2024 State Previews & Predictions: The Vault

It’s that time of the year where the Best Crews get thrown aside, the numbers are tossed in the trash, and ol’ MIXCSR gets to voice his own predictions. 2022’s preview included simulations (similar to what I do in cross country), 2023’s version had stats and charts for an athlete’s average/most recent performances. Compiling all that info is easy during the fall, with 17 separate events in the spring, it’s too dang tedious.

Instead, I’ll be just rolling with my own predictions. I feel that I can do that. Cross Country is all number-based, as are the Best Crews, this is my one moment to put my thoughts out there. But before I let you know my process, know this: I appreciate everyone for competing, to those who’ve made it to June and those who haven’t, you’re awesome. To those who see this and want to prove them wrong: Go do that and tell me about it afterward. To those who see this and want to prove them right: I know you’re 100% capable of showing the world your greatness.

My general thought process for vaults is this:

• Consistency is huge, of course with the context of the competition and heights
  • I understand that winning at a lower height is a thing, so I don’t fault someone for winning all the time, yet having swings in height
• Improvement throughout the year
• Looking back to previous years, ability to rise to the occasion in important meets

So here are the predictions, with a little writing beforehand and a bit of info on who I think might the All-State finishers.

DIVISION ONE BOYS

Last Year: Dolan Gonzales – 16’ 0

The two best finalists from last year are gone and that opening has paved the way for intense improvement. Walled Lake Central’s Ray Weatherington has added 3” to his personal best and has been a steady 14’+ performer, using those efforts to win Walled Lake, LVC, and Region 9 titles. Reece Emeott has perhaps embraced the improvement the most, adding over 2’ from his 9^th grade best, now a mere 4” from Michigan’s 10^th grade class record.

Place	Grade	Name	Team	Notes
1	10	Reece Emeott	East Kentwood	Reached a new level at Regionals, 15’3 ranks as #15 sophomore in US
2	12	Ray Weatherington	Walled Lake Central	LVC and Region 9 Champ finished 7th last year
3	12	Hugh Ford	Mattawan	Only Michigander to defeat Emeott this year, 6th in 2023
4	12	Clark Sheldon	Dexter	5th Place in 2023, Region 4 Champ
5	10	Sean Cinzori	Plymouth	KLAA and Region 6 Champ
6	11	Brady Lewis	Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills	Unbeaten since early April
7	11	Adam Cohoon	Okemos	Nearly 2′ improvement since 2023
8	12	Joey Bonacci	Jenison	2x All-State in the vault

DIVISION ONE GIRLS

Last Year: Brooke Bowers – 12’ 3

Back in December, Brooke Bowers set the Michigan Indoor State Record with a 13’ 7” vault, another mark in an incredible career that contains a state title and two 3^rd place finishes. She hasn’t quite reached that height in outdoors, but don’t be shocked if the 13’ 9” outdoor state record is in jeopardy.

Place	Grade	Name	Team	Notes
1	12	Brooke Bowers	Forest Hills Central	Defending D1 Champ and 3x All-Stater
2	12	Katie Stewart	Salem	3rd Place in 2023 and Region 6 Champ
3	12	Taylor Diemond	Lowell	Undefeated since late April, 2x All-State
4	9	Aubree Bowers	Forest Hills Central	#1 freshman in the US
5	11	Isabel German	Lowell	15″ improvement since 2023
6	12	Claire Adams	Rockford	8th Place in 2023
7	12	Giuliana Serapiglia	Plymouth	2nd Place in both KLAA and Region 6
8	10	Debbie McCoy	Dexter	7th Place in 2023

DIVISION TWO BOYS

Last Year: Sam Vesperman – 15’ 1

After winning by a full foot in 2023, Sam Vesperman again appears to be the class of the competition. He’s been unbeaten by his D2 foes and holds the best mark in the division by 15 inches.

Place	Grade	Name	Team	Notes
1	11	Sam Vesperman	Grosse Ile	Defending Champion, tied for #1 vault in Michigan
2	12	Noah McGraw	Forest Hills Eastern	5″ PR in Region 13 win
3	10	Xander Anthor	Howard City Tri-County	5″ PR in Region 11 win
4	11	Drake Ross	Gladwin	Added 21″ since his sophomore year
5	12	Colin Ellis	Vicksburg	Undefeated since April 24th
6	12	Landen Klinge	Hopkins	OK Silver Champion
7	12	Willem Evenson	Holland	Full foot personal best to win Region 12
8	12	Adam Aeschliman	Fowlerville	13′ 2″ personal best to win Region 20

DIVISION 2 GIRLS

Last Year: Allison Shelton – 12’ 0

Allison Shelton won in 2023 in a close competition, winning by way of the tiebreakers. The Oakland commit is still doin’ her thing, winning the FML and Region 19, while attaining the same heights as last year. Evie Mathis has had to work through injury, coming off a regional title, these next ten days should work wonders. There’s much competition elsewhere – Libby Summerland from an always strong Owosso vault crew, Ava Collier coming in undefeated, and Madisyn Lundquist winnin’ a ton of large meets.

