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LL-H boys could have numerous winners in Division 3 at U.P. Finals

LAKE LINDEN – The diverse Division 3 field at the U.P. Track and Field Finals – 24 boys teams – makes it difficult for Doug Hodges to project his Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes boys squad as a potential champion. With 20 meet entries, the regional champions are tied for the seventh-most.

“I don’t know if we come with enough numbers to become a legitimate threat to win the whole thing, but our guys are always going to give it their best,” Hodges said.

Despite the uncertainty in the big picture, LL-H has legitimate opportunities to secure U.P. champions in individual events and relays – which is their primary focus.

“Our goal going in is to win the 400 relay,” Hodges said.

The 400 relay – consisting of Kellen Klein, Arthur Lyons, Aaron Hainault and Brendan Middleton – is LL-H’s best chance at winning a running event. The Lakes’ adjusted time of 47.04 seconds is second behind the North Central Jets (46.91). LL-H’s original time of 46.78 would give them the top seed, but due to the race not being electronically timed, the MHSAA adjusted the final time for the heat sheet. This LL-H?group already possesses the school record in the 400 relay, and will now attempt to break the Division 3 U.P. Finals record, which is 45.67 by Mid Pen from 2007.

“The one goal that we all have at every track meet is that everyone gets their personal best,” Hodges said. “There is the team component to track, but it’s always that race against yourself and that’s what we’re really focused on.”

Middleton earned the unofficial title of “Fastest in the Copper Country” when he won the 100 at the Houghton County Invite, finishing first in 11.83 before winning the same race four days later at the Copper Country Invite (11.45). Now, he sets out to be the fastest in the U.P.

“I need to run that 11.45 again,” Middleton said. “On the rubber track, I think I can get there again.”

Middleton enters the event as the seventh seed with an adjusted time of 12.14.

Saturday will mark the first time LL-H runs on a rubber track this season, as they typically compete on the asphalt surface that is commonly used in this area.

“They always say you’re usually faster on a rubberized track,” Hodges said. “We’re trying to figure out how that rubberized track will do at coming in at a faster pace in our exchanges in our handoffs in our relays. We’re toying with some different ideas on how we can adjust for that.

“I guess that is one of the unknowns, not having the facilities – locally around here with any school – to be able to practice or participate on a rubberized track.”

LL-H’s Lucas Klein is the lone Lake boy to be a top seed, as Lucas’s discus distance of 1331 is tops. He ranks third in the shot put (43-10) and has recently been getting advice from his new teammates: the Michigan Tech football team.

“He’s spending a lot of time up there since graduation – with their weight program,” Hodges said. “He’s getting a lot of tips and advice from his new teammates that are there in the weight room with him.”

While Hodges isn’t ready to name his own group as a favorite, he does see one team who should be contending for the title.

“You got to look at North Central and the crop of athletes they have,” he said. “How storybook would it be if they won a state title in the three main traditional sports?”

North Central has 33 qualifiers – tied for the second most with Munising, behind Pickford (34).

Running and field events begin at 10 a.m.

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