A summer tradition returns.
Hard to fathom that I’ve been penning these Summer Previews for now, 7 years. Just as in the past, I’ll have the 50 best returners, then as time rolls on, the Regional Previews and Top Ten Teams.
Differing from the past is the format. Individual posts for each region and ticket are a TON OF WORK. Instead, I’ll be knocking off the 50 Tickets with sets of 10 and Regional Previews by their division and gender. Hopefully with these methods, I’ll be finishing on time and actually spending effort detailing what could be some great regional battles.
Anyhow, starting with the girls (they run first this year), your 50 Tickets to Brooklyn. These celebrate our top-50 returners – based on the 2024 XC season, 2025 track season, projected improvement, and a tiny bit of my own opinions.
Enjoy!
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
(Also, first time ever that I’ve included Upper Peninsula folks in these! I know they’re not running at MIS, but they’re still representatives of Michigan)
Name: Lucas Ballard
School: Marquette
Grade: 11th
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 16:03
400m – 51.70
800m – 1:56
1600m – 4:17
Accolades
XC
4th Place – 2023 & 2024 UP Division 1 State
Track
2025 UP Division 1 State 800m Champion
3rd Place – UP Division 1 State 1600m
4x All-State
His Specialty
From my eyes, mid-distance. At Romeo, Ballard was a revelation to me, winning the 3rd fastest section by a considerable 4 second margin. A few weeks later, he raced to a 3rd place finish in the UP’s Division 1. Better than that 3rd was a win in the 800m. For the entire season, Ballard never gave us a time north of 2-flat, spitting times as fast as 1:56.
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 10 | Lucas Ballard | 16:03.2 | Marquette | 193.6 | MITCA | 9-Nov | 2024 |
| 10 | Lucas Ballard | 16:07.2 | Marquette | 187.6 | UP Division 1 State | 19-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Lucas Ballard | 17:27.4 | Marquette | 166.2 | Eskymos | 3-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Lucas Ballard | 16:41.0 | Marquette | 184.7 | Bluejay | 28-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Lucas Ballard | 17:12.2 | Marquette | 178.6 | Wildcat | 23-Aug | 2024 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 9 | Lucas Ballard | 16:41.4 | Marquette | 180.2 | Bluejay | 30-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Lucas Ballard | 17:49.6 | Marquette | 166.1 | Spartan | 15-Sep | 2023 |
Name: Ben Romero
School: Forest Hills Central
Grade: 11th
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 15:44
800m – 1:53
1600m – 4:15
3200m – 9:08
Accolades
XC
4th Place – 2024 OK White Championship
11th Place – 2024 Region 3
47th Place – 2024 Division 1 State
Track
2nd Place – 2024 Division 1 State 4×8
7th Place – 2024 Division 1 State 3200m
2024 OK White 1600m & 3200m Champion
His Specialty
Long distances on the track. After all, that’s where his freshman state record lies. In May of ’24, Romero ran a 9:08 in the 3200m, pummeling the previous record of 9:20. By the end of that season, Ben had captured an OK White crown and placed 7th in all of Division 1 in that 3200m event. Come fall, that translated to the grass in the form of a few sub-16 efforts. He was absent from competition this spring, but trust me, he’ll be flashing that talent once more.
