SHEPHERD, MICH. – Another athlete from Hart’s track and field team has qualified for the D3 State Finals, after posting an early qualifier time on Friday, May 2 at the BLUEJAY Invite in Shepherd.
Nearly a month ago, Hart qualified its first two athletes at the Hart & Sole Music Invite. Chase Lorenz qualified for the 400-meter dash while Joselyn Flores qualified for the high jump. Then, Addison Hain, Addi Hovey, Lilly Hopkins and Lexie Nienhuis qualified for the 800 relay at the 10th Annual Kent City Elite Invite, while Shelbie Choponis nailed a mark of 115-06 to qualify for discus.
Now, Lorenz and Flores will be joined by the girls 1,600 relay team, consisting of Hain, Nienhuis, Hopkins and the newest qualifier – Natalie Rosema.
Hain, Nienhuis, Rosema and Hopkins posted a third place time of 4:13.81, beating out the MHSAA’s early qualifying mark of 4:14.40.
Hart has now reached a total of eight individual athletes who have posted early qualifying marks to this point. The Pirates will have one more opportunity to qualify early, as the MOM Track & Field Invite in Ludington Monday, May 12 is an EQ meet.
Athletes who don’t meet EQ standards can still qualify at their Regional meet. Hart will compete in the Region 22-3 at Chippewa Hills Saturday, May 17.
