WIC and FP both go head-to-head in Marcy Bracket Invitational

Lily DeSousa hand off to Rowyn Fiszer, 1st 4x100 relay. (Photo by Kathy Holm)

By Patrick Browne
BESSEMER — On Thursday, May 11 both the boys and girls West Iron Wykons and Forest Park Trojans participated in the Marcy Bracket Invitational Track Meet in Bessemer. With the added motivation of going head-to-head with their rival schools, the meet created some fun cross-town memories.
The Lady Wykons dominated the field of 11 schools winning first place by 38 points over Ironwood, which came in second. Danica Shamion led the Wykons, winning four of the 17 events. The Lady Trojans finished fourth, 46 points behind first place, but only eight points behind second place.  
The Lady Wykons continue to perform well and should be fun to watch at the U.P.’s in Kingsford on June 3. While a lot can happen in the next several weeks leading up to the championship, having the benefit of a single athlete who can win almost 25% of the meet’s events should bode well for the Wykons.
In the team’s most recent meet, Shamion took first in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter races and tied for first in the High Jump. Her effort garnered 40 points for the Wykons. Had she been the only representative on her team, the Wykons would have finished seventh out of the 11 participating schools.
Throughout the year Shamion has demonstrated the ability to perform well and support her teammates.
“Danica is a hard worker and she is very supportive of her team,” said Wykon Coach Kristi Berutti.
In the boy’s division, Forest Park finished a strong second of ten teams, 27 points behind Bessemer. The Wykons ran well, finishing eighth with 22 points.
Highlights of the meet included Forest Park’s Sam McKissack finishing first place in the 200-meter run, 110 hurdles, and high jump; Gaven Rintala’s first in the 800 meter run and 1600 meters; Kevin Giuliani’s second place in the shot put; and Greydon Fischer’s second in the high jump.
Wykon standout Elijah Oberlin’s PR in the 800 meter was strong enough for a second place finish while Tanner Nordstrom’s second in the discus was impressive and the highest finish for a freshman. The only other freshmen in the competition finished 14th and 21st.