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 hurdles is this:
- Consistency is huge, of course with the context of the competition and heights – emphasized a bit here
- Improvement throughout the year – emphasized a bit here
- Common competition
- Now I haven’t even hurdled a step in my life, but I gotta imagine in the crowded space of the high hurdles, keeping your form and poise is essential – emphasized the most here
- 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.
BOYS PROJECTED SCORES (THROUGH 7 EVENTS)
GIRLS PROJECTED SCORES (THROUGH 7 EVENTS)
DIVISION ONE BOYS
Last Year
110h – Braxton Brann, 13.77 (wind legal!)
300h – Kayenn Mabin, 38.31
The Belleville infusion, the rise of Zacchaeus Brocks, and the return of Brayden Kennedy. Kennedy was a force during his sophomore year, All-State in both hurdle events. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to be here for what would’ve been his junior version. But his senior version is here and primed to repeat the feats from two years ago. With the graduation of Brann and Mabin, a void was left that anyone could step into. Which is exactly what Zacchaeus did, dropping a second from his 110’s and a whopping 7+ seconds from his 300’s.
Oak Park and Pioneer’s girls have proved it over the years, if you want a direct path toward a state title, conquer the hurdles. And these Tigers boys + Coach Price have done their best to establish themselves as the best crew in the state. They’ve got three: Elijah Dotson, Schmar Gamble, and Will Jaiden Smith. The three can handle either event and also dabble in the sprints as well.
110h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 11 | Elijah Dotson | Belleville | 5th Place – 2023, State leader into a headwind |
| 2 | 10 | Zacchaeus Brocks | Detroit Catholic Central | 17th Place – 2023, Oakland County Champ |
| 3 | 10 | Schmar Gamble | Belleville | #5 in Michigan |
| 4 | 11 | Will Jaiden Smith | Belleville | #3 in Michigan |
| 5 | 11 | Michael Piggee Jr. | Muskegon | 10th Place – 2023, OK Green Champ |
| 6 | 11 | Michael Wilkerson | Rochester Adams | Region 8 Champ |
| 7 | 11 | Keaton Hendricks | Zeeland West | 13th Place – 2023 |
| 8 | 12 | Brayden Kennedy | Highland-Milford | 6th Place – 2022, LVC Champ |
300h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 11 | Will Jaiden Smith | Belleville | Region 5 Champ, #1 in Michigan |
| 2 | 12 | Leonardo Ignacio | Saline | SEC Champ |
| 3 | 12 | Brayden Kennedy | Highland-Milford | Lakes Valley Champ |
| 4 | 12 | Leonardo Peralta-Castro | Lincoln Park | 4.5 second improvement since junior year, #2 in Michigan |
| 5 | 10 | Zacchaeus Brocks | Detroit Catholic Central | Region 9 Champ |
| 6 | 10 | Schmar Gamble | Belleville | 5th Place – 2023 |
| 7 | 11 | Michael Wilkerson | Rochester Adams | Oakland County Champ |
| 8 | 11 | Elijah Dotson | Belleville | 4th Place – 2023, KLAA Champ |
DIVISION ONE GIRLS
Last Year
110h – Nonah Waldron, 13.56
300h – Nonah Waldron, 40.37
Nonah Waldron may have moved on, but what was left behind was a stable of great competitors. Just look at the names from last year’s finals – Morgan Roundtree, Maya Rollins, Carrie VanNoy, Lindsay Johnson, Lauren Bickerdt. And Renaissance, Cass, East Kentwood, Belleville, amongst many others, are adding more into the mix.
