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2025 Rankings: Mid-September Girls

Here we are, the first batch of rankings!

Previous years had these out a week, even two weeks earlier. This year’s is a bit later, mainly because I was out running at Woodstock, but also because I wanted more information. With a majority of the state coalescing around the major invites of the past weekend, more information and data were found. All meets with over 50 participants of each gender are included (even if the ratings themselves aren’t posted to the site, they’re in my database). The main exception to that is the UP, those will come out next week.

The rankings take the individual ratings from each race and weigh them using factors of recency, field size, and field competitiveness. Those weighted ratings are then sorted by team, scored against the entire division, and ranked. Thus, teams with more depth tend to be ranked a little higher than they’d be at a regular invite or even the State Finals. But I know no better way to rank all the teams in a division than to compare against all teams in a division.

As always, these are for fun and a vehicle to drive interest in the best sport in the world. If they cause undue stress or pressure or motivate you to write me unkind messages (only happened a few times this year, but gotta get out ahead of it!), this site might not be for you. That’s fine, the many XC fans of Michigan will enjoy it all the same.

State Contenders

Twice defending champs, Whitmore Lake is rounding into form. Kaylie Livingston is better than she’s ever been this early in the season, breaking 18:00 on a date way before she ever has. She’s brought Malynda Lambros into the D4 elite realm. And seniors such as Elodie Weaver, Carina Burchi, and Sofia Robertson are reliable as ever. Holly’s first HS race of the day was covered in red, five of the top-11 spots claimed by the above girls.

Surprises

In a crowded, competitive Region 29, state spots at a premium, someone was going to take this pressure cooker and turn it into a reason to attack this early season. The Buckley Bears have done just that, five girls sub-22:30 at their home invite, narrowly placing 2nd behind a quality Benzie Central squad. They’ve added a senior in Mirthe Breuker, first-year runners always a prospect to improve greatly. Freshwoman Brooklyn Griffin has dropped nearly a minute from her opener at Pete Moss. It’ll be tough to advance from this region, but the Bears have made great headway in ensuring that they can.

Looking Forward

A few teams are taking the next weekend off, many are heading their disparate ways, but two will find their way into the same field in Cadillac, Grand Traverse Academy and Buckley facing off at Veterans Serving Veterans. The two squads from the highly-competitive Region 29 have gone against one another twice, the first dominated by GTA, the second won by Buckley. The two teams are separated by a mere point when comparing against the whole of D4, further separation may be found after Saturday.

RankTeamScoreRegionTop 5 Avg.Top 7 Avg.Top 5 SpreadTop 7 Spread
1Whitmore Lake9233112.088.44:016:57
2Hillsdale Academy1633489.985.11:251:49
3Kalamazoo Hackett1853290.878.92:483:56
4Gobles2693189.36:06
5Grand Traverse Academy2832975.468.41:321:54
6Buckley2842976.166.61:492:20
7Ubly3213572.038.01:447:16
8Maple City Glen Lake3332974.254.74:365:59
9Royal Oak Shrine3553671.358.03:035:25
10Kingston3613574.45:04
11Martin3663172.554.83:556:05
12Genesee Christian Academy4633357.147.32:002:57
13Lansing Christian4683356.615.81:538:16
14Rogers City4742845.78:50
15Concord4773456.046.01:472:39
16Bear Lake4812953.938.03:174:47
17Dryden4893553.56:03
18Onekama5082957.57:33
19Harbor Beach5433547.636.32:473:50
20Petersburg-Summerfield5503426.911:33
21Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary5723045.331.23:235:06
22Breckenridge5833042.85:30
23Lutheran Westland5853638.68:00
24Clarkston Everest Collegiate6123338.721.43:356:28
25East Jordan6862832.72:43
26Dansville7713316.45:47
27Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart7723019.73.33:564:42

State Contenders

The Lansing Catholic Cougars are working through their typical early-season routine. Stay in the friendly hills of St. Francis Retreat Center, venture out to Kensington for a taste of bigger mountains, then in a few weeks’ time, get their share of fast courses to feast upon. Thus, times aren’t their consideration, but the results are. A perfect score at their home invite, the lowest girls score ever at Michigan Catholic, winning at Averill in a field full of D1 teams.

