MHS freshman attends cross country states

Freshman Luke Butler competes in the MHSAA Division 1 cross country state finals at Michigan International Speedway Nov. 2. He placed 133rd overall and fifth out of all freshman.

Neal Dudley

Freshman Luke Butler competes in the MHSAA Division 1 cross country state finals at Michigan International Speedway Nov. 2. He placed 133rd overall and fifth out of all freshman.

Elizabeth Smith, News Editor

On Nov. 2, MHS freshman Luke Butler ran in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state finals for cross country at Michigan International Speedway. According to Coach Justin Heck, this is the first time a freshman has individually qualified for states.

In the state meet, Butler placed 133 overall with a time of 16:55. He was fifth out of all freshmen. Butler placed 12 with a time of 16:37 in the regional meet. Regionals were held on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Lake Erie Metropark.  

Butler said he felt a mixture of emotions towards going into the states meet.

 “I felt pretty good about it,” Butler said of his performance at states. “I was a little nervous and I was pretty excited.” 

He said he prepared by following advice given to him by Heck. “I kept working hard, and I took coach Heck’s knowledge and experience about the course and the best things to do during the race,” said Butler. 

Butler has been running and participating in track from a young age.

 “I was in the fourth grade running for Trinity. My coach was Mr. Boldt.  I decided that I wanted to try running and see how it went. Everything from there progressed,” said Butler.