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 10 | Ben Romero | 16:00.3 | Forest Hills Central | 193.9 | Division 1 State | 2-Nov | 2024 |
| 10 | Ben Romero | 16:16.5 | Forest Hills Central | 192.8 | Region 3 | 25-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Ben Romero | 15:44.8 | Forest Hills Central | 198.4 | OK White Championship | 16-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Ben Romero | 16:15.5 | Forest Hills Central | 197.8 | OK White 2 | 2-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Ben Romero | 15:44.5 | Forest Hills Central | 203.5 | Bluejay | 28-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Ben Romero | 15:55.3 | Forest Hills Central | 201.2 | OK White 1 | 18-Sep | 2024 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 9 | Ben Romero | 16:07.2 | Forest Hills Central | 191.9 | Division 1 State | 4-Nov | 2023 |
| 9 | Ben Romero | 16:12.3 | Forest Hills Central | 193.9 | Region 3 | 27-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Ben Romero | 16:18.7 | Forest Hills Central | 188.8 | OK White Championship | 18-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Ben Romero | 16:13.0 | Forest Hills Central | 192.7 | Portage | 7-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Ben Romero | 16:08.4 | Forest Hills Central | 194.2 | Ottawa Hills | 15-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Ben Romero | 17:16.2 | Forest Hills Central | 177.0 | Bredeweg | 9-Sep | 2023 |
Name: Vincent Pattison
School: Goodrich
Grade: 12th
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 15:47
800m – 2:01
1600m – 4:29
Accolades
XC
28th Place – 2024 Division 2 State
2024 FML Champion
4th Place – 2024 Greater Flint
6th Place – 2024 Region 15
Track
3rd Place – 2025 MITS DMR
6th Place – 2025 MITS 4×8
His Specialty
Peaking at the right time each year. You go through Vince’s history and you see three years of personal bests at the end of the season. As a freshman, this occurred at the MITCA meet. In 2023, a 16:00.4 at State that I’m sure had him aching for a chance to get into the 15’s. The 15’s came early in his junior year, but most prominently occurred at the end, where Pattison rolled out two consecutive 15:47’s, the latter of which earned his first All-State.
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 11 | Vincent Pattison | 16:10.9 | Goodrich | 191.0 | MITCA | 9-Nov | 2024 |
| 11 | Vincent Pattison | 15:47.8 | Goodrich | 198.1 | Division 2 State | 2-Nov | 2024 |
| 11 | Vincent Pattison | 15:47.5 | Goodrich | 199.8 | Region 15 | 25-Oct | 2024 |
| 11 | Vincent Pattison | 16:17.3 | Goodrich | 197.2 | FML 3 | 16-Oct | 2024 |
| 11 | Vincent Pattison | 16:08.8 | Goodrich | 199.1 | Kayla O’Mara | 12-Oct | 2024 |
| 11 | Vincent Pattison | 16:00.3 | Goodrich | 193.9 | Greater Flint | 5-Oct | 2024 |
| 11 | Vincent Pattison | 16:19.6 | Goodrich | 191.8 | Bluejay | 28-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Vincent Pattison | 16:09.5 | Goodrich | 201.8 | FML 2 | 25-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Vincent Pattison | 16:22.7 | Goodrich | 201.1 | Spartan | 13-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Vincent Pattison | 16:03.7 | Goodrich | 199.4 | Northwood | 7-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Vincent Pattison | 16:07.6 | Goodrich | 201.8 | FML 1 | 4-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Vincent Pattison | 15:53.4 | Goodrich | 201.5 | Pete Moss | 24-Aug | 2024 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 10 | Vincent Pattison | 16:01.1 | Goodrich | 192.6 | MITCA | 11-Nov | 2023 |
| 10 | Vincent Pattison | 16:00.4 | Goodrich | 193.9 | Division 2 State | 4-Nov | 2023 |
| 10 | Vincent Pattison | 16:18.6 | Goodrich | 186.8 | Region 15 | 27-Oct | 2023 |
| 10 | Vincent Pattison | 16:22.0 | Goodrich | 182.7 | FML Championship | 18-Oct | 2023 |
| 10 | Vincent Pattison | 16:51.7 | Goodrich | 176.8 | Bluejay | 30-Sep | 2023 |
| 10 | Vincent Pattison | 18:03.5 | Goodrich | 161.5 | Spartan | 15-Sep | 2023 |
| 10 | Vincent Pattison | 16:45.9 | Goodrich | 182.7 | Northwood | 9-Sep | 2023 |
| 10 | Vincent Pattison | 17:05.5 | Goodrich | 183.2 | Corunna Early Bird | 29-Aug | 2023 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 9 | Vincent Pattison | 16:39.7 | Goodrich | 179.4 | MITCA | 12-Nov | 2022 |
