St. Patrick's Track and Field enjoys historic 2019 season

The Boys and Girls Shamrock Track and Field teams really had an exceptional season this year, with many School Records being broken and a new State Champion being crowned at St. Patrick's.

Portland St. Patrick Varsity Track Season Highlights

Boys:

- 3rd place finishes at the Webberville Invitational and Portland Invitational

- Paul Cook named Athlete of the Meet for the Portland Invitational

- All-Region (8 honors)

Paul Cook

- 300 hurdles – Regional Champion

- 110 hurdles

- 4x400

John Schneider

- 300 hurdles

- 110 hurdles

- 4x400

Tyler Coyne

- 4x400

Ned Smith

- 4x400

- All-CMAC (3 honors)

Paul Cook

- 300 hurdles – 1st team

- 110 hurdles – Honorable Mention

John Schneider

- 300 hurdles – Honorable Mention

- Lansing Honor Roll (top athletes in the area regardless of MHSAA Division)

Paul Cook

- 300 hurdles – 7th place medal

- State Meet

Paul Cook

- 300 hurdles – 12th place

- School Records

Paul Cook – 300 hurdles (41.67)

4x400 – John Schneider, Tyler Coyne, Ned Smith, Paul Cook (3:41.79)

Girls:

- 1st place finish at the Webberville Invitational

- Annie Gunderman named Athlete of the Meet for the Webberville Invitational and Portland Invitational

- 4th place team finish at Regionals

- 11th place team finish at the State Meet

- All-Region (17 honors)

Annie Gunderman

- 400 – Regional Champion

- 200

- 4x400

- 4x200

Leah Cook

- Long Jump – Regional Champion

- 400 – Runner-up

- 4x400

- 4x200

Jenna Pung

- 300 hurdles

- 4x200

- 4x400

Tessa Lawson

- 4x200

- 4x800

Marlie Bengel

- 4x400

Veronica White

- 4x800

Leah Kissane

- 4x800

Cordelia FoxElster

- 4x800

-All-CMAC (15 honors)

Annie Gunderman

- 400 – 2nd team

- 4x200, 4x400 & 4x800 – Honorable Mention

Leah Cook

- Long Jump – 2nd team

- 400, 4x200, 4x400 – Honorable Mention

Jenna Pung

- 4x200, 4x400 – Honorable Mention

Tessa Lawson

- 4x200, 4x800 – Honorable Mention

Veronica White

- 4x800 Honorable Mention

Leah Kissane

- 4x800 Honorable Mention

Marlie Bengel

- 4x400 Honorable Mention

- Lansing Honor Roll

Annie Gunderman

- 400 – 3rd place medal

- 4x400 – 6th place medal

Leah Cook

- 400 – 7th place medal

- 4x400 – 6th place medal

Jenna Pung

- 4x400 – 6th place medal

Marlie Bengel

- 4x400 – 6th place medal

- Academic Honor Roll (3.5 GPA or higher and meeting the meet qualifying standard in at least one event)

Annie Gunderman

Leah Cook

Jenna Pung

Veronica White

Leah Kissane

Marlie Bengel

- State Meet

Annie Gunderman

- 400 – State Champion

- 200 – All-State 6th place

- 4x400 – 9th place

Leah Cook

- 400 – All-State 6th place

- Long Jump – 11th place

- 4x400 – 9th place

Jenna Pung

- 4x400 – 9th place

Marlie Bengel

- 4x400 – 9th place

- Academic All-State (Top 8 with a 3.5 GPA or higher; or competing in any event with a 4.0 GPA)

Annie Gunderman (400 & 200) & Leah Cook (400, LJ & 4x400)

School Records

- Annie Gunderman - 800 (2:26.89)

-Leah Kissane, Tessa Lawson, Veronica White, Annie Gunderman - 4x800 (10:53.91)

Coach Dawn Fedewa was thrilled with her athletes hard work paying off.

On Annie Gunderman: "Since Annie’s freshman year when she finished 9th in the 400, her goal has been to finish as State Champion. Through a tough day of delays, she was able to maintain her composure and rely on her faith, mental toughness and support of her teammates. Annie ran the race perfectly, controlling what she was able to control and with that was able to fulfill her goal. Reaching her goal and being able to share the podium with her teammate, Leah Cook, was the best possible ending to an outstanding high school career."

On the Team: “This year’s team had a level of maturity and cohesiveness that allowed them to continually improve and excel. Their trust in their God-given talents partnered with constant support from their teammates set them up to exceed expectations for the season. Throughout the season, they took tough situations and conditions, often praying for strength and perseverance, and turned them into an opportunity for success. The quote on this year’s team shirt from 2 Chronicles 15:7 summed up the team perfectly, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” And rewarded this team was, bringing home 142 medals, including numerous all-area, league, region and state honors over the course of the season.”

Photos courtesy of Carol Gunderman.