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The Hart track and cross country teams have captured a combined 10 state titles in the last seven years.
Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
KENT CITY — The Pirate track and cross country teams have captured a combined 10 state titles in the last seven years with the girl’s track squad gaining its third straight Division 3 state title last Saturday, June 1.
“This makes three state titles in a row — something only done by one other school in girls’ Division 3 history (private school Detroit Country Day in the early 1980s),” said Pirate Coach Calvin Ackley. “This also makes four state titles in seven years.
“The Hart girls won the state title with coaches Brad and Mindy Whitney (Ackley’s brother-in-law and sister) in 2018.”
The Pirates scored 53 points over state runner-up Onsted at 40.
“Addi Hovey had an amazing day becoming a rare triple state champion.”
Hovey, a junior, gained the state championship in high jump with a leap of 5’6” that tied the state record; the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.27 breaking her own school record; and the 200-meter dash. Hovey also anchored the third place all-state 4×100 meter relay team.
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After coming back from an early-season injury, Alyson Enns finished strong, earning all-state honors in both the 3200 meters and the 1600 meters, taking fifth and sixth place.
Lilly Hopkins earned four all-state honors in pole vault and the 4×100, 4×200 and 4×400 meter relays.
“Laura Bitely and Addison Hain had amazing days likewise earning three all-state honors in the 4×100, 4×200, and 4×400 meter relays.
“Lexie Nienhuis earned two all-state honors in the 4×200 and anchored an incredible 4×400 meter relay.
“Extra congratulations to the 4×200 and the 4×100 meter relays for also breaking the school records on the biggest stage.”
Rounding out the scoring and all-state honors were Imogene Brumbaugh in the high jump in eighth place. Shelbie Choponis at discus was one place from all-state.
Hain in the 100 meter dash and Lauren Hopkins in pole vault were other top finishers.
“All 30 girls this season helped contribute to another amazing season that ended with the highest performance honor.”
The Pirates’ success stems from solid programs that begin in middle school. Ackley, who has been the middle school coach for both sports, is now taking the reins of the high school cross country program after the retirement of long-time coaches Terry and Linda Tatro.
“A lot of the kids came out (for track and cross country), because we figured out a way to make it popular.” The number of athletes participating in the sports has more than doubled over the last few years, because their enthusiasm for running and field events has been ignited with dedicated coaches like Ackley, the Tatros, and many others.
“You’re going to find some diamonds in the rough. That kind of perpetuated.
“One year in middle school, we had 105 kids sign up, and by the end of the year, we had almost 90.
In the last 10 years, Ackley’s middle school cross teams have won almost every conference championship.
This year’s girls varsity track team captured the state title in spite of the absence of their key long distance runner — junior Jessica Jazwinski, and All American, who was sidelined due to having mono. Around the same time that Jazwinski had to bow out for the season, teammate Enns made a comeback from her injury. “Seven points came from her, and those are big points.
“Usually Hart is mostly all about distance, so in the last several years, we’ve had an incredible sprint and field event contribution.” Hopkins, Hain, Bitely, Choponis, and Nienhuis were all big contributors to that effort.
He also credits the success to his coaching staff. “Ken Kimes is an incredible coach,” said Ackley of the boys coach who oversees many of the field events and sprints.
The summer running club is another important component to the success of the Pirates’ distance running. “The key to this sport really comes down to one word — consistency. If they can run six days a week all summer long, they’re going to be great. It’s like homework,” said the middle school science teacher. “If you study your tail off six days a week for a test, you’re going to have a huge advantage over nine out of 10 students.”
Not only do the running club athletes run, but they also bond as a team by having meals together; watching movies after evening runs; and swimming in Lake Michigan after a run to the beach.
A four-day running camp is scheduled for August when the athletes will participate in several fun activities together.
“If you just dedicate one hour a day, you can get incredibly fit.”
The experience Ackley gained as a college runner himself and watching his kids compete at the college level has given him added insight into the sport. The Hart athletes’ training regimen is modeled after those college-level training programs but on a smaller scale. Coach Kimes’ knowledge of the sport also comes from his past athletic career and having children excelling at the college level. “Having committed coaches who have great people skills and aren’t just punching a time card is huge. Coach Boundy, Tubbs, Schoch, Pioli, Butkevich, Weiler and Enns’ brothers are invaluable.”
Hart’s running programs could not be successful without the strong support from the school district. “I appreciate our district for being super supportive — Mark Platt, our superintendent, and Tim Hertzler, our athletic director, our middle school principal — my brother Kevin Ackley, (Dean of Students) Mark Fralic and the school board.
“If you have passionate coaches who care about the kids, and they’re in it for the right reasons, and they love it, that can inspire some enthusiasm. And then when you start winning, others say, ‘Hey, I want to be a part of that.’”
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