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2025 Finals Previews & Predictions: Division 2

STATE RECORDS

Boys Pole Vault – 16’ 9.5”

Girls 100m & 200m – 11.37 & 23.01

I wouldn’t say either of these records will be stressed on Saturday, but I’d watch out for a few years down the line. Ben Goran is currently the #5 freshman vaulter in the nation and holds the Michigan freshman record. Only a sophomore, Aubrey Wilson has multiple sub-12’s and low-24’s to her resume. If Courageous Invite had used a wind gauge, she may have set the sophomore class record.

Ben Goran has soared to immaculate heights as a freshman

STATE MEET RECORDS

Lightly Stressed

Girls 1600m – 4:49.55

I probably could’ve moved this to the feelin’ pressure category, as Emma Hoffman’s trajectory continues to be on the rise. A 4:52 at Distance Night puts her in range of this mark.

Girls Long Jump – 18’ 10.25”

It’s been two consecutive years in the 18’s for Lakeshore sophomore Leigha Whitman. A late-season surge has gotten her here this time around, recently clearing the 18’ barrier in a win at Team State.

Feeling Pressure

Girls 300h – 42.82

A record within reach as she’s already hit the mark (42.06 at Alma), but also right after Sydney Kuhn’s 400m.

Boys 1600m – 4:09.45

Boys 3200m – 8:55.57

The D2 boys are so clustered at the top and the temperatures look fairly ideal for distance running (with a steady wind, however). Jack Bidwell is probably the favorite in these events, but accomplished runners such as Henry Dixon, Colin Murray, Jonah Workman, and Edison Lopeman will make Bidwell work for it. All have been known to step up to the occasion and a few have devastating finishes, so maybe a daring competitor will try to push early and negate the finishing speed.

Under Duress

Girls 100m – 11.84

As mentioned, Aubrey Wilson has been under this mark already this year. Then one must also take into account Daelyn Jones, pressing to pull an upset and Keyanna O’Tey, the Sturgis Trojan who actually holds the dang record.

Girls 200m – 24.55

O’Tey nearly missed out on this mark two years ago. Aubrey Wilson has been well under. Sydney Kuhn will be warmed up from the endless amount of races on her schedule. And Daelyn Jones is in a similar spot to where O’Tey was as a sophomore.

Girls 400m – 54.58

The Barnyard Invite was not ideal this year. A slow-moving storm, chances of a canceled meet, delayed warmup, rain, cool. All that working against Sydney Kuhn, who after all that, dropped a 53.90. As this will be her first race of the day, I expect that fresh legs will give this a real challenge.

Girls 800m – 2:09.92

Set last year by Goodrich’s Layla Jordan. I’m pleased to report that Jordan is back to defend her crown. She hasn’t raced as fast as that mark, but she’s a second faster than she was at this time last year before the State Finals.

Girls 3200m – 10:37.28

Ava Schafer was close last year, the then freshman running a 10:39. She has strong internal confidence, supported by her XC title and career of coming through when peaking. Both Katie Berkshire and Emma Hoffman have been under the mark, Hoffman a good 20 seconds under with her 10:17 at Distance Night.

Girls 4×4 – 3:56.07

Saginaw Swan Valley and Dearborn Divine Child have both hit 3:56 over the course of the season. Both of those performances were clear of their competitors by over 8 seconds, so I’m sure that both squads have an extra level to reach. I’m not sure how the teams will set their lineups, but perhaps Kuhn vs. Wilson to end the day?

Girls Pole Vault – 12’ 7”

A speedier and injury-free Evie Mathis is having the season she’s dreamed of. She’s cleared her freshman best of 12’0, gaining 6” on that in a conference meet earlier this month. What’s another inch?

Boys 4×1 – 42.13

Over in Region 11, Petoskey won this in an absolute blowout, 1.5 seconds clear of the field. The Northmen, with their 41.83, are already under the State Finals record. Running a little slower, but at a greater margin over the field was River Rouge, the Panthers’ 42.10 capturing the Region 17 crown. I won’t be shocked when both teams are sub-42.

Boys 4×2 – 1:27.71

The odds are in our favor here, with five teams under 1:29 on the year and three (Flint Powers Catholic, Harper Woods, and River Rouge) under 1:28.5.

Boys Long Jump – 23’ 7.5”

Kaden Griffiths was one of the better freshmen in the state last year, making his mark here in the long jump, capturing the title as a tiny 9th grader. He’s back and improved, clearing the 23’ mark again in the regular season.

