip sophomore Ava Strenge (17:54) in Division 4.

No. 3-ranked Rockford (140 points) edged No. 6 White Lake Lakeland (146) and the two teams ranked ahead of it – Waterford Mott (148) and Northville (165) -- for the Division 1 boys team title.

"We're real tough in the last 800 meters, and I think that really made the difference for us," Rockford coach Andrew Martin said.

Benzonia Benzie Central repeated in Division 3, while Grand Rapids Christian won in Division 2 and Beal City in Division 4 for both boys and girls. Ithaca captured it first ever girls state title in Division 3.

Fisher won't race again until the Foot Locker Midwest Regional meet on Nov. 29 at Kenosha, Wis.

"The race I'm gearing up for is Foot Locker Nationals," said Fisher, referring to the Dec. 13 race in San Diego which he won last year in 15:07. "I want to be in my best shape in December."

Fisher says he feels stronger this year.

"I'm not really that sharp right now," he said. "But my VO2 max is super strong, and my base is incredibly strong."