Ferndale Girls Varsity Track Team Qualifies Four for State Finals

First year Ferndale girls varsity track coach Fred George has something to build on.

At the Lahser regional this past weekend, the Eagles qualified four students for the Division 2 state finals.

In the 400 Meter relay sophomore Chynna Garland-Shepard, sophomore Danielle Hawthorne, senior Shinia Malloy and senior Kaylene Abernathy qualified with a time of 50.40. And Abernathy also qualified in the 300-meter low hurdles. Her time of 47.20 was actually a new meet record and the senior had one of the top qualifying times in Division 2.

“We’re hoping she’ll be able to place in the top four or five at state this year,” George said.

He’s optimistic about the relay team’s chances as well. George made changes to the team at regionals and it was the first time that group of girls ran together in the 400 Meter all season.

“I think they should do pretty good, I think that was the first time I ran those runners together,” George said. “I just threw it together and they ran a 50.30, hopefully with a little practice and timing working we can run under 50 (seconds)." 

As a team, Ferndale finished in the middle of the pack with 39 points. Twelve teams competed at the regional and the Eagles were seventh in the standings. George thought he could’ve qualified girls in a couple other events, but overall he was happy with the results.

“One girl should have qualified in the 100-meter easily, but misjudged the finish line and stopped short,” George said. “She should have finished in first or second, but finished in seventh or eighth. And my high jumper (Daejah Terrell), who can jump 4 feet 9 inches, she went out as high as 4 feet 6 inches. But we scored in every area, so I can’t complain, they gave me a good effort.”

One Eagles runner who still might have a chance to go the finals is Alia Rice. The junior ran a 50.14 in the 300-meter hurdles at regionals and according to the MHSAA’s qualifying chart on its website the qualifying time for the event is 50.90.

Currently, she’s not listed in the official list of qualifiers for the Division 2 state finals and George said that’s because there is a discrepancy in what the qualifying time for that event is.

He has two sheets from the MHSAA that have different times listed. He has one with the 50.90 qualifying time and another with 49.60.

“She made it based on the original number I have,” George said. “So I’m not sure, what I’ll probably do is go to my athletic director and get that clarified (from the MHSAA)." 

The girls have one last meet before they head to the state finals in two weeks, Ferndale will compete in the Oakland County Meet at Milford this weekend. Ferndale finished 4-1 in the in the Oakland Activities Association Blue division and George said it will be a good test before heading to Grand Rapids for the finals.

Regardless of how the girls finish, the year has definitely been a successful one for the Eagles.

“I think it’s one of the best finishes the girls have had in years in terms of the league and league record,” George said. “Looking back at the records I’ve yet to see a team that’s done as well.”