Sidlauskas making his mark as elite thrower on Cheboygan boys track and field team

INDIAN RIVER – Just a few years ago, Lucas Sidlauskas wasn’t too familiar with the discus or shot put.

But when he decided to take it up, he started to like it. Then he went to work during one of those summers, looking to improve in any way possible.

Now a junior on the Cheboygan High School track and field team, Sidlauskas, who transferred from Sparta High School at the start of the school year, is showing everyone on his squad and beyond what kind of thrower he is.

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Competing in the Inland Lakes Invitational on Thursday, Sidlauskas finished first comfortably in the discus – his favorite event – by making a 144-2 throw, a significant distance in front of the next best finisher.

“The form is the biggest part because I’m not the biggest guy, so shot put is not as good for me. Discus, you can get away with just form and speed,” Sidlauskas said of what it takes to be top thrower. “You don’t have to be super big for that. Shot put, with good form and speed you can get pretty far, but without that size you’re never really going to get super far.”

Since finishing eighth in the MHSAA Division 2 state finals at Sparta last year, Sidlauskas has picked up right where he left off in terms of success, opening his Cheboygan career with a first place showing in the shot put at the Yooper Indoor Invitational at Lake Superior State University, then following it up by taking first in both events at the recent Mancelona Invitational.

“I figured I’m pretty much right where I thought I would be based off of how I started last year and where I ended,” Sidlauskas said. “I’m just getting into where I ended last year.”

When it comes to why he enjoys being a thrower so much, Sidlauskas' answer was right on point.

“I like that it’s individualistic,” Sidlauskas said. “If you make a mistake, it’s your fault only. There’s nobody else to play. It’s how good you are. Football, I mean you can blame a lot of things on a lot of different people based on how the sport or the game goes, but discus, you have a bad day, and you can only blame yourself.”

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As terrific as his throwing campaign has been so far, Sidlauskas knows there’s still plenty of work to be done as he attempts to make history in Cheboygan.

“I hope to break the school record for discus this year or next year if I don’t,” Sidlauskas said. “Shot put, the school record would be awesome, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. I just don’t have what it takes to do that, but discus should definitely happen.”

TOP AREA FINISHERS AT INLAND LAKES INVITE (APRIL 25)

INLAND LAKES BOYS

1. 4X200 Relay (Sam Schoonmaker, Jake Feagan, Tanner Howard, Dylan Zinke), 46.15

2. Dylan Zinke, 200, 24.63

2. Tanner Howard, 400, 55.49

2. Sam Schoonmaker, Discus, 129-2

2. 4X100 Relay (Sam Schoonmaker, Jake Feagan, Tanner Howard, Dylan Zinke), 46.15

4. Dylan Zinke, 100, 11.90

4. Jake Feagan, Long Jump, 17-6.5

5. Jack Wilson, Shot Put, 39-1

INLAND LAKES GIRLS

2. Elizabeth Furman, 1600, 5:55

2. Elizabeth Furman, 3200, 13:12

4. Kaylee Taglauer, 100, 13.97

5. Kaylee Taglauer, 200, 29.55

5. Kaylee Taglauer, 400, 1:08.68

CHEBOYGAN BOYS

1. Lucas Sidlauskas, Discus, 144-2

3. Lucas Sidlauskas, Shot Put, 39-8

3. Evan Benson, Pole Vault, 10-0

4. Russell Abernathy, 800, 2:23

4. Leland Brendle, 300 Hurdles, 18.00

5. Leland Steffan, Pole Vault, 8-6

CHEBOYGAN GIRLS

1. Bella Ecker, High Jump, 4-10

2. Bella Ecker, Long Jump, 14-3

2. Ava Bury, 800, 2:42

2. 4X400 Relay (Olivia Patrick, Ava Bury, Samantha Harke, Bella Ecker), 4:36.90

TEAM SCORES

Boys: 1. Sault Ste. Marie, 140.5; 2. Manton, 130; 3. St. Ignace, 87; 4. Cheboygan, 68.5; 5. Inland Lakes, 67

Girls: 1. Sault Ste. Marie, 170; 2. Manton, 134; 5. Cheboygan, 48.5; 6. Inland Lakes, 47; 7. St. Ignace, 46.5

Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf atjgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter@sportsCDT