Regional Previews: Division 3, Region 19

Where: East Jordan Community Park

Don’t know much about this course! Seems to run pretty fast, 30-40 seconds so last year.

2021 Boys: Traverse City St. Francis (6^th), Harbor Springs (15^th), Charlevoix (12^th)

2021 Girls: Traverse City St. Francis (3^rd), Harbor Springs (12^th), Elk Rapids (19^th)

Take a peek at the qualifying teams from last fall and you’ll notice a team not present in this year’s edition. Harbor Springs takes their talents to Division Four, although they’re declining in enrollment, both boys and girls are projected to be one of the top Division Four teams. Replacing the Rams is a school from way down south, Clare. The Pioneers themselves are slowly and quietly coming of age, kids such as Allison Nobis and Brad White leading their respective squads to, if everything goes to plan, a return to MIS.

Traverse City St. Francis is just so dang strong. In these rankings that are 20 deep, both Gladiator squads should fit their top seven runners. The depth is tremendous, you have guys like Judge Morgan (17:42, 52.2 400m) and girls such as Margot Hagerty (21:32, 2:38/5:48) who would normally be a top runner on a Division 3 squad, they may play the role of displacer on these versions of the St. Francis team.

The race within the races here has a high possibility of being the matchup between Elk Rapids and Charlevoix’s boys. The teams were separated by one single point last fall and share similar attributes this time around. Both teams are candidates to put four in the top-20, who wins here will be determined by their 5^th runners, displacers, and who is best at staying ahead of packs of competitors.

Top 25 Boys Teams: Traverse City St. Francis (Top 5), Clare (Top 5), Elk Rapids (13^th), Charlevoix (15^th)

Top 25 Girls Teams: Traverse City St. Francis (Top 5), Elk Rapids (8^th), Clare (19^th)

Here, I’m writing at least a little anecdote about kids that are in the top-15 but aren’t freshman (you’ll get your day, Brynne and Joe), in the 50 Tickets, or on top-10 teams (Clare, St. Francis x2, Elk Rapids). Want to spread love but also not overwork myself. All in all, my estimation is through all these previews, I’ll be writing at least a sentence about 1000+ kids.

Drew Moore, Grayling: Underwent a dramatic improvement during track, knocking 35+ seconds off his 3200m best. His 10:06 in Region 21 was good enough for 2^nd place, qualifying him for D3 State.

James Descamps, Charlevoix: Closed out his junior year on the courses with 5 consecutive sub-18’s. Throughout his career prior to last October, James had only hit that mark once.

Max Ward, Elk Rapids: Freshman showed he can do it all on the track. From 400m to High Jump to 300h, he was helpful to his Elk Rapids team at Lake Michigan Conference and Regionals.

Christian Kerfoot, Elk Rapids: Had one of his better races of the year here at Regionals. His 17:49 was a personal best and his second sub-18 of his career.

Kinsie Jacques, Pinconning: After almost two years of hovering around 20:00, Kinsie came through with a stunning performance at State, knocking almost 30 seconds off her previous best, grabbing that final medal. Momentum carried over to track, where she was able to run 5:18/11:31.

Ava Maginity, Boyne City: Last year, reached the 18’s for the first time since her freshman season. Three straight All-States, can Ava make it four?

Katie Rohrer, Charlevoix: October of ’21 started with her first sub-20, a 19:58 at Shepherd. Her season closed with two more, at Regionals and State.

Allison Nobis, Clare: First season of high school track was an all around success. She attained a State qualifier in the 800m and then two weeks later, ran a personal best of 2:28. That 2:28 was good for the 30^th best freshman in the State but don’t let that mid-distance concentration fool you, she also fielded a 11:59 3200m earlier in the spring.