We are at the Big Blue Oval for the state meet in Des Moines. Today, Thursday, is extremely hot and windy. It was difficult to run great times, but we were ready to compete and competed well.
Our first event was Ashlyn Gomez in the discus. She stepped into the ring on her first throw and tossed it 114-08. It was her second best throw of the year. It was exciting to see her throw so well on her first trip to state. She handled the nerves and atmosphere like a champ. Unfortunately, she did not better her throw and missed finals finishing 14th on the day. It was a great experience for her and she is hungry to return next season.
Emily Haverdink took the track first for the Dutch. She really wanted the school record, but the conditions did not allow for a fast time. I am sure finishing 2nd is a great alternative! After a chaotic start where she was tripped and fell to the back of the pack, Emily worked her way through the crowd with incredible composure shutting down the gap to 2nd lap after lap. With 500 to go, she moved into second and continued to pull away her final lap. It was a great race for the senior. We are looking for more incredible competition from Emily on Friday and Saturday.
Tierney Huss ran the prelims for both the 100 and the 200 straight into those gusty conditions. She competed well in both races finishing 10th in the 100 and 13th in the 200. Although we were disappointed she did not make finals, we are so proud of her effort this season. It will be exciting to see her continue flying as a junior and senior.
Brooklyn Leusink was at the high jump at 4:30. Her goal this year was to clear 5-0. She jumped that or more 4 times this year including today to tie for 8th place. We are so proud of her accomplishment!
The girl's 4x800 also took the track today. The quartet of Elin Van Der Werff, Akeyma Fedders, Maya Immeker, and Kennedy Fernstrum ran well in the rough conditions to place 18th. Their time was one of the best this season. We are so proud of their efforts and look forward to them being back on the track for more races Friday and Saturday.
Boys Comments
Thursday was windy and hot -- a foreign experience to our athletes for 2022. These conditions were especially oppositional to our distance runners. With a mindset of competing well, Trevor Mirande and Micah De Young ran well in the 3200. They've run better times in the season, which produced some disappointment in them but they improved relative to their rank coming in and ran smart, tactical races. To give fans out there a perspective on the conditions, for the first time in 25 years at state meets we've attended they were handing out water cups on the 200 meter turn.
Our 4X800 also ran impressively. The relay composed of seniors earned their 6th-place medals with some impressive runs. Tyson Blom led off (recall the conditions) with a split nearly matching his best performance ever! Wow! Right after him, Jack Huang took off and came in nearly a 2 second personal best! Tommy Tracy matched his best performance in third and Sam May anchored in amazing form with a 1:57.6. Our school record is 8:08, which was their goal. We know the 8:13 they ran is the best in the past 30 years. We believe it is the best performance for MOC-FV aside from the foursome that set the school record.
Jesse Van Kalsbeek was disappointed to not clear 6-0 or higher. His great performance (6-2) at the SQM certainly raised his expectations and hopes. He cleared 6-0 twice with everything but his heel! We are proud of his competition and his performance today.
Josiah Bundt was our biggest surprise of the day. Based on his performances in discus for the season and those of his competitors, making finals was the goal. He also had a goal of throwing a PR. It was dramatic as his first two throws were fouls. Throw number 3 was 152-1, a season best and enough to put him in first place out of flight one and eventually in 4th place headed to finals. In finals, he achieved his goal of a personal best when he hit 155-0 on throw number four. That mark held on for a 3rd-place finish!
FRIDAY
Girls Comments
What a beautiful day on the track. The weather could not have been any better. Again, the girls came ready to compete and they had many highs and a few lows. Unfortunately, that is the nature of the beast in track and field.
The day started with Vanessa Vande Vegte throwing the shot put. She threw some of her better throws this season going over 35 feet, but with 40 feet taking 6th place she did not make the finals. She had an amazing season and will return, I am sure.
The first race on the track for the girls was the distance medley. Addie Wierda, Anna Evink, Akeyma Fedders, and Emily Haverdink matched their season's best time from the state qualifier to place 15th overall. This relay was an all-senior group. They are leaders of this team and will be missed greatly next season.
The 4x200 stepped on the track next. The foursome of Carolynn Meines, Anna Evink, Eden Koedam, and Payton Kleinhesselink rounded the track twice in 1:50.22 and placed 19th overall. We hit all our handoffs, a big improvement from the state qualifier.
