The Regional Previews: Division 4, Region 35

Last Year

Girls

1. Kingston (4th)
2. Unionville-Sebewaing (9th)
3. Ubly (16th)

Boys

1. Brown City (13th)
2. Mayville (18th)
3. Ubly (22nd)

Top 27 Teams

Previous years had top-25 teams, but there’s 27 (and sometimes more) team qualifiers and what does it hurt to add another two?

Girls

Kingston (Top 10), Unionville-Sebewaing (19th), Ubly (22nd)

Boys

Mayville (19th), Ubly (23rd)

(If your team isn’t listed in the images above or the scores below, you probably don’t have five returners, at least on ol’ athletic.net. I’m sure many of these teams will fill out their rosters by late October)

Projected Scores

Place	Girls Team	Score
1	Kingston	23
2	Unionville-Sebewaing	77
3	Ubly	88
4	Marlette	122
5	Harbor Beach	122
6	Dryden	123
7	Brown City	153
8	Deckerville	197

Place	Boys Team	Score
1	Mayville	70
2	Ubly	85
3	Kingston	100
4	Harbor Beach	100
5	Dryden	111
6	Unionville-Sebewaing	156
7	Marlette	168
8	Deckerville	179
9	Brown City	218
10	New Life Christian Academy	223

Top Runners

Thought I’d give a review of some of the top returners in each region. Returners means no incoming freshman (you’ll get your days in the sun). If you’re gonna be in the 50 Tickets, you’ll get a full writeup there. If you’re on a top team (Kingston’s girls) and you’re projected highly here, you hit the jackpot! Yes, I’m writing a bit less than previous years, but I think I’ve learned my lesson in that I need to conserve energy and brainpower for all divisions and regions. Typically by August, I’m rushing to get these done. This time around, hopefully all regions get the same amount of coverage.

Lilah Kiley, Kingston

Freshman year started a bit slow, but by the end, Lilah was sub-20 and juuust outside of All-State. This spring, she established herself in the mid-distance, running in the low-60’s and placing 14^th in the 400/800m.

Kyra Beemer, Brown City

I’m not sure what happened between her freshman fall and spring, but since then she’s been in a whole new territory. Sub-6:00 both seasons in the 1600m and jumped up 20 places to qualify for the D4 State Finals.

Gracy Walker, Kingston

After two years as an individual qualifier, as a junior, Gracy got to compete at MIS with her Cardinal teammates. But whether as a part of a team or competing for herself, she can nab All-State, placing in the top-30 each of the past two years.

Lily Lemanski, Marlette

This past spring marked her first year running distance on the track for the Red Raiders, and in doing so, she ripped through the 6:00 barrier in the 1600m. I’ve always felt that if you can run in the high 5’s, you can consistently run in the 20’s, an area she reached twice last fall.

Reece Wruble, Harbor Beach

Literally and figuratively, Wagener County Park is her home. In times, such as her 20:09 personal best established in 2021. In accolades, such as her two All-Region spots attained here.

Brody Karg, Harbor Beach

After a solid cross campaign, became a championship-level athlete on the track, winning both the Tribune Meet of Champs and GTC East crowns in the 3200m. His 3200m rank as a freshman in D4? 7^th.

Utah Gusa, Ubly

Is this the last year I’ll have to pen some words about a Gusa?!? This family has left its mark on Thumb Area XC and Utah is no different than his kin. Three consecutive state qualifiers, all three years placing in the top-10 here in Region 35.

Carson Burgess, Brown City

Played a major role in the Green Devils’ run toward a state berth, dropping exactly 300 seconds from his opener at Mike Jackson to place 8^th here.

Gavin Helgeson, Mayville

Have loved the slow n’ steady progress from Gavin. Started his career out with a freshman year that began in the 25’s, then moved to a junior year where he was sub-18 on three separate occasions.

Isaac Bignall, Unionville-Sebewaing

Ran the race of his life here to place 5^th last year. His second time under 18:00 and a 35+ second personal best.