Even a little rain couldn’t slow down the success of the Oxford Varsity Track teams as they took on the regional competition on Friday, May 21 and Monday, May 24.
Both the boys and the girls finished second overall at regionals, which were held at Brandon High School. The event started on Friday afternoon, but was called halfway through the meet because a thunderstorm rolled in.
After resuming the meet Monday afternoon, the Holly boys team held on against a late surge by the Wildcats, 105-99.5.
Leading the comeback for Oxford were Aaron Stuk and Chris Rolle, who each claimed two individual titles and one relay title.
Stuk crossed the finish line of the 110 meter hurdles in 15 seconds flat and edged out Davison’s Ken Pierson in the 300 meter hurdles in his victories. Rolle finished first in the 100 meter dash, beating Christian Pletta of Romeo by .3 seconds. He also beat David Foster of Port Huron .5 seconds to claim the 200 meter dash.
Stuk and Rolle, along with Anthony McDugald and Mike Cynowa, won the 400 meter relay in 43.5 seconds, just beating out the relay team from Eisenhower by .3 seconds.
The Varsity Girls finished second behind Lake Orion, losing 121-98.
The girls had a top five placer in 11 events on the day. Sarah Hillebrand captured the girls only first place in the pole vault when she cleared the bar at nine feet eight inches. Molly Bonfiglio finished third for Oxford in the pole vault.
Another standout performer for the Wildcats was Kate Wolanin, who finished second in the High Jump, 100 meter hurdles, 300 meter hurdles and was a member of the 1,600 meter relay team that finished second.
Jessica Howell finished second in the long jump.
Overall, the Wildcats will be represented by 15 athletes at the state competition, which will held in Rockford on Saturday, June 5.
Representing the boys will be Stuk, Rolle, McDugald, Cynowa, Darren Lumpkin and Austin Westmoreland. Lumpkin will compete in the 800 meter relay and Westmoreland will compete in the Pole Vault.
Representing the girls will be Shannon and Megan Seeley, Brittany Johnson, Wolanin, Chelsea Johnson, Ashley Burr, Brooke Kovacic, Hillebrand and Howell.