| 9 | Vincent Pattison | 17:45.0 | Goodrich | 166.0 | Region 16 | 29-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Vincent Pattison | 17:01.5 | Goodrich | 175.8 | FML Championship | 19-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Vincent Pattison | 17:42.8 | Goodrich | 167.1 | Kayla O’Mara | 15-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Vincent Pattison | 17:01.7 | Goodrich | 170.8 | Greater Flint | 8-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Vincent Pattison | 17:28.6 | Goodrich | 165.5 | Bluejay | 1-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Vincent Pattison | 17:27.6 | Goodrich | 171.5 | FML 2 | 28-Sep | 2022 |
| 9 | Vincent Pattison | 18:01.9 | Goodrich | 163.7 | Holly | 17-Sep | 2022 |
| 9 | Vincent Pattison | 18:30.1 | Goodrich | 152.0 | Bath | 10-Sep | 2022 |
| 9 | Vincent Pattison | 18:16.1 | Goodrich | 158.0 | FML 1 | 7-Sep | 2022 |
| 9 | Vincent Pattison | 18:32.8 | Goodrich | 153.4 | Corunna Early Bird | 30-Aug | 2022 |
Name: Abenezer Cerone
School: Royal Oak Shrine
Grade: 12th
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 15:40
200m – 22.96
400m – 50.18
800m – 1:53
1600m – 4:24
Accolades
XC
2nd Place – 2024 Division 4 State
2x All-State
2023 & 2024 Region 36 Champion
2024 CHSL Cardinal Champion
Track
2025 Division 4 State 800m Champion
2x All-State
2025 MITS 4×4 & SMR Champion
3rd Place – 2025 MITS 800m
2025 Oakland County 800m Champion
His Specialty
Sprints and mid-distance. Not often you see a kid running in the 15’s and the 22’s. Yes, the 22’s, as Cerone powered to a 22.96 200m in an early May meet. If you don’t trust the time, he came back two weeks later and won his league in a (still fast) 23.01. That sprinting prowess extended to the 400m, where Abenezer owned the 2nd quickest time in D4 and the 800m, where he became an Oakland County and State Champion.
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 11 | Abenezer Cerone | 15:55.2 | Royal Oak Shrine | 196.3 | MITCA | 9-Nov | 2024 |
| 11 | Abenezer Cerone | 15:40.6 | Royal Oak Shrine | 198.8 | Division 4 State | 2-Nov | 2024 |
| 11 | Abenezer Cerone | 16:06.9 | Royal Oak Shrine | 196.0 | Region 36 | 26-Oct | 2024 |
| 11 | Abenezer Cerone | 16:17.2 | Royal Oak Shrine | 194.6 | CHSL Cardinal Championship | 18-Oct | 2024 |
| 11 | Abenezer Cerone | 16:34.8 | Royal Oak Shrine | 197.7 | Oakland County | 5-Oct | 2024 |
| 11 | Abenezer Cerone | 15:43.1 | Royal Oak Shrine | 204.0 | Hansons | 28-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Abenezer Cerone | 15:49.4 | Royal Oak Shrine | 200.5 | Brooks Mid-Season Spectacular | 21-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Abenezer Cerone | 16:04.0 | Royal Oak Shrine | 209.0 | Holly | 14-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Abenezer Cerone | 16:40.0 | Royal Oak Shrine | 193.0 | OCS Small School | 5-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Abenezer Cerone | 16:11.8 | Royal Oak Shrine | 201.7 | Lamplighter | 23-Aug | 2024 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 10 | Abenezer Cerone | 16:12.6 | Royal Oak Shrine | 188.8 | MITCA | 11-Nov | 2023 |
| 10 | Abenezer Cerone | 16:06.4 | Royal Oak Shrine | 189.9 | Division 4 State | 4-Nov | 2023 |
| 10 | Abenezer Cerone | 16:47.3 | Royal Oak Shrine | 186.9 | Region 36 | 27-Oct | 2023 |
| 10 | Abenezer Cerone | 16:09.1 | Royal Oak Shrine | 193.3 | CHSL C/D Championship | 20-Oct | 2023 |
| 10 | Abenezer Cerone | 16:39.8 | Royal Oak Shrine | 191.1 | Gabriel Richard | 14-Oct | 2023 |
| 10 | Abenezer Cerone | 17:00.5 | Royal Oak Shrine | 189.2 | NCA Small School | 10-Oct | 2023 |
| 10 | Abenezer Cerone | 17:01.6 | Royal Oak Shrine | 187.5 | Oakland County | 7-Oct | 2023 |
| 10 | Abenezer Cerone | 16:28.6 | Royal Oak Shrine | 196.1 | Holly | 16-Sep | 2023 |
| 10 | Abenezer Cerone | 17:01.3 | Royal Oak Shrine | 186.9 | OCS Small School | 7-Sep | 2023 |
| 10 | Abenezer Cerone | 16:57.6 | Royal Oak Shrine | 190.1 | Michigan Catholic | 26-Aug | 2023 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 9 | Abenezer Cerone | 17:46.6 | Royal Oak Shrine | 161.1 | D4 State | 5-Nov | 2022 |
