50 Tickets to Brooklyn: #2

Flash back to New Balance, standing track side, five laps in and coaches all around asking, “who’s that up front in the black?”
- Ottawa Hills don’t race much, but when they do, their elite athletes always find a way to the front, Benne another one in a long line of recent greats
That New Balance 3200m ended in 8:56.38 and if I’m reading Jeff Hollobaugh’s list correctly, I believe that’s #4 all-time for Michigan juniors
The night in early May wasn’t completed without past races – in cross country, Benne had already captured an All-State honor and OK Gold title
- And the previous spring, reaching as low as 9:21 for the 3200m distance
The race did set the stage for the distance upset of the D1 State Finals, Benne sitting patiently on Hough, matching his every move, making the last, decisive move at 150m to bring home the title
You could flip a coin between him, Seth, and Hunter and who is ranked where
- The numbers have the three in this order, mainly because of Hunter’s cross country times and records
But between Seth and Benne in Division 1, Seth had the upper hand in cross, Benne ran the faster 3200m in track
- Seth’s highs were higher in cross, Benne was more consistent, and the consistency reigns supreme in these
In 2020, we missed out on Hobbs vs. Hough, I have a feeling karma will work in our favor and we’ll have the best D1 individual matchup this state has seen in years

I said at the beginning of the summer that these weren’t necessarily rankings, but a celebration of achievements, an ode to those who have given our sport so much
Rachel has racked up the achievements, and in her career, thus far, has given us much to marvel
Ann Arbor middle schools don’t post many cross country results, 100% understandable, but we were able to get a glimpse during indoor track in her 8^th grade year, where she ran 2:16/5:06
Her presence was known immediately upon landing at the high school level, winning 9 of her first 10 races, placing 2^nd at D1 State, helping the Pioneers grab a state title
Since then, it’s been title after title, record after record, on the state and national stage
- The title that stands out was this past fall on the cross course, her 17:09 sealing ANOTHER championship for the Pioneer crew
- Rachel and her Purple TC girls were the talk of the indoor scene, now owning indoor state records in the 4×8 and DMR, capturing national titles and record at New Balance Indoor
Unfortunately, outdoor track wasn’t able to occur, it’s not my place to know or ask why, but I do know this – any future with Rachel in it will be a good one, we have been and we will be blessed to have her around

Published by mixcspeedratings