50 Tickets to Brooklyn: Girls #47

THE SUMMER PREVIEW

Accomplishments & Accolades

• Contributor to 2021 Team State Championship
• Member of MITS 4x800m & DMR State Champions
• Member of NBON 2nd Place 4xMile
• Member of NBON 3rd Place 4x800m & DMR
• 2x All-Region (XC)
• 5^th Place – SEC Red (XC)
• 4^th Place – Region 5 3200m
• 5^th Place – SEC Red 400m & 3200m

Ratings Throughout the Years

Grade	Name	Time	Team	Rating	Meet	Date
11	Natalie Mello	19:20.0	Ann Arbor Pioneer	137.0	Pete Moss	27-Aug
11	Natalie Mello	19:01.7	Ann Arbor Pioneer	141.1	John Bruder Classic	7-Sep
11	Natalie Mello	19:24.5	Ann Arbor Pioneer	132.5	SEC Red 1	14-Sep
11	Natalie Mello	19:16.1	Ann Arbor Pioneer	141.0	Spartan	16-Sep
11	Natalie Mello	18:44.9	Ann Arbor Pioneer	139.0	Jackson	24-Sep
11	Natalie Mello	19:23.8	Ann Arbor Pioneer	131.1	SEC Red 2	28-Sep
11	Natalie Mello	18:57.5	Ann Arbor Pioneer	137.2	Portage	8-Oct
11	Natalie Mello	18:58.2	Ann Arbor Pioneer	133.6	Freeland Falcon	15-Oct
11	Natalie Mello	18:35.8	Ann Arbor Pioneer	138.7	SEC Red Championship	20-Oct
11	Natalie Mello	18:15.7	Ann Arbor Pioneer	142.1	Region 5	29-Oct
11	Natalie Mello	19:18.8	Ann Arbor Pioneer	132.7	Division 1 State	5-Nov
Grade	Name	Time	Team	Rating	Meet	Date
10	Natalie Mello	19:23.3	Ann Arbor Pioneer	135.9	Pete Moss	28-Aug
10	Natalie Mello	19:25.0	Ann Arbor Pioneer	134.7	John Bruder Classic	8-Sep
10	Natalie Mello	19:18.4	Ann Arbor Pioneer	140.5	SEC Red 1	14-Sep
10	Natalie Mello	19:23.7	Ann Arbor Pioneer	142.1	Spartan	17-Sep
10	Natalie Mello	19:11.5	Ann Arbor Pioneer	139.2	Jackson	25-Sep
10	Natalie Mello	19:42.2	Ann Arbor Pioneer	129.9	Portage	9-Oct
10	Natalie Mello	19:27.2	Ann Arbor Pioneer	129.9	SEC Red Championship	21-Oct
10	Natalie Mello	20:35.8	Ann Arbor Pioneer	133.7	Region 5	30-Oct
10	Natalie Mello	18:54.7	Ann Arbor Pioneer	138.8	Division 1 State	6-Nov

The Rundown

Just as Laney Alig for Saline, Natalie falls victim to the consequences of the Pioneer dynasty, sliding under the radar on a championship-level squad. But also like Laney, her performances warrant more attention. In her first year of cross, on her biggest stage as a runner to date, coming in at 18:54 in the Division 1 Finals helped earn her Pioneers a State Title. Continuing onto the track, contributing to two indoor titles this winter, heading to Philly and playing a major role in the Purple TC’s high finishes at Franklin Field.

Under my watch, one race stands out, her race at Barnyard. In the driving rain after a somewhat pedestrian pace the first few laps, Natalie aggressively took the reins on the third lap. She didn’t end up winning that heat, but she nearly nailed a personal best. And I feel that bold attitude serves her well in her racing.