Arends boys, VanDriel give Sparta a boost

GRAND RAPIDS -- A state champion and a portion of triplets broke through the nasty weather to propel the Sparta boys track team to first place in the Big Cat Invitational Saturday at Northview.

Sparta junior Brandon VanDriel claimed first place in the 100-meter dash (11.61), 400-meter (52.13) and anchored the winning 400- and 800-meter relays.

"He's worked hard all winter long and is very competitive," said Sparta boys coach Ted Smith, who is in his 14th season. "When you have a kid like that anchoring for you it's nice to know you just get it to him and he's going to take care of business."

Last year, VanDriel won the Division 2 state title in the 100 with a time of 10.88.

Sparta seniors Mitch and Nick Arends, triplets with their brother Luke who cheers on the sidelines, took part in all three winning relays, including the 1,600-meter.

The brothers, both receivers and safeties on the football team, were part of the 800-relay team (Devon Fairman, Arends, Arends, VanDriel) that broke the Sparta school record last week.

"It feels good; him handing off to me," said Nick, who will attend Central Michigan University next year with Mitch. "Our names will be on the wall together; the old record stood for 30 years."

Nick also placed first in the 300 hurdles (43.34), while Mitch placed second in the 200-meter dash (24.40). Luke plans to attend Michigan State University next year.

Sparta took first overall with a score of 126, followed by Grandville, 72; Fremont, 68; Zeeland East, 64; Grand Rapids Central, 56; Catholic Central, 38; Forest Hills Northern, 28; Northview, 20; Comstock Park, 14; Creston, 12; Ottawa Hills, 4; East Grand Rapids, 4 and Union, 2.

"We figured we'd score our fair share of points, but I didn't plan on us scoring this well in as many events as we did," Smith said.

Grandville girls win

On the girls side, Grandville captured first place with a score of 128, followed by Sparta, 106; Catholic Central, 68; East Grand Rapids, 46; Northview, 42; Zeeland East, 34; Ottawa Hills, 28; Comstock Park, 24; Fremont, 24 and Forest Hills Northern, 10.

"They're running well and competing hard," said first-year Grandville coach Lindsay Lohner. "We weren't coming in expecting to win, we were just coming in hoping to place high. I'm just so pleased."

Grandville's Danielle Tepper won first place in the 1600-meter run (5:23.90), 800-meter (2:25.60) and was a member of the winning 1600-meter relay with Emily Hoffman, Ahnna Dekam and Rachael Steil (4:22.80) and the 3200-meter relay with Steil, Sharon Hecker and Hoffman (10:17.60).

Northview junior Carly Plank, who won the 3200-meter run with a time of 12:14.70, said the cold, windy conditions were difficult.

"You can't really go for time, I was really concentrating on just taking first," said Plank, who was all-state in cross country this year. "It takes a lot more effort. I started out faster than normal, but then it was taking all my effort and I didn't really notice it until the last mile. I don't mind the cold but I do the wind."

Zeeland East's Lydia Brower took first in both the discus (99-11) and the shot put (32-6.25).