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2023 Rankings: Week 4, Division 2

There may not be many meets from this mid-September weekend, but the ones that exist are huge and begin to tell the tale of the season. There’s been some movement in terms of the rankings, and if you pay attention to the hypothetical scores, you’ll see movement there even if a team’s ranking is the same.

If you’ve followed these over the past few years, you may know the gist of these, but let’s break it down once again:

The individual ratings take into account all the meets listed here. There are a few meets missing that I’ll link to, but pretty much any meet with a significant number of athletes will have been calculated. An individual’s rating takes their best 75% of rated races (rounding up, so 4 of 5, 5 of 6, etc.), weighs them with more recent races having a higher weight, then spits out a final rating. The team rankings score those individuals as if they were in a meet against their entire division.

There are a few changes from previous years:

  • No more ratings of weekday, conference meets
    • Why? One, often these aren’t raced all out and end up underrating a runner. Two, to lessen my workload. I’d rather concentrate on these rankings and use the weekend invites that are more likely to be raced hard to determine the rankings.
  • Using the top 75% of races instead of 67%
    • Why? If I’m gonna use fewer overall races from a runner’s resume, I have to make up for it in some way.
  • No more individual rankings posted to social media
    • Why? I hate instances where a runner stagnates or falls back over the course of the season and it’s posted for the world to see. I recognize people want to know where they’re ranked, so just having it on the website is a happy medium.
  • More writeups focused on the top teams and individuals, rather than just handpicking one each week
    • I’ve found that when it comes toward state time, I know all the numbers and what a kid might run, but have a tough time pointing toward a narrative. Hopefully writing a little recap and what to look forward to will help in that regard. I started with three for the first rankings, then five this week, and so on.
  • Posting these one division at a time
    • If you’ve noticed, I always go Division 4 first, trending towards Division 1. This is done intentionally! Traditional media always focuses on the larger schools. By focusing on the smaller divisions first, they get the love that they might not normally receive. With a bit of free-r time this week, I should get to the Upper Peninsula.

Now I need to be serious for a minute. These are for fun. If you don’t like these fun rankings, you don’t need to participate, you don’t need to call me names, talk trash to your fellow competitors, or send rude emails. We good here? Enjoy.

Grand Rapids Christian

Week Three: Conquered a strong field at Benzie then turned around and routed a very competitive OK White. Showing much strength early with frontrunners and depth, could very well put all five girls on the podium.

More of the same at Ottawa Hills from the Eagle girls. All scoring girls placed in the top-11, with Adia Sikkema and Lucy Waalkes pulling up in the top-20.

Otsego

Week Three: Sadly, we won’t see the Bulldogs at a major Michigan invitational until Jackson, but when you have the opportunity to run at the legendary Detweiller Park, you take it. Their season is setting up very similarly to last year, a strong top four plus a solid fifth. Though it appears their 5th spot might be improved from 2022.

Placed 7th of 61 in the Richard Spring Invite down in Peoria. Now I don’t know much about Illinois XC at the moment, but that field had some legendary and recognizable names – York, Neuqua Valley, Palatine, Downer’s Grove, etc. Illinois Speed Ratings uses a similar methodology, but a different scale. Without getting too deep into it, converting to my scale, Detweiller rates out to about a +69 (+75 for boys) for its 2.97-to-3-mile course (highly debatable distance!) To make a short story long, the Bulldogs ran better than they have this season, even missing Taylor Mitchell.

East Grand Rapids

After missing Under the Lights, Drew Muller has returned to EGR’s benefit. Her 3rd spot at Ottawa Hills meant the Pioneers really had to only score four. Combine that with personal bests from Adeline Armstrong and Sadey Seyferth and you have this traditional power rising through the ranks.

Goodrich

Changed things up on us! The past few years, the Martians have been at Holly, this year they headed further west to East Lansing. And evidenced by their 3rd place finish in the Elite Division, an excellent decision. These girls get it done through their pack, going seven deep, displacing fools left and right.

