Reeths-Puffer track star Mason Darke is headed right back to where he finished last season - the MHSAA state track and field finals.
Even though the season is still young, Darke reserved his ticket to the finals on Friday by winning the 110-meter hurdles event at the Ram Classic at Rockford High School.
He posted a time of 14.32 seconds, a new school record, which also beat the necessary qualifying time for the state finals.
Darke’s performance was the highlight of a pretty decent evening for the Rockets, who finished 10th in the 19-team field with 33 points. Grand Haven took first place with 82 points.
Mason Darke
While Darke was the only Rocket to win an evert, lots of his teammates did very well.
R-P’s 4x200 relay team of London Rankin, Emcee McLaurin, Darke and Ethan Rolewicz took third place with a time of 1:29.13. That is currently the ninth best time in the state, and the third best time in the event in school history.
Evan McHugh took fourth place in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 40.82, a new personal record.
Jamichael Williams was fourth in the high jump with a mark of 6 feet, 2 inches, which was also a personal best.
Evan McHugh
R-P’s 4x400 relay team of Rolewicz, McHugh, McLaurin and Rankin took sixth place with a time of 3:31.56.
Rankin took seventh place in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.41 seconds while McHugh was seventh in the 110-meter hurdles with a mark of 15.75, which was a personal record.
“Overall a great day for performances and experiences that will carry the individuals and team to the championship component of the season,” said R-P boys coach Don Ketner. “All the upperclassmen had a great day, and the underclassmen gained valuable experience at a high level meet!”