Intriguing Events and Happenings

Here’s what I’m looking forward to the most:

Aubrey Wilson vs. a host of challengers, including the multi-talented Sydney Kuhn in the 200m and D1/D2 defending champion Keyanna O’Tey in the 100m.

The mix of strategies in the girls 3200m. Ava Schafer is always patient early, Hoffman and Berkshire are normally aggressive. At the end of what looks to be a double for all three.

The Girls 4×4, which might be for the trophy. Saginaw Swan Valley, Dearborn Divine Child, Stevensville Lakeshore, Gladwin, and Sturgis are all in the fiery last heat.

A girls high jump competition that sure is crowded at the top. Sarah Pippin, Ivy Roberts, Bella Friddle, and Alannah Love all clearing 5’6 at one point this year.

A loaded Boys 100m, where 17 boys have hit sub-11 this year. It might take 10.85 just to make the final.

Mentioned above, the Boys 4×1 and 4×2 finals. The anchor legs of the Boys 4×8. Doing a little statistical analysis of the four best 800m times from all the 4×8 teams, two stand above the rest: Allendale and Forest Hills Eastern. FHE will likely close with Henry Dixon, who was 2nd at the MITS championship and owns the fastest time in D2. Holder of the 2nd fastest D2 time is Ronnie Silveira, who I would imagine will close for Allendale. I had to impart a little subjectivity into that analysis, because Jack Bidwell had a time-warping anchor last year, 1:50.8 to win it for his Marshall team. Three of those four kids returning, they’ll be tough to dethrone.

Potential Girls Team Champions

Generally, I tend to think this is pretty simple. One needs elite athletes, the advantage being more of them. Those elite athletes need to score what they’re capable of, buoyed by those who would be stepping up when less expected.

Sturgis – I love how the Trojans have buy-in from Keyanna O’Tey, who’s not only a great individual sprinter on her own (state champion in both D1 and D2), but participates in her teams relays as well. What may push Sturgis over the top are the contributions from Eleena Kelley in the throws and the boost that Berkley Holtz gives to her 4×8 girls.

O’Tey in a win at Charlie Jahnke

Dearborn Divine Child – in a similar situation to Sturgis thanks to the exploits of Aubrey Wilson. I could write the same lil’ paragraph, as Wilson was the 100m champ here as a freshman. She’ll be joining her Falcon teammates on the 4×2 and 4×4, the latter of which she’ll be batonmates with Katie Kurtinaitis, who could pick up points in the 400m.

Saginaw Swan Valley – largely on the shoulders of Sydney Kuhn. On one hand, that presents a low ceiling, as one person can only score so many points. On the other hand, she gives the Vikings a high floor as she was 2024’s 400m & 800m champ, along with a contribution on their 4th place 4×4.

Stevensville Lakeshore – a bit more well-rounded than a few of the above teams, at least in terms of disciplines. Leigha Whitman is a potential long jump champion, Kate Ort will battle in the mid-distances, then the Lancers will attempt to gain points in the relays.

Gladwin – well-rounded like Lakeshore, but in different areas. Ava Gary is one of the better hurdlers in the division, Makenzie Price has a chance to medal in both throws.

Relays will likely be the determining factor. If either of the latter three teams punches above their weight, they’re going to have a chance if the top two don’t perform as expected.

Potential Boys Team Champions

Parma Western – may not have the absolute stud to gain titles in every event, but they contain many very good pieces that can all place in the top-4 of their events. Brennan Vainner, Edison Lopeman, Ryan Good, Titan Parker, Jackson Jones. Three of their relays contain two of these kids, so expect points in baton passings to supplement their wide-ranging individual talents.

River Rouge – big points in the short sprints. If the Panthers can put up numbers early in the day, that puts pressure on other squads to close the gap. Rouge came into last year’s meet with lofty relay expectations and maybe didn’t match them. I fully expect the Coolidge Highway kids to learn from that experience.

Battle Creek Harper Creek – Catapulting to the top of the boys hurdle lists has been DJ Wood and he’s increased the Beavers title odds. HC has prime opportunities for points elsewhere, Dominic Lowrie with the opportunity to pounce on a tired 3200m field, a confident Nolan Oaks in the long jump, and a Zach Kitchen coming off a personal best in his shot put win at Team State.