St. Joseph

The rare case of having two low sticks and needing to score three. Among those three, you could have reliable seniors such as Jade Murdoch or Ceci Ruchti. Or perhaps freshmen that are coming along nicely such as Lydia Johnson or Lily Cummings. Like many West Coast teams, the Bears traveled to Ottawa Hills on Friday, coming away from Session 2 placing 4th of 18.

RankTeamRegionScoreLast Week
1Grand Rapids Christian11641
2Otsego132572
3East Grand Rapids122688
4Goodrich152994
5St. Joseph133716
6Frankenmuth153805
7Zeeland East113943
8St. Johns144277
9Spring Lake114779
10DeWitt1449910
11Freeland1554111
12Holland Christian1155228
13Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg1258113
14Hudsonville Unity Christian1165614
15Ludington1067712
16Alma1568216
17Croswell-Lexington1768417
18Petoskey1070215
19Owosso1470518
20Warren Regina1771419
21Armada1772321
22Dearborn Divine Child1675320
23Pontiac Notre Dame Prep1678325
24Forest Hills Eastern1278522
25Chelsea1881223
26Linden1686224
27Stevensville Lakeshore1390627

Forest Hills Eastern

Week Three: That’s two years in a row that the Hawks have put the state on notice with an Under the Lights masterpiece. All five scorers were sub-17 on that humid, late August night. With three of those capable of low-16’s or better, much pressure will be placed on other teams to close that gap.

Missing Brendan Hoving and Liam Hinman at Sparta, the Hawks still emerged victorious, eking out a 6-point victory over the home team. Youngster Steven Zawacki stepped up in a major way – he’s dropped more than a minute since Under the Lights.

East Grand Rapids

Week Three: Still missing a piece, but those who have competed have had success. That could come in the form of an Alex Thole, who pulled a massive upset at Under the Lights or a Jack Edison, who navigated his way into the 16’s for the first time ever at the OK White Jamboree.

That piece has arrived. Ryan Brinker, with only one race under his belt in ’23 has already raced faster than he had to this point in the ’22 season.

Allendale

There were a few doubters last week with the Falcons’ #4 ranking. I think their effort at Spartan proved a few wrong. Three in the top-15, half the points of any other school in the White Division.

Grand Rapids Christian

Week Three: Saw FHE throw down the gauntlet on a Friday night, then woke up Saturday and decided to match it. Winners of Pete Moss by 88 points, then put seven guys in the top-16 at a star-filled OK White Jamboree.

Probably underrated here because of their cruise through Christian Schools and the fact that we’re comparing against the entire state. In actual competition, the Eagles are undefeated, finding another clear victory this past weekend at Ottawa Hills.

Marshall

Even missing Kaiden Gore (their five guy) at Holly, the Redhawks triumphed in the D3 race. With five divisions there, you get a mix of D2 and D3 teams in the 3rd Division, but even if Marshall was in the 2nd Division this past weekend, odds are that they’d win. When you have four boys capable of going sub-17, many possibilities are on the table.

RankTeamRegionScoreLast Week
1Forest Hills Eastern121771
2East Grand Rapids122953
3Allendale113124
4Grand Rapids Christian113292
5Marshall124256
6Adrian184387
7Alma154525
8Holland Christian1148821
9Otsego135168
10Sparta1052810
11Plainwell1355112
12Gladwin105609
13Yale1758611
14St. Clair1765314
15Frankenmuth1565413
16Petoskey1066215
17Battle Creek Harper Creek1267816
18Spring Lake1175218
19Hamilton1175619
20Chelsea1878723
21Fremont10790NR
22Flint Powers Catholic1581120
23Pinckney1681929
24Clio1582617
25Freeland1584827
26DeWitt1486024
27Parma Western1486125

GIRLS INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS

Gail Vaikutis

Week Three: Her 18-flat at Lakeview was a massive personal best and over 80 seconds faster than her 2022 performance. In track, she was able to display great speed and now we’re witness to her strength.

Gail’s just out here stacking personal best after personal best. Similar conditions, similar courses, 22 second improvement from week to week. Gail now owns the fastest time AND best rating in Division 2.

Elena Figueroa

Week Three: Right alongside Vaikutis at both their home invite and the PC Early Bird. Missed out on a great time at Lakeview, I hope for non-injury reasons. Regardless, her early season best is already an improvement from her sophomore year.

