Monroe County Region teams compete in five leagues for track and field.
Trophies for three of those five leagues came back to the Region last spring with Erie Mason, Ida and Milan capturing crowns.
More of the same kind of success is expected in 2026.
Mason and Ida both have individual state champions returning this spring while Milan returns all four members of two relays that made it to state, including one that placed ninth.
Those aren’t the only teams expected to shine.
There are a total of 36 returning state qualifiers on rosters for Region teams this spring.
Previews of all 14 teams follow.
AIRPORT
Coach: Billy Brown, 12th year.
Returning state qualifiers: Sophomore Ella Baker (1,600 relay).
Other top athletes: Senior Lily Adkins, Madison Kemp; sophomores Olivia Kemp, Kendal Mason; freshman Jaela Watson.
Season outlook: Baker got the season started by winning the 800 meters at the EMU Relays. Watson cleared 4-9 in the high jump during the winter.
Coach’s comments: “We plan to compete at the highest levels and improve every day.”
BEDFORD
Coach: Tyler Fairchild, first year.
Returning state qualifiers: None.
Top athletes: Juniors Rachel Burley, Iva Ravindra, Sophia Johnson, Madeline ; sophomores Tayah Croley, Kennedy Varner.
Season outlook: Burley set school records in the 200 and the 800 relay last season. There are just six seniors on the roster.
Coach’s comments: “We lost some amazing seniors that were our state qualifiers, but have a very talented young core who are looking to take this program to the next level. … This season’s success will be determined by our depth in all events.”
DUNDEE
Coach: Kyle Jarema, 11th year.
Returning state qualifiers: None.
Top athletes: Seniors Maddie Salenbien, Breely Snow, Allie Root, Vanessa Gentry, Madeline Dukeshire, Lillian Ratliff, Audrey Przybylski; juniors, Gabby Hovey, Amaya Anthony, Sophia Nolff. Merry Schwab, Vivienne Conklin, Cameron Kidd, Hailey Elkins; sophomores, Kaelyn Grady, McKenzie Mantei, Mckenzie Heath; freshmen Alexandra Haddis, Aisley Cousino, Addison Ringbloom, Sloan Branum, Amirah Kolawole, Mallory Eby, Azaria Lane.
Season outlook: There are 60 girls out for the team. Sprints should be the strength of the team.
Coach’s comments: “We will have lots of speed 400 and below. Our distance team is young and will keep on improving throughout the year. We should finish in the top half of the league that is ruled by Ida and Blissfield.”
ERIE MASON
Coach: Julie Ravary, 16th year.
Returning state qualifiers: Giuliana Nastale (state champ in 100 and 200, qualifier in 400 and 800 relays), Paige Konrad (All-State in 400 relay, long jump state qualifier in 2024), Riley England (3,200 relay), Tanylei Neff (800 relay), Kaylee Wright (3,200 relay).
Other top athletes: Iocanageli, Lily Lee, Salem Stefko, Emily Duron; sophomores Kate Otting, Madelyn Dobson, Ella Baird, Jaelyn Horton, freshmen Karlee Frank, Adrianne Cosbby, Zoey Grimes, Lexie Carner, Alivia Cowdrey.
Season outlook: Mason will again be strong in the sprints with Nastale leading the way and Ravary is impressed with the improvement by the distance runners.
Coach’s comments: “We have a lot of holes to fill. We are very young and we are working very hard. … I am excited to see how much we will grow as a team this season.”
FLAT ROCK
Coach: Sean Sturgeon, first year.
Returning state qualifiers: Senior Raegan Higdon (100, 200).
Other top athletes: Seniors Brianna Sexton, Riley Chevalier; juniors Aileen McNamara, Kayle Babowicz; sophomores Delilah Sucharski.
Season outlook: School-record holder Higdon leads a young team with just four seniors on the roster.
Coach’s comments: “Excited to see the progress in the team as the season progresses. In my first year I’m hoping to see lots of personal bests as the program moves forward.”
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
Coach: Erin Torres, seventh year.
Returning state qualifiers: Senior Kemia Williams (400 relay), sophomore Lunden Davis (400 relay).
Other top athletes: Junior Reagan Reaume; sophomores Giada Fiorritto, Harper Jackson, Livia Boucher; freshman Maddison Slade.
Season outlook: The Marauders should be strong in the distances. Slade was a state qualifier in cross country and Reaume was a freshman standout before battling injuries last spring.
Coach’s comments: “We have a lot of young talent and are looking to fill some of our graduated seniors’ spots with. I am excited to see the growth this season and see what our kids can do. We have a lot of potential and should fare well in the league.”
IDA
Coach: Mike Bolster, third year.
Returning state qualifiers: Seniors Julia Hughes (state champion in high hurdles, qualifier in lows), Kaidence Weaver (200), Addyson Wilt (discus); junior Madelynn (long jump).
