BROOKLYN — Saturday marked a coronation for Whitehall superstar Bobby Jazwinski, and the only drama surrounding his Division 2 state championship repeat revolved around whether he would accomplish his goal of taking down the all-time Michigan International Speedway track record, set by three-time U.S. Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein of Rockford back in 2000. (Ritzenhein also at one point had the national 5K record, in 2009, before Bernard Lagat broke it a year later.)
That did not come to be, but the Vikings' legend still scored the record for a Division 2 runner at MIS, turning in a time of 14:49.3 to take the state title by over 30 seconds. His time edged out Freeland's TJ Hansen's two-year-old record for a D-2 runner by just over a second.
Jazwinski's hopes of eclipsing Ritzenhein's incredible mark of 14:10.4 probably evaporated, said his mom Katie, when he caught a bout of stomach flu that went through the household this week, but Bobby still walked to the starting line determined to give himself an honest shot at it.
"My mind was just to go all in and go for that record, no matter what," a spent Jazwinski said a after crossing the finish line. "I was locked in from the gun, going for that record. I think I did a good job actually going for it. I just think my form fell apart a little bit that last mile, but I think I did a really good job mentally going after it."
There was never a question of his Division 2 win; before even arriving at the first turn of the course, some 700 meters from the start, Jazwinski had already built up a lead of about 20 meters. By the time he reached the one-mile mark, no other competitor was close enough to see him.
The win was far more dominant than his triumph a season ago, when Jazwinski shook off a late challenge from since-graduated Jonah Workman of East Grand Rapids and pulled away in the final straightaway for a five-second win.
"The No. 1 reason for that is that I worked my butt off this summer," Jazwinski said. "I got higher mileage than anyone probably could imagine. I had insane workouts. I was 100% locked in all summer. That's what it takes to make these huge jumps."
If Jazwinski has a fault, he said, it's a tendency to go out too quickly, leaving him less energy at the end; that's the mistake he blames for his only race so far this year that he didn't win, a national-level Nike Twilight race in Terre Haute, Indiana, in which a runner from Missouri, Jack Rockhurst, overtook him late and nipped him by a second and a half. (He said he'll get another shot at Rockhurst at the NXR Midwest regional championship race this Sunday back on the same course.)
If losing out on a few precious seconds is the cost of an aggressive approach, though, it seems like a price Jazwinski will happily pay. Soft-spoken and, according to his mom, "a goofy guy" off the course, the Viking senior is a relentless competitor on it.
"This season, I just told myself that I don't want to have any regrets, and I don't want to go sit back and (just) try to win the race," Jazwinski said. "I want to make a statement in every race I run, and if I go and make a statement, and then I die that last mile, I'm happy with it because I gave my best effort no matter what."
Vikings' coach Jeff Bassett said Jazwinski's success this year even amid traveling for national-level races and to determine his college destination showed the determination that makes him an elite athlete.
"Bobby had such a historic season this year breaking so many tough course records held by big names in the sport," Bassett said. "He was breaking these records and maintaining his fitness all while going through the college recruitment process that took him all over the country. He really showed his toughness and ability to stay focused on his goals this season."
A self-proclaimed running nerd, Jazwinski is laser-focused on excelling in his favorite sport, which is in his blood. Both his parents were impressive runners in their competitive days; Katie was a multi-time All-American at the University of Michigan, and dad Bob ran at Western Michigan University. The pair now team on a running club on their blueberry farm in Shelby that hosts several top runners, including some who competed Saturday. Older sister Jessie starred at Hart and now runs at NC State, and younger siblings Sammi and Johnny are also dynamos and likely future stars.
"We're not forcing our kids to do any of this," a beaming Katie said at the speedway. "They just love it. It's so rewarding for us, because Bob and I, we're both runners as well, and we know the sport is so tough. To see our own kids, it makes you so happy, knowing all four of them love it, and they don't hate it, and they just want to enjoy the sport with us, too."
Katie added that seeing Bobby hone in on the things beyond just running that are important for an elite athlete - nutrition, stretching, getting adequate rest - is ironic now, because as a younger kid, he couldn't stand any of those things.
"I taught him all the different things that I learned about mobility in our barns and on our farm, and he hated it," Katie chuckled. "But after a while, it just started clicking and he realized how important all this stuff was to make him, not just a good runner, but a great runner. The combo of Bob and I together, we're a great team.
"He has a really good track coach (Kirk Mikkelson) that has always been super supportive of him, and his teammates too. Whitehall's just been so supportive and basically lets him do his thing and not interfere, or not be mad if he's doing extra things - just 100% supportive of him."
Jazwinski, who still has a track season in front of him, also praised Whitehall for allowing him to be himself. An all-stater as a freshman at Hart, Jazwinski sat out his sophomore season due to MHSAA transfer rules (as did Jessie in what was her senior season) before arriving at Whitehall, and has spoken several times about what the Vikings' program has done for him.
"It was the best place I could imagine," Jazwinski said. "The coaches, I was a bit injured last track season and they didn't make me run last year, when I had a back injury. Whitehall is probably the most welcoming environment I've ever been in, and it's amazing to be in a school you're proud to represent. They're not just somewhere that can make me a good runner, which they do, but a place that can make me a better person."
Kessler earns all-state, Chevez runs for Vikings
Montague junior Nolan Kessler scored an all-state honor Saturday at the Division 3 state finals, placing 29th in a tough field.
Wildcats' coach Cole Jensen expressed pride in Kessler's efforts and said it was the fastest first mile in the D-3 boys' race since 2012, underscoring the impressiveness of Kessler's ability to keep up.
"Nolan went with them for as long as he could," Jensen said. "He surged a bit his last mile and was able to hold onto an all-state finish. This is two years now that he has had his best performance of the year at state finals.
"Lots of energy goes into making sure our best races are at Allendale and MIS. Nolan does a great job rising up in the face of stress and challenge to give big opportunities the effort they deserve."
It was a strong day for Whitehall senior Gabrielle Chevez at Saturday's state meet, as she ran her second-best career time and finished in 123rd place.
Chevez' only better time in her career came in the regional meet, which earned her the berth at state.
Whitehall coach Jeff Bassett said Chevez overcame an illness just before regionals to earn her state bid to begin with and finished impressively to pass eight girls in the final 200 meters of the race.
"It was awesome to watch," Bassett said. "She had a great race at MIS with a fast start, getting in good position and competing hard through the difficult second mile."
