Top Tens: Division 1 Girls

11 to 27

Rank	Team	Score
11	Oxford	538
12	Utica	579
13	Midland Dow	599
14	Rochester	632
15	Dexter	677
16	Fraser	689
17	Ann Arbor Pioneer	726
18	Forest Hills Central	764
19	Bay City Western	782
20	White Lake Lakeland	786
21	Walled Lake Northern	827
22	Ann Arbor Skyline	853
23	Farmington	859
24	Hudsonville	884
25	Brownstown Woodhaven	930
26	Byron Center	953
27	Jenison	1003

Overall Landscape

Rank	Team	2023 State Place	Scoring Returners	Varsity Returners
1	Romeo	State Champion	5 of 5	6 of 7
2	Holland West Ottawa	3rd	5 of 5	7 of 7
3	Saline	5th	3 of 5	5 of 7
4	Rockford	16th	4 of 5	6 of 7
5	Grand Haven	7th	4 of 5	5 of 7
6	Traverse City West	10th	4 of 5	6 of 7
7	Hartland	DNQ	7 of 7	7 of 7
8	Brighton	4th	3 of 5	4 of 7
9	Northville	6th	4 of 5	6 of 7
10	Portage Central	28th	3 of 5	5 of 7

I wanted to change things up a bit regarding the Top Ten Teams. Over the past two summers, this has been a solid feature in the hype department, giving highlight to many kids on superb teams. One aspect I’ve felt that I’ve lacked is explaining how each team relates in comparison to others. I’ll attempt to do that here!

Included features are:

Strengths – characteristics making that team a contender.
Question Marks – any person or team that I write about here, I’m 100% confident you’ll shore up this “weaker” spot by year’s end. But this is a section that’ll look into why a team could be beat.
Looking Ahead – how the team might fare in their championship meets (conference, county, regional, state)

#1 Romeo

Strengths

Five girls that broke 11:00 for the 3200m in track. Six girls that were under 5:20 in the 1600m. Six girls that were sub-19 last year. And championship experience, knowing that performing adequately at MIS is in the cards, the Bulldogs placing 2^nd in 2022 and winning last year.

Question Marks

Will there be any contribution beyond those six? Yes, five are needed to score and six give insurance in case of an injury. One more in addition could be a dose of added security. Reese Rosbolt might not be on the level of the top-six, but she’s on her path there. 5:40/12:10 in track for the now sophomore.

Looking Ahead

I believe you have to go back to 2015 to find the last Romeo team that didn’t win the Macomb County crown. The Bulldogs look to make it 9 straight Macomb titles as they ramp it up for a run at another state title. Region 9 should be a nice, stress-free tune-up as well.

#2 Holland West Ottawa

Strengths

Strength at every single spot, going all the way to seven. The Panthers are so deep that a girl like Jane Olney, who placed 40^th at State last year, might not even be a scorer. That’s fine, she or any other of these talented girls could push any other team’s scorers back. As always, depends on the course, but I could see a fast day where WO puts seven girls under 19:00. Also, copy that sentence about Romeo’s championship experience. 3^rd last year, winners in ’22, 2^nd in 2021, the Barnes duo knows how to get these girls ready.

Question Marks

It’s tough when comparing to Romeo. A strength compared to other teams in the division appears as a weakness when looking to the Bulldogs. A tiny area where the Panthers could move up is finding a girl to rein in the gap between Helen Sachs and the rest of their pack. Ava Porras had some off races last year, but when she was on, she was able to run in the low-18’s.

Looking Ahead

Excited to see the Panthers head down to Indiana to compete at FlashRock. Last year’s race was won by Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran (Zach Panning’s alma mater), their top-five averaging 18:34. Racing against the non-typical teams can help a team find a new racing level. And road trips are always fun. Of course, the Panthers are favorites in the OK Red and Region 1.

#3 Saline

Strengths

Depth, depth, and more depth. One of the better middle school programs in the State makes sure the Hornets are well-stocked with talent. And the high school program, close-knit, keeps them all available when needed. Last fall, Saline placed 12 girls under 21:00, with only three as seniors. Add in a few talented freshmen and the pot stays full.

Question Marks

Can the freshmen girls adjust to the high school level? One early point of comparison is their 3 Mile Time Trial. If the a.net list is accurate, both girls (Staton and Jones) placed in the top-20 of Saline girls who’ve competed at it over the years.

Looking Ahead

The SEC just means more and winning that league may spur the Hornets to a podium spot. Pioneer graduated a ton (and Ann Arbor middle schools aren’t on a.net, impossible to figure out who they’re adding), a great opportunity for these Hornets to stake their claim in the league. And perhaps Region 5, where Saline seems to be the favorite.

#4 Rockford

Strengths

Depth going seven deep. If I had released this three days prior, I’d had said six deep. The transfer of Morgan Sanders from Cedar Springs adds a freshman who’s already run in the low-20’s. Coming into the season, I had Natalie Lewis as the Rams’ 6^th girl. She just dropped 20 seconds from her previous PC Early Bird best, running 19:58.

Question Marks

How can the Rams handle the big stage? Last year’s team spent the season ranked between 11^th and 14^th, placed 3^rd in the Region and OK Red, then 16^th at State. A solid season, one that many teams would gladly accept. Early returns from Portage say they’ll be fine, championship season is another animal.

