The Regional Previews: Division 4, Region 33

Last Year

Summer Preview
Mid-Season
Regional Projection
The Result

Girls

1. Whitmore Lake (3rd)
2. Clarkston Everest Collegiate (17th)
3. Fowler (27th)

Boys

1. Whitmore Lake (6th)
2. Novi Christian Academy (12th)
3. Webberville (25th)

Both Fowler’s girls and Webberville’s boys snuck in to grab the third spots in minor upsets. Grace O’Hare and Rebecca Smith coming up huge for the Eagles, Liam Wilder was exception for the Spartans. Two major players have moved out of the regional since, Carson City and Everest Collegiate, both heading north.

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

Whitmore Lake (Top 10)

Boys

Whitmore Lake (Top 10)

(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	Whitmore Lake	18
3	Lansing Christian	73
2	Portland St. Patrick	75
4	Livingston Christian	86
5	Byron	112

Place	Boys Team	Score
1	Whitmore Lake	27
2	Novi Christian Academy	92
3	Webberville	107
4	Portland St. Patrick	121
5	Lansing Christian	131
6	Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes	148
7	Genesee	151
8	Potterville	185
9	Morrice	249
10	Byron	252
11	West Bloomfield Frankel Jewish Academy	304

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 (all of Hillsdale Academy) 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.

Kaylie Livingston, Whitmore Lake

Breaking my rule and posting about a freshman, but I think we all know it’s warranted. Kaylie was undefeated at the middle school last fall and held her own competing against the high schoolers during indoor track. Will surely be a factor for many titles, both in conference, in her region, and at the state level. But the scary part is, Whitmore Lake doesn’t need much help, the Trojans have already assembled a great squad. Less pressure may end up being a blessing.

Carina Burchi, Whitmore Lake

After a few 20 min.+ efforts, finally found her form as the season got rolling. Winner of the MIAC title and this Region, then placed 4^th in the state.

Isabella Yeoman, Genesee

Genesee moves over from Region 35, bringing this hard working All-Stater along with them. Isabella improved from the mid-21’s to a regional victory last year, running 19:39. What I like about Isabella is that she ran in the MITCA meet after the track season. One of only a few underclassmen too, showing her attitude toward the sport, chasing times she knows she can hit. The result of extending her season another week? An 800m personal best.

Natalie Meadows, Whitmore Lake

The potential was apparent as a freshman, where she slipped under 6 for the 1600m. That potential has been realized the past two years, where she’s nabbed two All-States and closed her last XC race well under 20. Now she’s the senior leader of a group capable of doing big things and I couldn’t think of a better candidate for that role.

Kelcie Pung, Fowler

The Eagle junior ran many races during her sophomore season, but none more significant than her 10^th place finish here. Not only was her 20:59 a season best, but it was just one part of the whole that contributed to extending Fowler’s season by another week.

Landen Livingston, Whitmore Lake

Freshman cross campaign saw Landen gravitate toward the 17’s on 10 occasions, admirable for any freshman. 7^th here, 4^th in the MIAC, too. But began to see the realization of his talent during track, where his 10:29 3200m ranked 8^th amongst Division 4 freshman.

Cameron Griffin, Whitmore Lake

Junior year was his first year of cross, and he improved like many do when they initially come to the sport. Then he kept improving. And kept improving. When it was all said and done, Cam went from a mid-19 kid to one on the cusp of All-State.

Connor Rouse, Genesee

Moves over from the shores of Lake Huron to the farm fields of the Lansing area. In doing so, this 3x qualifier could be a contender for a regional title. He’s run in the 17’s all three years, including a 17:25 personal best over at Wagener Park.

Timothy Chamberlain, Portland St. Patrick

Was able to compete in one race as an 8^th grader, running a respectable 19:55 here, placing 38^th. His 9^th grade self was a much-improved version, soaring into the mid-17’s and just one year later, grabbing the 6^th spot.