Ferndale Boys Varsity Track Runs Wild at Regionals

Dominant was a pretty good way to describe the Ferndale boys varsity track team’s performance over the weekend at the Lahser regionals.

The Eagles qualified nine students for the Division 2 state finals in 10 events and set six meet records.

“I was really impressed with what they did,” Collins said. “We expected to qualify in all the events we did, but what I was not expecting the quality of racing that I saw. The times weren’t that huge of a surprise to me, but how hard they raced and the effort they put in was really amazing.”

Entire team shines at regional meet

Jamarius McTear set two meet records in the 100-meter dash (10.4) and 200-meter dash (22.10). His time in the 100 was actually the top qualifying time in all of Division 2. His brother Jamael set a meet record in the 400-meter dash (48.8) and that time was also the top qualifying time in Division 2.

Kaiman White also qualified in the 200-meter dash (22.3). Along with the McTears, White competed at the state finals last year. He ran as part of the 400-meter relay team and finished in fourth place at the state finals.

“He’s extremely good,” Collins said. “Any other year he would be the fastest kid on my team.” 

White and the McTear twins helped Ferndale come close to sweeping this year’s relay events. The Eagles won the 400- (Earl Tillford, Nathan Hood, White, Jamarius McTear), 800- (White, Anthony Rice, Jamael McTear and Jamarius McTear) and 1600-meter relays (White, Rice, Dave Miller, Jamael McTear) and set new meet records in all three.

Ferndale also qualified in three events. Brandon Allen qualified in the shot put (50’00.00); Jalen Reid qualified in high jump (6’04.00”) and long jump (21’02.00). Reid played on the varsity basketball team and this was only his first year competing on the track team.

“He did really, really well,” Collins said. “Jalen was a lot like Jody Hill last year. Jody was a 20-foot plus long jumper and six-foot high jumper. They’re actually very similar athletes. Really good athletes that are fast and explosive, you could put in any sport and they’ll do well.” 

Jody Hill joined the track team after the basketball season last year and finished third in the high jump at the state finals. Collins said Reid has a chance to do the same thing. 

State championship is the goal

“Our goal this year has been to win the team championship, that’s what we’re hoping to do,” Collins said. “I’d like to see wins in several events, but a team state championship would be a great thing for the kids, the school and the district.”

As a team last year the Eagles finished in fourth place only five points behind the Division 2 winner Byron Center. Ferndale finished with 25 points in the state finals and Byron Center finished with 30.

Collins said he believes this year the Eagles have a legitimate chance of placing in every even they qualified for. If the kids place in seven or eight of the events that’d probably be enough to bring home a state title from Houseman Field in Grand Rapids.

“This wouldn’t be possible without the whole team,” Collins said. “Only been a couple of teams in the state’s history that have one with one or two people.”

Ferndale will be competing with strong teams from East Lansing, Avondale and Country Day for the top spot. Plus, Collins said there’s always one team that isn’t a favorite that goes into the state finals and performs well.

But Collins certainly likes his teams chances. 

“I’m proud to be coaching these kids, they make me look good,” Collins said, laughing.