Roundtree is the main contender in each, former champ in the 300h, and unbeaten in all but one hurdle final this year. She hasn’t faced Johnson or Rollins yet this year. Rollins has put up remarkable times, the only girl to get into the 13’s yet this year in the 100’s. Johnson is slowly inching towards Roundtree in the 300’s. However it shakes out – Oak Park, Renaissance, and Cass Tech will all be putting up points in their quests towards trophies
100h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Maya Rollins | Ann Arbor Pioneer | 2nd Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024 |
| 2 | 12 | Morgan Roundtree | Oak Park | 3rd Place – 2023, 3x All-State |
| 3 | 12 | Lindsay Johnson | Detroit Cass Tech | 5th Place – 2023, Detroit PSL Champ |
| 4 | 11 | Carrie VanNoy | Oak Park | 4th Place – 2023, 2x All-State |
| 5 | 11 | Celeste Davis | Detroit Renaissance | #6 in Michigan |
| 6 | 11 | Lauren Bickerdt | Detroit Renaissance | 8th Place – 2023, #9 in Michigan |
| 7 | 10 | Laila Hawkins | Detroit Cass Tech | #1 sophomore in Michigan |
| 8 | 11 | Jada Wilson | Belleville | KLAA Champ |
300h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Morgan Roundtree | Oak Park | 2022 Champion, 3 top-3 State finishes |
| 2 | 12 | Lindsay Johnson | Detroit Cass Tech | 3rd Place – 2022 & 2023, Detroit PSL Champ |
| 3 | 11 | Lauren Bickerdt | Detroit Renaissance | 5th Place – 2023, 6th Place – 2022 |
| 4 | 12 | Ashley Krahe | Northville | 16th Place – 2023, KLAA & Region 6 Champ |
| 5 | 11 | Carrie VanNoy | Oak Park | 4th Place – 2023 |
| 6 | 10 | Alana Bracey | East Kentwood | 9th Place – 2023, OK Red Champ, #1 sophomore in Michigan |
| 7 | 12 | Kate Carter | Walled Lake Northern | Region 9 & LVC Champ |
| 8 | 12 | Lydia Michelin | Highland-Milford | 7th Place – 2023 |
DIVISION TWO BOYS
Last Year
110h – Tyler Baker, 14.63
300h – AJ Martel, 38.90
Just as Region 5 is the anchor point of D1’s Boys hurdles, that stretch from Lansing to Grand Rapids is hurdling heaven in D2. The two defending champs are from Mason, and Tyler Baker is back to play a prominent role, hoping to go back-to-back in the 110’s. He’s joined by another Bulldog standout, Cole Ries.
Heading west, you get Charlotte (Cutler Brandt quickly embracing the hurdles), Wayland Union (Austin Graham on a roll as good as any), and come across Catholic Central with another two-headed monster – Mill Coleman and Marcus Nystrom. Previous competitions from those in this area play a role in these predictions and definitely will be part of the story on Saturday.
110h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Mill Coleman | Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 9th Place – 2023, #8 in Michigan, Region 13 Champ |
| 2 | 12 | Tyler Baker | Mason | Defending Champ, CAAC Red & Region 15 Champ |
| 3 | 12 | Cole Ries | Mason | First season of high hurdlin’, #25 in Michigan |
| 4 | 11 | DJ White | Orchard Lake St. Mary’s | 2nd Place – 2023, Region 15 Champ |
| 5 | 12 | Austin Graham | Wayland Union | 11th Place – 2023, Region 12 Champ |
| 6 | 12 | Michael Armetta | Monroe Jefferson | Huron League & Region 16 Champ |
| 7 | 11 | Aydan Mccarey | Niles | 6th Place – 2023, Region 14 Champ |
| 8 | 12 | Daniel Romero | Fremont | 10th Place – 2023 |
300h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Mill Coleman | Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 9th Place – 2023, #8 in Michigan, Region 13 Champ |
| 2 | 12 | Tyler Baker | Mason | Defending Champ, CAAC Red & Region 15 Champ |
| 3 | 12 | Cole Ries | Mason | First season of high hurdlin’, #25 in Michigan |
| 4 | 11 | DJ White | Orchard Lake St. Mary’s | 2nd Place – 2023, Region 15 Champ |
| 5 | 12 | Austin Graham | Wayland Union | 11th Place – 2023, Region 12 Champ |
| 6 | 12 | Michael Armetta | Monroe Jefferson | Huron League & Region 16 Champ |
| 7 | 11 | Aydan Mccarey | Niles | 6th Place – 2023, Region 14 Champ |
| 8 | 12 | Daniel Romero | Fremont | 10th Place – 2023 |
DIVISION TWO GIRLS
Last Year
110h – Ella Jenkins, 14.64
300h – Annabelle Densmore, 45.06
The young blood is taking over. Freshwomen and sophomores abound in these hurdle lists. Sadie Dykstra, hailing from the Blue Water Area, comes into the State Finals unscathed. 9th graders Macy Subka and Davea Crowe are among the freshwomen 300 hurdlers in Michigan. Then of course, you have old heads such as Leila Wells, hoping to recapture the magic of ’22 or Kam Moored, hoping to make the most of her first individual qualifier.
