BRANCH COUNTY – In a blink the 2025 track and field season is now over and we here at The Daily Reporter have a few unanswered questions. Now, that is where you, the readers, come in. We need your help to find these answers, answers to questions like Who was the best of the best on the baseball/softball diamond this year? Who was the best golfer, tennis player or soccer player? What did come first, the chicken or the egg? And most importantly — albeit because this is what today’s poll is all about — who is the 2025 The Daily Reporter Girls Track Athlete of the Year?
Branch County had some big moments this year on the track and a few records fell across the county. All-state honors were awarded, conference championships won and memories made. But still, we really need to know who had the best year. The Daily Reporter came up with a small list of some of the best and have decided to leave it up to you. So, Branch County, tell us, who is this year’s The Daily Reporter Girls Track Athlete of the Year?
Nominees-
Brookelyn Parker, Junior, Quincy Orioles – Parker has been a dominant force for the Orioles all season long and has done so in record breaking fashion, breaking and rebreaking her own QHS records enroute to an all-state season. Parker battled her way to a pair of all-state finishes this year, taking third place at the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division 3 state finals in the 100-meter hurdles in a time of 15.28 seconds, — a new personal best and a new QHS school record. Parker also took third place in the 300 hurdles, crossing the finish line with all-state honors in a time of 46.52 seconds. Parker won a total of 12 races in the 300 hurdles this season, adding a runner-up finish and a third-place finish. It was the same in the 100 hurdles as she won 13 races, took a runner-up finish in one and took a third-place finish, which led to her all-state honor. Parker also dabbled in the 100 this season with three wins and two runner-up finishes while also competing as part of the 1,600 relay.
Ella Grabowski, Sophomore, Coldwater Cardinals – Grabowski is the definition of an all-around athlete when it comes to the girls track and field season. Grabowski was not only one of the absolute best quarter mile runners in the state of Michigan, but she was also an elite long jumper where she earned all-state honors in just her second high school season. Grabowski never finished below fifth place in the 400 all season until regionals where she poured out the best time of her short career with a time of 1:01.15, good enough for seventh place. Grabowski was also an ace down in the long jump pits where she earned all-state honors, taking third place in the Division 2 finals with a jump of 17 feet, 9.75 inches. Grabowski’s best career jump came in the regional finale where she jumped 18 feet, 3.5 inches. Grabowski had nine first place finishes throughout the season in the long jump, one runner-up spot and one third place finish to cap off a stellar sophomore season.
Elli Foley, Senior, Coldwater Cardinals – Foley was a force down in the throwing pits much of the season for Coldwater, taking all-state honors in her final high school season. Foley capped off her tremendous career with a seventh place finish in the discus at the Division 2 state meet, finishing with a throw of 120 feet, 3 inches. Foley also finished in 11th place in the shot put thanks to a throw of 37 feet, 2.5 inches. Foley’s specialty going into her senior season was actually the shot put as the now graduate broke the CHS school record last year with a throw of 40 feet, 6.5 inches, with this year’s long coming with a throw of 39 feet, 2.5 inches — good enough for second place at regionals. This season Foley never finished below the top three in the shot put until the final meet of the season in the state finals. In the discus Foley was dominant, earning five victories to go along with five runner-up finishes, a season capped off by the all-state seventh place finish.
Grace Huff, Senior, Coldwater Cardinals – Huff quickly became one of the best half milers in the area, dominating her signature event nearly every time she took to the track. Huff ran the 800 eight times this season, coming home with seven wins. Huff’s lone finish outside the top three came in regional competition where she placed sixth in a season best time 2:17.42. Huff also ran the 1,600 one time, taking a win versus Hastings in a time of 5:21.87, a personal record. Huff was also a member of three relay teams throughout the season, including the 400, 800 and 3,200 relay teams.
Itzel Albarran, Junior, Bronson Vikings – Albarran slowly became one of the most dependable performers for the Bronson coaching staff this season. Albarran transformed herself into a sprinting ace, picking up big points in the 200, the 400 and various relays. Albarran also helped the Bronson cause with her points coming from the long jump. Albarran finished near the top of the Big 8 conference in the 200, taking third place with a season best time of 28.73 seconds, third place in the 400 with a season best time of 1:05.83 and fifth place in the long jump with a jump of 13 feet, 10.25 inches.
Kylie Creech, Junior, Union City Chargers – Creech was the epitome of an all-around talent for Union City this season, coming into her own in a junior season that saw the talented runner earn team MVP honors because of her individual work hurdles and in the pole vault. Creech’s specialty was the 300 hurdles, a race that brought the junior plenty of hardware with numerous first, second or third place finish. Creech took first place in the hurdles at the John Green Mendon Invite, second place at the Big 8 conference meet and third place at regionals, just missing state qualification. Creech was also a stud in the 100 hurdles with a season best time of 17.59 seconds coming in a runner-up finish versus Bronson May 7. Creech also had a field event under belt as several first and second place points came thanks to her pole vault. Creech’s best vault of the season came back on April 23, which saw the junior clear 8 feet, 0 inches in a win versus Stockbridge and Springport.
Miriam Sanchez, Sophomore, Bronson Vikings – Sanchez has been a long-distance ace for the Vikings this season, competing in everything from the 400 all the way up to the 3,200. Sanchez finished off the season as the Big 8 conference champion in the 800 in a time of 2:32.12 while also winning the conference title in the 1,600 in a personal best time of 5:38.58. Sanchez was also a key part of the Bronson 800 and 1,600 relay teams.
Skyler Fraley, Senior, Union City Chargers – Fraley leaves Union City High School as one of the best long-distance runners to wear the maroon and gray as she leaves with several school records under her belt. During the season, Fraley broke the Union City High School record in the 3,200-meter run, setting the new mark at regionals with a time of 12:03.62 and good enough for third place. Fraley went on to place 14th at the state meet May 31 in a time of 12:30.54. Fraley also owns the UCHS school record in cross country which she broke this past fall, giving the senior a sweep of the two longest races in high school. Fraley was also a part of the successful 3,200 relay team, a team that finished first at the Big 8 conference championship and just missed qualifying for the state finals with a fourth-place finish at regionals.
Voting begins Friday at 2 p.m. and will run through July 1 at 2 p.m., with results to be announced July 4 online and in print July 5. Reminder to share this poll, vote as often as you would like and let us know who your The Daily Reporter Girls Track and Field Athlete for the 2025 season is.
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Vote: Who will be this year’s The Daily Reporter Girls Track Athlete of the Year?
Reporting by Troy Tennyson, Coldwater Daily Reporter / Coldwater Daily Reporter
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