Charlotte runs down Raiders Boys Track

Charlotte showed why they are the favorite to win the CAAC White Division in boys track this year Tuesday vs the Raider boys.   “They are a large team numerically of veteran Track kids and EXTREMELY deep in with sprinters and jumpers”, Coach Simpson shared.  

     Portland’s boy numbers are up and to a point that the Raiders will be competitive in most every duel meet, but “we have alot of freshman and sophomores and are very young experience-wise in jumps, hurdles, vault.” 

   It is exciting, because athletes continue to drop times every meet and in every event. The biggest surprise this season is the distance and mid-distance crew. “You can’t win in Track without strong distance and mid-distance runners and our success is a testament to the improving Cross Country Program with Coach Davids and Cloutier.”

   Portland’s young sprinters Nolan Zybtowski, Kaden Dickserson, Josh Allerding, Evan Gross, Isaac & Sawyer Dakin all PR’d (personal records) in the 100 & 200 meters. Brody Sanborn continued to excel in the 800 meters with a first place while freshman Owen Moore took 2nd in the 1600 & the 3200 meters. The 4x400 relay of Dustin & Dylan Wolf, Tejan Virk, and Broday Sanborn started the season with a win.    Noah Simpson and Evan Bower took 1st and 2nd in the Shot Put and Discus, each winning one and grabbing second, while Isaac Dakin finished 2nd in the Pole Vault. Kaden Dickerson and Evan Gross had great first time jumps of 18’ 2” and 17’ 11”, but unfortunately Charlotte has the best in Region 15.

     It was a great test to start off the season, we got some good first times and found out a few things we didn’t know.   The Raiders will be back in action Friday and the Fowler Invite.

Raiders Land at Fowler Invite

The 2023 Portland boys Track team got in their first Invitational competition of the year and for many it was their first ever!   Invitationals are ran alot different with the level of competition and athlete focus and intensity level going up, so it’s a very good early season learning experience for our new Raiders.   This stronger competition often pulls athletes to better times and coupled with the wonderful early season weather, this day saw some exciting races and times.

     Freshman Brady Rowe and Nickelas Zbytowski and sophomore Mason McGregor all dropped their times in 100 and 200 meters, while Duston Wolf PR’d in the 400 meters and logged their names on Portland’s “Top 10” lists.   Brody Sanborn took a 3rd Place medal home in the 800 meters, while Owen Moore and Matthew Seavey both PR’d in the 3200 showing great promise.   Isaac Dakin ran a very nice 300 hurdle race, a tough race and his first ever.   The 4x100, 4x200, and 4x400 Relays all performed well, medaling and PR’ing in the 4x100 relay and 4x400 relay.   But the surprise was the team of Dustin Wolf, Brady Rowe, Nolan Zbytowski, and Makyah Mora winning the 4x200 relay and posting a 1:35.88 time.

   In the Field Events, Josh Allerding PR’d in the High Jump and Brady Rowe did as well in the Long Jump, while Noah Simpson and Evan Bower continued to do what they do, medaling and taking 1st and 3rd in the Discus and 4th and 5th in the Shot Put.    The Raider will be back in action at Lansing Catholic Wednesday who will be looking for revenge after last year’s Raider upset.   Go Raiders!         

Cougars too much for young Raiders

The Portland Boys Track team traveled to Lansing Catholic Wednesday night for an early season brawl with the Cougars.   What on paper should have come down to the final race didn’t happen, as the Raiders did not have enough with early season injuries and absences gave the Cougers their revenge from 2022, but there was still planty of action and performances to celebrate. 

     In the sprints Brady Rowe grabbed a 3rd in the 100m, while Nolan Zbytowski picked up a 3rd in the 200m.   Dustin and Dylan took 2nd & 3rd place points in the 400, while Brody Sanborn and Jake Olson took 1st and 3rd place in the 800m.   Portland Distance duo of Owen Moore and Matthew Seavey shined with PR’s (personal records) and places in both the 1600m (1st & 3rd) and 1st & 2nd in the 3200m.   “These guys are working hard with Coach Pat White and the consistent dropping times show it, each time they run”.

     Isaac Dakin won his 1st ever 100 hurdle race with William May grabbing 3rd place points, while Makyah Mora may have discovered that the 300hurdles may be his best event, finishing 2nd and posting a Top 10 Regional time of 45.65 in his 2nd time running this race.   

     The Cougs swept the relays as expected, but the injury bug gave them nobody healthy enough to compete in the High Jump and Long Jumps, forfeiting 18 points (while is a 36 point swing, with Portland losing 18 and LCC getting 18).   Portland’s Evan Bower and Noah Simpson went 1 & 2 in the Discus, with Simpson setting a NEW Portland School record, maybe a better thing breaking his brother’s 2016 record, but both slipped up in the Shot only grabbing 2nd and 3rd place points.   

     The Raiders will be watching and hoping for some warmer temperatures and speedy health returns as they head to the PW Invitational Friday.

2023 Raiders Distance Shines at PW Invite

After running a CAAC League meet and having one day to rest, add in all the injuries, the Portland Boys Track Team took a skeleton crew of athletes over the hill to PW Friday.   Deciding to run relays and field events, and running events, the boys turned in some special performances.

     The cold and breeze kept what should have been an extremely strong Throwing event from setting records with about 6 of the States top throwers in attendance, but the guys went at it.   Noah Simpson and Evan Bower picked up the Raiders first Medals, finishing 1st and 5th in the Discus.   They then moved to the Shot Put and  took 4th and 8th.   The Raider Relay 4x800 of Andrew Seavey, Brody Sanborn, and freshman Owen Moore, and Tejan Vrik grabbed some attention by medaling and cutting 1:15 the season’s best running an 8:55.02, also moving into 8th Place on Portland All-Time 4x800 Relay list.   Not to be out done, the 4x400 team of Dustin and Dylan Wolf, Brody Sanborn, and freshman Nolan Zbytowski stepped onto the track and ran a season’s best 3:41.45, medaling and moving into 5th Place on Portland All-Time 4x400 Relay list.   Portland 4x100 Relay of Wolf, Wolf, Mason McGregor, and freshman Brady Rowe grabbed a 6th Place medal and while seniors Wolf, Wolf, and freshman Rowe and Zbytowski took 4th place medals and the 4x200 Relay.      

     All in all, it was a chilly but solid day for the Raiders.   The team will hope to be at full strength when they host perennial CAAC White power Ionia Tuesday night.   Come out and support your Raiders!