The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Bulldogs to field huge squad
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: April 12, 2007
With 57 members, Chelsea's boys' track and field team will be one of the area's largest this season. The Bulldogs, defending co-champions of the Southeastern Conference White Division, lost a lot of talent off of last year's title-winning squad, but return a whole host of capable, if not young, replacements this season.
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"This is one of the two largest men's track teams Chelsea has ever fielded," said Chelsea coach Eric Swager. "Yet more than half of the squad is comprised of first time tracksters. I am looking forward to seeing the greenhorns improve and gain experience as the year progresses."
Last year, Chelsea placed eighth in the state in Division II.
The Bulldogs must replace the large shoes of Ian Girard, now running for Michigan State University. Last year, Girard finished third in the state in the 1,600-meter run and in the 800-meter run. He also anchored the state championship 3,200-meter relay.
Girard, who holds the Chelsea school record in the 1,600-meter run with a time of 4:17.66, represented Michigan in last year's Midwest Meet of Champions. Also lost to graduation off of last year's team was Al Stewart, who qualified for the state meet in the 800-meter run and was a member of the first-place state finishing 3,200-meter relay.
Returning to lead the Bulldogs this year is senior Brendan Smith. Last season, Smith, who'll run next year at the University of Missouri-Rolla, qualified for the state meet in the 1,600-meter run and was a member of the state championship 3,200-meter relay.
"He is in great shape and should anchor our distance efforts," Swager said.
Also returning off of that 3,200-meter relay is sophomore distance runner Riley Feeney.
Chelsea is the two-time defending state champion in the 3,200-meter relay.
Looking to score points for the Bulldogs this season in distance events include junior Teddy Eyster, sophomore Mark Smith and sophomore Nick Hewitt.
In sprints, seniors Jason Ratliff and Danny Ngo appear ready to have big seasons for Chelsea.
"They are both looking sharp and healthy," Swager said of Ratliff and Ngo. "Sprints should be one of our strong points."
Others looking to contribute in sprints for the Bulldogs include senior Antwan McClendon and sophomore Kevin Rosentreter,
In hurdles, Chelsea will be strong.
"We have one of the deepest, most talented hurdle teams in the state," Swager said.
Leading the Bulldogs in hurdles will be two-time defending SEC White Division champion junior Evan Carpenter. Sophomores Justin McGrath and Bradley Ratliff also will make an impact for Chelsea.
"We should get at least one state qualifier out of this group," Swager said.
In throws, junior Tyler Ball, junior Sam Dyer, senior Mark Bowdish and sophomore Adam Bauer will pace the Bulldogs.
In pole vault, sophomore Peter Wilke will be a top point-getter for Chelsea.
"We will count on him to be a consistent performer there," Swager said.
Swager said the SEC should, once again, be extremely competitive.
"Saline and (Ann Arbor) Pioneer are among the best Division I teams in the state, while Dexter is rock solid in Division II," he said. "We were fortunate to upset the Dreadnaughts last year and gain a share of the SEC White title. This is, once again, our goal.
"Individually, we have a season-long goal of getting as many athletes to qualify for the state meet as possible."
Assisting Swager this season will be coaches Mora Arnold, Loren Thorburn, Bert Kruse, Shane Rodriguez and Mike Holik. Also helping out will be Chelsea girls' coach Pat Clarke.
"The boys' and girls' programs share coaches," Swager said.
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