Surprises

I was happy in the summer when I saw that Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian was projected to be in the top-27 teams. Seeing schools that aren’t normally ranked means a greater diversity of kids are being introduced to and excelling at our great sport. The Mustang team was expected to get upperclasswomen contributions and contend for an MIS spot. That has happened, but buoyed by freshwomen Kylie Zwiep and Jenny Woznick, each of whom have been sub-21:30 and helped NPC earn the top spot amongst D3 and lower teams during the early session at Ottawa Hills.

Looking Forward

Hosting their home invite and inviting some of D3’s best are the Pewamo-Westphalia Pirates. They’re a D3 mainstay and always a team that performs better as the year wears on. So I would expect some movement from their #5 ranking, with #1 Lansing Catholic and #2 Saugatuck as the perfect foil. In a Region 23 preview at Sharp Park, #4 Olivet and #6 Jackson Lumen Christi will go at it.

RankTeamScoreRegionTop 5 Avg.Top 7 Avg.Top 5 SpreadTop 7 Spread
1Lansing Catholic10126122.5115.51:182:26
2Saugatuck19822113.490.21:496:37
3Blissfield29427106.192.52:594:25
4Olivet35723105.188.63:584:37
5Pewamo-Westphalia36524102.094.62:502:58
6Jackson Lumen Christi36523103.895.73:133:26
7Grand Rapids Covenant Christian3682197.891.11:172:15
8Traverse City St. Francis4001996.089.81:091:51
9Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian4312194.086.51:382:46
10Hart4532092.980.12:153:41
11Benzie Central4842093.282.32:493:45
12Grandville Calvin Christian4972190.381.81:322:40
13Remus Chippewa Hills5442591.275.83:184:18
14Bronson5542388.875.92:534:11
15Plymouth Christian Academy6012684.470.62:183:46
16Ithaca6232584.770.12:485:29
17Kent City6312187.14:07
18McBain6422083.376.42:342:44
19Leslie6972687.851.85:4511:44
20Stanton Central Montcalm7412478.451.22:538:21
21Harbor Springs7881975.365.51:542:55
22Reed City8122077.665.53:464:23
23Sanford-Meridian8472573.164.92:403:02
24Caro8472578.34:54
25Ann Arbor Greenhills8702669.758.81:323:05
26Bath8792472.921.23:5211:27
27Midland Bullock Creek8932571.160.33:183:56

State Contenders

Coming into the year, the Otsego girls were favorites, but not by much. Emma Hoffman, a known quantity, her fellow upperclasswomen reliable as well. Much was to be laid at the feet of what could be outstanding freshwomen. And they’ve answered the call thus far – Adelyn Verhage, Taylee Fox, Addelyn Sabatke, and Alayna Verhage all slipping under 20:00 in these first few weeks of the season. The youngsters have handled a trip out to Minnesota and hung right in there against D1 competition.

In close proximity however, are Holland Christian and Grand Rapids South Christian. Each school put their packs on display, the Maroons at Ottawa Hills and the Sailors at Sparta. Running 2nd in the early session at Riverside, eight Holland Christian girls were able to dip under 20:00. The next day at Sparta, six South Christian girls placed in the top-20, enough front range power to throw forth a 20-point win in a Gold division win against many top-ranked D2 outfits.

Surprises

A minor one, as the Fighting Irish came in at #17 in the pre-season and now sit at #10. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard has had steady gains from their three best returners, but the major reason for the jump is the addition of Regan Faut. The sophomore opened with a few efforts in the 21 min. range, then made a substantial jump on the Holly hills, running a 20:30, placing 13th, and helping her AAGR teammates claim a D3 win.