GIRLS TEAM PREDICTIONS

BOYS TEAM PREDICTIONS

Girls Event Predictions

PlaceTeamEvent
1stSturgis4×1
2ndBerrien Springs4×1
3rdSt. Clair Shores South Lake4×1
4thPetoskey4×1
5thBenton Harbor4×1
6thGladwin4×1
7thStevensville Lakeshore4×1
8thHopkins4×1
PlaceTeamEvent
1stSturgis4×2
2ndBerrien Springs4×2
3rdDearborn Divine Child4×2
4thPetoskey4×2
5thSpring Lake4×2
6thMilan4×2
7thTecumseh4×2
8thShepherd4×2
PlaceTeamEvent
1stDearborn Divine Child4×4
2ndSaginaw Swan Valley4×4
3rdStevensville Lakeshore4×4
4thGladwin4×4
5thFreeland4×4
6thSturgis4×4
7thSpring Lake4×4
8thHudsonville Unity Christian4×4
PlaceTeamEvent
1stGoodrich4×8
2ndEast Grand Rapids4×8
3rdPinckney4×8
4thSturgis4×8
5thFreeland4×8
6thStevensville Lakeshore4×8
7thCadillac4×8
8thHolland Christian4×8

Shepherd is hoping to use a bit of gnome magic to achieve another relay medal

PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stIzzie MillerBattle Creek Harper CreekDiscus
2ndAubree DeshetskyNorth BranchDiscus
3rdCora WilliamsAnn Arbor Gabriel RichardDiscus
4thEleena KelleySturgisDiscus
5thMakenzie PriceGladwinDiscus
6thKalia MonroeEastpointeDiscus
7thAnnabelle BowerPortlandDiscus
8thEby NosikeCranbrook KingswoodDiscus
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stCora WilliamsAnn Arbor Gabriel RichardShot Put
2ndKalia MonroeEastpointeShot Put
3rdAubree DeshetskyNorth BranchShot Put
4thPayton MaxeyFreelandShot Put
5thMarie PowersColdwaterShot Put
6thMakenzie PriceGladwinShot Put
7thIzzie MillerBattle Creek Harper CreekShot Put
8thEby NosikeCranbrook KingswoodShot Put
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stEvie MathisWayland UnionPole Vault
2ndMarra CollinsEaton RapidsPole Vault
3rdMegan MorrellSt. Clair Shores Lake ShorePole Vault
4thMimi WegenerIoniaPole Vault
5thSarah BaileyPetoskeyPole Vault
6thIsla LawtonWilliamstonPole Vault
7thAnnabelle WernerBay City John GlennPole Vault
8thOnalee StehouwerForest Hills EasternPole Vault
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stSarah PippinEdwardsburgHigh Jump
2ndBella FriddleHastingsHigh Jump
3rdDania McClainSt. Clair Shores South LakeHigh Jump
4thIvy RobertsGaylordHigh Jump
5thAlba Rodriguez-LimaHolland ChristianHigh Jump
6thAlannah LoveLansing WaverlyHigh Jump
7thBrooklynn BeardsleyLake FentonHigh Jump
8thCassidy PratleyBattle Creek Harper CreekHigh Jump
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stLeigha WhitmanStevensville LakeshoreLong Jump
2ndElla GrabowskiColdwaterLong Jump
3rdJayda BeeneBenton HarborLong Jump
4thJoy EvansAlmaLong Jump
5thAdelyn HalmaHolland ChristianLong Jump
6thDanah PearsonFerndaleLong Jump
7thSadie DykstraYaleLong Jump
8thBella FriddleHastingsLong Jump

Coach Combs and Danah Pearson have established Ferndale as one of Oakland County’s premier jump programs.

PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stAubrey WilsonDearborn Divine Child100m
2ndKeyana O’TeySturgis100m
3rdJayda BeeneBenton Harbor100m
4thDaelyn JonesGrand Rapids Christian100m
5thNaia DibkeySt. Joseph100m
6thTrenyse McGinnisSt. Joseph100m
7thCayla BouyerLansing Sexton100m
8thZariyah ManceBerrien Springs100m
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stAubrey WilsonDearborn Divine Child200m
2ndSydney KuhnSaginaw Swan Valley200m
3rdKeyana O’TeySturgis200m
4thDaelyn JonesGrand Rapids Christian200m
5thTrenyse McGinnisSt. Joseph200m
6thNaia DibkeySt. Joseph200m
7thMadison CookePinckney200m
8thFelicity LallBerrien Springs200m
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stSydney KuhnSaginaw Swan Valley400m
2ndChristina DixonHaslett400m
3rdNalaya FrickeBig Rapids400m
4thKate OrtStevensville Lakeshore400m
5thLayla JordanGoodrich400m
6thGrace LorenzCoopersville400m
7thKatie KurtinaitisDearborn Divine Child400m
8thMadison CookePinckney400m

