GRAND RAPIDS AREA – June 2, 2007 – A number of area athletes competed at the state track and field finals at various locations in the Grand Rapids area, with a number of them bringing home state medals for their efforts.

Standish-Sterling's Ashlyn Gulvas turned in the area's top individual performance at the Division 3 meet, earning a second-place finish in both the shot put with a throw of 39-9, and the discus with a throw of 124-9. The winning shot put distance was 41-10, thrown by Frankenmuth's Samantha Cormier, and Lakeview's Stacey Harrington won the discus with a throw of 125-6. Also competing for the SSC girls was Kayleigh Nelson in both throwing events.

The Panthers' Derek Welmers also earned a medal, finishing eighth in the 1600-meter run with a time of 4:25.07. Welmers was less than a second out of fourth place in what was a tightly-packed field after the top three spots. Other SSC boys competing were Mark Stawowy in the shot put, Austin Collier in the 400 and Casey Potts in the 300 hurdles.

Ogemaw Heights' Kayla Brindley nearly earned a medal at the Division 2, finishing ninth in the discus after making the final round. The top eight finishers earn state finals medals. She threw a personal-best of 115-3 in the discus.

“This was a very nice accomplishment for Kayla,” said Ogemaw coach Rick Frank. “Hopefully the experience of a state meet and making it to the finals will help her in the next two years of track and field.”

Falcon senior Holly Mester finished her high school career with a 12:23.4 in the 3200-meter run.

“It was not one of Holly's best races,” Frank said. “But the fact and the way she qualified and had an awesome career is what she will remember.”

Tawas Area had two athletes bring home medals from the Division 3 meet. Tom Domerese earned a sixth-place finish in the pole vault (13-9), while Quinn Knox took fifth in the discus (113-7).

“All three years at state Quinn has handled the pressure,” said Tawas coach Chris Lerczak. “I know she was disappointed she didn't win, but she handled herself like a pro.”

Tyler Bischoff's 11th-place finish in the 3200 didn't medal, but his time of 9:39 broke the Tawas school record. Wayne Enzenberger also competed in the pole vault, finishing 12th (12-3).

Whittemore-Prescott's Catherine Daniels earned a seventh-place finish in the shot put with a throw of 36-5.

Oscoda's Trent Fouchey earned a third-place medal in the 400 at the Division 3 meet, taking eighth place with a time of 51.35. Ashley Schonfeld also qualified in the 300-meter hurdles for the Owls.

At the Division 4 meet, AuGres-Sims' David Garske earned a seventh-place finish in the long jump at the Division 4 state meet with a jump of 20-1.5.

Also in Division 4, Mio's Wright brothers finished their high school careers in style, with Patrick Wright earning three state medals in his four events, taking fifth in the long jump (20-10), seventh in the 100 (11.70) and eighth in the 300 hurdles (40.7). Corey Wright took fourth place in the 200 (22.98).

Fairview's Kyle Sanderson took eighth in the long jump (19-10) and Amanda Calhoun took sixth in the shot put (35-4).

Other area medalists included John Glenn's Chad Skrocki in the pole vault (8th, 13-2) and Stephanie Hurley in the 400 (6th, 58.41) and 200 (7th, 26.40) in Division 2; and Atlanta's Melissa Hale in the 400 (3rd, 59.63) in Division 4.