Kaylea Bruxvoort took the track next in the 400 hurdles. She had run a personal best at the state qualifier by 4 seconds. She made that time real when she bettered it by several tenths. It was a great race that she led from start to finish. Mike Jay called her name several times. It was fun for everyone to cheer our athlete to a heat victory. She finished in 15th place after coming in seeded 20th.
The 4x100 came in with high expectation after finishing 5th last year and having everyone back. The quartet of Carolynn Meines, Payton Kleinhesselink, Addie Wierda, and Tierney Huss started off strong. It was devastating when they dropped the baton on the 3rd handoff.
The final event of the day was the 4x400. Akeyma Fedders, Maya Immeker, Payton Kleinhesselink, and Kennedy Fernstrum ran a season's best time. Payton and Kennedy ran season's best splits. It was a great way to end the night.
Elin Van Der Werff and Emily Haverdink finish of the state meet with the open 800 and 1500 respectively. The freshman and the senior are both excited and ready to go.
Boys Comments
Friday was not as busy for the guys but we had some big races. Our distance medley took to the track, pursuing a place in the top 8 after narrowly missing placing (9th) last year. They ran well but weren't able to hit all of the performances need and ended up in 11th, three seconds from 6th and missing 8th by about 1.5 second. I'm pretty sure they would welcome another shot at that race if it were possible.
Alan (A.J.) Bomgaars took to the track shortly after, looking to match his huge performance at the SQM. Not only did he achieve that but he bettered his personal best by another 0.2 second. 8 days ago his best was 16.05. He ran a 15.46 today. To drop a sprint time like that at the end of the season is not common! He has put together his race and is reaping the benefit of all of his work. We are thrilled with this 10th place performance (and so is he)!
Our last race was a 4X400 composed of only seniors -- guys, who with their fellow seniors have led this team well! They had their eyes set on a school record and making finals. The conditions were favorable and the context was set. All four (Luke Jeltema, Reese Van Zee, Tristan Blom, and A.J. Bomgaars) ran at 52.5 or better. Their spread was less than 1 second. They needed to average 51 for the school record: their average was just above 52 seconds. While their performance as the best of our season and competitive in every way, the competition this year was severe -- leaving them 0.5 second out of medals and finals tomorrow afternoon. We couldn't be more proud of their effort as we have remorse that they don't get to run that race again.
Many of the guys who competed today need to be ready to come back again tomorrow! We are looking for more and better still.
SATURDAY
Girls Comments
The girls had 2 events on the track today. Elin Van Der Werff ran a very nice 800 for the Dutch in a 2:31.66. She competed very well and ran a smart race. There is a motto for the distance races, "At the start, don't be stupid. At the finish, don't be whimpy." Elin controlled her race at the beginning and passed several other runners the final stretch. She had a great finish to her freshmen campaign. We look forward to her future years at MOCFV.
Emily Haverdink ran her final race for the Dutch. After another crazy start, she again showed great composure working her way through the crowd in the 1500. She had a great final 300 to run a personal best, reset the school record, and finish 5th for her second medal of the weekend. We are so proud of Emily's accomplishments and leadership on the MOCFV track team.
Boys Comments
What a contrast! On Thursday they were handing out water and everyone was seeking shade from the heat of the sun. This morning, most fans were bundled in blankets or winter apparel! The boys sprint medley took to the track around 10am with two big goals: earn a medal and lower their school record. While they made a strong effort in that direction, we didn't have quite enough to accomplish the goal. Our time was good enough to place 12th, but about one second off of the school record.
The two remaining races were Sam May in both the 800 and the 1600. In both races, the competition was exceedingly tough relative to other years -- though Sam was fully aware long before today. Mike Jay took a good bit of time introducing both fields due to the litany of accomplishments of the competitors. Sam was not satisfied with his performance but we remain proud of him. This has been a season of overcoming for him: battling a variety of injuries since the turn of the new year and trying to complete the training needed to reach the goals he had for the year. He earned a medal in the 800 (7th) and came in 13th in the mile. Both of his times are respectable and would have broken school records prior to what he has done to lower them! Sam has had a tremendous careeer and completing it on the blue oval with three 800s and one 1600 is a fitting honor.
