Hamilton shows its speed at Division 2 track finals; Sparta's Brandon Vandriel wins third 100 title

Steve Vedder | The Grand Rapids Press, May 30, 2009 8:26 p.m.

ZEELAND -- Success became contagious for the Hamilton boy's track team.

The Hawkeyes may have had its largest team in terms of numbers this season, but coach Kevin Spotts credits a core group of seniors for not only what they accomplished during meets, but also spreading their influence to underclassmen.

That's how Spotts explains Hamilton capturing Saturday's Division 2 state track meet at Zeeland, a meet that also included a record-setting showing from Sparta senior Brandon Vandriel who won a third consecutive state title in the 100-meter dash.

The Hamilton state title concludes a season that also featured O-K Green and regional titles and a second at the MITCA team state meet.

"About midway through the season, we said, 'Hey, this team may be something even more special than we planned,' " said Spotts, whose team won three events at the meet en route to 61 points. Williamston was second with 38 points. "We have 65 kids, but it's a great group of seniors. They're the ones who were competing today, they're the seasoned veterans."

Among those seniors are Troy Sneller, who won the 300 hurdles in a time of 38.83. He was seeded No. 2 after qualifying for his first state meet, but like many of his teammates thought he had a shot of a high place.

"It probably won't sink in until tomorrow, but no matter where I was seeded, I had incentive," Sneller said. "But because I was seeded high, I knew I had a shot."

The other Hawkeye firsts came from the 1,600 (3:22.40) and 800 (1:28.49) relay teams. The 800 relay team featured four seniors, including three who helped that relay finish third at state in 2008 in Austin Schild, Zach Heerspink and Matt Tyink. The fourth member was David Ptacek. Included on the 1,600 relay team were Dakota Sale, Michael Hoffman, Ptacek and Sneller.

"It's all about having chemistry, good handoffs and everyone working hard," Schild said. "It was great to win, especially since we were seeded first. We thought we could do well."

While Hamilton was outstanding as a team, Vandriel became the first runner to win the 100 three years in a row since the Michigan High School Athletic Association switched from classes to divisions in 2000. He won the meet with a 10.98 after winning the event as both a junior (10.52) and sophomore (10.92).

Vandriel said the win relieves a massive amount of pressure.

"People want to beat the best. You just have to come in both mentally and physically ready," he said. "I put my ipod in and I don't want to be near anyone before I run. I try to visualize myself winning. I close my eyes and see myself going across the finish line (first) every time."

Vandriel, who is headed to Michigan State next season, said winning the event for the third time has always been his goal.

"Being the third time, it feels like an accomplishment that as far as we know, no one has ever done," said Vandriel, who attributes much of his success to studying film and tendencies of opponents. "That's a great feeling."

Catholic Central's Austin DeWildt led a West Michigan-area domination of the pole vault. He won with a jump of 15-feet, 2 inches as the area swept the top three places. Justin Casarez of Rogers was second and Byron Center's Chris Schurr was third.

"There was a little pressure in being No. 1 (seed)," DeWildt said. "But I was very happy with how I did. I got a personal best outside by an inch and I was real happy with that. There's a lot of relief, especially since I was going in last after the other guys had made it."

In the girl's meet, Zeeland East's Sara Nitz won the high jump with a leap of 5-feet, 6 inches. The win came over some of the area's other top high jumpers such as Annalise Pickrel of Catholic Central and South Christian's Kelly Heidmann.

"A lot of those girls have beaten me before," Nitz said. "I came in expecting it to be a tough day. There were a lot of good high jumpers here. All you can do in coming in here is to try and give your best."

Middleville also won the 1,600 relay with a time of 4:03.93. That relay included Hana Hunt, Stephanie Beleher, Cassie Holwelda and Emily Ordway, who also finished second in the 400 with a time of 57.9. With a sixth place finish, Middleville was the highest placer in the girl's meet among area teams.

"I'm pretty happy with that," Ordway said. "I don't have any regrets. All you can do is try to get your times down and I've done that."

Hastings' Ryan Burgdorf was second in the 100 and 200 while also finishing sixth in the 400. Burgdorf, who was competing in his fourth state meet, was disappointing in not finishing first in at least one event.

"It was mediocre," he said of his showing. "I'm not pleased with my times. When you get here you want to win. It was about the same type of meet (in terms of competition) that it's been before."