The Lansing Catholic track and field teams capped an unforgettable season at the MHSAA Division 3 State Finals, producing what stands as the most successful state meet performance in school history. The Cougar boys and girls combined to score 106 points, the highest total ever recorded by the program at a state championship meet. Leading the way was the girls team, which scored 76 points to finish as Division 3 state runner-up. The total is the highest point total ever scored by a Lansing Catholic girls team and the most points ever scored by a Division 3 runner-up. The finish marks just the third state runner-up finish in program history, joining the 2004 and 2017 squads. The boys team added 30 points, earning an impressive fifth-place finish in a loaded Division 3 field. VanAlstine Closes Career with Two State Titles Senior Leland VanAlstine concluded one of the greatest careers in program history by winning both hurdle state championships. VanAlstine captured the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles titles while also helping the boys 4x200 relay team finish fourth in the state. Wonch and Bishop Lead Distance Dominance The distance events belonged to Lansing Catholic. Grace Wonch won both the 1600-meter run and 3200-meter run, while also placing third in the 800 meters. Her victory in the 1600 came in a memorable finish alongside teammate Josie Bishop, who earned state runner-up honors. Bishop followed her runner-up finish in the 1600 by winning a thrilling state championship in the 800-meter run. She also added a seventh-place finish in the 400 meters before anchoring the state championship 4x400 relay. State Champion 4x400 Relay Caps Historic Season The girls 4x400 relay team put the finishing touches on one of the greatest relay seasons in school history. The quartet of Frances Melinn, Stella Gates, Izzy Currie, and Josie Bishop captured the Division 3 state title after a season that saw the team win every major meet they entered. Earlier in the week, the relay broke the school record with a time of 4:00.87 at the Honor Roll Meet. Additional All-State Performances The girls 4x800 relay delivered a remarkable runner-up finish despite competing without Wonch and Bishop in the lineup. The team of Frances Melinn, Lindsey Ludwig, Izzy Currie, and Anna Drauer finished second in the state. Drauer also earned an individual All-State honor in the 1600 meters. Melinn added All-State honors in the 800 meters, while Currie earned All-State recognition in the 300-meter hurdles. The girls 4x200 relay team of Viv Hagen, Frances Melinn, Izzy Currie, and Stella Gates finished fourth in the state. On the boys side, the 4x800 relay of Teo Krumm, Grady Richey, James Tennes, and Blaise Demko earned a fourth-place finish. The boys 4x200 relay team of Dom Collier, Lucas Dillon, Watson Ferreri, and Leland VanAlstine also placed fourth. Their performance ranks among the fastest relay times in school history, trailing only the legendary 2011 and 2012 Cougar squads. A Season for the Record Books When the final results were tallied, Lansing Catholic had accumulated: 5 Individual State Champions 1 State Championship Relay 1 Individual Runner-Up 1 Relay Runner-Up Multiple Additional All-State Finishes Girls State Runner-Up Team Boys Fifth-Place Team Combined with the success of the cross country season, the year concluded with a state championship, two state runner-up finishes, and a fifth-place finish at the highest level of competition.