100h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 10 | Zion Ellis | Berrien Springs | 9th Place – 2023, Region 14 Champ |
| 2 | 11 | Brooklyn Harmon | Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg | OK Gold & Region 13 Champ |
| 3 | 10 | Jayden VandenAkker | Allegan | SAC Champion, #5 sophomore in Michigan |
| 4 | 10 | Sadie Dykstra | Yale | 5th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024 |
| 5 | 12 | Leila Wells | Chelsea | 2022 Champion, Region 16 & SEC White Champ |
| 6 | 11 | Keirra Taube | Yale | Nearly 2 sec. improvement from sophomore year |
| 7 | 12 | Mallory Huttenga | Grand Rapids South Christian | 13th Place – 2023 |
| 8 | 11 | Lynzi Evans | Cranbrook-Kingswood | 7th Place – 2023, CHSL AA Champ |
300h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 10 | Sadie Dykstra | Yale | 6th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024 |
| 2 | 11 | Brooklyn Harmon | Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg | OK Gold & Region 13 Champ |
| 3 | 10 | Gabrielle Hufnagel | Owosso | Region 20 Champ |
| 4 | 12 | Kambria Moored | Hopkins | Region 12 & OK Silver Champ |
| 5 | 9 | Macy Subka | Spring Lake | #3 freshman in Michigan |
| 6 | 10 | Jayden VandenAkker | Allegan | 10th Place – 2023, SAC & Region 14 Champ |
| 7 | 9 | Davea Crowe | Pinckney | SEC White & Region 17 Champ, #2 freshman in Michigan |
| 8 | 11 | Abby Lambers | Hudsonville Unity Christian | Nearly 3 sec. improvement from sophomore year, OK Blue Champ |
DIVISION THREE BOYS
Last Year
110h – Holden Van Poppel, 14.48
300h – Torren Mapes, 40.01
Holden Van Poppel returns to defend his crown and the 300’s are wide open between returners and newcomers. Van Poppel has a bit less on his resume compared to this point in 2023. But you wonder if that’s intentional, because when it’s mattered, he’s won, and won quickly.
I like the confluence of returners (Elijah Dyer), freshmen (Brandon Commet), and then the unbeaten folks such as Matthew Johnston and Max Ward. Unlike Divisions 1 & 2, many of these kids are coming from different areas, it will be interesting to see how they embrace a field full of competition.
110h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 11 | Max Ward | Elk Rapids | 11th Place – 2023, Region 21 Champ |
| 2 | 11 | Caleb Walker | Chesaning | Region 30 Champ |
| 3 | 12 | Holden van Poppel | Napoleon | Defending Champ, Region 25 & Cascades Champ |
| 4 | 12 | Rhys Bedford | Delton-Kellogg | 24th Place – 2023, SAC Champ |
| 5 | 9 | Brandon Commet | Ida | #1 freshman in Michigan |
| 6 | 11 | Grant Wheaton | Lakeview | 10th Place – 2023, Region 23 Champ |
| 7 | 10 | Drew Enright | Schoolcraft | Region 24 Champ |
| 8 | 12 | Elijah Dyer | Springport | 21st Place – 2023 |
300h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 11 | Max Ward | Elk Rapids | 11th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024 |
| 2 | 12 | Elijah Dyer | Springport | 3rd Place – 2023, Region 25 Champ |
| 3 | 12 | Matthew Johnston | Hemlock | 9th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024 |
| 4 | 11 | Aden Nystrom | Olivet | 3.5 second improvement from sophomore year, #54 in Michigan |
| 5 | 11 | Rushawn James | Constantine | 2+ second improvement from sophomore year, #46 in Michigan |
| 6 | 9 | Brandon Commet | Ida | #1 freshman in Michigan |
| 7 | 11 | Grant Wheaton | Lakeview | 12th Place – 2023, Region 23 Champ |
| 8 | 10 | Jacob Hart | McBain | Highland Conference, Region 21 Champ |
DIVISION THREE GIRLS
Last Year
110h – Destiny McDaniels, 15.28
300h – Emily Peters, 46.09
Last spring, I recall remarking or pondering the magnificent youth of this D3 hurdle group. Look at them again. I know the top-8 predictions don’t represent the whole state, but in a hypothetical world where these are completely correct, every single one of them is coming back next year.