| 9 | Abenezer Cerone | 17:27.6 | Royal Oak Shrine | 157.5 | Region 36 | 28-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Abenezer Cerone | 18:05.2 | Royal Oak Shrine | 154.3 | CHSL CD Championship | 21-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Abenezer Cerone | 18:10.3 | Royal Oak Shrine | 147.6 | Gabriel Richard | 15-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Abenezer Cerone | 18:42.0 | Royal Oak Shrine | 157.0 | Novi Christian Small School | 11-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Abenezer Cerone | 19:30.3 | Royal Oak Shrine | 153.2 | CHSL Cardinal 3 | 6-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Abenezer Cerone | 17:46.9 | Royal Oak Shrine | 157.4 | Mid-Season Spectacular | 23-Sep | 2022 |
| 9 | Abenezer Cerone | 19:12.2 | Royal Oak Shrine | 148.3 | Soter-Crane | 21-Sep | 2022 |
| 9 | Abenezer Cerone | 17:46.7 | Royal Oak Shrine | 168.8 | Holly | 17-Sep | 2022 |
| 9 | Abenezer Cerone | 17:34.2 | Royal Oak Shrine | 162.9 | Muskrat Classic | 10-Sep | 2022 |
| 9 | Abenezer Cerone | 17:52.9 | Royal Oak Shrine | 156.0 | CHSL Cardinal 1 | 7-Sep | 2022 |
Name: Jacob Szalay
School: Saline
Grade: 11th
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 15:38
1600m – 4:21
3200m – 9:27
Accolades
XC
16th Place – 2024 Division 1 State
3rd Place – 2024 SEC Red Championship & Region 5
Track
3rd Place – 2025 SEC Red 3200m
4th Place – 2025 SEC Red 1600m
19th Place – 2025 MITS 1600m
His Specialty
Transformation. Evident on the cross course, evident on the oval. From spring to spring, Szalay erased over 10 sec. in the 1600m and 30 sec. in the 3200m. But from fall to fall is where we saw the most significant change. Jacob was really good as a freshman, one of many strong runners in the 2027 class, a consistent mid-16 kid by season’s end. Hard to fathom that at his best, he dropped nearly a minute from his 9th to 10th grade years. His 15:38 at State was good for 16th and was the 5th best sophomore finish.
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 10 | Jacob Szalay | 15:44.7 | Saline | 199.8 | MITCA | 9-Nov | 2024 |
| 10 | Jacob Szalay | 15:38.1 | Saline | 201.3 | Division 1 State | 2-Nov | 2024 |
| 10 | Jacob Szalay | 15:57.0 | Saline | 195.7 | Region 5 | 26-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Jacob Szalay | 15:58.8 | Saline | 200.1 | SEC Championship | 17-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Jacob Szalay | 16:06.2 | Saline | 199.6 | River Rat Open | 10-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Jacob Szalay | 16:12.4 | Saline | 193.9 | Portage | 5-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Jacob Szalay | 16:40.3 | Saline | 193.6 | SEC Red 2 | 24-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Jacob Szalay | 16:02.6 | Saline | 197.1 | Jackson | 21-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Jacob Szalay | 16:54.9 | Saline | 190.7 | SEC 1 | 10-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Jacob Szalay | 16:29.6 | Saline | 195.8 | Bath | 7-Sep | 2024 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 9 | Jacob Szalay | 16:31.2 | Saline | 183.9 | Division 1 State | 4-Nov | 2023 |
| 9 | Jacob Szalay | 16:20.4 | Saline | 184.5 | Region 5 | 28-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Jacob Szalay | 16:59.7 | Saline | 183.8 | SEC Championship | 19-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Jacob Szalay | 16:21.4 | Saline | 189.9 | Portage | 7-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Jacob Szalay | 16:09.0 | Saline | 185.0 | SEC Red 2 | 27-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Jacob Szalay | 16:45.6 | Saline | 181.8 | Jackson | 23-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Jacob Szalay | 16:48.5 | Saline | 184.5 | Bath | 9-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Jacob Szalay | 17:06.0 | Saline | 184.7 | Milan Puddle Jumper | 29-Aug | 2023 |
Name: Landen Styka
School: Ithaca
Grade: 12th
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 15:48
1600m – 4:36
3200m – 9:35
Accolades
XC
6th Place – 2024 Division 3 State
2x All-State
2024 Region 25 & TVC Champion
Track
6th Place – 2025 Division 3 State 3200m
3rd Place – 2025 Division 3 State 4×8
4x All-State
His Specialty
The more needed enduring, the better. During the spring, that’s the 3200m, an event where Styka has nabbed two D3 podium finishes to go along with a few conference and regional titles. On grass, he’s blossomed into a kid that’ll always flirt with sub-16’s. In fact, 10 of his 13 races from 2024 were 16:20 or below. September, October, November, it don’t matter – Styka is consistently there.