Looking Forward

Many on the schedule with the weekend off, preparing for the major D2 showdown at Otsego in eleven days. But the Bulldogs ain’t resting, looking to run fast at Cougar Falcon, joined by #4 Grand Rapids Christian and #8 St. Joseph.

RankTeamScoreRegionTop 5 Avg.Top 7 Avg.Top 5 SpreadTop 7 Spread
1Otsego14513142.0134.52:443:58
2Holland Christian17011133.8130.41:171:30
3Grand Rapids South Christian18512131.0126.40:241:10
4Grand Rapids Christian25812125.5121.71:041:08
5Cadillac34610121.4109.61:512:44
6Goodrich39815119.6105.42:243:54
7Spring Lake43610113.8107.41:282:25
8St. Joseph44213116.099.61:504:12
9Coopersville46011116.1105.12:383:56
10Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard46118115.3104.22:323:27
11East Grand Rapids54312109.5100.82:083:27
12DeWitt54714106.5105.00:320:33
13Forest Hills Eastern57612106.896.51:422:37
14Holland59811114.694.23:405:50
15Pinckney62116112.9100.33:584:55
16Fremont63710105.591.22:123:39
17Hudsonville Unity Christian74711102.397.52:403:02
18Freeland75515103.294.73:193:42
19Charlotte7761498.291.11:292:17
20Bloomfield Hills Marian8161695.890.20:331:45
21Haslett8521495.675.82:055:13
22New Boston Huron8711895.287.82:192:43
23Cedar Springs8861096.182.22:383:58
24Clare8881094.685.71:572:58
25Frankenmuth90215101.789.54:114:51
26Linden9211694.283.22:463:34
27Stevensville Lakeshore9441393.286.22:343:09

State Contenders

It’s looking like all Ann Arbor Pioneer at this point, close to the middle of the year. Coming into the year, the purple women undoubtedly had one of the better top-three, the question was just how good their 4th-7th girls and depth could be. Affirmatively answered, as the Pioneers have added two freshwomen to go along with three steady upperclasswomen, the five combined with personal bests under 19:20.

Surprises

The summer preview curiously didn’t include Grace Snyder or her sister Lexie (weird, because I remember knowing they’d have an impact). That there would’ve moved the Hudsonville girls up a bit higher, but maybe not to the level we’ve seen. The Snyder girls have each crossed the line under 19:20, helping the Eagles win their division at Ottawa Hills, Saranac, and Under the Lights.

Looking Forward

Jackson is the epicenter of D1 action (a major reason I’ll be there!) with four of the top-six teams ripping it in the early morning. #1 Ann Arbor Pioneer, #2 Romeo, #5 Brighton, and #6 Ann Arbor Skyline. All four teams are coming off tough courses at either Holly or Spartan, the Ann Arbor schools fresh off wins at their respective invites, thus momentum will be at a premium either in terms of time or a less-adverse course. I love road trips and it’s good to see#4 Northville taking one to Cadillac, where #8 Traverse City West will welcome the Mustangs. Another quick course, so expect some blazing times from the north.

RankTeamScoreRegionTop 5 Avg.Top 7 Avg.Top 5 SpreadTop 7 Spread
1Ann Arbor Pioneer645163.3155.32:152:25
2Romeo1899145.9135.01:453:43
3Holland West Ottawa2353139.2131.21:122:04
4Northville2367138.7132.71:302:13
5Brighton2404139.5133.71:341:56
6Ann Arbor Skyline3104136.1130.22:162:34
7Hudsonville3471135.3123.62:173:07
8Traverse City West3922130.3126.71:371:57
9Portage Central4413127.7119.41:202:15
10Jenison4441128.6118.71:393:25
11Okemos4984132.8117.73:274:56
12Hartland5142125.5119.41:431:54
13Novi5387124.0117.31:252:10
14Rockford6331119.2113.71:071:40
15Rochester Adams6758125.1110.93:414:36
16Rochester7058118.6107.22:193:40
17Saline7095117.9111.22:092:28
18Brownstown Woodhaven7385116.1110.31:502:11
19Midland Dow7632119.1113.23:013:11
20Utica8009115.2104.62:273:19
21Zeeland East8123116.7109.02:533:06
22Traverse City Central8842110.5105.41:181:36
23Zeeland West9183110.2100.82:002:42
24White Lake Lakeland9297108.9105.41:021:41
25Forest Hills Northern9321108.799.61:042:56
26Mt. Pleasant9482110.696.83:074:06
27Salem10416105.190.60:513:36

INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS

As the years pass, I’ve decided to keep the in-season stuff concentrated more on the teams and less on the individuals. I do feel it’s important for individuals to know where they stand, so here’s the top-50. When it gets to crunch time, more will be written, for now, this’ll do!

RankGradeNameTeamRegionMid-September Rating
111Kaylie LivingstonWhitmore Lake33160.4
211Libby SmithGobles31153.0
310Sophia GrinageLeland29141.5
410Callie SinkeOnekama29136.8
511Veyda ConleyMartin31126.9
610Malynda LambrosWhitmore Lake33123.5
710Carmella JulianMaple City Glen Lake29123.0
812Emma RikerKalamazoo Hackett32122.2
99Norah KileyKingston35120.3
1012Lilah KileyKingston35119.0
119Ryleigh AlderinkHolton31115.9
129Ava HigleyFrankfort29113.1
1311Lauren ShafferGobles31113.1
1412Taylor WiegandLivingston Christian33112.8
1510Ella LambRoyal Oak Shrine36112.7
1612Cara PrusakiewiczDryden35111.0
1711Addy ZellerOnekama29109.8
1811Evelyn MeyerHillsdale Academy34109.0
1912Eleanor ColeLutheran Westland36108.5
208Faith SchipperHolland Calvary Christian31105.9
2110Alyvia JankeUnionville-Sebewaing35103.1
2210Maizy MatthewsBreckenridge30101.7
2312Carina BurchiWhitmore Lake33101.2
2410Fenlynn JohnsonRogers City2899.5
259Cayla BussDecatur3299.0
2611Claire LongSaginaw Nouvel3098.0
2711Natalie BurpeeLeland2997.4
2811Brie SiemsKalamazoo Hackett3297.2
2912Elodie WeaverWhitmore Lake3394.8
3010Skylar MaclennanFulton3094.7
3110Claire WrightDryden3594.6
3210Deirdre O’ConnellAllen Park Cabrini3694.5
3311Kiera PiperKalamazoo Hackett3293.4
349Reese BregeRogers City2893.2
3510Cassidy BowersAustin Catholic3693.0
3612Katie SweeneyUbly3593.0
3710Payton KingKingston3592.8
3811Avery LangloisRogers City2891.8
3911Veronica PagaPetoskey St. Michael2890.7
4010Melodie HulinekBear Lake2990.3
4112Mirthe BreukerBuckley2989.6
4212Stella BehnanCardinal Mooney Catholic3689.5
439Heather MorrisHillsdale Academy3489.3
4411Elizabeth FurmanIndian River Inland Lakes2888.8
4512Rowan AllenMendon3288.8
4611Allie MillerHillsdale Academy3488.5
4710Allison OstPetersburg-Summerfield3488.4
4812Kinsey PeerBuckley2987.6
4910Abbygail PlesterUbly3586.6
5012Olive WakefieldSaginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary3086.3