But for now, we’re in 2024 and Emily Peters has a title to defend, Beth Sweeney is gunning for her in the 300’s while hoping to hold down the 100’s, and many of the top 300 girls have dropped significant time this season.
100h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 11 | Beth Sweeney | Erie Mason | Region 26 Champ |
| 2 | 11 | Sadie Larson | Lake City | 8th Place – 2023, Region 22 Champ |
| 3 | 9 | Elli VanDusen | Kalamazoo Christian | #1 freshman in Michigan |
| 4 | 11 | Sophia Orton | Schoolcraft | 17th Place – 2023, Region 24 Champ |
| 5 | 11 | Norah Galton | Kingsley | NWC Champ |
| 6 | 11 | Nevada Gillons | Union City | 10th Place – 2023, Big 8 Champ |
| 7 | 10 | Brookelyn Parker | Quincy | Region 25 Champ |
| 8 | 11 | Hannah Abbott | Remus Chippewa Hills | 13th Place – 2023, CSAA Champ |
300h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 10 | Emily Peters | Olivet | Defending Champ, Unbeaten in 2024 |
| 2 | 11 | Beth Sweeney | Erie Mason | 11th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in May |
| 3 | 11 | Norah Galton | Kingsley | 3+ sec. improvement from sophomore year, NWC & Region 22 Champ |
| 4 | 11 | Nevada Gillons | Union City | 3+ sec. improvement from sophomore year, Big 8 Champ |
| 5 | 10 | Brookelyn Parker | Quincy | Nearly 4 sec. improvement from freshman year, Region 25 Champ |
| 6 | 11 | Hannah Abbott | Remus Chippewa Hills | 9th Place – 2023, CSAA Champ |
| 7 | 10 | Julia Hughes | Ida | 2nd Place – 2023, LCAA Champ |
| 8 | 10 | Mya Viegelahn | Grass Lake | 1.5 sec. improvement from freshman year and 1st qualifier in the hurdles |
DIVISION FOUR BOYS
Last Year
110h – Tayshawn Bester, 15.13
300h – Landon Bennett, 39.85
The age old battle of time vs. competition. Brady Feldpausch owns the best times in the Division, but Tayshawn Bester and Landon Bennett got crowns to defend.
110h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Tayshawn Bester | Reading | Defending Champion, Region 35 Champ |
| 2 | 11 | Brady Feldpausch | Fowler | 2nd Place – 2023, Region 37 Champ |
| 3 | 12 | Daniele Tomasi | Holton | Region 33 Champ |
| 4 | 12 | Landon Bennett | Athens | 3rd Place – 2023, Team State Winner |
| 5 | 11 | Jordan Pisco | White Pigeon | Region 34 Champ |
| 6 | 11 | Logan Smith | Morrice | 5th Place – 2023 |
| 7 | 12 | Michael Ross | Riverview Gabriel Richard | Region 40 Champ |
| 8 | 12 | Kaden Bruce | Kingston | Region 38 Champ |
300h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 11 | Brady Feldpausch | Fowler | 2nd Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024 |
| 2 | 10 | Dawson Scharer | Hillsdale Academy | Defending Champion, Region 35 Champ |
| 3 | 12 | Landon Bennett | Athens | #2 in Division 4, Team State Winner |
| 4 | 12 | Jadin Mix | Onaway | 10th Place – 2023, Region 31 Champ |
| 5 | 12 | Jack Lantz | New Buffalo | Region 34 Champ |
| 6 | 11 | Kris Vigars | Riverview Gabriel Richard | 14th Place – 2023, Region 40 Champ |
| 7 | 12 | Kaden Bruce | Kingston | 12th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in May |
| 8 | 11 | Alex Richards | Hillsdale Academy | Nearly 3 second improvement from sophomore year |
DIVISION FOUR GIRLS
Last Year
110h – Molly Brown, 15.01
300h – Anna Plum, 46.01
The powers of experience and the inexperienced who may not know any better. Upperclasswomen standouts such as Molly Brown, Mazie Robison, Sophia Schrauben have all been on this stage and have done very well. Someone such as Ava Mustapha is new to this whole thang and is picking it up quite quickly. Over half of her hurdle races have been wins and she’s raced to the fastest 300 time in D4.
