PETOSKEY – June 3, 2025 – St. Michael High School (SMHS), the only Classical high school in Northern Michigan, announced today that its Ladies and Gents Track & Field teams finished 11th and 12th, respectively, at Saturday’s State Finals in Hudsonville.
The Guardians were led by fellow seniors Jane Manthei and Russell Vandermus.
As the second of her three events, Manthei executed a flawless 1600-meter run, placing third with a personal best of 5:08.0. In a race widely conceded to superstars Eliza Keith and Kaylie Livingston, each of whom have gone 5-flat or better, Manthei made it interesting with a patient but persistent race plan that had her pursue, catch, and pass Livingston on the final lap, before ultimately settling for third.
She completed her day, and her high school career, with a gutsy runner-up finish in the 3200. Clearly straining from her long day’s work and a gusty north wind (as well as Livingston’s trademark blazing-fast start), Manthei persevered to an 11:15.9 finish, capably fending off relentless pursuit from worthy competitors.
In the second of his two events, Vandermus also ran a tactical masterpiece – his transpiring in the 800. Much like the Manthei mile, he worked his way through a stout field with well-timed surges. Then from the back of a breakaway 7-man pack, he overtook all but race winner Abe Cerone on the home stretch, slipping by two of the top seeds in the final few meters to seize second in 1:58.4.
Manthei’s second and third, along with a fourth place finish in the 4×800 relay, netted 19 points, good for 11th in team scoring – far and away the best showing ever for the Guardian Ladies.
Vandermus’s second, plus a sixth in the 4×800, totaled 11 points, enough to land the Guardian Gents into an 8-way tie for 12th place as a team.
The day began with the 4×800 relays. The Ladies team of Veronica Paga, Charlotte Yanchulis, Hannah Ledy, and Manthei placed fourth in a program record time of just under 10:15. Ella Nolan helped qualify the team as Regional Champs and Mea Wesley was also a ready alternate. The Gents team of Cody Bradley, Atticus Cadarette, Cole Wesley, and Vandermus placed sixth in 8:30.7.
“What a finish for our four-year senior leaders!” beamed Guardians Coach Larry Rudnicki. “Jane and Russell have defined eras on their teams and will be dearly missed.”
“A seven-time All-Stater, Jane has been the face of our ladies team for years, quite literally putting us on the statewide map. She has paved the pathway to success for our long sprinters, capping off our 4×800 relay and thus helping them ascend the State podium for the very first time. We’re all so proud of Jane and so blessed to have her on our team.” (Manthei is now a graduate of co-op partner Harbor Light Christian.)
“Russell, a six-time All-Stater, bridged the gap between the ‘Sam, Mac & Zach’ years and an emerging new dynamic, loaded with youth. He kept the flame alight as the young guys matured, lifting two of them to their first State podium with a punishing 4×800 anchor leg. His ‘crunch time’ delivery and off-beat persona are defining aspects of our team.”
Manthei now departs for Cedarville University, while Vandermus will attend Northwood University. Both will compete for their schools.
Yanchulis, an early graduate, will also continue her track career as she heads to Benedictine College. Coach Rudnicki paid tribute, “Charlotte had a fantastic season, qualifying for the State Finals in four events. She and fellow ‘three-year senior’ Hannah, were ever-dependable and played major roles in building our program. What a blessing to see both close out their time at St. Michael with a podium finish and All-State honors.”
For the Gents, Bradley also placed 11th in the 3200. For the Ladies, Paga (also a four-event qualifier) & Yanchulis placed 15th & 21st, respectively, in the 400, the 4×200 (Paga, M.Wesley, Nolan, Yanchulis) placed 19th, and the 4×400 (with the same line-up) placed 23rd.
Coach Rudnicki concluded, “Thanks be to God – as well as to parents, assistant coaches, and our generous benefactors! We couldn’t do this without your help and we are ever-grateful for your prayers and support!”
Full results of the Division-4 State Finals are available at athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/571116/results.
St. Michael High School is High School with a Higher Purpose and a proud member of the Chesterton Schools Network. Established in 2013, the St. Michael mission is to nurture and elevate a new generation of joyful leaders educated in the Classical tradition and truth of the Catholic faith. For more information, please visit our website at stmichaelchesterton.org.