RankGradeNameTeamRegionMid-September Rating
112Hailey CreisherLeslie26150.8
211Samantha SchroederJackson Lumen Christi23143.8
312Hope MillerBlissfield27139.3
411Grace WonchLansing Catholic26138.2
510Tiya FeldpauschOlivet23137.7
611Alyssa KramerPewamo-Westphalia24134.7
711Violet TetilCaro25132.9
811Isabelle SliterFennville22132.3
910Elliana MaxKent City21131.6
1012Brynne SchulteElk Rapids19131.4
1111Kamryn SixberrySaugatuck22131.2
1212Anna PrayElk Rapids19130.4
139Lily BrittonOlivet23128.4
1410Avery KellyBenzie Central20127.2
1512Alina MartinsonSaugatuck22125.4
1610Josie BishopLansing Catholic26124.5
1712Ashlynn HarrisBronson23124.1
1811Marlowe WalcottReed City20122.7
1910Dory SimonRemus Chippewa Hills25122.6
2012Macy FazekasJackson Lumen Christi23120.4
2110Isabelle CurrieLansing Catholic26120.1
2212Bella LaFountainMonroe St. Mary CC27119.8
2310Madisyn WansteadLeroy Pine River20119.0
249Calista GeorgePewamo-Westphalia24118.4
259Anna DrauerLansing Catholic26117.7
2611Makinna FoglesongIthaca25117.2
2712Abigail ReisMillington24116.4
2811Lyvia CurtisSaugatuck22115.9
2911Shelby KuiperGrand Rapids Covenant Christian21115.4
3011Betsy GoodenManton20115.0
3112Anna PoppemaBath24114.1
3211Natalie RosemaHart20113.8
339Avery HaynesBrooklyn Columbia Central23113.8
3410Caelyn TorryMcBain20113.4
3512Hailey SillsBlissfield27112.4
3610Lindsey LudwigLansing Catholic26112.3
379Kylie ZwiepGrand Rapids NorthPointe Christian21111.8
3811Leah SnellerMuskegon Western Michigan Christian21111.0
3912Grace CostonStanton Central Montcalm24110.9
4012Quinn HatfieldRemus Chippewa Hills25110.7
4111Molly Kate HollandsworthTraverse City St. Francis19109.6
4212Madi HarePlymouth Christian Academy26109.2
439Tala CarlinBuchanan22108.4
4410Maisey ToteffHanover-Horton23108.2
4511Nico TrieboldGrayling19107.6
4611Laura CastrejonNewaygo21106.5
4712Mattie GagneMidland Bullock Creek25106.4
4812Frances MelinnLansing Catholic26106.2
4912Ella HeffnerCharyl Stockwell Academy26106.2
5011Hallee HerveyReed City20105.6

RankGradeNameTeamRegionMid-September Rating
112Emma HoffmanOtsego13183.9
212Katie BerkshireGaylord10174.8
311Ava SchaferSt. Johns14164.6
49Eliza SchwassLudington10162.5
511Jaelyn RayPinckney16160.7
611Johanna MulderHolland11155.9
712Natalie FoltzFrankenmuth15150.6
810Avery EngbersHolland Christian11149.8
911Annabelle LowmanLudington10149.6
1011Caroline RandallHastings12148.5
1110Oakley OsterhartCoopersville11147.6
1211Clara KaczorFreeland15146.7
1310Kayla ShellenbargerGoodrich15146.5
1411Olivia WeissHolland11145.2
1511Lane IsomRichland Gull Lake13143.8
1612Marie GatesHudsonville Unity Christian11143.7
1711Mia MaySparta11141.9
1811Ayda SkeelsAdrian18141.6
1911Alivia OttingerGoodrich15140.2
2010Ana LovellLake Fenton16140.1
2111Bridget FidkowskiAnn Arbor Gabriel Richard18139.1
2212Miriam KlohaSt. Johns14136.0
2311Adeline ArmstrongEast Grand Rapids12135.3
2411Eliana StobHolland Christian11135.1
259Alayna VerhageOtsego13134.8
2610Remie EllisEaton Rapids14134.7
2712Chloe RinzemaGrand Rapids South Christian12134.5
2812Lilah PoelGrand Rapids Christian12134.5
2912Georgia BabcockEdwardsburg13134.3
3012Julia GarciaPinckney16133.4
319Lily VanEykGrand Rapids South Christian12133.2
3211Ella McInerneyCadillac10133.0
3310Audrey KlineSt. Joseph13133.0
3411Zoe HoekstraGrand Rapids Christian12132.3
3510Tiffany DeMaagdGrand Rapids South Christian12132.3
369Addelyn SabatkeOtsego13132.0
3712Brooklynn BrownCadillac10132.0
3812Elise BardenFrankenmuth15131.8
3912Alexis KotkowiczSpring Lake10131.3
4012Layla GeurinkHolland Christian11130.9
4112Ellie ScholmaGrand Rapids Christian12130.9
4210Mai NguyenPlainwell13130.2
439Adelyn VerhageOtsego13130.1
449Taylee FoxOtsego13129.4
4511Ellery LampenHolland Christian11129.0
4612Chloe RinzemaGrand Rapids South Christian12128.1
4710Madison PettyAdrian18127.5
489Vittoria PerucchettiSt. Joseph13127.4
499Lydia DwyerStevensville Lakeshore13127.0
5011Skylar MejeurOtsego13126.8