Looking Ahead

We already received a bit of a gift from the Ram win at Portage Central. Wait until September 10^th in the first OK Red Jamboree and they face off against West Ottawa. It’ll be the first of a season full of big-time matchups, culminating in the OK Red, Region 1, and hopefully, MIS.

#5 Grand Haven

Strengths

Solid all the way through four. Valerie Beeck is a known quantity (but judging by the PC Early Bird, perhaps she’s moved up a bit?). Abi Albright closed her junior year with sub-20’s in her final five races. I really loved the way Addy Smith ended things as well, continually reaching lower and lower, culminating in a 18:34 at MITCA.

Question Marks

What can go down beyond the established four? At Portage Central, there was an 80 sec. gap between the Bucs’ 4^th and 5^th girls. But I’ll expect that either of the Frendts will have more in the tank, each getting into the 20’s last year.

Looking Ahead

The above Rockford laid down a great hand on Friday. West Ottawa we know will be there. Both Region 1 and the OK Red will leave these girls callused, yet stronger.

#6 Traverse City West

Strengths

Scoring possibilities from all of their top seven. Last fall, the Titans had eight girls run under 20 minutes for the 5k. Their ninth girl was slightly above that mark at 20:09. They graduate exactly one girl from that top nine. The Green n’ Gold also add a Leighton Basile who ran in the 12’s and in the top-10 in every one of her 8^th grade races.

Question Marks

The Titans will be able to push many other scorers in the middle of packs, but in large invites, will be scoring sums of points through all five spots. Can any of the girls sit up there in the front of major packs? Abby Veit and Tessa Mascari look to be getting there. Veit showed range in track, spitting out a 2:19 and 11:36. Mascari mastered the 1600m, dealing a 5:20 as a freshman. And both were first in the TC Time Trial.

Looking Ahead

The Big North is there for the taking once again, the Titans going for a three peat. Unfortunate circumstances led to TCW not winning Region 2 last year. Early looks point to another close competition and TCW coming out ahead. We’ll see!

#7 Hartland

Strengths

Possibilities of greatness. I’m sure I’ve said this in other Top Tens, here you go again. Freshman have a higher chance of exceeding expectations or falling below them. The Ore Creek MS girls dominated both Zone 4 and the KLAA last year, now a few of them are up here running for the Eagles.

Question Marks

Can the youth handle the grind of an entire season? The KLAA is no joke. The Eagles’ projected top seven has two girls in 11^th grade or above.

Looking Ahead

Being a little farther up the road north, Hartland will travel to Greater Flint. A rare cross-division intriguing matchup! Goodrich is the type of D2 team that could compete in D1, and those Martians will be a good measuring stick for Hartland.

#8 Brighton

Strengths

Two girls in the 50 Tickets (Lydia LaMarra and Elle Bissett) means that the Bulldogs will be right up there with the state’s best through two.

Question Marks

What can be done about the gap between the above two and the rest of the Brighton girls? One positive aspect of this great program is their numbers. Year after year, one of the bigger teams in Michigan. There is much to draw on. Projected summer numbers have at least a minute gap between LaMarra and the rest. Maizie Cavanaugh would be a great candidate of cutting into that distance, having shown significant improvement in the spring, her 5:20 1600m was almost a 20 sec. time drop from 2023.

Looking Ahead

Do you ever wish there was a Livingston County meet? Or an Ann Arbor area championship? I feel those would be intriguing meets that build up to State. Anyhow, Region 4 will serve as a combo of both, pulling in Dexter, Skyline, Hartland, and other teams. The Bulldogs are predicted to be underdogs to Hartland. We’ll find out if that’s true in a tri on October 8^th.

#9 Northville

Strengths

A solid top-two. Cassie Garcia will of course, likely hold down the top spot. Colette Lozo comes of a freshman year where she broke 19:00 late, then turning in a track season where she qualified for State in the 800m.

Question Marks

The 4^th and 5^th spots. In a run of the mill league, the Mustangs would probably skate by. In the ultra-tough KLAA, those back end spots could be significant. Will be a major help if two girls can step up and consistently hit in the mid-19’s. Late last fall, Rosie Gregory, Annabelle Beloiu, and Mia Carson all proved they’re capable.

Looking Ahead

Two early tri’s will give us an ability to discern this Northville team’s ability. First on Sept. 10^th with Canton and Brighton, then the following week against Plymouth and Hartland. Does that accurately predict October and November? Perhaps yes, perhaps not, but will go a way towards winning the conference. Region 6 isn’t that KLAA-centric and appears to be a Northville win.

#10 Portage Central

Strengths

Oodles of young talent. Avery Scott, Gracie Carlisle, Julia Welc. Scott in particular could have an impact on the entire state. She only had one loss all year (Portage) and even moved up to the 5k at Region 3’s PROM. 18:49 on middle school training, can’t wait to see what she’s got when she gets to the big leagues.

Question Marks

The same as the young teams listed above. Racing from August 16^th to November 2^nd adds up, 11+ weeks of stress on the body. With potentially a majority of the Mustang lineup as freshmen or sophomores, they’ll have to be judicious on when to go to the well. Luckily, these girls are blessed with some experienced coaches that can impart wisdom along the way.

Looking Ahead

One hidden benefit of the Mustang schedule. Portage at home (obvs.), SMAC at home, Region 3 at home. Familiarity will be present during the key part of the year. The kids are favorites in Region 3 and the SMAC, large invites through the year should tell us how they compare to the rest of the state.