The Regional Previews: Division 4, Region 30

Last Year

SUMMER PREVIEW
MID-SEASON
REGIONAL PROJECTIONS
THE RESULT

Girls

1. Breckenridge (22^nd)
2. Farwell (21^st)
3. Beal City (18^th)

Boys

1. Michigan Lutheran Seminary (24^th)
2. Breckenridge (26^th)
3. Beal City (27^th)

Normally a strong mix of teams, the Region 30 squads didn’t fare so well at the state level in 2022, which may be why the MHSAA shifted Carson City and Everest Collegiate to this regional. But why are we calling it regionals anymore? Clarkston is NOWHERE NEAR Chippewa Hills.

I’d surely like an explanation as to why they have to pass by two regions that are closer before settling on a place closer to Traverse City than Metro Detroit.

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

Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart (11^th), Breckenridge (12^th), Vestaburg (23^rd), Beal City (24^th)

Boys

White Cloud (15^th), Breckenridge (18^th), Beal City (27^th)

(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	Breckenridge	59
2	Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart	61
3	Vestaburg	108
4	Beal City	118
5	Clarkston Everest Collegiate	139
6	St. Charles	157
7	Saginaw Nouvel	198
8	Big Rapids Crossroads Academy	205
9	Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary	218
10	Carson City-Crystal	232
11	Fulton	248
12	White Cloud	250

Place	Boys Team	Score
1	White Cloud	53
2	Breckenridge	53
3	Beal City	65
4	Carson City-Crystal	113
5	Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary	116
6	Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart	134
7	St. Charles	175

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 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.

Amelia Thompson, Big Rapids Crossroads Academy

Unfortunately was not able to compete during the latter part of the season. Which is sad given that’s a time of year where she brings her best, to the tune of two All-States. Amelia got through the track season, which gives hope that she’ll be able to complete her senior year.

Abigail Davis, Vestaburg

Freshman to sophomore gains most evident during track, where her 5:31 gave her a 12^th place finish in Division 4 after barely running the event at all as a freshman.

Jacqueline Morton, Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart

She’s been top-10 each of the past two years, quite a change from her 9^th grade self who didn’t even get a chance to run at Regionals.

Ally Schmitz, Breckenridge

Initial high school season stretched into November and featured times in the mid-21’s. Track shows faster times could be in store, her 5:53 1600m placed her 4^th in the MSAC.

Owen Patton, Vestaburg

The preseason rankings and projections probably underrate 800m specialists. Owen underwent a drastic rise in his mid-distance efforts this spring, graduating from a 1:58 kid to a 1:53 stud. I believe more is in store there, but the ability to train at a faster pace will greatly impact his summer training and cross performance. I wouldn’t be at all shocked if he’s in contention as he enters the infield at MIS.

Oh, and I should probably mention he’s been All-State twice on the grass. 28^th as a sophomore, then 8^th this past year.

Sawyer Stoneman, Breckenridge

Brought it during the fall, placing 3^rd in the MSAC, 4^th here, and top-50 at State. Respectively, all were the best finishes in his career. Then dominated during the spring, capturing the Mid-Michigan title in the 3200m while setting his personal best of 10:25 earlier in the month.

Coleson Cruzan, White Cloud

Underwent a massive transformation during track, especially in the 1600m, dropping 30+ seconds from his 2022 best.

Kristian Coon, Carson City-Crystal

9^th grade year began with a widely varying efforts, alternating between 19’s and as high as 21’s. The season ended with two consecutive sub-18’s.

Rodney Iamurri, Saginaw Nouvel

Remarkable consistency across venues and from year to year. Sub-18 each of his two MIS appearances and 8^th at Regionals either here or at Wagener Park.

Carter Follett, Merrill

His first 16 races at the high school level were all 20+ min. affairs. From September 10^th on, he’s 100% been below that mark. That includes an 18:05 here, moving up from 19 places from his sophomore season to nab his first state qualifier ever.

Isaac Humm, Breckenridge

Has moved up each year at Regionals, from 17^th to 10^th to 6^th.

Carson Foondle, White Cloud

The Indians moved up to Division 3 for a year and Carson stepped up his game with it, coming through with a 3200m under 11:00 during track.