Harper Creek’s DJ Wood did it again.
Wood became the first Harper Creek athlete ever to win back-to-back state titles in track.
The defending state champ in the 110-meter hurdles won that event again at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 state track championships at Hamilton on Saturday, May 30.
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Wood was emotional as he realized what he accomplished.
“After I won I realized I just made history at our school,” Wood said. “This means a lot.
“I was nervous coming in, even after I won it last year. But near the end, I knew I had. It means a lot to defend the title. More than when I first won it.”
Wood, a senior, finished first in the 110 hurdles with a time of 14.20. Wood had also won the 300 hurdles last year, becoming the first Harper Creek track athlete to win two events in the same state championships. This year, Wood finished ninth in the 300 hurdles final as he was fighting an injury.
“He’s the first one to ever do it. Win back-to-back state titles. It’s special. He’s special,” said Harper Creek track coach Larry Quick. “He’s been nursing an injury the last few weeks. We thought we could get him through the 300 today. He just ran out of gas in the end.
“Can’t say enough good things about him. It’s been a blessing to be his coach the last four years.”
Harper Creek broke a school record in the 3,200 relay as the Beavers finished fifth with the team of Josh Ilgenfritz, Logyn Katsarsky, Cooper Gardner, Christian Ayres in a time of 8:02.24.
Also in Division 2, Marshall’s Zach Hudson was 10th in the 300 hurdles, Matthew Waito was 14th in the 400 and Abraham McHugh was 12th in the 1,600.
In the girls Division 2 state finals, Marshall’s Emily Dietrich was 14th in the 300 hurdles.
Division 1
Battle Creek Central and Lakeview sent athletes to the Division 1 state finals at Rockford.
Lakeview finished ninth in the state in the 3,200 relay with the team of Carter Hughes, Karson Lewis, Elijah Demlow, Devyn Brown, which finished in a time of 7:55.01.
BCC’s Yoshua McDonald was 18th in the 110 hurdles.
In the girls state meet, Lakeview’s Arenn Starks was seventh in the 300 hurdles (45.19). Gull Lake’s Annie Isom was sixth in the 400 (56.7).
Division 4
Gabe Walliczek of Climax-Scotts finished as a state champ in the discus in the Division 4 state meet at Hudsonville, taking first with a throw of 170-9. Walliczek was also 12th in the shot put.
Also for the Panthers, Maxiumus Wurtzel was sixth in the 400 and 11th in the 100.
In the girls meet, Annabelle Edwards of Climax-Scotts was sixth in the high jump.
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Harper Creek’s DJ Wood wins historic state title in track
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