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 11 | Landen Styka | 16:05.4 | Ithaca | 192.9 | MITCA | 9-Nov | 2024 |
| 11 | Landen Styka | 15:48.3 | Ithaca | 196.6 | Division 3 State | 2-Nov | 2024 |
| 11 | Landen Styka | 15:49.3 | Ithaca | 196.6 | Region 25 | 26-Oct | 2024 |
| 11 | Landen Styka | 16:04.5 | Ithaca | 197.2 | TVC 3 | 8-Oct | 2024 |
| 11 | Landen Styka | 16:02.8 | Ithaca | 193.7 | Birch Run Fall | 1-Oct | 2024 |
| 11 | Landen Styka | 15:48.2 | Ithaca | 202.3 | Bluejay | 28-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Landen Styka | 16:19.5 | Ithaca | 201.2 | TVC 2 | 25-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Landen Styka | 16:55.5 | Ithaca | 199.5 | TVC 1 | 17-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Landen Styka | 16:11.2 | Ithaca | 204.9 | Spartan | 13-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Landen Styka | 16:15.3 | Ithaca | 195.6 | Central Montcalm Hornet | 7-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Landen Styka | 15:54.0 | Ithaca | 205.7 | John Bruder Classic | 4-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Landen Styka | 16:39.8 | Ithaca | 199.7 | Yellowjacket | 28-Aug | 2024 |
| 11 | Landen Styka | 16:21.4 | Ithaca | 197.9 | Birch Run Early | 22-Aug | 2024 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 10 | Landen Styka | 16:30.7 | Ithaca | 182.8 | MITCA | 11-Nov | 2023 |
| 10 | Landen Styka | 16:10.7 | Ithaca | 189.1 | Division 3 State | 4-Nov | 2023 |
| 10 | Landen Styka | 16:20.1 | Ithaca | 186.3 | Region 25 | 27-Oct | 2023 |
| 10 | Landen Styka | 16:11.2 | Ithaca | 186.6 | TVC Overall | 17-Oct | 2023 |
| 10 | Landen Styka | 17:05.1 | Ithaca | 179.3 | TVC Blue Championship | 10-Oct | 2023 |
| 10 | Landen Styka | 16:42.8 | Ithaca | 179.7 | Bluejay | 30-Sep | 2023 |
| 10 | Landen Styka | 17:02.9 | Ithaca | 181.7 | Spartan | 15-Sep | 2023 |
| 10 | Landen Styka | 17:08.4 | Ithaca | 181.5 | Central Montcalm Hornet | 9-Sep | 2023 |
| 10 | Landen Styka | 16:41.9 | Ithaca | 187.7 | John Bruder Classic | 7-Sep | 2023 |
| 10 | Landen Styka | 16:54.5 | Ithaca | 182.5 | Yellowjacket | 30-Aug | 2023 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 9 | Landen Styka | 17:15.9 | Ithaca | 167.4 | MITCA | 12-Nov | 2022 |
| 9 | Landen Styka | 17:20.7 | Ithaca | 171.4 | D3 State | 5-Nov | 2022 |
| 9 | Landen Styka | 17:12.8 | Ithaca | 168.7 | Region 24 | 29-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Landen Styka | 17:20.4 | Ithaca | 167.2 | TVC Overall | 18-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Landen Styka | 17:37.3 | Ithaca | 169.6 | TVC 10 | 11-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Landen Styka | 17:38.8 | Ithaca | 159.1 | Apples 2 Apples | 6-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Landen Styka | 17:37.3 | Ithaca | 162.6 | Bluejay | 1-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Landen Styka | 18:53.5 | Ithaca | 158.8 | TVC 10 2 | 27-Sep | 2022 |
| 9 | Landen Styka | 18:08.6 | Ithaca | 162.1 | Spartan | 16-Sep | 2022 |
| 9 | Landen Styka | 17:48.1 | Ithaca | 164.3 | TVC 10 | 13-Sep | 2022 |
| 9 | Landen Styka | 17:48.1 | Ithaca | 167.3 | John Bruder Classic | 7-Sep | 2022 |
| 9 | Landen Styka | 18:25.9 | Ithaca | 164.0 | Yellowjacket | 31-Aug | 2022 |
| 9 | Landen Styka | 18:09.8 | Ithaca | 163.4 | Birch Run Early | 25-Aug | 2022 |
Name: Ryan Barnes
School: Clarkston
Grade: 12th
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 15:41
800m – 2:02
1600m – 4:16
3200m – 9:30
Accolades
XC