100h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 11 | Molly Brown | Addison | Defending Champion, Region 35 & Cascades Conference Champ |
| 2 | 11 | Ava Mustapha | Lansing Christian | CMAC Champ |
| 3 | 12 | Sophia Schrauben | Portland St. Patrick | 4th Place – 2023, Region 36 Champ |
| 4 | 11 | Mazie Robison | Saugatuck | 2nd Place – 2023 (D3), Region 34 Champ |
| 5 | 12 | Leah Rorick | Morenci | 5th Place – 2023, TCC Champ |
| 6 | 9 | Novella DeGraaf | Saugatuck | #5 freshman in Michigan |
| 7 | 12 | Abby Kissling | Brethren | Region 33 Champ |
| 8 | 9 | Lucy Cote | Hillsdale Academy | SCAA Champ, #8 freshman in Michigan |
300h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 11 | Ava Mustapha | Lansing Christian | CMAC & Region 36 Champ |
| 2 | 10 | Paige Thelen | Fowler | 7th Place – 2023, Region 37 Champ |
| 3 | 11 | Tamerah Peterson | Parkway Christian | 13th Place – 2023, 2nd Place – Macomb County |
| 4 | 11 | Molly Brown | Addison | 2nd Place – 2023, Region 35 & Cascades Conference Champ |
| 5 | 12 | Sophia Schrauben | Portland St. Patrick | 4th Place – 2023 |
| 6 | 11 | Rebecca Moeller | Deckerville | 11th Place – 2023, Region 38 Champ |
| 7 | 11 | Ava Mallar | Pittsford | 3rd Place – 2023, SCAA Champ |
| 8 | 12 | Abby Kissling | Brethren | 20th Place – 2023, Region 33 Champ |
UP DIVISION ONE BOYS
Last Year
110h – Will Fairchild, 15.60
300h – Will Fairchild, 41.88
Will Fairchild moves on and this brings about a massive matchup: Luke Bracket vs. Brody Mattila. In 2023, each finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in the two hurdle events. For the 110’s, they’re both unbeaten in 2024. Mattila hasn’t been touched in the longer race, though Brady Mager put a definite scare into him at Region 42.
110h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Luke Bracket | Gladstone | 2nd Place – 2023, Undefeated in 2024 |
| 2 | 12 | Brody Mattila | Houghton | 3rd Place – 2023, Undefeated in 2024 |
| 3 | 11 | Brady Mager | Negaunee | Marquette County Champ |
| 4 | 10 | Sid Olson | Kingsford | #11 in the UP |
| 5 | 9 | Kyle Waterman | Negaunee | #2 freshman in the UP |
| 6 | 12 | Carsyn Hinkson | Manistique | #14 in the UP |
| 7 | 11 | Seamus Waite | Marquette | #10 in the UP |
| 8 | 10 | Isaac Niebuhr | Sault Ste. Marie | 7th Place – 2023 |
300h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Brody Mattila | Houghton | 3rd Place – 2023, Undefeated in 2024 |
| 2 | 11 | Brady Mager | Negaunee | 6th Place – 2023, Marquette County Champ |
| 3 | 12 | Luke Bracket | Gladstone | 2nd Place – 2023, Region 41 Champ |
| 4 | 10 | Ford Richardson | Marquette | #8 in the UP |
| 5 | 12 | Carsyn Hinkson | Manistique | 3+ second improvement since junior year |
| 6 | 10 | Sid Olson | Kingsford | 2+ second improvement since junior year |
| 7 | 9 | Kyle Waterman | Negaunee | #1 freshman in the UP |
| 8 | 10 | Oliver Kudej | Marquette | 4+ second improvement since junior year |
UP DIVISION ONE GIRLS
Last Year
110h – Danica Ryyanen, 16.80
300h – Madison Pekrul, 48.95
Two freshwomen have taken the Upper Peninsula by force – Sadie Rogers and Ahnaka Oshelski. Being from the Soo and past Marquette, the two haven’t faced each other. They’ll likely compete for the two hurdle thrones, but I bet defending 300h champion Madison Pekrul has something to say about that, as she did to secure the win at Region 41.
