HARTLAND — Emerson Sargeant was a rare athlete for Hartland’s track and field program, the kind who might come around once in a generation.
Before moving on to become a soccer player at Michigan State, Sargeant set the Livingston County record in the 400 meters and ran the county’s second-fastest time in the 200.
But the Eagles may have two runners on their current roster who will one day leave similar legacies at Hartland.
The Livingston County track and field community was introduced to Hannah DePestel last season when she qualified for the state meet in the 400-meter run as a freshman.
Now, the Eagles have another supremely talented young runner who, like DePestel, will be chasing Sargeant’s records for the next few years.
Reese Messenger has already run the fastest 100-meter dash by a Livingston County freshman girl, running 12.45 seconds in the Brighton Bulldog Invitational on Saturday, April 25.
She has even greater goals in mind, not years down the road, but within the next month.
“My expectation is I want to go sub-12 soon and a 25,” Messenger said.
Messenger came into high school with a personal best in the 100 that is faster than Hartland’s school record. She ran 12.40 seconds at the MHSAA middle school regional last season. Ahna Buffa ran 12.43 in 2012 for the high school record.
She has run the 200, an event that’s new to her, in 26.48 seconds.
Hartland coach Matt Gutteridge hopes to extend Messenger out to the 400 eventually.
“In middle school, she ran the 70 and 100 and didn’t run the 200,” Gutteridge said. “Getting into the 200 and being successful early this season has helped her. When it’s all said and done, she’ll be a 1, 2, 4 girl. I said, ‘That’s how we chase Emmy Sargeant’s records. We’ve got to have a little bit more range than just the 1 and 2.’”
In DePestel, Messenger has a teammate who can push her every day in practice and in meets — and vice versa.
“It’s amazing to be with someone who is faster than me to push myself harder,” Messenger said.
“It’s great,” DePestel said. “We love competing with each other. She’s really good.”
Hartland’s two young speedsters went head-to-head twice during a dual meet against Howell on Tuesday, April 28. It was a split decision.
Messenger won the 100 in 12.64, with DePestel taking second in 13.38. After DePestel won the 400 in 58.11, she faced Messenger in the 200 and won a tight battle in 26.36. Messenger finished second in 26.51.
“I could see her and I could hear her,” DePestel said. “I just told myself, ‘I’ve got to push to the finish line.’ She’s pushing me, so it’s good.”
DePestel has lowered her personal best in the 400 to 57.77, a time that ties her for fifth on the county’s all-time list.
“Hannah has such range,” Gutteridge said. “Really, this will probably be the only time I run her in the 100, but she could go 100 up to — if I begged and borrowed — the mile. The range is awesome. Her being there with Reese, being able to push her around the track is great.”
Another young Hartland girl with a bright future is freshman Layla Foguth, who finished second in the 800 in 2:20.78 behind newly minted school-record older Elliana Neuer (2:20.01).
Neuer also won the 1,600 in 5:24.12, as Hartland beat Howell 84-44.
Howell’s Emma Kanka swept the throws, winning discus at 105 feet, 7 inches and shot put at 35-2.25.
Howell won the boys meet, 70-53.
Howell’s Jack MacGregor won the 1,600 in 4:45.65, the 800 in 1:57.17 and was on the winning 1,600 relay. Krystian Kubicz swept the hurdles for the Highlanders, winning the 110s in 16.55 and the 300s in 42.87.
Ronan Poe won the 100 in 11.41, the 200 in 23.63 and anchored the winning 400 relay for Hartland. Hartland’s Logan Bergkoetter won shot put with a throw of 40-1 and discus at 128-8.
Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on X @BillKhan
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Young Hartland track speedsters pushing one another to greatness
Reporting by Bill Khan, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