Other top athletes: Seniors Gabi Garner, Grace May, Alayna Markey; juniors Cassie Gensler, Jessica Johnson, Claire Scheerhorn; sophomores Lexi Lynn, Ryleigh Rowe, Lily Mae Morrison; freshmen Lana Benware, Holly Clifton, Ella Curry, Camilla Mommerency.
Season outlook: The Blue Streaks graduated just three athletes from last year’s team that shared the Lenawee County Athletic Association championship.
Coach’s comments: “We have 50 girls out this season with a nice mix of upperclassmen with some young and talented underclassmen which should provide some good depth. All returning state qualifiers are having a strong spring and are looking like they have not missed a step since the state meet.”
JEFFERSON
Coach: Josh Ludwick, first year.
Returning state qualifiers: None.
Other top athletes: Juniors Jess Simons, Marimar Esbaban-Chavez; sophomores Jessi Cole, Claire Miller, Ana Ordonez, Courtney Peterson.
Season outlook: Only six girls on the roster of 17 have varsity experience, 11 of them are freshmen.
Coach’s comments: “The numbers are light and we are young, but the team is filled with hard workers. All the girls are willing to pitch in as necessary – showing they are very unselfish. With experience this will be a good team.”
MILAN
Coach: Noah Genson, first year.
Returning state qualifiers: Seniors Angelina Wilson (800 and 1,600 relay), Amerie Wilson (800 and 1,600 relay), Kaily McDaniel (800 and 1,600 relay); junior Madison Lancaster (800 and 1,600 relay).
Other top athletes: Senior Mary-Kate Wayne, junior Addison Ostrom, freshman Jada Stines.
Season outlook: Two relays that qualified for state last spring return intact.
Coach’s comments: “We are definitely a good mix of experience and young athletes. I am hoping to lean on those upperclassmen that we have, as well as build up our younger athletes for the coming years.”
MONROE
Coach: Jim Mydloski, 11th year.
Returning state qualifiers: None.
Other top athletes: Seniors Corinna Aulph, Anna Coury; sophomore Nina Gauvin.
Season outlook: Aulph had the fifth-best high jump in the Monroe County Region last season at 4-11 and Coury was fifth in the 3,200 meters at 12:16.37.
Coach’s comments: “We are going to have a tough run of it in the SEC Red division. We can be competitive with some of the teams, but others have much more depth than we do.”
NEW BOSTON HURON
Coach: Mike Scannell, first year.
Returning state qualifiers: Seniors Avery Turk (low hurdles), Falyn Doss (1,600).
Other top athletes: Junior Savanna Rupnow; sophomores Grace Pacheco, Alice Williams.
Season outlook: Huron will pile up major points in the distance and hurdle events.
Coach’s comments: “This strong senior core provides proven state-level experience and mentorship for emerging talent. … With exceptional strength in distance and hurdles, combined with developing depth in field events and throws, the team is positioned to be highly competitive.”
SMCC
Coach: Roman Smith, first year.
Returning state qualifiers: Seniors Adela Illes (100, 200, 400 and 800 relays), Bella LaFountain (800, 1,600 and 3,200 relays), Olivia Beaudrie (high jump and 400 relay); junior Katelyn Boberg (400 relay); sophomores Angie Illes (long jump and 400 and 1,600 relay), Ava Lucarelli (1,600 relay).
Other top athletes: Juniors Juleigh Husby, Maggie Geiger; sophomores Reese Foster, Brooklyn Bray.
Season outlook: Relays will again be a strength for the Kestrels have the experience and depth and Smith is excited about his team’s prospects in the distance and field.
Coach’s comments: “With the depth we have, we have girls who can step into a lot of different roles,” Smith said. “That versatility gives us opportunities to compete in different ways depending on the meet, which will set us up well for the tournament series.”
SUMMERFIELD
Coach: Dave Raymond, third year.
Returning state qualifiers: Grace Raymond (800, relays), Bethany Suydam (relays), Makenzie Wolfe (1600, 3200, relays), Emma Jacob (relays), Gabi Myshock (sixth discus), Sophie Stanger (relays), Abby Raymond (relays), Abby Zilka (11th high jump).
Other top athletes: Alyson Ost, Makenna Shipe, Elena Miller.
Season outlook: Summerfield returns a lot of talent from a team that took at the team state meet.
Coach’s comments: “We are hoping to have a great year. If the girls are ready to put in the work and we can stay healthy, I think this group has the potential to be special.”
WHITEFORD
Coach: Jay Yockey, fourth year.
Returning state qualifiers: Seniors Nina Bauman (discus, 1,600 relay), Brian Wing (1,600 relay); junior Braelynn Chiotti (1,600 relay).
Other top athletes: Senior Koralynn Billau; sophomore Brielle White.
Season outlook: Whiteford has a smaller team this year, so the athletes will need to be more versatile.
Coach’s comments: “We will definitely have to be creative with our lineups this year. The girls are very solid in several events and we should represent well in those events all year.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Girls track and field previews for Monroe County Region teams
Reporting by Niles Kruger, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