Her first race in over three weeks, Elena hopped right back on the wagon with a 17:44 at Riverside. A minute faster than her 2022 effort there and a 35 second personal best.

Ava Schafer

Week Three: Adjusting very well to the high school scene. After taking her lumps with a second-place finish at Under the Lights, she’s ripped off two consecutive victories. All mid-18 efforts from this young freshman. The Redwings have some light racing in their future, so we’ll see how much she’s improved come late September at Shepherd.

The Redwings took the weekend off racing and well, that looks to be to Ava’s benefit. Girl just blasted a 17:48 to capture the first CAAC Red Jamboree.

Natalie VanOtteren

Sub-18 at Ottawa Hills was the 3rd of her career and 40+ seconds faster than her ’22 effort on the banks of the Grand River.

Drew Muller

Just announced her commitment to Virginia, a great institution for its education, history, and distance running (the Hoos are currently ranked #11). I’m sure Drew will contribute there as she does here, consecutive mid-18 efforts to begin her senior year.

RankGradeNameTeamRatingRegion
112Gail VaikutisSt. Joseph161.213
211Elena FigueroaSt. Joseph159.213
39Ava SchaferSt. Johns153.314
412Natalie VanOtterenGrand Rapids Christian152.411
512Drew MullerEast Grand Rapids150.612
612Meghan FordMason148.214
712Mary RichmondFrankenmuth145.815
810Emma HoffmanOtsego145.113
912Naomi NelsonGrand Rapids Christian144.511
1010Lilah PoelGrand Rapids Christian144.311
1110Ellie ScholmaGrand Rapids Christian144.011
1211Emma DrnekZeeland East143.811
1310Katie BerkshireGaylord143.210
1411Sadey SeyferthEast Grand Rapids140.712
159Jaelyn RayPinckney139.716
1611Sophy SkeelsAdrian139.618
179Clara KaczorFreeland139.415
1812Logan BrazeeOtsego138.813
1911Natalia DeMeaChelsea138.518
2011Eva ThompsonCroswell-Lexington137.917
2112Allison KuzmaZeeland East137.411
2211Kamryn LauingerGoodrich137.415
2311Summer BrowerLudington137.210
2412Jenna PilachowskiMonroe Jefferson136.818
2511Ezgi KurtAlma136.415
2610Natalie FoltzFrankenmuth136.315
2712Emily TomesGrand Rapids Catholic Central136.111
289Johanna MulderHolland135.911
2911Ava CrewsMiddleville Thornapple-Kellogg135.812
3012Payton HoltzGrand Rapids Christian134.011
3112Emma DeVriesGR West Michigan Aviation133.612
3212Camille DeColaMarshall133.012
3312Anastee DavisAdrian131.418
3412Abby YoungSt. Johns131.214
3512Clara FletcherSt. Johns130.614
3611Layla JordanGoodrich130.515
3712Cecilia OrtegaCarleton Airport128.218
3810Berkley HoltzSturgis128.013
3911Kayla WilliamsDeWitt127.814
409Caroline RandallHastings127.712
419Lucy ConzelmannFrankenmuth127.615
4212Tatum DykstraFruitport126.311
439Ayda SkeelsAdrian125.818
4411Mea D’AgostinoOrchard Lake St. Mary’s125.716
4510Linnea PaigeFremont125.310
4611Preslee PerkinsStevensville Lakeshore125.213
4711Maria NunningPontiac Notre Dame Prep125.016
489Olivia HollebeekHolland Christian124.811
4911Madison JohnsonPaw Paw124.713
5011Cami KraaiWhitehall124.410

BOYS INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS

Connell Alford

Week Three: Cross country is definitely his thing. Facing some fierce competition at Lamplighter, Connell laid down the hammer early en route to a large margin of victory.

Unfortunately couldn’t pull off the win at Spartan, but he did finish first amongst all Michigan competition. His 15:09 nearly matched the 15:06 from last year, and when you’re in the ballpark of your state-winning self, you know you’re in a good place.

