Wyandotte Chosen to Host Track State Finals

Coming off an undefeated season last year, Dave Lustig has a lot to proud of with his boys track and field team at Roosevelt High School.

And now this year, before the team holds its first meet, the high school head coach has received another level of recognition.

Wyandotte has been chosen as the host site for this year's Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association Team State Meet.

Lustig said he applied hoping to be chosen, but had some hesitation.

"Being selected was a huge surprise," he said. "We lack a second pole vault runway. It's a time consuming event and I thought that if there was a deal breaker, that would be it."

But it wasn't and now, Division I and Division 2 student-athletes from across the state will be competing in Wyandotte on May 25.

"The significance of this to me is that our track program is being recognized for its effort to host well organized events," he said. "We can't ever think about hosting any of these events without support from the district and it means a lot to me as a RHS alum, Wyandotte citizen and Wyandotte school employee that we can attach our name to this."

Wyandotte is the first Wayne County school district to ever host the event, Lustig said, adding that it's been almost a decade since the event has been held on the east side of the state.

"I hope that we get strong support from the community," he said. "They will have a chance to see some of the absolute best track and field athletes in Michigan. Our sport flies under the radar and I think people would be impressed with what these boys and girls can do."

In the meantime, Lustig and others have begun a fund-raising campaign trying to raise $2,200 to build a collegiate style portable runway system for the school's vault.

"When complete, it will just add on to the many reasons that competing at our site is a worthwhile experience," Lustig said. "The long-term benefits of having this are going to be out of this world."

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by mailing a check payable to Wyandotte Athletics to Dave Lustig, Roosevelt High School, 540 Eureka, Wyandotte, MI 48192.

For more information, email Lustig at LustigD@wy.k12.mi.us.

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