By John Raffel

 

It was an amazing day for an amazing track team.

Fowler’s girls had three seniors who combined for 38 points and overall the Eagles had enough to emerge victorious in the Division 4 state finals at Hudsonville on June 1.

Fowler wound up with 71 points while Pittsford had 63.

It’s Fowler’s second Division 4 state title in a row and the third in the past four seasons. When Fowler didn’t win in 2017, the Eagles were second to Southfield Christian. Fowler also won state tiles under coach Jill Feldpausch in 2011 and 2012 and were runners-up in 2009, 2010 and 2015. Since 2009, Fowler has been first or second in nine of 11 seasons.

Vandegriff won the high jump at 5-2 and the 100-meter hurdles in 15.24 seconds. She was the anchor along with Sadie Weber, Grace Boak and Kaitlyn Langin in 1:48.84,

Morgan Goerge was second in the 800 meter run (2:24.25) and on the third-place 4×800 and on the second-place 4×400 relay team.

Fowler was 8-1 in duals action.

“It was a talented, hardworking team, who accomplished all of the season goals,” Feldpausch said. “The team sets the goals the first week of practice and the goal was to win the Division 4 state championshp.”

Feldpausch admits the poor weather conditions was among the factors the team had to endure throughout the season. But there were so many enjoyable highlights.

“Morgan Goerge breaking the school record in the 800 meter run and Alyssa breaking the 200 hurdles record were two of the many special moments for the Eagles,” she said. “Alyssa Vandegriff, Morgan Goerge and Marisa Snyder are three senior girls who scored 38 individual points at the state meet. That’s incredible. They are all strong leaders and top contributors.”

Vandegriff will be attending Central Michigan University for track and field next season.

“She was an outstanding athlete and team captain,” Feldpausch said. “She surpassed all of her season goals. She finished her career at Fowler with three school records in the high jump, 100 hurdles and 800-meter relay. She was all-state seven times, individual champion and with a three-time team state champs. She had the work ethic, speed and desire to improve. She broke her own 100 hurdles record from two years ago.”