Kingsford dominates home track meet
Iron Mountain sprinter Bella Pickett, at right, crosses the finish line during a heat of the girls 200-meter dash at a meet hosted by Kingsford on Thursday. Pickett was one of nine Mountaineers to win an event in the girls division Thursday, taking the 200-meter dash in a time of 28.56 seconds. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)
Kingsford’s Michael Meneguzzo claps and cheers on teammate Brody Kopp after handing Kopp the baton during the 1,600-meter relay for the boys division Thursday. The host Flivvers dominated the relays, winning the 1,600-, 800- and 400-meter events. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)
Iron Mountain sprinter Bella Pickett, at right, crosses the finish line during a heat of the girls 200-meter dash at a meet hosted by Kingsford on Thursday. Pickett was one of nine Mountaineers to win an event in the girls division Thursday, taking the 200-meter dash in a time of 28.56 seconds. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)
Kingsford’s Michael Meneguzzo claps and cheers on teammate Brody Kopp after handing Kopp the baton during the 1,600-meter relay for the boys division Thursday. The host Flivvers dominated the relays, winning the 1,600-, 800- and 400-meter events. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)
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KINGSFORD -- The Kingsford boys track team won 12 of the 17 events held en route to the team title at a five-team meet on a long-awaited sunny and warm day Thursday at Kingsford High School.
The Flivvers finished with 127.5 points, in front of Ishpeming (85), Negaunee (71) Iron Mountain (54.5) and Westwood (18.)
In the girls event, Negaunee took first with 169 points, far ahead of runner-up Westwood (65). Ishpeming (52), Iron Mountain (36) and Kingsford (30) followed.
For the boys, Michael Floriano led the way for Kingsford individually with victories in the 100-meter dash (11.51 seconds) and the 200 (23.64). Other victors included Ayden Smith in the 110 hurdles (17.28), Cardel Morton in the 400 (52.76), Diego Przeslakowski in the 300 hurdles (52.76), Lucas Tappy in the shot put (42 feet, 9 inches), Connor Quick in the high jump (5-8), Matthew Wilson in the discus (121-1) and Cole Myllyla in the long jump (19-5).
The Flivvers also captured three relays -- the 400-meter, the 800 and the 1,600.
"Finally had great weather for a track meet," Kingsford boys coach Joe Kriegl said. "It has been a frustrating start to the season based on the weather for meets and practices, but that is hopefully behind us now. The season is extremely short, so we are forced to use the actual track meets to push the athletes into the condition we want them in a couple of weeks.
"I love this group of young men and the way they compete. Special shout out to the two big-man mile relay teams that competed in the last event of the track meet … with the shot put team taking home the victory."
Iron Mountain was led individually by Luke Ruble, who topped the field in the 1,600 (5:17.88) and the 3,200 (11:27.21). He also ran anchor for the winning 3,200 relay team, which also included Will Fairchild, Angel Vanegas and Joey Lundholm.
In the girls competition, the Miners posted nine first-place finishes. The top local individual finisher was Iron Mountain's Bella Pickett, who crossed the finish line first in the 200 (28.56). The Mountaineer girls were also victorious in the 400 relay (55.51) and the 800 relay (1:55.47). Both winning teams were comprised of Pickett, Chloe Maycroft, Emma Ellis and Anja Kleiman.
Kingsford was led by Lexie Vross, who took second in the long jump (13-9) and third in the 100 (13.96).
"I am extremely proud of the girls for all the effort that's been given this year," Kingsford coach Kyle Pirlot said. "Everyone has been setting new PRs as we continue to move through the year. Their hard work is gaining us ground and we're hoping to finish the year strong."