TJ Hansen

Week Three: Just continuing and building from his track accomplishments. 15:39 at Under the Lights was a personal best, 15:13 at John Bruder was a massive personal best. It’s a shame Freeland is on the smaller side of D2 schools, we sadly avoid a matchup with Evan Loughridge at Holly.

Of the 93 boys that ran at both John Bruder and Holly, only 22 ran faster at Holly. TJ was 0.5 seconds slower, showing his 15:14 through the sharp turns and hills at Springfield Oaks can be sub-15 on the right course on the right day.

Evan Loughridge

Week Three: “Opener at Possum Hollow was a 20+ second win over a ton of talented D1 runners. He’ll be facing some potential D2 All-Staters this weekend at Holly.”

15 seconds at a mile, 30+ at two, and 36 at the finish, Evan’s 15:35 win at Holly was allll on his lonesome. For many that would be a mental grind, but it’s more of the same for this tough-minded kid. His performance on Saturday was over 25 seconds faster than what he raced to in 2022 and given how his October played out last year, big goals are there for the taking.

Solomon Kwartowitz

Hung in there pretty well for his first real huge effort of the season. A 15:32 in Spartan Elite earned Kwartowitz a 7th place (5th amongst Michiganders) and a massive personal best.

Alex Thole

State Champions, national qualifiers, insane freshmen, talented underclassmen… Alex has won against them all and we’re only in mid-September. Three races, three wins, all considerably better than his 2022 best.

RankGradeNameReal TeamRatingRegion
112Connell AlfordChelsea217.818
211TJ HansenFreeland217.515
312Evan LoughridgePinckney213.716
412Solomon KwartowitzBloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood211.816
512Alex TholeEast Grand Rapids208.512
612Sean PettisFremont207.110
711Jack BidwellMarshall205.412
812Brendan HovingForest Hills Eastern205.212
912Nate CarmodyHaslett205.014
1012Braylon PettyAdrian204.518
1111Colin MurrayDearborn Divine Child203.316
1212Gregory JanesakSparta202.810
1312Logan RuffnerRiverview202.318
1412Noah LambersHolland201.311
1511Simon TriezenbergGrand Rapids Christian201.211
1612Liam HinmanForest Hills Eastern199.912
1712Caleb PalmreuterGladwin199.810
1811Kilian WhalenAllendale199.411
1910Owen MetzgerSparta199.010
2011Alex DonethMason198.914
2110Jonah WorkmanEast Grand Rapids198.712
2212Nolan PinionLake Fenton198.716
2311Dominic LowrieBattle Creek Harper Creek197.912
2411Dylan LydicHaslett196.514
2511Henry DixonForest Hills Eastern196.412
2612Luke GlasgowSpring Lake194.911
2712Ryan BrinkerEast Grand Rapids194.212
2810Thomas LarsonAlma194.115
2911Nolan LonguskiShepherd194.115
3011Henry CoxPlainwell194.013
3110Ronnie SilveiraAllendale193.911
3211Nolan InglisDeWitt193.914
3311Will EngbersHolland Christian193.511
3412Connor GriffithMarshall193.412
359Bryce CahoonShepherd193.215
3612David MurphyFlint Powers Catholic192.615
379Ezekiel BaltierraAlma192.515
3811Seth MeadGladwin192.510
3912Cooper SingletonParma Western192.514
4011Sullivan ZietlowThree Rivers191.613
4112Aiden KruegerNiles191.413
4210Moises SalazarAdrian190.818
4311Abatu DykstraHamilton190.611
4412Brewer SnayMacomb Lutheran North190.217
4512Dane BaileyEdwardsburg189.713
4612Shane IzzardPetoskey188.710
4711Isaak RubleyDundee188.618
4812Cooper JacobsenForest Hills Eastern188.612
4911Elijah ChristensenGladwin188.510
5012Elliott SirianniClio188.115

