Saline, MI — Saline Track & Field wrapped up an outstanding day hosting the MHSAA Regional Meet, with both teams earning podium finishes and a large group of Hornets punching their tickets to the State Finals. The boys team finished Regional Runner-Up with 93 points, while the girls team placed 3rd overall with 93 points against a loaded field of competition. The Hornets qualified athletes in 15 events for the State Finals, highlighted by regional championships, personal bests, and clutch performances throughout the meet. On the boys side, Jacob Szalay led the distance squad with a dominant double victory, winning the 1600m (4:19.93) and 3200m (9:24.65) to qualify for states in both events. Brennan Larusso also secured state qualification in both races, finishing runner-up in the 1600m (4:21.92) and 3200m with a personal-best 9:25.36. Wes Rogan added another state qualifier in the 800m, running 1:57.21 for 6th place. The relay teams delivered huge performances all day long. The 4x200 relay of Chanon Palmer, Cruz Hanson, Mason Kangas, and Jack Walden captured the Regional title in 1:27.66 to automatically qualify for states. The 4x400 relay of Palmer, Hanson, Walden, and Rogan also qualified with a runner-up finish in 3:20.23, while the 4x800 relay squad of Brennan Larusso, Ryan McGillicuddy, Jacob Szalay, and Wes Rogan won the Regional title in 7:56.76. Cruz Hanson had a breakout meet, qualifying for states individually in the 400m with a personal-best 49.40 and also advancing in the 4x200 and 4x400 relays. Alexander Stockton earned a Regional title in the high jump, clearing 6’2” to qualify for states, while Lennon Cohoon added a 4th-place finish in the long jump at 20’8”. The boys also added early state qualifiers with Chanon Palmer in both the 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles. For the girls team, Katarina Munson claimed the Regional title in the 800m with a personal-best 2:14.75, while Adelynn Turck (2:15.79 PB) and Savannah Staton (2:17.68 PB) also hit state qualifying marks in the event. Savannah Staton later returned to place 2nd in the 1600m with another personal best of 4:57.66, while Lilli Schlack also qualified for states in the 1600m with a PR of 4:58.57. The sprint crew delivered big performances as well. Charlotte Warren qualified for states in the 100m after placing 5th in a personal-best 12.42 and helped lead the 4x100 relay team of Warren, Addisen Freeburn, Janaye Sifuna, and Amelia Lorch to a state-qualifying 3rd-place finish in 50.20. Freshman Addisen Freeburn continued her outstanding season by placing 3rd in the 200m in a personal-best 25.70 to qualify for states. In the field events, Melissa Leventhal qualified for states with a runner-up finish in the pole vault, clearing 9’0”, while Nova Platzer earned a podium finish in shot put with a personal-best throw of 32’4.75”. Ella Orloff added a personal-best performance in discus, placing 5th at 93’3”. The girls 4x800 relay team of Lilli Schlack, Katarina Munson, Addie Turck, and Savannah Staton also previously secured an early state qualifying mark. The Hornets also saw scoring performances from Payton Aagesen in the 300 hurdles, Shyla Smith in the 100 hurdles, Amelia Lorch and Mahalia Staton in the long jump, the girls 4x400 relay, and numerous athletes posting season or personal best performances throughout the meet. The Hornets now turn their attention to the MHSAA State Finals, which will be held May 30th at Rockford High School.