Alex Breen, high jump regional champion	Drew Meinecke, 3200m regional runner-up
photo credit: Ken Swart, MediaNews Group	photo credit: Peter Harris

Seniors Alex Breen and Drew Meinecke's stellar performances were the highlights of Royal Oak's day at the MHSAA Region 7-1 meet held Saturday at Farmington.  The duo, both four-year track athletes, each earned their first trip to the state finals thanks to their placement at the regional meet.  Overall, the Ravens finished 6th out of 14 teams in a star-studded competition featuring state sprint powers Oak Park and Detroit Renaissance.  

Breen qualifed for the state meet with a regional championship in the high jump, calmly clearing each height of the competition on his first attempt through 6' 3".  Eventually, Breen rose above the competition at 6'4", punching his ticket to the state finals.  

Meinecke had to wait for the second-to-last event, the 3200m run, to claim his spot at the finals.  He methodically clipped off each lap in just over 70 seconds as competitors faded in the late afternoon sun.  Eventually, Meinecke was left dualing Seaholm's George Nummer over the final 800m.  In the end, Meinecke finished 2nd in a time 9:34.78, less than a second out of first place.

In addition to the state qualifiers, the Ravens had a number of other athletes earn place in the top 8 and earn regional medals.  They are:

• Isaiah Cassell Mahr--discus
• Cody Remick--discus
• Jack Mulcahy, Nathan Alton, Ruark Wicka, Kemp Winkler--4x800m relay
• Bryan Hanes--3rd place, 1600m (4:45.30)
• Ethan Sneary--4th place, 1600m (4:45.55)
• Tyler Cross--4th place, 800m (2:02.99)
• Adam Hill--6th place, 3200m (10:06.27)

Full regional results: https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/MeetResults.aspx?Meet=353864&show=all

Several Ravens will continue their seasons at Friday's Oakland Championship at Clarkston High School (meet information: https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/354118/info).  The Royal Oak season will then finish up the year in East Kentwood at the Division 1 State Finals.  Complete meet information is available at https://www.mhsaa.com/Sports/Boys-Track-Field/2019-Finals.