MORE $TAT$

Girls

RankTeamRegionFifth Runner
1Grand Rapids Christian11134.0
2Goodrich15110.5
3Otsego13106.9
4East Grand Rapids12104.3
5Spring Lake1198.4
6Hudsonville Unity Christian1193.3
7St. Joseph1391.6
8Freeland1591.4
9DeWitt1491.4
10Zeeland East1190.2
11Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg1289.6
12Warren Regina1788.3
13Frankenmuth1587.6
14Owosso1485.3
15Holland Christian1184.2
16St. Johns1482.5
17Alma1582.1
18Dearborn Divine Child1681.9
19Chelsea1879.9
20Linden1679.0
21Croswell-Lexington1778.1
22Forest Hills Eastern1277.5
23Ludington1077.5
24Tecumseh1877.2
25Pontiac Notre Dame Prep1676.8
26Armada1775.8
27Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard1874.7
RankTeamRegionTop 5 Spread
1Charlotte140:33
2Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard180:42
3Grand Rapids Christian110:55
4Shepherd150:59
5Warren Regina171:01
6Linden161:07
7Owosso141:08
8Spring Lake111:09
9Parma Western141:12
10Goodrich151:21
11Dearborn Divine Child161:22
12Hudsonville Unity Christian111:29
13Macomb Lutheran North171:42
14DeWitt141:49
15Richland Gull Lake121:52
16Hamilton111:54
17Otsego131:55
18Forest Hills Eastern121:56
19Allendale112:00
20Holland Christian112:02
21Grand River Preparatory112:03
22Haslett142:05
23Bloomfield Hills Marian162:06
24Marysville172:11
25Yale172:11
26Armada172:13
27Fowlerville142:15
RankTeamRegionTop 7 Spread
1Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard180:48
2Shepherd151:05
3Goodrich151:46
4Macomb Lutheran North171:55
5DeWitt141:56
6Richland Gull Lake122:00
7Dearborn Divine Child162:01
8Spring Lake112:01
9Hudsonville Unity Christian112:18
10Grand Rapids Christian112:21
11Parma Western142:22
12Bloomfield Hills Marian162:25
13Fowlerville142:26
14Hamilton112:31
15Coopersville112:36
16Yale172:44
17Allendale112:50
18Warren Regina172:57
19Grand Rapids South Christian122:57
20Otsego132:57
21Battle Creek Harper Creek122:59
22Tecumseh183:00
23Detroit Country Day163:02
24Charlotte143:08
25East Grand Rapids123:10
26Flint Powers Catholic153:12
27Armada173:13
RankTeamRegionTop 5 Avg.
1Grand Rapids Christian11143.8
2East Grand Rapids12126.8
3St. Joseph13126.6
4Otsego13126.4
5Goodrich15122.5
6Frankenmuth15120.8
7St. Johns14120.2
8Zeeland East11119.2
9Spring Lake11111.2
10DeWitt14110.0
11Freeland15109.4
12Holland Christian11109.0
13Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg12107.3
14Ludington10105.3
15Croswell-Lexington17104.8
16Alma15104.2
17Petoskey10102.7
18Hudsonville Unity Christian11102.4
19Armada17101.1
20Owosso1499.8
21Warren Regina1799.0
22Forest Hills Eastern1298.6
23Chelsea1898.5
24Pontiac Notre Dame Prep1698.3
25Dearborn Divine Child1698.0
26Stevensville Lakeshore1394.7
27Linden1693.3
RankTeamRegionTop 7 Avg.
1Grand Rapids Christian11134.1
2Otsego13117.4
3Goodrich15117.0
4East Grand Rapids12116.2
5St. Joseph13115.3
6Frankenmuth15107.7
7Zeeland East11107.3
8Spring Lake11104.3
9DeWitt14104.3
10St. Johns14100.8
11Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg1298.0
12Freeland1597.9
13Hudsonville Unity Christian1195.9
14Ludington1094.8
15Holland Christian1193.6
16Alma1592.2
17Dearborn Divine Child1691.5
18Croswell-Lexington1788.8
19Petoskey1088.7
20Forest Hills Eastern1288.4
21Armada1788.2
22Pontiac Notre Dame Prep1687.6
23Chelsea1887.2
24Warren Regina1785.4
25Stevensville Lakeshore1383.7
26Tecumseh1882.0
27Grand Rapids South Christian1281.3