100h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 9 | Sadie Rogers | Negaunee | Unbeaten in 2024, #1 freshman in UP |
| 2 | 9 | Ahnaka Oshelski | Sault Ste. Marie | Region 41 & Straits Area Conference Champ, #2 freshman in UP |
| 3 | 11 | Madison Pekrul | Negaunee | 2nd Place – 2023 |
| 4 | 10 | Ava Stalboerger | Escanaba | GNC Conference Champ |
| 5 | 10 | Camryn Pertile | Houghton | 7th Place – 2023 |
| 6 | 11 | Annabelle Fazzari | Sault Ste. Marie | 2nd Place – 2022 |
| 7 | 11 | Kristy Karl | Gladstone | 6th Place – 2023 |
| 8 | 11 | Chloe Serafin | Houghton | 4th Place – 2023 |
300h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 9 | Ahnaka Oshelski | Sault Ste. Marie | Region 41 & Straits Area Conference Champ, #1 freshman in UP |
| 2 | 9 | Sadie Rogers | Negaunee | WestPAC Conference Champ, #2 freshman in UP |
| 3 | 11 | Madison Pekrul | Negaunee | Defending Champion, Region 42 Champ |
| 4 | 11 | Maggie Martin | Escanaba | GNC Conference Champ |
| 5 | 10 | Ava Stalboerger | Escanaba | #4 sophomore in UP |
| 6 | 9 | Chloe Jackson | Marquette | #3 freshman in UP |
| 7 | 11 | Chloe Serafin | Houghton | 5th Place – 2023 |
| 8 | 10 | Josie Mechling | Negaunee | 8th Place – 2023 |
UP DIVISION TWO BOYS
Last Year
110h – David Kozisek, 15.40
300h – David Kozisek, 41.39
We really missed out on some great hurdle matchups at Munising’s home invite. Time-wise, the Mustangs’ Joe Kelley has been one of the better hurdlers of the year. He’s only been bested once – by top freshman Gionni McDonough. We’ll see in a few days how he stacks up against Tramon Gauthier.
110h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Tramon Gauthier | Ishpeming | 7th Place – 2023, Region 43 Champ |
| 2 | 12 | Joe Kelley | Munising | 7th Place (D3) – 2023, Region 44 Champ |
| 3 | 9 | Gionni McDonough | Bark River-Harris | #1 freshman in the UP |
| 4 | 11 | Tommy Storey | Pickford | Over a second improvement from sophomore year |
| 5 | 10 | John Anderson | Pickford | EUP Conference Champion |
| 6 | 10 | Talon Hughes | Ironwood | 8th Place – 2023 |
| 7 | 12 | Alec Arvon | Ishpeming | 6th Place – 2023 |
| 8 | 10 | Logan Holm | Ironwood | 2.3 second improvement from freshman year |
300h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Joe Kelley | Munising | Unbeaten in 2024 |
| 2 | 12 | Tramon Gauthier | Ishpeming | 4th Place – 2023, Region 43 Champ |
| 3 | 11 | Tommy Storey | Pickford | EUP Conference Champion |
| 4 | 10 | John Anderson | Pickford | #13 in the UP |
| 5 | 12 | Alec Arvon | Ishpeming | 8th Place – 2023 |
| 6 | 10 | Oliver Brzuchalski | Pickford | 3+ second improvement from freshman year |
| 7 | 10 | Logan Holm | Ironwood | #29 in the UP |
| 8 | 10 | Talon Hughes | Ironwood | #51 in the UP |
UP DIVISION TWO GIRLS
Last Year
110h – Lena Pleaugh, 16.72
300h – Lena Pleaugh, 49.79
After Lena Pleaugh doubled up in ’23, can Lauren Zawada do the same? Girl does hold the top times in each race. And can another Zawada join her to go 1-2 in the 300’s?
