Blog

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12: 1 & 2  

From the first field event to the final relay handoff, our St. Matthew Girls Track Team raced their way into becoming Conference Champions last Friday night! In addition, our St. Matthew Boys Track Team also had a very strong night, achieving many Personnel Records as well as placements. We are so proud of the effort, sportsmanship, and heart shown by all of our runners, jumpers, and throwers.

A special “SHOUT OUT” and congratulations to our individual Conference Champions:

Sixth grader: Kelsey - 100m & High Jump with a new school record and tied the conference record!
Eighth grader: Audrey - 100m (new school record), 200m (new school record), High Jump & Long Jump
Eight grader: Mason - High Jump, 2nd in Long Jump, and 3rd in a very fast 100m

In addition, we want to congratulate those who placed in the top ten for the 4th - 6th grade (B) division and the 7th/8th grade (A) division:

Seventh grader: Logan placed 2nd in Shot Put, 5th in Long Jump, and 6th in 100m
Eighth grader: Mark placed 3rd in Shot Put
Eighth grader: Katelyn placed 3rd in Shot Put
Fifth grader: Owen placed 4th in Shot Put
Seventh grader: Joseph placed 5th in Shot Put
Fifth grader: Sammy placed 7th in Shot Put and 4th in 800m
Eight grader: Avery placed 8th in Shot Put
Fourth grader: Judah placed 8th in Shot Put
Fourth grader: Vanni placed 10th in Shot Put
Eighth grader: Noelle placed 2nd in High Jump, 7th in 200m, and 4th in Long Jump
Sixth grader: Nia tied for 4th in High Jump
Sixth grader: Olivia tied for 4th in High Jump and placed 6th in 100m
Fourth grader: Luke placed 5th in Long Jump and 3rd in 1600m
Eighth grader: John placed 6th in Long Jump and 9th in 200m and 100m
Fifth grader: Chase placed 7th in 200m
Fourth grader: Kylie placed 4th in 200m
Seventh grader: Kyle placed 5th in 200m
Seventh grader: Mariam placed 9th in 200m
Seventh grader: Allie placed 2nd in 400m 
Seventh grader: Ellis placed 9th in 400m
Seventh grader: Angelina placed 7th in 800m and 3rd in 1600m
Fourth grader: Abby placed 3rd in 1600m and 7th in Long Jump
Fourth grader: Ellie placed 7th in 1600m
Fourth grader Natalie placed 8th in 1600m
Seventh grader Nora placed 10th in Long Jump
Fifth grader Margaret placed 10th in Long Jump
Eighth grader Avery place 8th in Shot Put
(A) Boys 4x100m Relay placed 2nd: Kyle , John , Logan , and Mason 
(B) Girls 4x100m Relay placed 2nd: Olivia , Margaret , Nia , and Kelsey 
(A) Girls 4x100m Relay placed 3rd: Allie , Ellis , Kathelyn , and Nora 
(B) Girls 4x200m Relay placed 2nd: Nia , Olivia , Margaret , and Kelsey 
(B) Boys 4x200m Relay placed 3rd: Sammy , Owen , Chase , and Simon 
(A) Girls 4x200m Relay placed 4th: Katelyn , Nora , Ellis , and Allie 
(A) Girls 4x400m Relay placed 2nd: Noelle , Ellis , Mariam , and Allie 
(B) Boys 4x400m Relay placed 3rd: Luke , Owen , Sammy , and Simon 
(B) Girls 4x400m Relay placed 4th: Kylie Jung, Ellie Kim, Avery Bagnasco, and Abby Groat

Next is the Regional Track meet this Saturday, May 16, at Lutheran High North: 16825 24 Mile Rd, Macomb, MI.

These runners worked incredibly hard throughout the season to earn these accomplishments. Staff members have become accustomed to the team’s warm up routines, especially our coach’s “secret conditioning weapon” of having the team run up and down the basement stairs before every practice!

Eventually, every runner learns that success on the track is all about pacing. If you sprint too fast at the beginning, there may not be enough energy left for a strong finish. But by the time runners reach that final curve, the strategy changes completely and that’s when it’s time to forget the controlled pace, turn on the jets, and give everything they have to finish strong.

In a similar fashion, we are in that final curve of the 2025/2026 school year! Just as track runners receive thunderous cheers and encouragement from their fans, we too receive daily gifts of encouragement from our Heavenly Father. When situations seem challenging and/or overwhelming, God tells us to "cast our burdens on Him." When things seem confusing and unclear, God encourages us to "trust in Him and lean not on our own understanding." And when we are frightened or scared, God reminds us that we "can do all things through Him who gives us the strength." Each day, as we run the race of life, our Heavenly Father is sitting in the stands cheering us on, telling us "Keep going," "Stay strong," and "You can do this with My help." The Lord wants us to stay strong and run the race that He has laid out for each of us and glorify Him in the process.

This has been a fantastic school year, filled with an abundance of blessings, but we still have a few weeks left in this race, so finish strong!

Have a wonderful last few weeks, running the race that He has marked out for you.

In His Love,

Mrs. Palka