The boys track squad edged Rochester 67-61 last week in the first home meet of the season, while the girls fell 82-46.
The boys improved to 3-1 in OAA I dual meet action, sweeping the field events and winning three of the four relays.
‘So far, our strengths are our field events,? Coach Stan Ford said, giving praise to Alex Hare (high jump), Tony Thompson (discus), Shaun Vernon (discus, shot put), Robby Lentz (long jump) and Ethan Ruhland (shot put).
Hare, Vernon, Lentz and Ruhland were all winners against Rochester.
‘They have been really consistent and were a big help in our win against Rochester, which was a close one,? Ford added.
‘Our sprinters have been really solid, with a fine 800m relay effort against Rochester, running a 1:31.8,? Ford said of the team of seniors J.P. Findlay, Aaron Allen, Craig Lamouria and David Wurst.
‘With Craig healthier, it really solidifies our relays and sprint events,? Ford said.
Vernon took the place of Lamouria in the team’s 400m relay victory.
‘David Wurst has proven to be a real competitive anchor leg in both the 800 meter relay and the 400 meter relay,? Ford noted.
‘Plus there is depth in the sprints. That is very important in dual meet scoring,? he added.
Brandon Walters, Max Hock, Kyle Lawton and Ryan Ziolko joined for the team’s relay win in the 3200m.
‘With one loss to Adams so far, we are preparing for our two remaining foes, West Bloomfield and Southfield (both at home),? Ford said. ‘Both are sprint dominated teams, so they will by tightly contested, pitting their strengths against ours (sprints), but hopefully our young distance crew can make a difference.?
On the girl’s side, a pair of hurdles wins by Chira Allen highlighted the afternoon versus Rochester.
But the Falcons? sweep of the relays proved to be too much to overcome.
Katie Dorse (400m dash), Allie Hock (3200m run), Katie Valko (long jump) and Jillian Linklater (high jump) were the other individual winners for Coach Sharon Kline’s young squad.
Kline said she has been encouraged by her team’s improving times in the early part of the season and hopes it will pay dividends in the upcoming league meet.
Next week, Orion hosts Southfield on Tuesday and the league meet on Friday.