100h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Lauren Zawada | Bark River-Harris | Region 44 Champ |
| 2 | 11 | Dayne Behning | Munising | 5th Place (D3) – 2023 |
| 3 | 11 | Addison Pizzi | Hancock | 5th Place – 2023, Region 43 Champ |
| 4 | 12 | Seanna Stine | West Iron County | 4th Place – 2023 |
| 5 | 11 | Rowyn Fiszer | West Iron County | 6th Place – 2023 |
| 6 | 9 | Evelyn Nicholas | Ishpeming | #15 freshman in UP |
| 7 | 9 | Sophia Redlon | Gwinn | |
| 8 | 10 | Hailey Ketola | Gwinn |
300h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Lauren Zawada | Bark River-Harris | 2nd Place – 2023, Region 44 Champ |
| 2 | 9 | Emma Zawada | Bark River-Harris | #5 freshman in UP |
| 3 | 11 | Dayne Behning | Munising | 5th Place (D3) – 2023 |
| 4 | 12 | Seanna Stine | West Iron County | 3rd Place – 2023 |
| 5 | 9 | Laynie Korpi | Ishpeming | Region 43 Champ |
| 6 | 9 | Zahra Wicks | Iron Mountain | |
| 7 | 11 | Rowyn Fiszer | West Iron County | |
| 8 | 9 | Evelyn Nicholas | Ishpeming |
UP DIVISION THREE BOYS
Last Year
110h – Samuel McKissack, 16.71
300h – Chris Hopson, 45.21
Can anyone match Jonathan Ingalls? The St. Ignace Saint is unbeaten against D3 competition and it hasn’t been very close either. If anyone, it could be defending champ Chris Hopson in the 300’s, who last year ran a personal best to capture the crown. Or perhaps one of the Upper Peninsula’s top freshmen?
110h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Jonathan Ingalls | St. Ignace | 2nd Place (D2) – 2023, Region 45 Champ |
| 2 | 10 | Greg Taylor | Rapid River | Region 46 Champ |
| 3 | 12 | Elijah Parker | Engadine | First season competing in the high hurdles |
| 4 | 12 | Gabe Popko | Lake Linden-Hubbell | 5th Place – 2023, Region 47 Champ |
| 5 | 10 | Asher Priebe | Stephenson | #27 in the UP |
| 6 | 11 | Miles Lindholm | North Dickinson County | 10th Place – 2023, Region 48 Champ |
| 7 | 12 | Achilles Suri | Bessemer | 6th Place – 2023 |
| 8 | 9 | Connor Kemppainen | L’Anse | #4 freshman in the UP |
300h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Jonathan Ingalls | St. Ignace | 2nd Place (D2) – 2023, Region 45 Champ |
| 2 | 12 | Liam Rao | Newberry | 4th Place (D2) – 2022 |
| 3 | 9 | Connor Kemppainen | L’Anse | #3 freshman in the UP |
| 4 | 9 | Lukas Axford | Lake Linden-Hubbell | #4 freshman in the UP |
| 5 | 11 | Kaiden Gariepy | Lake Linden-Hubbell | Nearly 4 second improvement from sophomore year |
| 6 | 11 | Chris Hopson | Newberry | Defending Champion |
| 7 | 10 | Leonard Huffman | St. Ignace | First year running the 300’s |
| 8 | 9 | Dietrich Rasner | Forest Park | Region 48 Champ, #6 freshman in the UP |
UP DIVISION THREE GIRLS
Last Year
110h – Abi Codere, 16.72
300h – Emily Jokela, 45.63
Can Emily Jokela keep the streak going? Twenty-one straight at this point and at this point in the season, the most impressive hurdle mark of any girl from our more scenic peninsula.
100h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 10 | Ava Fischer | Forest Park | Region 48 Champ, #1 in UP |
| 2 | 12 | Autumn Tremblay | Brimley | Unbeaten in 2024 |
| 3 | 10 | Avery Visnaw | St. Ignace | 2nd Place (D2) – 2023 |
| 4 | 9 | Ava Elliott | Brimley | #3 freshman in UP |
| 5 | 11 | Claire Oven | Engadine | Region 46 Champ |
| 6 | 10 | Cleo Milkey | Lake Linden-Hubbell | 9th Place – 2023 |
| 7 | 8 | Addy Otradovec | Powers North Central | |
| 8 | 12 | Ellie Delene | Baraga | 10th Place – 2023 |
300h
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 11 | Emily Jokela | Lake Linden-Hubbell | 21 consecutive 300 hurdle victories, including 2 State Titles |
| 2 | 10 | Ava Fischer | Forest Park | 4th Place – 2023, Region 48 Champ |
| 3 | 10 | Avery Visnaw | St. Ignace | 5th Place (D2) – 2023 |
| 4 | 12 | Autumn Tremblay | Brimley | EUP Conference & Region 45 Champ |
| 5 | 9 | Laila Bell | Dollar Bay | #3 freshman in UP |
| 6 | 11 | Claire Oven | Engadine | 6th Place – 2023 |
| 7 | 10 | Aubrey Applekamp | North Dickinson County | |
| 8 | 12 | Grace VanWormer | Big Bay de Noc |
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 