In community time we celebrate our state champion track athletes.
Special thanks to Coach Hoekstra, Coach Knoester and Coach Kenney for these write-ups
4 x 100m State Championship Girls
This past spring, the girls track and field team enjoyed an outstanding season, finishing third at the Conference Meet, first at the Regional Meet, and an impressive fifth place at the State Meet, competing against a field of more than 50 schools.
One of the highlights of the season was the tremendous performance of the girls 4×100 relay team. These four athletes competed together in the 4×100 relay seven times throughout the season, and were defeated only once. They went on to become Conference Champions, Regional Champions, school-record holders, and, most impressively, State Champions!
At the Conference Meet, the team shattered the school record with an incredible time of 48.91 seconds. Then, at the State Meet, they delivered when it mattered most, winning the State title in one of the most thrilling races of their season with a time of 49.43 seconds!
Today, we are proud to recognize these four outstanding athletes for their incredible accomplishment.
Introducing our state champions 4x100m in their relay order, Nenfot Darshak, Nenrit Darshak, Taylor Frost, and Daelyn Jones.
Congratulations, Eagles, on an incredible season, a school record and an unforgettable State Championship!
4 x 800m State Championship Boys
This past spring, the boys’ 4x800m relay team crushed the school record by over four seconds en route to winning the OK White Conference with a time of 7:53.05. Remarkably, this was the first time all season that these four ran on the same relay team.
A few weeks later, and only the second time all four competed together, the same team took an additional four seconds off the new school record to win the State Title with a blistering time of 7:49.57. In all, this team lowered our previous school record by 8 seconds.
At the State Meet, Ben Romero led off, breaking into the lead at the 500-meter mark, and the Eagles never looked back. Sean Ryan took the baton second and blew the race wide open, stretching the lead across his leg. Ashton Fink ran third, relentlessly refusing to let the competition close the gap. Finally, Micah Small anchored the race, making it crystal clear that the state title was coming home to GR.
In their relay order: Ben, Sean, Ashton, and Micah: Congratulations on a school record and a well-earned State Championship!
Ezra Ippel
Ezra Ipple, a freshman shot put athlete who has already made his mark as a state champion, has shown an incredible combination of power, determination, and consistency throughout the season.
Meet after meet, Ezra continued to raise the bar, breaking his personal bests and proving that he belongs among the best in the state. His championship performance was the result of more than natural talent—it reflected his work ethic, focus, and willingness to compete every time he entered the ring.
Winning a state championship as a freshman is an incredible accomplishment, but the most exciting part is knowing that this is only the beginning of what he can achieve. In fact Ezra competed all year long with a shot put that was 4lbs heavier than what his competition used. Thanks a lot Coach Kenney! Though this was a coach’s mistake, Ezra never blinked and powered through every throw.
His future is incredibly bright, and if he continues to work with the same passion and determination, there will be multiple state championships to celebrate.
Congratulations on your state championship, Ezra Ippel!
In summary-
The track and field coaches would like to thank each of these athletes for the tremendous amount of hard work, dedication, and commitment they put in, not only during the season, but throughout the offseason as well. Their leadership, determination, and willingness to push each other everyday at practice made this season truly special.
Eagles, thank you for representing Grand Rapids Christian with pride and excellence. We are incredibly proud of you and all that you accomplished!