THURSDAY
Girls Comments
We are at the Big Blue Oval for the state meet in Des Moines. Today, Thursday, is extremely hot and windy. It was difficult to run great times, but we were ready to compete and competed well.
Our first event was Ashlyn Gomez in the discus. She stepped into the ring on her first throw and tossed it 114-08. It was her second best throw of the year. It was exciting to see her throw so well on her first trip to state. She handled the nerves and atmosphere like a champ. Unfortunately, she did not better her throw and missed finals finishing 14th on the day. It was a great experience for her and she is hungry to return next season.
Emily Haverdink took the track first for the Dutch. She really wanted the school record, but the conditions did not allow for a fast time. I am sure finishing 2nd is a great alternative! After a chaotic start where she was tripped and fell to the back of the pack, Emily worked her way through the crowd with incredible composure shutting down the gap to 2nd lap after lap. With 500 to go, she moved into second and continued to pull away her final lap. It was a great race for the senior. We are looking for more incredible competition from Emily on Friday and Saturday.
Tierney Huss ran the prelims for both the 100 and the 200 straight into those gusty conditions. She competed well in both races finishing 10th in the 100 and 13th in the 200. Although we were disappointed she did not make finals, we are so proud of her effort this season. It will be exciting to see her continue flying as a junior and senior.
Brooklyn Leusink was at the high jump at 4:30. Her goal this year was to clear 5-0. She jumped that or more 4 times this year including today to tie for 8th place. We are so proud of her accomplishment!
The girl's 4x800 also took the track today. The quartet of Elin Van Der Werff, Akeyma Fedders, Maya Immeker, and Kennedy Fernstrum ran well in the rough conditions to place 18th. Their time was one of the best this season. We are so proud of their efforts and look forward to them being back on the track for more races Friday and Saturday.
Boys Comments
Thursday was windy and hot -- a foreign experience to our athletes for 2022. These conditions were especially oppositional to our distance runners. With a mindset of competing well, Trevor Mirande and Micah De Young ran well in the 3200. They've run better times in the season, which produced some disappointment in them but they improved relative to their rank coming in and ran smart, tactical races. To give fans out there a perspective on the conditions, for the first time in 25 years at state meets we've attended they were handing out water cups on the 200 meter turn.
Our 4X800 also ran impressively. The relay composed of seniors earned their 6th-place medals with some impressive runs. Tyson Blom led off (recall the conditions) with a split nearly matching his best performance ever! Wow! Right after him, Jack Huang took off and came in nearly a 2 second personal best! Tommy Tracy matched his best performance in third and Sam May anchored in amazing form with a 1:57.6. Our school record is 8:08, which was their goal. We know the 8:13 they ran is the best in the past 30 years. We believe it is the best performance for MOC-FV aside from the foursome that set the school record.
Jesse Van Kalsbeek was disappointed to not clear 6-0 or higher. His great performance (6-2) at the SQM certainly raised his expectations and hopes. He cleared 6-0 twice with everything but his heel! We are proud of his competition and his performance today.
Josiah Bundt was our biggest surprise of the day. Based on his performances in discus for the season and those of his competitors, making finals was the goal. He also had a goal of throwing a PR. It was dramatic as his first two throws were fouls. Throw number 3 was 152-1, a season best and enough to put him in first place out of flight one and eventually in 4th place headed to finals. In finals, he achieved his goal of a personal best when he hit 155-0 on throw number four. That mark held on for a 3rd-place finish!
FRIDAY
Girls Comments
What a beautiful day on the track. The weather could not have been any better. Again, the girls came ready to compete and they had many highs and a few lows. Unfortunately, that is the nature of the beast in track and field.
The day started with Vanessa Vande Vegte throwing the shot put. She threw some of her better throws this season going over 35 feet, but with 40 feet taking 6th place she did not make the finals. She had an amazing season and will return, I am sure.
The first race on the track for the girls was the distance medley. Addie Wierda, Anna Evink, Akeyma Fedders, and Emily Haverdink matched their season's best time from the state qualifier to place 15th overall. This relay was an all-senior group. They are leaders of this team and will be missed greatly next season.
The 4x200 stepped on the track next. The foursome of Carolynn Meines, Anna Evink, Eden Koedam, and Payton Kleinhesselink rounded the track twice in 1:50.22 and placed 19th overall. We hit all our handoffs, a big improvement from the state qualifier.
