On Saturday, May 16, North Branch’s ladies claimed the team regional crown, just edging out Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, 102-98. Leading the way was the double-sprint champion Penelope McNutt, running qualifying state spots by winning the 100 in 13.04 and placing second in the 200 in 26.69. Penelope teamed up with Aubree Deshetsky, Lily Hurd, and Sydney Bailey to win the 4x100 in 50.47, and also qualified in the 4x200 in 1:47.

McNutt has dominated the Blue Water Area sprints this season: she was a four-for-four BWAC champ, winning the 100, 200, 4x100, and 4x200, and also did the same in all four events at the Marysville Invitational. She hit an Early Qualifying mark in both sprint events and has bests of 12.48 and 25.92, and is the only area girl to have run sub-26 in the 200. Other than the preseason invitational opener and the large Davison Twilight Invitational, the Broncos’ 4x100 has remained undefeated. McNutt is ranked 10th in the D2 100 and 13th in the 200, with the relays currently ranked 5th and 11th, so an All-State finish is looking probable for McNutt.

Join us as we chat about her season thus far, her upcoming goals, and get to know her personally as a Blue Water Area athlete.

“You will never know how good you might have become unless you try”- Mike Mentzer

Send Blue Water Running a Message

Support the show

https://www.bluewaterrunning.org/
https://bluewaterrunning.buzzsprout.com

• Instagram and X @bluewaterrun
• Facebook/TikTok/Youtube @BlueWaterRunning

In this episode, we have our first guest from Imlay City High School: junior sprint sensation Brett Lestage. Brett has had a fantastic season, hitting early qualifying marks in the 100 and 200-meter dash, and coming very close in the 400 meters in his first attempt at the distance. Brett set his PR in the 100 on April 25, running 10.78 to join the elite sub-11 club and currently ranks fifth in the event statewide in Division 2. His 200 best is 22.25, and his 400 PR is 50.67. He won all three sprint events at the BWAC Championships on May 5, along with the 4x200 relay, making him four-for-four in league titles. We’ll chat with Brett about his training, season goals, and what he hopes to accomplish during his first appearance at the state finals, and get to know him personally as a Blue Water Area athlete.

"The only impossible journey is the one you never begin." - Tony Robbins

Thank you so much for listening to the podcast: please share an episode to help spread the word about Blue Water Running’s mission, which is to feature and celebrate the achievements of high school and collegiate cross country and track/field athletes from our area. You can follow Blue Water Running on Instagram, X, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, along with athlete and meet reports and photos on the website at bluewaterrunning.org.

Send Blue Water Running a Message

Support the show

https://www.bluewaterrunning.org/
https://bluewaterrunning.buzzsprout.com

• Instagram and X @bluewaterrun
• Facebook/TikTok/Youtube @BlueWaterRunning

Today’s guest is North Branch senior Aubree Deshetsky, an incredibly versatile and accomplished athlete. Aubree has dominated the throwing events in the Blue Water Area Conference, her D2 regional, and is one of the best discus and shot put athletes in the state, with current bests of 42’-4” and 136’-5”. Currently undefeated in any throwing event yet this year, she’s been All-State in both throwing events since her sophomore year for a total of four state medals. At the 2025 state finals, she was second in shot put and third in the discus, and is looking for a state title to wrap up her final high school season.

While primarily known for throwing, Aubree is also a very accomplished high jumper and runner, jumping 5-1, running a low 13 in the 100-meter dash, and an integral part of the record-breaking sprint relays at North Branch: she’s even run a 2:27 800.

We will chat with Aubree about her training, recent performances, and goals for the season, and get to know her both on and off the track. James 1:2-3, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Thank you so much for listening to the podcast: please share an episode to help spread the word about Blue Water Running’s mission, which is to feature and celebrate the achievements of high school and collegiate cross country and track/field athletes from our area. You can follow Blue Water Running on Instagram, X, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, along with athlete and meet reports and photos on the website at bluewaterrunning.org.

Send Blue Water Running a Message

Support the show

https://www.bluewaterrunning.org/
https://bluewaterrunning.buzzsprout.com

• Instagram and X @bluewaterrun
• Facebook/TikTok/Youtube @BlueWaterRunning