3rd Place – 2024 Oakland County Championship
2x State Qualifier
Track
2025 MITS DMR Champion
12th Place – 2025 MITS 1600m
His Specialty
The 1600m. Don’t get me wrong, Ryan’s inclusion on this list is mainly based on his cross country career, hitting as low as 15:41, showing himself to be one of Oakland County’s best. But this spring, he displayed a wild ability to rapidly drop time in the 1600m. Early winter debuts showed him in mid-4:30 form. Merely a month or so later, he was dropping a 4:22 and placing 12th at indoor state. A stunted spring resulted in only four races run, but at the tail end of those four, Barnes was able to unleash a 4:16. Imagine the kid with a full fall season.
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 11 | Ryan Barnes | 16:29.0 | Clarkston | 185.0 | MITCA | 9-Nov | 2024 |
| 11 | Ryan Barnes | 16:24.4 | Clarkston | 185.9 | Division 1 State | 2-Nov | 2024 |
| 11 | Ryan Barnes | 16:01.7 | Clarkston | 191.1 | Region 8 | 25-Oct | 2024 |
| 11 | Ryan Barnes | 15:41.9 | Clarkston | 197.7 | OAA Red 3 | 17-Oct | 2024 |
| 11 | Ryan Barnes | 16:20.7 | Clarkston | 202.4 | Oakland County | 5-Oct | 2024 |
| 11 | Ryan Barnes | 15:54.5 | Clarkston | 200.2 | Hansons | 28-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Ryan Barnes | 15:44.8 | Clarkston | 203.1 | Jackson | 21-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Ryan Barnes | 16:37.8 | Clarkston | 195.4 | OAA Red 1 | 11-Sep | 2024 |
| 11 | Ryan Barnes | 16:59.2 | Clarkston | 205.6 | Milford | 29-Aug | 2024 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 10 | Ryan Barnes | 16:20.6 | Clarkston | 187.5 | Division 1 State | 4-Nov | 2023 |
| 10 | Ryan Barnes | 16:20.2 | Clarkston | 191.3 | Region 8 | 27-Oct | 2023 |
| 10 | Ryan Barnes | 16:23.4 | Clarkston | 184.9 | OAA Red Championship | 19-Oct | 2023 |
| 10 | Ryan Barnes | 17:09.6 | Clarkston | 184.8 | Oakland County | 7-Oct | 2023 |
| 10 | Ryan Barnes | 16:43.3 | Clarkston | 186.9 | Hansons | 30-Sep | 2023 |
| 10 | Ryan Barnes | 16:36.5 | Clarkston | 184.8 | Jackson | 23-Sep | 2023 |
| 10 | Ryan Barnes | 17:12.7 | Clarkston | 191.4 | Milford | 31-Aug | 2023 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 9 | Ryan Barnes | 18:34.4 | Clarkston | 154.9 | Oakland County | 8-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Ryan Barnes | 18:07.2 | Clarkston | 152.6 | Hansons | 1-Oct | 2022 |
| 9 | Ryan Barnes | 18:45.7 | Clarkston | 140.4 | OAA Red 2 | 27-Sep | 2022 |
| 9 | Ryan Barnes | 18:27.4 | Clarkston | 146.2 | Autumn Classic | 17-Sep | 2022 |
Name: Justin Johnson
School: East Kentwood
Grade: 11th
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 15:41
800m – 1:59
1600m – 4:27
3200m – 9:24
Accolades
XC
24th Place – 2024 Division 1 State
7th Place – 2024 OK Red Championship
8th Place – 2024 Region 3
2x State Qualifier
Track
11th Place – 2025 Division 1 State 3200m
10th Place – 2025 Division 1 State 4×8
3rd Place – 2025 OK Red & Region 3 3200m
His Specialty
Transforming into a new athlete each season. Johnson came into this sport already running at a high level and he’s only gotten faster each season, track or cross. In 2023, Johnson laid low early before popping a sub-17 at State. A year later, it was the same tale – 16’s throughout the fall and consecutive 15:4x’s to close it at MITCA and State. It ain’t only in the fall, as Johnson smashed through the 10-min. barrier during the spring, subtracting nearly 40 sec. from his freshman 3200m best. There’s gotta be more to come this fall.