Kaylea Bruxvoort took the track next in the 400 hurdles. She had run a personal best at the state qualifier by 4 seconds. She made that time real when she bettered it by several tenths. It was a great race that she led from start to finish. Mike Jay called her name several times. It was fun for everyone to cheer our athlete to a heat victory. She finished in 15th place after coming in seeded 20th.
The 4x100 came in with high expectation after finishing 5th last year and having everyone back. The quartet of Carolynn Meines, Payton Kleinhesselink, Addie Wierda, and Tierney Huss started off strong. It was devastating when they dropped the baton on the 3rd handoff.
The final event of the day was the 4x400. Akeyma Fedders, Maya Immeker, Payton Kleinhesselink, and Kennedy Fernstrum ran a season's best time. Payton and Kennedy ran season's best splits. It was a great way to end the night.
Elin Van Der Werff and Emily Haverdink finish of the state meet with the open 800 and 1500 respectively. The freshman and the senior are both excited and ready to go.
Boys Comments
Friday was not as busy for the guys but we had some big races. Our distance medley took to the track, pursuing a place in the top 8 after narrowly missing placing (9th) last year. They ran well but weren't able to hit all of the performances need and ended up in 11th, three seconds from 6th and missing 8th by about 1.5 second. I'm pretty sure they would welcome another shot at that race if it were possible.
Alan (A.J.) Bomgaars took to the track shortly after, looking to match his huge performance at the SQM. Not only did he achieve that but he bettered his personal best by another 0.2 second. 8 days ago his best was 16.05. He ran a 15.46 today. To drop a sprint time like that at the end of the season is not common! He has put together his race and is reaping the benefit of all of his work. We are thrilled with this 10th place performance (and so is he)!
Our last race was a 4X400 composed of only seniors -- guys, who with their fellow seniors have led this team well! They had their eyes set on a school record and making finals. The conditions were favorable and the context was set. All four (Luke Jeltema, Reese Van Zee, Tristan Blom, and A.J. Bomgaars) ran at 52.5 or better. Their spread was less than 1 second. They needed to average 51 for the school record: their average was just above 52 seconds. While their performance as the best of our season and competitive in every way, the competition this year was severe -- leaving them 0.5 second out of medals and finals tomorrow afternoon. We couldn't be more proud of their effort as we have remorse that they don't get to run that race again.
Many of the guys who competed today need to be ready to come back again tomorrow! We are looking for more and better still.
SATURDAY
Girls Comments
The girls had 2 events on the track today. Elin Van Der Werff ran a very nice 800 for the Dutch in a 2:31.66. She competed very well and ran a smart race. There is a motto for the distance races, "At the start, don't be stupid. At the finish, don't be whimpy." Elin controlled her race at the beginning and passed several other runners the final stretch. She had a great finish to her freshmen campaign. We look forward to her future years at MOCFV.
Emily Haverdink ran her final race for the Dutch. After another crazy start, she again showed great composure working her way through the crowd in the 1500. She had a great final 300 to run a personal best, reset the school record, and finish 5th for her second medal of the weekend. We are so proud of Emily's accomplishments and leadership on the MOCFV track team.
Boys Comments
What a contrast! On Thursday they were handing out water and everyone was seeking shade from the heat of the sun. This morning, most fans were bundled in blankets or winter apparel! The boys sprint medley took to the track around 10am with two big goals: earn a medal and lower their school record. While they made a strong effort in that direction, we didn't have quite enough to accomplish the goal. Our time was good enough to place 12th, but about one second off of the school record.
The two remaining races were Sam May in both the 800 and the 1600. In both races, the competition was exceedingly tough relative to other years -- though Sam was fully aware long before today. Mike Jay took a good bit of time introducing both fields due to the litany of accomplishments of the competitors. Sam was not satisfied with his performance but we remain proud of him. This has been a season of overcoming for him: battling a variety of injuries since the turn of the new year and trying to complete the training needed to reach the goals he had for the year. He earned a medal in the 800 (7th) and came in 13th in the mile. Both of his times are respectable and would have broken school records prior to what he has done to lower them! Sam has had a tremendous careeer and completing it on the blue oval with three 800s and one 1600 is a fitting honor.