RankGradeNameTeamRegionMid-September Rating
110Natasza DudekAnn Arbor Pioneer5182.9
210Sienna KlemmerAnn Arbor Pioneer5174.0
310Rachel SmithOkemos4173.3
412Hana BoggessAnn Arbor Pioneer5166.4
511El McMahanRochester Adams8164.9
611Becca Van LentAnn Arbor Skyline4164.8
711Annie HrabovskyRomeo9163.2
810Emilia GarcesH.H. Dow2162.0
912Leena ShelgikarAnn Arbor Huron6160.4
109Alexandra ScappaticciNorthville7159.1
1111Cassie KarasinskiHudsonville1156.7
1212Lydia LaMarraBrighton4156.7
1310Ainsley KelmPortage Northern3155.6
149Keira Von BlonAnn Arbor Pioneer5155.1
1512Natalia GuaresimoRomeo9154.5
1611Maddie LindleyHolly2154.4
1711Tessa MascariTraverse City West2153.7
189Taryn MooreOxford8153.5
1912Ella GoodsellRomeo9153.4
2012Ava PorrasHolland West Ottawa3152.4
2112Lilah YoderForest Hills Central3152.4
2210Ella LorenzBrighton4151.7
2310Adalyn RaabZeeland East3150.6
2412October HarnsOkemos4149.7
2511Paige McMeansJenison1148.9
2611Collette WierksHolland West Ottawa3148.1
2712Leah CorbyRochester Hills Stoney Creek8146.4
289Maribelle KofahlAnn Arbor Huron6146.1
299Grace SnyderHudsonville1146.0
3012Gracelin MartinGreenville1144.9
319Jessica SoldanRochester Adams8144.8
3212Ella AbrahamRochester8144.2
3310Gracie CarlislePortage Central3142.8
3412Olivia StacyPortage Northern3142.5
3511Lucia LachapelleNorthville7142.0
3612Elliana NeuerHartland2141.3
3710Savannah StatonSaline5141.0
3812Ava LawrenceEast Kentwood3140.9
399Kaitlyn BergMidland2140.9
4011Katelynn EgliNovi7139.3
4112Siene MuraszewskiUtica9138.3
4210Jessa SkoniecznyMt. Pleasant2138.2
439Laura ForsythAnn Arbor Pioneer5137.9
4412Aviana SkinnerGrand Ledge4137.1
4510Charley McKayBrownstown Woodhaven5136.8
4610Madeline AleisaJenison1136.4
4710Mary DolbowHolland West Ottawa3136.3
4811Chloe PurwinHudsonville1136.0
4910Avery ScottPortage Central3136.0
5011Nina MooreAnn Arbor Pioneer5136.0