Riding high on a strong showing at the Oakland Activities Association meet two weeks ago and a regional championship last week, Clarkston’s girls track team is riding a tidal wave of momentum into Friday’s Oakland County meet at South Lyon High School.
That is, of course, if the Wolves go all out in an effort to win the meet or decide to rest their legs for the state finals June 2.
‘I’m not sure how we’re going to race there yet. We haven’t even talked about it,? Clarkston girls coach John Yorke said.
‘It’s anybody’s county. Some people are looking out for states and some people are trying to win that meet. I have no idea what we’re going to do. We’ll probably race our girls, but we’re training for states at this point.?
An event that hosts more than 30 teams from the county, Friday’s meet could be won by a school scoring 50-60 team points, which could be anyone in the field, Yorke said.
‘That meet is so out in the open for anybody, I don’t even know who would be the favorites going into it.?
Clarkston’s boys track is sending a number of representatives to Lion country, including a 3200-meter relay team, which placed first at the regional. Teammates Matt Alexander, Nick LaMora, Jeff Kuhl and Phil Voorheis beat their previous best performance by about 12 seconds at the playoff, finishing at 8:10.38.
LaMora and Alexander, the team’s lone returnees from last season’s county showcase, will have a chance in individual runs also. Both will run in the 800-meter and LaMora will take part in the 400-meter run. The duo will also team in the 1600-meter relay.
Another year of competition should help LaMora and Alexander’s showing.
‘They’re older, mature and they’re seniors. And it’s a great opportunity to showcase their talents,? Clarkston boys coach Walt Wyniemko said.
Kuhl, after taking second place in the county meet, should have an early rematch with Lake Orion’s Ryan Ziolko, who kept Kuhl from victory in the 1600-meter run at the regional.
The field should give a young Wolves team a good gauge of their progress this season.
‘It’s going to be pretty competitive and that’s what we want. We want to know where we stand. The cream comes to the top, that’s what we’re planning to do (and) it will be our best versus the best. If you want to be the best, you have to go against them,? Wyniemko said.
South Lyon High School is located at 1000 North Lafayette in South Lyon. The meet is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Look for results at www.clarkstonnews.com.