Ogemaw Heights graduate Steve Manz competed at the national indoor track and field meet in Boston this past weekend.  This is the national meet for everyone, not just college athletes.  Manz placed fifth in the nation at the event with a throw of 66 feet, seven inches. That finish helped Manz reach his goal of reaching the top echelon of the American shot putting ranks at a time when U.S. shot putters are the world’s best. His finish was one-quarter inch behind the 2004 Olympics silver medallist.

Manz, a 1999 discus state champ while at Ogemaw, was a multiple all-American at Michigan State and now coaches while still competing at McNeese State University in Louisiana.

“The track coaching staff at Ogemaw couldn’t be more proud,” said Falcon boys track and field coach Doug Grezeszak.

Other Falcon track and field alumni:

Abigail Nelkie is finishing her last year at North Carolina State and is currently recuperating from a stress fracture last fall.  She should be starting graduate school at Michigan State University in fall, 2006.

Emory Nelkie is at Lake Superior State University running distance races.  Friday he raced at Central Michigan University in the 3000-meter run with a time of 9:28, a strong indoor time. 

Matt Miller has been pole vaulting at Spring Arbor but is recuperating from an injury and time off to do some class work in the Caribbean. He is on the mend and training for his last outdoor season this spring.

Mat Lambourn is at Alma College where he played football, rushing for 1014 yards this season, scoring nine rushing touchdowns, as well as catching 43 passes for 293 yards and one touchdown. He is also a sprinter, competing at the CMU meet in the 60-yard dash.

Mike McGregor is vaulting and sprinting at Central Michigan University.  Last Friday he attempted to start vaulting at around 13 feet, 6 inches but did not clear.  According to Grezeszak, eyewitnesses say he was up around 16 feet but came down on the crossbar.  He looked great and should do well in the future.  He is being red shirted this season so he won’t get to compete very many times.  He also sprinted the indoor 400 in 53.31.

Lisa Brindley is vaulting at Alma College

Matt Edwards is a freshman at Alma College.  He was a defensive back on the football team and is running the hurdles.  In the first two meets Grezeszak said he advanced to the finals and placed sixth in both.  His time at the CMU meet was 9.31.  Grezeszak noted that college hurdles are three inches higher than high school hurdles.

Hale’s Wilson claims GLIAC pole vault title

Bryant Wilson, a 2005 graduate of Hale High School, vaulted 16 feet 2 inches Saturday at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship meet to claim the league title in indoor track and field as a freshman.

Wilson also received the Outstanding Freshman of the Meet award for his efforts.

Wilson will be one of 12 athletes competing in the pole vault at the Division II national championship meet in Boston on March 10.