Red Hawks were winners of their own invitational. Photo by Jim Harthorn.

The Cedar Springs boys varsity track team completed the dual meet portion of the season with a record of 8-0, 6-0 in the conference, with victories over West Catholic (76-61), Sparta (101.5-34.5), and Coopersville (96-41). The team finished the week off by defending their own Red Hawk Invitational by outscoring Jenison, Forest Hills Northern, Rockford, Ionia, and Kenowa Hills. Battling through injuries and Mother Nature, the team was led by a group of seniors that for four years have compiled a record of 29-4 in dual meets, 26-1 in conference meets and own a 23-meet winning streak.

Justin Balczak set a school record this week in the 300m hurdles. Photo by Aimee Brumleve.

There were some outstanding performances this past week. AJ Olszewski set a school, Red Hawk stadium, and OK Blue conference record in the pole vault at 15 feet. Hank Porter set a school and stadium record in the long jump at 21 feet 10 inches and Justin Balczak set a school record in the 300m hurdles at 38.85 seconds.
Personal best performances this week were also put in by Alex Hemry in the 200m, Aaron Dault in the 300m hurdles, Justin Balczak in the shot put, Derek Ash and Dan Sagorski in the discus, Jake Rickner in the pole vault and long jump, Aaron Brooks in the 3200m run, Connor Mora in the 1600m run, Aaron Leal in the high jump, and Ryan Austin in the 100m.
The team enters the conference meet this week as the number one seed. They face a strong challenge from West Catholic and Forest Hills Northern to claim the outright OK Blue Championship. The preliminary heats are today at 4pm and finals Friday at 6pm Forest Hills Northern. As the defending champions, everyone is shooting to knock us off the podium and take our crown. With the weather finally warming up, let’s fill the stands for the boys and cheer them on to victory.

AJ Olszewski set a record in the pole vault at 15 feet. Photo by Mark Balczak.