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 10 | Justin Johnson | 15:42.6 | East Kentwood | 200.5 | MITCA | 9-Nov | 2024 |
| 10 | Justin Johnson | 15:41.7 | East Kentwood | 200.1 | Division 1 State | 2-Nov | 2024 |
| 10 | Justin Johnson | 16:09.8 | East Kentwood | 195.1 | Region 3 | 25-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Justin Johnson | 16:07.5 | East Kentwood | 191.2 | OK Red Championship | 17-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Justin Johnson | 16:13.5 | East Kentwood | 193.5 | Portage | 5-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Justin Johnson | 16:45.6 | East Kentwood | 197.5 | OK Red 2 | 25-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Justin Johnson | 16:13.7 | East Kentwood | 193.4 | Jackson | 21-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Justin Johnson | 16:20.4 | East Kentwood | 193.2 | Ottawa Hills | 13-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Justin Johnson | 16:51.8 | East Kentwood | 191.1 | OK Red 1 | 10-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Justin Johnson | 17:01.3 | East Kentwood | 190.9 | Queen City | 30-Aug | 2024 |
| 10 | Justin Johnson | 16:33.3 | East Kentwood | 189.9 | Under the Lights v2 | 23-Aug | 2024 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 9 | Justin Johnson | 16:54.7 | East Kentwood | 176.1 | Division 1 State | 4-Nov | 2023 |
| 9 | Justin Johnson | 17:32.2 | East Kentwood | 167.3 | Region 3 | 27-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Justin Johnson | 17:07.4 | East Kentwood | 171.2 | OK Red Conference | 19-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Justin Johnson | 17:33.5 | East Kentwood | 167.9 | Kent Ottawa | 13-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Justin Johnson | 17:39.4 | East Kentwood | 163.9 | Portage | 7-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Justin Johnson | 17:57.7 | East Kentwood | 157.8 | Jackson | 23-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Justin Johnson | 17:52.7 | East Kentwood | 159.4 | Ottawa Hills | 15-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Justin Johnson | 18:42.4 | East Kentwood | 157.5 | Averill | 9-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Justin Johnson | 18:28.0 | East Kentwood | 154.0 | Under the Lights v2 | 25-Aug | 2023 |
Name: Gavin Katic
School: Fenton
Grade: 10th
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 15:49
1600m – 4:20
3200m – 9:25
Accolades
XC
2025 Greater Flint Champion
32nd Place – 2025 Division 1 State (top freshman!)
4th Place – 2025 FML & Region 4
Track
13th Place – 2025 Division 1 State 3200m
2nd Place – 2025 FML 1600m
3rd Place – 2025 Region 3 3200m
His Specialty
Handling pressure at a young age. We have two seasons of evidence that Katic spits out his best material when races matter most. At the beginning of his fall championship season, Katic was undaunted by an experienced field at Greater Flint, the then freshman winning his first major title. A month later at MIS, he narrowly missed a podium finish, yet still threw out a lifetime best. The other major piece of evidence was this past May, where Katic put out personal bests at his conference meet and regionals, then doubled back on his 3200m effort at State. In the future, we have a good bet that he’ll be reliable when all the chips are in the middle.