Place	Grade	Name	Team	Notes
1	12	Allison Shelton	Ortonville Brandon	Defending Champion has matched 12′ winning vault
2	12	Libby Summerland	Owosso	Two straight vaults over 11′, Region 20 Champ
3	12	Ava Collier	Plainwell	Undefeated in senior year
4	12	Madisyn Lundquist	Cadillac	Bluejay, Big North Conference, and Region 11 Champ
5	10	Evie Mathis	Wayland Union	First competition since April 16th was a Region 12 win
6	12	Heidi Schulten	Grand Rapids West Catholic	2nd Place in Division 3 last year
7	11	Kennedy Jasinski	Wayland Union	6th Place in Division 2 last year
8	11	Mimi Wegener	Ionia	Region 15 Champ

DIVISION 3 BOYS

Last Year: Tryce Tokar – 15’ 0

It’s been all Tryce Tokar and Chase Battani this spring, with a slight sprinkling of Nathan Vaske. Tokar is unbeaten since early April, losing to Battani early, but building on his 2023 state title. Battani was disposing competitors, whether that be in the BWAC or major meets such as Davison, before succumbing to Vaske at Region 28.

Place	Grade	Name	Team	Notes
1	11	Tryce Tokar	Ovid-Elsie	Defending Champ with #4 ranked vault in Michigan
2	11	Chase Battani	Almont	3rd Place last year, only boy to defeat Tokar in 2024
3	12	Stepan Masserant	Ottawa Lake-Whiteford	9″ personal best to win Region 26
4	12	Nathan Vaske	Charyl Stockwell Academy	2′ improvement from last year
5	11	Damien McEntaffer	Manistee	Region 22 Champion
6	12	Jordan Nixon	Chesaning	First time in 14’s at Region 30
7	11	Ayden VanDusen	Kalamazoo Christian	Undefeated on the year, 4th in 2023
8	12	Jack Borgman	Laingsburg	2nd Place in 2023

DIVISION 3 GIRLS

Last Year: Ally Olszewski – 11’ 3

Olszewski graduates, Heidi Schulten takes her talents to Division 2, newer blood will emerge. An old name we’re used to, Natalee Hoyt, just won over in Region 30, defeating Addison Trierwiler who has been mightily steady this year. Homer’s Emma Wildt has not wilted to any competition. But the story of the year thus far has been Kelsey Saxton, who has been outside of the podium each of the past two years, but holds the highest vault of the year in the division.

Place	Grade	Name	Team	Notes
1	12	Kelsey Saxton	Kingsley	9″ improvement from 2023 and ranked #21 in the State
2	11	Emma Wildt	Homer	Undefeated on the year, 4th Place in 2023
3	12	Addison Trierwiler	Pewamo-Westphalia	7 10′ vaults this year
4	12	Natalee Hoyt	St. Louis	3rd Place in 2023, Region 30 Champion
5	11	Carly Sicilia	The Potter’s House	8th Place in 2023, Region 23 Champion
6	11	Megan Robertson	Lawton	Region 24 Champion with 9″ improvement from 2023
7	12	Josie Bauman	New Lothrop	Undefeated in May
8	10	Mattie LaFreniere	Manton	10th last year and hoping to get on the podium

DIVISION 4 BOYS

Last Year: Isaac Bowden – 13’ 0

Three seniors on a collision course. Two from Marlette, Tyler Izydorek and Logan Malloy, one from Montabella in Cooper Bolton. Each were in the top-five in 2023. Izydorek won in Region 38, Malloy hit a 14’ PB earlier in May, and Bolton has only one defeat on his season.

Place	Grade	Name	Team	Notes
1	12	Logan Malloy	Marlette	2nd Place last year, ranked #1 in D4
2	12	Cooper Bolton	Montabella	3rd Place last year, ranked #2 in D4
3	12	Tyler Izydorek	Marlette	Twice All-State in the Vault
4	9	Aaron Locke	Beal City	#12 freshman in Michigan
5	11	Teagan Williams	Pittsford	Went from 5th to Champ in Region 35.
6	12	Daniele Tomasi	Holton	Region 33 Champ.
7	12	Adam Townsend	Frankfort	Region 32 Champ.
8	12	Jack Lantz	New Buffalo	PR of 12′ hit to win Region 34.

DIVISION 4 GIRLS

Last Year: Rebecca Moeller – 10’ 6

The contenders come from all over: the Thumb to the Southwest to the Northwest to mid-Michigan. Rebecca Moeller is the defending champion, undefeated on the year. We were witness to a mini state preview at Bluejay, where Novella DeGraaf and Alayna Vandegriff went head to head, DeGraaf squeaking ahead. Payton Haynes is finding the form from late last year, where she grabbed 2^nd place.

