Dalton Satkowiak Competes at D3 State Finals

A first time competing in the MHSAA State Cross Country Finals is quite an experience for runners, especially when you are the lone representative for the team at the event.

Stockbridge’s Dalton Satkowiak ran at the D3 Finals at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn Saturday, November 2.

Satkowiak is just a sophomore and his first experience at the Finals is one he will remember.

“It was crazy, just so many people. Not many opportunities, just do your best,” Satkowiak said.

Satkowiak finished 128th out of 250 runners in the Division 3 race at MIS. He finished with a time of 18:06.9.

Dalton showed that it is not all about where you finish when it comes to goals.

“My goal for today was to earn Academic All-State Honors,” Satkowiak said. “I was hoping for under 18 minutes for my time, but the course was pretty soft in spots.”

The course was a sloppy mess when the runners returned to the infield portion of the race inside the race track at MIS. The final half mile was soft and slippery, especially the final tenth of a mile straight away.

Satkowiak will play baseball in the spring for the Panthers, but is already thinking about next year.

“I am just going to continue to work hard and try my best,” Satkowiak said. “Hopefully we can get the team here next year.”