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 9 | Gavin Katic | 16:15.0 | Fenton | 189.7 | MITCA | 9-Nov | 2024 |
| 9 | Gavin Katic | 15:49.0 | Fenton | 197.7 | Division 1 State | 2-Nov | 2024 |
| 9 | Gavin Katic | 16:05.8 | Fenton | 197.4 | Region 4 | 26-Oct | 2024 |
| 9 | Gavin Katic | 16:43.8 | Fenton | 188.4 | FML 3 | 16-Oct | 2024 |
| 9 | Gavin Katic | 15:54.4 | Fenton | 195.9 | Greater Flint | 5-Oct | 2024 |
| 9 | Gavin Katic | 16:34.8 | Fenton | 193.4 | FML 2 | 25-Sep | 2024 |
| 9 | Gavin Katic | 16:36.1 | Fenton | 193.0 | Linden Classic | 21-Sep | 2024 |
| 9 | Gavin Katic | 16:42.9 | Fenton | 196.0 | Holly | 14-Sep | 2024 |
| 9 | Gavin Katic | 16:37.1 | Fenton | 193.3 | Bath | 7-Sep | 2024 |
| 9 | Gavin Katic | 16:50.9 | Fenton | 187.4 | FML 1 | 4-Sep | 2024 |
| 9 | Gavin Katic | 17:01.5 | Fenton | 190.5 | Early Bird Open | 29-Aug | 2024 |
Name: Liam Wierzba
School: Traverse City West
Grade: 11th
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 15:46
800m – 1:59
1600m – 4:19
3200m – 9:34
Accolades
XC
3rd Place – 2025 Big North Conference
Track
8th Place – 2025 Division 1 State 1600m
22nd Place – 2025 Division 1 State 3200m
7th Place – 2025 MITS 4×8
2025 Big North Conference 1600m Champion
His Specialty
Similar to Barnes, the 1600m. Once again, cross country results are the main resume builder and backdrop of his inclusion here – multiple low-16’s and a personal best of 15:46. Enhancing Liam’s portfolio was his spring season of four lappers. April commenced with a 4:28 at Freeland and by early May, that had turned into wins at Ken Bell and in the Big North, the latter a 4:19 personal best. By season’s end, Liam had accrued a state qualifier in the event and not just satisfied with that, he turned that into an 8th place finish.
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 10 | Liam Wierzba | 16:14.5 | Traverse City West | 189.9 | MITCA | 9-Nov | 2024 |
| 10 | Liam Wierzba | 16:53.6 | Traverse City West | 177.8 | Region 2 | 25-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Liam Wierzba | 16:10.5 | Traverse City West | 190.5 | BNC Championship | 15-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Liam Wierzba | 16:24.0 | Traverse City West | 190.0 | Portage | 5-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Liam Wierzba | 16:06.8 | Traverse City West | 196.1 | Bluejay | 28-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Liam Wierzba | 15:51.3 | Traverse City West | 198.9 | VSV | 21-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Liam Wierzba | 16:16.7 | Traverse City West | 194.4 | Ottawa Hills | 13-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Liam Wierzba | 16:13.9 | Traverse City West | 197.0 | Titan Takeoff | 7-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Liam Wierzba | 15:46.6 | Traverse City West | 203.8 | Pete Moss | 24-Aug | 2024 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 9 | Liam Wierzba | 16:37.8 | Traverse City West | 181.7 | Division 1 State | 4-Nov | 2023 |
| 9 | Liam Wierzba | 16:41.1 | Traverse City West | 179.3 | Region 2 | 27-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Liam Wierzba | 16:09.7 | Traverse City West | 187.1 | Northern Mich. MOC | 21-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Liam Wierzba | 17:07.0 | Traverse City West | 170.7 | BNC Championship | 17-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Liam Wierzba | 16:18.4 | Traverse City West | 190.9 | Portage | 7-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Liam Wierzba | 16:12.9 | Traverse City West | 189.7 | Bluejay | 30-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Liam Wierzba | 16:26.3 | Traverse City West | 186.2 | Cadillac | 23-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Liam Wierzba | 16:52.9 | Traverse City West | 180.4 | Northwood | 9-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Liam Wierzba | 16:45.6 | Traverse City West | 188.8 | Pete Moss | 26-Aug | 2023 |
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 
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