Place	Grade	Name	Team	Notes
1	11	Rebecca Moeller	Deckerville	Defending champ and unbeaten this year
2	12	Alayna Vandegriff	Fowler	1.5 foot improvement from sophomore best
3	11	Payton Haynes	Mason County Eastern	2nd Place last year
4	9	Novella DeGraaf	Saugatuck	#3 freshman in Michigan
5	11	Aubree Moeller	Deckerville	6th Place last year
6	11	Chloe Fowler	Pittsford	9’6+ each of the last three meets
7	11	Madisyn Harrison	Marcellus	6th Place last year
8	10	Alexandra Findlay	Marlette	5th Place last year

UP DIVISION 1 BOYS

Last Year: Rayce Rizzo – 13’ 3

Rayce Rizzo is looking like a favorite to defend his title. He’s been unbeaten against Division 1 competition this year and is peaking at the right time, with multiple May vaults over 13’.

Place	Grade	Name	Team	Notes
1	12	Rayce Rizzo	Sault Ste. Marie	Defending champ and #1 ranked vaulter in the UP.
2	11	Drew Bradley	Marquette	6″ PR at Regionals
3	11	Micheal Cattoor	Marquette	12″ PR at Regionals
4	9	Andrew Karl	Gladstone	#13 freshman in Michigan
5	11	Wade Zadorecky	Houghton	4th last year
6	11	Ilya Velat	Houghton
7	10	Louis Salmi	Ishpeming Westwood
8	10	Gavin Comero	Ishpeming Westwood

UP DIVISION 1 GIRLS

Last Year: Lexi Olson – 11’ 0

The UP D1 Champion as a sophomore, Lexi Olson comes back to defend. She has the best vault north of the bridge, but could be challenged by Sophia Wagner, who has cleared 10’ on multiple occasions.

Place	Grade	Name	Team	Notes
1	11	Lexi Olson	Ishpeming Westwood	Defending Champ and ranked #1 in UP
2	12	Sophia Wagner	Escanaba	Over 10′ on four occasions this year
3	12	Valerie Royer	Escanaba	1′ season best at Regionals
4	12	Caitlyn Strom	Calumet
5	10	Nori Korsman	Negaunee
6	10	Kyra Carlson	Manistique
7	11	Lucy DeGroot	Gladstone
8	12	Kayleigh Carlson	Houghton

UP DIVISION 2 BOYS

Last Year: Owen Lester – 11’ 6

Owen Lester and Jax Lipnitz move to Division 3, Alec Arvon slots in as the highest returner. He’s gone 10’ this year, including a win in Region 43. After a year off from the vent, Jaydon Niemi-Alcorn has made great strides and freshman Rylee Harris has hung with the upperclassmen on the leaderboards.

Place	Grade	Name	Team	Notes
1	11	Jaydon Niemi-Alcorn	Rudyard	1′ higher than his freshman best
2	9	Rylee Harris	Gwinn	#2 freshman in the UP
3	12	Alec Arvon	Ishpeming	3rd last year
4	11	Tommy Storey	Pickford
5	9	Dane Schmitt	Bark River-Harris
6	11	Mitchell Martin	Ironwood

UP DIVISION 2 GIRLS

Last Year: Avery Visnaw – 8’ 6

St. Ignace’s move to Division 3 has left a void where only three girls qualified. Freshman Mira Johnson comes in with the best vault for Division 2 and tied for the best in her entire class.

Place	Grade	Name	Team	Notes
1	9	Mira Johnson	Bark River-Harris	Tied for the top-ranked freshman in the UP.
2	11	Hanna Vaughn	Ironwood	Went from 5th in Region 43 to this year’s winner.
3	11	Eiley Meske	West Iron County	First time qualifying in the pole vault.

UP DIVISION 3 BOYS

Last Year: Josiah Peramaki – 13’ 0

With 4 of the top 5 spots in 2023 occupied by seniors, a new set of vaulters will reach the podium. Of course, St. Ignace is bringing down Owen Lester, Division 2’s Champion. Clay Christoff has been consistent all spring, Gabriel Quevado has been adding height in quick succession.

Place	Grade	Name	Team	Notes
1	12	Owen Lester	St. Ignace	Defending Champion.
2	11	Clay Christoff	Rapid River	4th Place in 2022.
3	12	Jax Lipnitz	St. Ignace	Qualifier in the Discus and 200m as well.
4	11	Jacob Mohar	Newberry
5	11	Gabriel Quevedo	Forest Park	Rapidly improving, from 8’6 last year to 10′ now
6	9	Lane Olson	Rapid River
7	10	Howard Bliss	Newberry
8	8	Isaac Lambert	Holy Name	8th grader!

UP DIVISION 3 GIRLS

Last Year: Nora Keranen – 9’ 0

Nora Keranen defends against Abi Codere, who holds the highest vault in D3 and Avery Visnaw, who comes down from D2. Keranen has shown a tendency to rise to the occasion, as she vaulted much higher in last year’s finals than she had all season.

Place	Grade	Name	Team	Notes
1	10	Abi Codere	Lake Linden-Hubbell	2nd Place last year
2	10	Avery Visnaw	St. Ignace	Tied for #1 rank in the UP.
3	11	Nora Keranen	Dollar Bay	Defending Champion
4	12	Kayela Putnam	Stephenson	4th place last year.
5	10	Sixta Smart	Brimley	3rd place last year.
6	9	Elisa Delene	Baraga
7	9	Laila Bell	Dollar Bay
8	12	Alison Cece	St. Ignace	7th Place in Division 2 last year