Announcements
Track & Field
Posted on 05/20/2025 
> 
>
Posted on 05/20/2025
#1 Ranked MHS Boys Distance Crew Dominates Regional
Emily Dingee, Zach Hudson Also Qualify for State Meet
The Marshall Boys Track Team's distance runners, who are presently ranked first in DII in the state of Michigan, demonstrated why they are ranked number one with a dominating showing at Friday's Regional Championship held at Williamston's track stadium.
The first race of the day was the 3200 Meter Relay, where the Redhawk runners looked to win their third straight regional title. Reece Davis got the boys in the lead with his 1:59 leadoff leg. Ty Winchell then ran a PR 2:05, handing off to Abe McHugh with the team in second place. Abe too burned a PR (1:57) moving the team back into first place. Jack Bidwell then anchored the team to victory with a 1:56 to win by nine seconds over the Williamston team.
"I'm really proud of these guys" said Coach Steve Wissink. "It's tough to win a regional championship in anything, and to do it three years in a row is impressive. Jack and Reece have been on all three teams, and have done a great job every year. Those two and Abe are the defending State Champions, so our goal is to repeat. The State Meet will be very exciting".
The 1600 Meter Run was the next distance race, and Abe and Ty lined up for Marshall. Abe was seeded fourth, and finished his first lap in that position. He moved up to third during the second lap, and into second on the third. He then unleashed a 61 second final lap, blowing by Harper Creek's All State runner to win by five seconds, setting a new PR of 4:23. Ty ended up 14th in the 30 runner field.
Next up was the 800 Meter Run, with Jack and Reece representing the Marshall distance crew. Jack and Reece made their intentions known immediately as they went straight to the front of the pack. While a couple runners attempted to move by them, it was not to be as Jack won in 1:57 with Reece right behind him.
The last distance race was the 3200 Meter Run, where Jack has the fastest time in the State of Michigan (8:57) and Abe is the fastest sophomore in DII (9:23). While the duo probably would have finished 1 - 2 as the winning time was 9:40, the decision was made to not run the race.
"The rules were changed this year where a runner could qualify for the State Meet during the season in an invitational" explained Coach Wissink. "Jack and Abe hit the very tough qualifying time at the Bluejay Elite Invitational, so there really wasn't any reason to punish themselves in the 84 degree heat with a third race. They would have done it if we asked them to, but we have bigger races coming up they need to prepare for."
In addition to the relay team, Reece qualified in the 800, Abe in the 1600 and 3200, and Jack in the 800, 1600 and 3200.
Also qualifying for the State Championship were Emily Dingee and Zach Hudson. Emily qualified in the long jump for the second straight year, finishing second with a jump of 16' 8 1/4". Zach, in his first year as a track athlete, finished fourth in the 300 Meter Hurdles in a time of 40.92 to advance to the State Finals.
(write up by coach Wissink)
>>