Boys

RankTeamRegionFifth Runner
1Forest Hills Eastern12182.5
2Grand Rapids Christian11180.6
3East Grand Rapids12173.6
4Otsego13171.7
5Allendale11170.9
6Holland Christian11170.8
7Adrian18170.4
8Plainwell13169.1
9Alma15167.5
10Petoskey10167.0
11Sparta10166.0
12St. Clair17165.9
13Yale17164.8
14Hamilton11164.5
15Marshall12161.9
16Pinckney16161.5
17Spring Lake11158.0
18DeWitt14157.3
19Gladwin10156.5
20Chelsea18156.5
21Clio15156.0
22Fremont10154.8
23Frankenmuth15154.5
24Flint Powers Catholic15154.4
25Zeeland East11154.0
26St. Johns14152.9
27Battle Creek Harper Creek12152.0
RankTeamRegionTop 5 Spread
1Otsego130:39
2Grand Rapids South Christian120:46
3Paw Paw130:51
4Monroe Jefferson180:51
5St. Clair170:53
6Corunna140:54
7Ludington100:57
8Grand Rapids Christian111:02
9Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard181:04
10Petoskey101:05
11Holland Christian111:08
12Forest Hills Eastern121:08
13Yale171:09
14GR West Michigan Aviation121:13
15Hudsonville Unity Christian111:13
16Vicksburg131:15
17Plainwell131:15
18Richmond171:15
19Hamilton111:18
20Eaton Rapids141:18
21Big Rapids101:19
22Zeeland East111:20
23Alma151:20
24Redford Union161:21
25Fruitport111:22
26Allendale111:26
27Hastings121:31
RankTeamRegionTop 7 Spread
1Monroe Jefferson181:19
2Grand Rapids Christian111:20
3Ludington101:23
4Eaton Rapids141:26
5Petoskey101:27
6Paw Paw131:34
7GR West Michigan Aviation121:37
8Grand Rapids South Christian121:37
9Alma151:37
10Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard181:38
11Holland Christian111:40
12Forest Hills Eastern121:47
13Corunna141:49
14St. Clair171:49
15Hudsonville Unity Christian111:50
16Zeeland East111:53
17Spring Lake111:54
18East Grand Rapids121:58
19Yale172:00
20Plainwell132:01
21DeWitt142:07
22Big Rapids102:09
23Adrian182:10
24Allendale112:13
25Hamilton112:13
26Frankenmuth152:14
27Grand River Preparatory112:15
RankTeamRegionTop 5 Avg.
1Forest Hills Eastern12194.5
2East Grand Rapids12190.6
3Allendale11187.7
4Grand Rapids Christian11186.5
5Marshall12185.1
6Adrian18183.7
7Alma15182.6
8Sparta10182.2
9Gladwin10181.0
10Holland Christian11180.2
11Otsego13178.7
12Plainwell13178.6
13Yale17177.8
14Battle Creek Harper Creek12176.7
15Chelsea18176.2
16Frankenmuth15176.2
17Freeland15175.4
18Fremont10175.1
19St. Clair17174.9
20Petoskey10174.8
21Pinckney16174.6
22Spring Lake11173.3
23Hamilton11172.4
24Parma Western14172.2
25Flint Powers Catholic15172.1
26Shepherd15171.2
27Clio15170.8
RankTeamRegionTop 7 Avg.
1Forest Hills Eastern12187.9
2East Grand Rapids12184.8
3Grand Rapids Christian11183.5
4Allendale11180.4
5Adrian18177.6
6Alma15177.3
7Holland Christian11175.8
8Sparta10175.0
9Marshall12172.7
10Plainwell13172.2
11Otsego13171.5
12Yale17171.2
13Petoskey10170.5
14Chelsea18170.2
15Pinckney16168.8
16Spring Lake11168.6
17Frankenmuth15168.2
18St. Clair17167.5
19Hamilton11167.0
20DeWitt14165.4
21Battle Creek Harper Creek12165.0
22Freeland15164.3
23Gladwin10164.1
24Parma Western14162.0
25Flint Powers Catholic15160.8
26Zeeland East11158.6
27Shepherd15158.4

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