SPORTS

VARSITY TRACK
Godden named Division 3 state record holder for 200m

PictureGarrett Godden. Courtesy photo
The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) released the updated track and field record lists on Tuesday with Elk Rapids Garrett Godden now holding the record for the Lower Peninsula Division 3 200-meter dash with a time of 21.66 seconds. Gooden set the record during a preliminary run at the D3 state finals meet last May, eclipsing the previous record of 21.76 set in 2018 by Thomas Robinson of Wyoming Lee High School.
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“The record was announced on Tuesday; the times must be verified by athletic administrators and directors of the MHSAA. They review and look at all the parameters of the races from the season to see how potential record setting athletes did in whatever conditions they were competing in. In the state there were a couple times that were faster, but those don’t count if there is a certain degree of tailwind,” explained Cam Ward, the head coach for the Elk boys track and field team.

Wind gauge measurements were implemented at the state finals meet beginning in 2023. A wind aided time does not qualify for a records list, as per the deciding policy of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

“Garrett’s time is the new all-time state record, ran without any wind aid and was set at the state finals meet this year. A record time can be set in any part of the season; however, it does not have to happen at the state meet. The time just cannot be wind aided,” said Coach Ward.

Godden set a new school record for the 200m with a 21.88 run at the Ken Bell Invitational in May. Breaking the previous record of 22.37 seconds set 14 years earlier in 2012 by Thais Grays, a 2014 Elk Rapids graduate. Godden capped off a phenomenal freshman track season at the state finals with a second-place finish in the 100m, a third- place run in the 200m and anchored the Elk state championship 1600m relay team.

“If Garrett stays healthy, continues his hard work ethic and follows the coaching plan, he should have several state records in both individual and relay races by the time he finishes his senior season,” Coach Ward said. For comparison the national high school record for the boys 200m is 19.75 seconds, set this year by Tate Taylor, a senior at Harlan High School in San Antonio.

The world record for the 200m is 19.19 seconds and is held Usain Bolt of Jamaica, set back in 2009 at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany. The Olympic record for the 200m is 19.30 seconds also held by Bolt from the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. Congratulations to Garrett Godden as the first Elk to hold a state record in track, and for the exciting potential the future holds as he continues his track career wearing the Orange and Black. 

Notes from the 10th Hole

A beautiful morning greeted the members of the Ladies Golf League on July 29 as they gathered for a great day of golf. 
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Play of the day was the total score on par 3’s and 5’s. Congratulations to Kathy Moody-Breece in Division 1 with a 17, Linda Kish in Division 2 had a 20, Jamie Mee in Division 3 had a 24 and the Division 4 winner was Jean Schultz with 25. 

Kathie Keiser had the low gross score in Division 1 with a 43, Donna Reffitt had a 47 in Division 2, Lorraine Berak and Jamie Mee had 57 in Division 3, and Jean Schultz had a 52 in Division 4.

Low net honors are awarded to Kathie Keiser in Division 1 who carded 32, Betsy Morath scored 29 in Division 2, in Division 3 Lorraine Berak had a 31, and in Division 4 Jean Schultz carded a 35. 

Those recording lowest number of putts on the day were Kathy Moody-Breece in Division 1 with 12, in Division 2 Donna Reffitt had 15 putts, Division 3 had a tie between Lisa Waslawski and Ginny Dorner with 17 putts, and in Division 4 Marcia Summerix had 16.

Birdies were recorded by Kathy Moody-Breece, Pam Davis, and Laurel Wimmer. Kathy Moody-Breece also had a chip-in.