Reeths-Puffer's track teams both have a very promising crop of athletes, and the Rockets are hopeful that could lead to some major results in May and even June.
R-P brought back one of its own this season to be part of the coaching staff - Parker Aerts, who starred on the track for the Rockets and later ran at Central Michigan University. Aerts' official title is girls track head coach, but he and longtime Rocket boys coach Don Ketner, along with another former Rocket, Jordan Riley, will be playing roles in the development of both teams.
"It is important that we honor the legacy that he is building in our program," Aerts said of his former coach Ketner. "His leadership echoes throughout our program and the countless athletes whose lives that he’s made a positive impact on over the years."
Boys cross-country coach Darin Grant is also on staff to help guide the distance runners.
The Rockets did graduate some impressive athletes, including three-time state finalist Caiden Bolduc and two-time finalist Brody Johnson on the boys' side and four-year star and GMAA champion Brooklynn Tornes on the girls'. However, R-P has a great base to build on too.
For the boys' team, two-time state finalist Marvin Moore is back to lead the sprint and relay groups, and Mason Darke and London Rankin-Moore, both state finalists a year ago, also return. Darke is already off to an impressive start after a strong hurdles performance at the Grand Valley State Laker Challenge, and Rankin-Moore will boost the sprint team.
Other key returnees include thrower Michael Moschke and distance runners Matt Grimard and Dylan Sturr.
"Mason will lead a larger hurdle group this year with four freshmen and four upperclassmen," Ketner said. "Marvin and London will look to lead the sprint group going into their third year as varsity sprinters. Moschke has worked really hard and has become a leader in the throws."
Junior Emcee McLaurin adds depth to the sprint and relay teams, and freshmen expected to contribute include Cole Piper in the sprints and relays, Evan McHugh in the hurdles, jumps and pole vault, and Rodney Walker and Ethan Rolewicz, who will also be part of the jumps and running groups. Piper and McLaurin project to be part of the sprint relay teams that have been very successful in recent years at R-P.
The girls' team brings back a wealth of experience, including GMAA and conference relay champions Melana Johnson and Amani Starr. Jersi Bilek, Adrienne Fluette, Darcy Keefe, Taryn Gill, Zaire Wright and Sophia Wathen will be names to watch.
One clear headliner based on her performance at GVSU is freshman Raquel Walker. She'll sprint and jump, but her specialty is the long jump, and she'll likely be in the running for a top placement at state. Addison Mitchelson will also be a major factor in the sprints and relays.
R-P is looking forward to going up against some good competition in the new O-K Green Conference, with Caledonia, Jenison and Byron Center joining longtime league rivals Muskegon and Mona Shores. An early invitational at Rockford will provide a good look at some of the names the Rockets may see again at the regional and state meets.
"We (also) look to restore the winning history within our program at the GMAA meet on the girls' side," Aerts said.
