The Regional Previews: Division 3, Region 24

Last Year

SUMMER PREVIEW
MID-SEASON
FINAL PROJECTIONS
THE RESULT

Girls

1. Pewamo-Westphalia (2^nd)
2. Lansing Catholic (3^rd)
3. Ithaca (15^th)

Boys

1. Ithaca (8^th)
2. Pewamo-Westphalia (12^th)
3. Bath (21^st)

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

Pewamo-Westphalia (7^th), Stanton Central Montcalm (12th), Laingsburg (20th)

Boys

Pewamo-Westphalia (Top 6), Bath (12^th), Stanton Central Montcalm (19^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	Pewamo-Westphalia	32
2	Stanton Central Montcalm	60
3	Laingsburg	76
4	Ovid-Elsie	112
5	New Lothrop	135
6	Almont	179
7	Perry	192
8	Bath	219
9	Montrose	229
10	Durand	262
11	Mt Morris	306

Place	Boys Team	Score
1	Pewamo-Westphalia	32
2	Bath	63
3	Stanton Central Montcalm	63
4	Laingsburg	154
5	Ovid-Elsie	179
6	Almont	182
7	Chesaning	185
8	New Lothrop	195
9	Memphis	204
10	Montrose	216
11	Perry	262

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 on a top team or in the 50 Tickets 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.

Whitney Werner, Pewamo-Westphalia

In addition to moving up in terms of places during the cross season, Whitney set all new personal bests during track. Perhaps the most indicative of what may come this fall was her 11:11 in the Bluejay Elite 3200m. An 18-sec. best, at that point, her first 3200m of the year.

Kyah Hoffman, Stanton Central Montcalm

If her track season is any indicator, she’s in line to keep up as an elite runner in the D3 scene. She’s twice been top-5 over in Region 21 and Kaya just lowered her 1600m best from 5:35 to 5:15, her 3200m best from 12:40 to 11:33.

Ashley Choponis, Stanton Central Montcalm

Flashed a bit of the sub-20 capability during her freshman year, then blasted through the mark as a sophomore. Among those breakout races was a 19:20 in tough conditions during the State Finals, good for 12^th in Division 3.

Grace Coston, Stanton Central Montcalm

Look above and tell me Grace’s freshman year doesn’t appear similar to Ashley and Kyah. Grace was sub-20 on more than half of her races, the few exceptions being the early season heat or the gusty winds of early November.

Collin Farmer, Pewamo-Westphalia

He’s been a high-level performer all the time, and even these elites can grow. Shaved 3 seconds off his sophomore 3200m best, but more importantly, moved up 2 spots at the State Finals.

Gage Hoffman, Stanton Central Montcalm

Easily one of the better up and coming runners in the State. Gage had an exceptional freshman year, consistently in the mid-16’s and top-10 in Division 3. His 4:38 during the spring ranked him #24 amongst all Michigan 9^th graders.

Graham Coston, Stanton Central Montcalm

Thanks to a clutch late-season surge as a sophomore, he’s been able to place top-10 twice over in Region 21. Graham experienced major growth during track, lowering his 1600m best by 15 sec. and double that for the 3200m.

Noah Devereaux, Laingsburg

Peek through Noah’s resume and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a poor race. I mean, maybe his State Finals display? Nope, Noah was the 6^th freshman in the field. Noah comes off a year of nearly all 17 min. efforts and given the spring, looks to be able to take the next step into faster marks.

Carter Holmes, Bath

After getting a taste of success as a sophomore, Carter came back for more in his junior year. He spent considerable time in the 17’s and moved up nearly 100 places at the Division 3 State Finals.