2008 Season: North East Michigan Conference champion

Coach: Doug Grezeszak

Returning athletes: Chad Avram, sr.; Aaron Dougherty, sr.; Conrad Laurion, sr.; Jon Mahl, sr.; Sean McClintic, sr.; Garrett Benjamin, sr.; Mike Lentz, sr.; Anthony Carollo, sr.; Kenneth Larsen, sr.; Alex Rose, sr.; Jon Spencer, sr.; Kyle Bellor, jr.; Jay Boycott, jr.; Tyler Brindley, jr.; Andrew Vollmer, jr.; Tanner Walker, jr.; Bob Brent, jr.; Clayton Clemens, jr.; George Farmer, jr.; Martin Nelkie, jr.; Casey Taylor, jr.; Brian Valley, jr.; Erik VanOosten, jr.; Kevin Laney, jr.; Todd Noble, jr.; Dan Ferrell, so.; Matt Hoebeke, so.; Trent Killinger, so.; Austin Piglowski, so.; Ronnie Trower, so.; Pat Eagan, so.; Tom Howard, so.; Alex Jones, so.; Steven Wysocki, so.' Brock Vermillion, so.

Outlook: The names and faces change, but Ogemaw Heights still keeps finding ways to squeeze out North East Michigan Conference boys track and field championships.

Whether they can win their third straight this season will, of course play out in May, but the Falcons have enough talent returning to ensure that they'll solidly be in contention.

To start with, Ogemaw returns two state qualifiers in the throwing events. Alex Rose finished fourth at the Division 2 state finals in the shot put, while both he and Anthony Carollo were state qualifiers in the discus.

"Rose is looking really good," Grezeszak says. "He threw over 51 feet at a meet in February and is really working hard ... he's looking to improve to the top three in the state this year.

"Anthony was injured in wrestling and so far the recovery as far as shot putting has gone slow."

Seniors Kenneth Larsen and Jon Spencer also expect to contribute, while a trio of sophomores have also impressed in the pre-season.

"Ken threw 47-7 at SVSU already, and (sophomore) Anthony Zettel is throwing really good.

"Standish returns Adam Gulvas, though, who is such a fantastic athlete, and Cole Walderzak, who is also talented and hard-working. This event should be awesome to watch this year as the top five in the league could all be above 50 feet."

The junior-laden cross country team qualified for the state finals as a team last fall, so the Falcons' distance corps looks strong and deep. Seniors Michael Lentz and Garret Benjamin will concentrate on middle distances, and Grezeszak expects strong seasons from both.

Martin Nelkie, leads a pack of seven returning juniors that should keep multiple Falcons near the front of most 1600 and 3200 meter runs.

"Martin will be fantastic and very dominant," says Grezeszak of his defending league 3200 champ. "He's hoping for a state medal. Hopefully he'll be able to break the 10 minute barrier. He's also much improved in the 1600; he ran 1,000 miles this winter and is really running well. (Not sure if) it will be well enough to overtake Ryan Pickvet from Standish -- he is very talented and a force to be reckoned with."

Brian Valley, Casey Taylor and George Farmer all had strong cross country seasons, while Bobby Brent looks improved over last year and Erik VanOosten has recovered from injuries that have hampered him for the past year.

"With our dominant cross country team, the question is if we can come back and sweep, or take three of the top four, in the distance events," Grezeszak says. "That will be a big key to winning the league."

Returning sophomores Steven Wysocki and Pat Eagan add even more depth to the distance events.

Grezeszak says he'll rely heavily on seniors Conrad Laurion and Jon Mahl to lead his sprint crew, which overall is on the young side.

"Conrad is really strong and fast," he says. "He could really have a breakout year. Jon is a real leader and vital to our success this season with all these young sprinters."

A host of junior returners are led by Kyle Bellor, Jay Boycott and Tyler Brindley, while senior Aaron Dougherty, who was injured last year, is also expected to have an impact.

Senior Sean McClintic and sophomore Ronnie Trower will pace the Falcons in the hurdles events.

"Greg Simmons (league champ in both events) graduating was a really big loss for us, and Clarence Buhlman (5th) moved to Mio," Grezeszak said. "We have no returning point earners. Sean may be able to pick up some of the slack, and Ronnie placed at the indoor event at SVSU so we have high hopes for him."

The question marks for the Falcons come in the jumping events, where there are few returning that placed in last year's league finals. Tops among those are pole vaulter Andrew Vollmer, who was the NEMC runner-up.

"Hopefully some of the new kids will have some springs and will do well in the league," Grezeszak says. "Pole vault is wide open for us. Lots of young kids; hopefully something will develop. (In the long jump) we have some new young talent and are hopeful that this may be a surprise event for us this year."

The Falcons also will be dealing up with a reshuffled coaching staff. Longtime assistant Tim Hansen resigned to concentrate on his girls basketball program, and Falcon alum Jillian Davidson will now be working with sprints and sprint relays. Abigail Nelkie, an Ogemaw state champion and a college runner at North Carolina State, will be volunteering to help with the distance events, with Mr. Twiss taking over the pole vault  coaching, Grezeszak focusing mainly on the throwing events and girls head coach Rick Frank working with the long jump and relay hand-offs.

Still, the goal is the same.

"We are hoping to repeat as league champs, but I'm very worried about Standish," Grezeszak says. "They return so many fantastic athletes, many of which are seniors.

"We will do our best but will again need abundant luck to pull off another league title."