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Seniors Peter Baracco (left) and Jake Steslicki (right) will both continue their track and field careers at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
Photo provided by Jeremy Auer
FARMINGTON — For 35 years, a seventh-place finish at the Michigan High School Athletic Association state finals stood as Farmington High School track and field’s best finish.
On June 4 at Rockford High School, Farmington settled two scores in its history-making placement.
Farmington recorded the highest placement in school history with a runner-up finish at the MHSAA state finals while giving the school its first trophy in track and field history.
“To be that group to do it, they were pretty excited,” Farmington coach Jeremy Auer said.
Farmington came into the state finals following a dominant first-place finish at the Region 7 Championship May 21 at Farmington High School.
Outscoring second-place by 40 points at regionals, Farmington carried over the regional championship momentum, earning 31 points at the state finals. Farmington finished 10 points behind first-place Detroit U-D Jesuit.
“We thought we could definitely be in the top five and, if a few things went right, maybe in the top three,” Auer said.
Senior Jake Steslicki tallied 10 of Farmington’s 31 points, taking first place in the discus throw and earning all-state honors for the second consecutive season. Steslicki won the event each time he competed this year.
Steslicki will be continuing his track and field career at the University of Michigan alongside senior sprinter Peter Baracco. Baracco has been a consistent scorer for Farmington in the 1600 and 3200 meter, and continued to perform at the state finals.
Baracco finished seventh in the 1600 meter but returned with an impressive third-place finish in the 3200 meter to earn all-state honors.
Baracco tallied eight points, with two coming in the 1600 meter, and that proved to be a key factor between Farmington and third-place East Kentwood and Clinton Township Chippewa Valley’s 29 points.
“I think before the meet, I had my mind set on the 16, and the 32 would be a maybe,” Baracco said. “I just wanted to do it for the team.
“No matter whether I was tired or not, I just wanted to do it for the team.”
Farmington made some ground in the relay events, earning 13 total points in the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relays.
Farmington runners by event include:
• 4x100 (sixth-place): Senior William Coltrane, senior Evan Martin, junior Keichean Wilson, freshman Jaylen Gilmore.
• 4x200 (fourth-place): Senior William Coltrane, senior Evan Martin, junior Brody Width, freshman Jaylen Gilmore.
• 4x800 (fourth-place): Senior Baracco, senior Kevin Miller, junior Eddie King, junior Gavin Steele.
Farmington will graduate six scorers from the state finals this season, but the 2022 team will be remembered in the school history books.
“It’s something I won’t forget; it was a special moment with them,” Baracco said. “To have it go out like that, it’s something I won’t forget.”
