Kalamazoo Hackett’s Butkiewicz sets D4 cross country record, roars to 1st state title

Emptying the tank and pouring his entire heart and soul into Saturday's race, Marek Butkiewicz collapsed onto the grass of Michigan International Speedway's infield shortly after the finish line.

Butkiewicz was well spent.

But it was well worth it.

Leaving it all on the line, the Kalamazoo Hackett all-state junior soared to rarified air by setting a Division 4 boys cross country state record and capturing his first state championship in dominant fashion –– he finished a staggering 30.9 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.

Butkiewicz's record time of 15:09.7 was not only a personal best, but it also landed as the ninth-fastest time in the state regardless of division.

"I was trying to put everything else I had into that finish, and I did," Butkiewicz told MLive. "I was on the ground after."

After finishing sixth at last year's Division 4 cross country state finals, Butkiewicz made it a mission to put together a resurgent 2024 season –– a transformation that saw him shave over a minute off his sophomore finish at the state finals (16:12.2).

Butkiewicz's junior season was undeniably dominant, as he won all but one of his 14 races this season including his last 13 –– all capped by his record-breaking run on Saturday.

"It means a lot, it really does," Butkiewicz said. "I've worked so, so hard for this all season. Even from the end of track, I knew I had a chance so. Just wanted to do everything I could in the offseason."

Butkiewicz's triumph came after winning a pair of state titles in track and field this past spring, as he won both the 3,200-meter (9:25.52) and was a part of the Irish's winning 3,200-meter relay team (7:55.49).

That momentum carried into the fall, as he relentlessly trained for a shot at another title.

Turns out, he made history, too.

"It has to be your life," Butkiewicz said. "You have to dedicate every ounce of energy you have to doing this. I did that and I made it possible.

"And I won."

Butkiewicz's victory helped the Irish to a seventh-place finish at Saturday's state finals, as junior Sean Siems (16:27.8; 14th place) also earned all-state honors.

Elsewhere, Kalamazoo Central's boys team took fourth place in Division 1 highlighted by sophomore Samuel Baker's all-state finish (15:33.8; 14th place), while Loy Norrix junior Jackson Lam also earned all-state honors (15:31.4; 12th place).

In Division 2, Three Rivers' Sullivan Zietlow capped his cross country career in style with all-state honors, finishing 21st with a final time of 15:42.0, which was also a new personal record.

Boys all-state finishers

Jackson Lam, Loy Norrix

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Samuel Baker, Kalamazoo Central

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Sullivan Zietlow, Three Rivers