Plymouth’s Chadwick runs down success in athletics, academics
Jack Chadwick excels in the 800- and 1,600-meter runs as well as on two relays for Plymouth’s track & field team.
In the seconds after a grueling shift as a defenseman for Plymouth High School’s hockey team the past few seasons, if Jack Chadwick didn’t appear the least bit fatigued when he skated off the ice, it’s not because he wasn’t working his tail off to help the Wildcats keep the puck out of the net.
Chadwick is an accomplished long-distance runner, which explains his semi-fresh, post-shift appearance.
The personable, easy-going senior (although he shifts into warrior mode when competing) is a rare three-sport standout who sandwiches his hockey playing in the winter with near-record-breaking efforts for the Wildcats’ cross country team in the fall and track & field squad in the spring.
Most importantly, the Canton resident is an all-star in the classroom, where he has accumulated a 3.6 grade-point average during his three-plus years at Plymouth.
His dual dedication to athletics and academics have paved his path to Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he will study business while competing for the Golden Eagles’ cross country and track teams.
The total package
“Jack is a super-hard worker, very coachable and he listens to everything his coaches say, and takes it to heart,” said Plymouth boys track & field/cross country Head Coach Jon Mikosz.
“Excelling in three sports these days is hard, especially staying conditioned for distance running when he’s playing hockey. But even though he’s not totally focused on running while playing hockey, he comes into track season and runs times that are unreal.”
No one could blame Chadwick if he owned a slightly-inflated ego — but his admirable modesty is evident when he is asked about his rarely-a-dull-moment sports/studying regimen.
“I totally think playing hockey and distance running mesh in a unique way,” he said. “Playing hockey in the winter, it’s kind of high-intensity, endurance-based training, which makes it perfect for when track season starts. And I’m already in great shape from cross country once hockey starts.
“Running gives me an advantage in hockey; but trust me, I’ll still get gassed after a tough shift.”
Mom, coaches inspired him to run
Chadwick credits his running exploits to his mom, Janel, who was a runner back in the day at Woodhaven High; and to a wonderful welcome-to-long-distance-running experience at Liberty Middle School.
“I grew up playing hockey, baseball and a little football, but I thought I’d give cross country a try at Liberty,” he recounted. “I had a really good middle school coach and my times were matching up pretty good with Carter Solomon, who also attended Plymouth.
“I was motivated to try to stay in line with Carter’s times, which required putting in a lot of work and effort.”
Prior to his freshman year at Plymouth, Chadwick admitted he was contemplating giving up the non-running sport.
“I love hockey, but I was thinking about giving it up for running,” he said. “I’m glad I didn’t, though, because all three sports feed off one another and give me a good balance.”
Advice for future 3-sport athletes?
If Chadwick was asked to give advice to a young athlete who was considering playing three sports in high school, what words of wisdom would he share?
“I would tell them to try every sport that interests them because you never know what they could be great at,” he said.
Chadwick’s accomplishments at Plymouth are lengthy.
One of just six Wildcat harriers in the history of the school to qualify for the MHSAA Division 1 state four years, he finished 33rd at the 2024 state meet, missing All-State honors by just three places.
He was a track state-qualifier in 2023 and 2024, with a golden opportunity to compete in this year’s state meet.
His 1,600-meter time of 4:17 is fifth-best in the history of Plymouth, a school noted for its long-distance-running success.
Plymouth perfect school for high-achieving runners
“I definitely feel fortunate to have been able to attend high school at Plymouth, given its history in distance running,” he said. “I’ve learned so much here, especially about consistency and progression.
“Some schools like to load the distance runners up with a lot of miles and effort at the beginning of the season, but here the coaches emphasize a building-up process that has us peaking at the end of the season.”
Once he steps across the graduation stage in June, Chadwick said he’s going to miss so much about his high school experience, particularly the friendships he’s cemented with teammates and coaches.
And it goes without saying, he’ll be missed on an equal level by the programs his work ethic and determination have helped elevate to a higher plateau.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
