By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The Niles boy's track team is heading to Caledonia High School in Grand Rapids on Saturday for the MHSAA state finals.
The Vikings have a good shot at placing high this year and will have a much better chance with the return of their key runner, Quinten King, who was out during the Tema State championships due to a hamstring injury.
But even with a key player missing, the Vikes still managed to pull together and step up.
If Niles wins this weekend, it will be the first time in over 40 years that Niles has won a state championship.
Team members headed to Grand Rapids are Isaiah Glaze, who ranked 15th in time going into the finalswith 10.90 in the 100 meter dash.
Otis West, who ranked seventh in time with 22.30 in the 200 meter dash.
Kurt Poehlman, who ranked third in height in the high jump clearing 6-feet-4.
The 3,200 meter relay team ranked 14th with a time of 8:15.70.
The 800 meter relay team ranked 12th with a time of 1:31.50 and the 400 meter relay team ranked fifth with a time of 43.80.
Gates open at 8 a.m. Saturday morning so be sure to show as much support as possible in hopes of the Vikings bring home the gold.
Meet times are as follows:
8 a.m. Gates open
9 a.m. Boys/girls pole vault
9:30 a.m. Girls discus and long jump. Boys shot put and high jump
9:55 a.m. National Anthem
10 a.m. Prelims – 100 M/High Hurdles/200M
10:45 Girls long jump finals
11 a.m. Finals – 3200 M relay. Semifinals – 100M/High hurdles/200M
12:15 p.m. Boys disc and long jump. Girls high jump and shot put.
12:55 p.m. National Anthem
1 p.m. Running Finals begin
4:30 p.m. Team trophy presentation.