The Regional Previews: Division 3, Region 19

Last Year

SUMMER PREVIEW
MID-SEASON
FINAL PROJECTIONS
THE RESULT

Girls

1. Traverse City St. Francis (State Champions)
2. Elk Rapids (8^th)
3. Charlevoix (22^nd)

Boys

1. Traverse City St. Francis (2^nd)
2. Clare (9^th)
3. Elk Rapids (20^th)

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

Elk Rapids (Top 5), Traverse City St. Francis (Top 5), Clare (8^th), Charlevoix (24^th)

Boys

Traverse City St. Francis (Top 5), Clare (Top 5), Elk Rapids (17^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	Elk Rapids	45
2	Traverse City St. Francis	55
3	Clare	68
4	Charlevoix	115
5	Boyne City	182
6	Kalkaska	190
7	Farwell	199
8	Standish-Sterling	204
9	Grayling	238
10	Tawas	256
11	Mancelona	266

Place	Boys Team	Score
1	Traverse City St. Francis	37
2	Clare	56
3	Elk Rapids	93
4	Kalkaska	114
5	Charlevoix	120
6	Grayling	143
7	Boyne City	189
8	Roscommon	204
9	Tawas	272
10	Harrison	315
11	Mancelona	316
12	Standish-Sterling	320
13	Charlton Heston Academy	370

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.

Betsy Skendzel, Traverse City St. Francis

Was the regional champ last year and is a runner meant for the State Finals. She’s placed in the top-8 in each appearance, negative splitting her way high onto the podium.

Brynne Schulte, Elk Rapids

Freshman year contained wins at Taco Tuesday, Kalkaska, and Mancelona. Great finishes in many other spots, including 3^rd here and 27^th at D3 State.

Laina Sladics, Charlevoix

Two years separate her two high school seasons, but even that doesn’t explain the considerable reduction in time. Laina moved up from 35^th to 7^th over here in Region 19 and knocked almost 2.5 minutes off her time.

Brad White, Clare

Coming off a regional title and his first All-State, he’s still found room to improve. Dropped well into the 1:50’s in the 800m and ended the year ranked #6 in D3.

Josh Slocum, Traverse City St. Francis

Entered high school with many expectations and has lived up to many of them. Competed only from October 1^st on last year, but no warmup period was needed. All races in the 16’s, his 2^nd top-10 at Regionals, and first All-State were all accomplished.

Drew Moore, Grayling

Dramatic late-season rise surprised many. Race in, race out, outperformed expectations on the way to a 17^th place finish at State.

Gavin Guggemos, Kalkaska

Big track season, especially in the 3200m. Placed 2^nd in the LMC and 17^th in Division 3.

Tucker Krumm, Traverse City St. Francis

I know East Jordan is a quick track for many. For Tucker, it’s personal bests all the time. Each of the past three years, he’s run the best time of his career and placed in the top-15.

Nic Porter, Clare

Solid his first two years, running mid-17’s, then took a step forward as a junior. Sub-17 three times, with a significant personal best here in 16:26.