Summer Blakely has qualified in four events, two as an individual and two with her South Lake girls

PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stLayla JordanGoodrich800m
2ndKate OrtStevensville Lakeshore800m
3rdAdeline ArmstrongEast Grand Rapids800m
4thNatalie FoltzFrankenmuth800m
5thEliana HuftonLake Fenton800m
6thGeorgia BabcockEdwardsburg800m
7thKayla ShellenbargerGoodrich800m
8thElena FigueroaSt. Joseph800m
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stEmma HoffmanOtsego1600m
2ndKatie BerkshireGaylord1600m
3rdAva SchaferSt. Johns1600m
4thElena FigueroaSt. Joseph1600m
5thSadey SeyferthEast Grand Rapids1600m
6thSophy SkeelsAdrian1600m
7thJaelyn RayPinckney1600m
8thCourtney BovairCarleton Airport1600m
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stEmma HoffmanOtsego3200m
2ndKatie BerkshireGaylord3200m
3rdAva SchaferSt. Johns3200m
4thBrooklynn BrownCadillac3200m
5thMia MaySparta3200m
6thJaelyn RayPinckney3200m
7thSophy SkeelsAdrian3200m
8thAnnabelle LowmanLudington3200m

PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stAva GaryGladwin100h
2ndJayden VandenAkkerAllegan100h
3rdLynzi EvansCranbrook Kingswood100h
4thZion EllisBerrien Springs100h
5thSadie DykstraYale100h
6thAbby LambersHudsonville Unity Christian100h
7thAmaya BrownWyoming Godwin Heights100h
8thJaylah WilkinsDearborn Henry Ford Academy100h
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stSydney KuhnSaginaw Swan Valley300h
2ndGabrielle HufnagelOwosso300h
3rdAva GaryGladwin300h
4thJayden VandenAkkerAllegan300h
5thMacy SubkaSpring Lake300h
6thSadie DykstraYale300h
7thKambria MooredHopkins300h
8thSophia SmithTrenton300h

Boys Event Predictions

PlaceTeamEvent
1stPetoskey4×1
2ndBerrien Springs4×1
3rdRiver Rouge4×1
4thWilliamston4×1
5thDetroit Country Day4×1
6thHarper Woods4×1
7thThree Rivers4×1
8thFlint Powers Catholic4×1
PlaceTeamEvent
1stRiver Rouge4×2
2ndFlint Powers Catholic4×2
3rdBerrien Springs4×2
4thHarper Woods4×2
5thSaginaw Swan Valley4×2
6thDetroit Country Day4×2
7thPortland4×2
8thSummit Academy4×2
PlaceTeamEvent
1stParma Western4×4
2ndSaginaw Swan Valley4×4
3rdLake Odessa Lakewood4×4
4thBattle Creek Harper Creek4×4
5thPortland4×4
6thNew Boston Huron4×4
7thWilliamston4×4
8thGrand Rapids Catholic Central4×4
PlaceTeamEvent
1stAllendale4×8
2ndForest Hills Eastern4×8
3rdMarshall4×8
4thAlma4×8
5thGrand Rapids Christian4×8
6thParma Western4×8
7thFlint Powers Catholic4×8
8thFlat Rock4×8

Owosso’s Eli Worthington is ranked #1 amongst all Michigan freshmen in the Shot Put

PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stDustin WarnerSpartaDiscus
2ndEli BickelNorth BranchDiscus
3rdWill DeckerCoopersvilleDiscus
4thAlex O’DellBerrien SpringsDiscus
5thZach CowperGaylordDiscus
6thAdam HuffWayland UnionDiscus
7thAlex LutgringBattle Creek PennfieldDiscus
8thRusty KlaerSt. JosephDiscus
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stZach CowperGaylordShot Put
2ndBrennan VainnerParma WesternShot Put
3rdDustin WarnerSpartaShot Put
4thEli BickelNorth BranchShot Put
5thJackson ReillyColdwaterShot Put
6thZach KitchenBattle Creek Harper CreekShot Put
7thAlex O’DellBerrien SpringsShot Put
8thRusty KlaerSt. JosephShot Put
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stBen GoranSpring LakePole Vault
2ndSam VespermanGrosse IlePole Vault
3rdDrake RossGladwinPole Vault
4thEthan ReevesClarePole Vault
5thMason JahnkeStevensville LakeshorePole Vault
6thNickolas SavoieGaylordPole Vault
7thKieran WhitlamMacomb Lutheran NorthPole Vault
8thXander AnthorHoward City Tri-CountyPole Vault
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stDeclin DorohStevensville LakeshoreHigh Jump
2ndZachary OvermyerEdwardsburgHigh Jump
3rdAyden MendozaWhitehallHigh Jump
4thTre’Quon CottonBattle Creek Harper CreekHigh Jump
5thCamden ThompsonWhitehallHigh Jump
6thJalen DanielsClarencevilleHigh Jump
7thZander WheatleyFreelandHigh Jump
8thGavin ValleyGoodrichHigh Jump
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stKaden GriffithsStevensville LakeshoreLong Jump
2ndJoseph DeCasasPontiac Notre Dame PrepLong Jump
3rdConan WeeksClareLong Jump
4thTommy PrattWilliamstonLong Jump
5thBraylon HolmesCharlotteLong Jump
6thJalen DanielsClarencevilleLong Jump
7thNolan OaksBattle Creek Harper CreekLong Jump
8thBlake StewartThree RiversLong Jump

PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stJaiden MeltonRiver Rouge100m
2ndDarryl CarterDetroit Country Day100m
3rdDonpaul KeithRiver Rouge100m
4thCarter BuckinghamEaton Rapids100m
5thDeAndre BiddenHarper Woods100m
6thPorter WestdorpCadillac100m
7thNolan CullensSt. Johns100m
8thElijah Davis-MooreFerndale100m
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stDonpaul KeithRiver Rouge200m
2ndGrant RobertsFlint Powers Catholic200m
3rdJackson JonesParma Western200m
4thCarter BuckinghamEaton Rapids200m
5thSam MitasPetoskey200m
6thBoston Streng-BeougherSaginaw Swan Valley200m
7thDelshawn LairdRomulus200m
8thBrayden PetreFreeland200m
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stHunter MihalNew Boston Huron400m
2ndAyden McCareyNiles400m
3rdDonald WellsLake Odessa Lakewood400m
4thGrayson TiddGrand Rapids Catholic Central400m
5thEthan MillerHudsonville Unity Christian400m
6thBoston Streng-BeougherSaginaw Swan Valley400m
7thAdam JohnsonMilan400m
8thThomas KannNorth Branch400m

Sully Zietlow, Region 14 Champion, will be looking to cap off his career with an All-State

PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stHenry DixonForest Hills Eastern800m
2ndJack BruderOgemaw Heights800m
3rdCallum BellCarleton Airport800m
4thRyan GoodParma Western800m
5thNolan LonguskiShepherd800m
6thDuncan PalmerWilliamston800m
7thTyler EndresForest Hills Eastern800m
8thSullivan ZietlowThree Rivers800m
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stJack BidwellMarshall1600m
2ndHenry DixonForest Hills Eastern1600m
3rdJonah WorkmanEast Grand Rapids1600m
4thColin MurrayDearborn Divine Child1600m
5thThomas LarsonAlma1600m
6thBryce GrossFlint Powers Catholic1600m
7thWill EngbersHolland Christian1600m
8thEzekiel BaltierraAlma1600m
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stJack BidwellMarshall3200m
2ndEdison LopemanParma Western3200m
3rdColin MurrayDearborn Divine Child3200m
4thJonah WorkmanEast Grand Rapids3200m
5thMoises Salazar Jr.Adrian3200m
6thThomas LarsonAlma3200m
7thDominic LowrieBattle Creek Harper Creek3200m
8thAbraham McHughMarshall3200m

PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stDJ WoodBattle Creek Harper Creek110h
2ndDylan HudkinsNew Boston Huron110h
3rdBraden HartsuffCorunna110h
4thAyden McCareyNiles110h
5thLogan HerrickCorunna110h
6thCamden ThompsonWhitehall110h
7thChristopher ChurchillAlma110h
8thCarter RiceThree Rivers110h
PlaceNameTeamEvent
1stDJ WoodBattle Creek Harper Creek300h
2ndTitan ParkerParma Western300h
3rdAiden SadubaTrenton300h
4thZander WheatleyFreeland300h
5thRemington HaworthShepherd300h
6thConan WeeksClare300h
7thTyler TravisShepherd300h
8thBryce PratlSt. Johns300h