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2025 Division 2 Finals Projections

Just as regionals and other championship meets throughout the year, these projections are done based on thousands of simulated races. How do the simulations work?

Through a season’s worth of speed ratings, one can determine a runner’s average rating and the variability of those ratings. Both those factors are then weighed towards more recent meets, which are then simulated thousands of times using a Monte Carlo analysis (also described by TullyRunners here). Over those thousands of race simulations, one can determine a team’s average place and average score, a runner’s average place, odds on winning, and odds on qualifying.

These are useful in cross country scenarios, where you have consistent runners and those who are a bit more up and down. For example:

Tanner TimeTanner RatingTanner Avg.Tanner StDev.
15:30210  
15:45205  
16:00200  
16:15195  
16:301902007.91
MIXCSR TimeMIXCSR RatingMIXCSR Avg.MIXCSR StDev.
16:09197  
16:12196  
16:15195  
16:18194  
16:211931951.58

Jacob at his best might be faster than I in four of the five races during the season. I’d almost never be All-State in Division 1, but he might contend for a top-5 spot or place 60th.

If we did 20 simulations, this is how it might turn out:

RaceTanner Avg.Tanner StDevTanner RatingMIXCSR Avg.MIXCSR StDevMIXCSR Rating
12007.9202.11951.6195.6
22007.9196.21951.6194.1
32007.9190.01951.6199.2
42007.9193.41951.6192.5
52007.9206.81951.6195.7
62007.9201.81951.6196.1
72007.9171.61951.6194.9
82007.9189.21951.6195.9
92007.9205.51951.6197.0
102007.9203.81951.6192.6
112007.9192.31951.6196.5
122007.9196.91951.6196.4
132007.9198.51951.6195.6
142007.9203.21951.6194.1
152007.9193.91951.6192.6
162007.9199.31951.6193.2
172007.9208.71951.6194.2
182007.9213.71951.6194.6
192007.9212.61951.6197.1
202007.9206.31951.6193.9

I’d win four times, but I’d never have the ability to win a title like he had in Race 18. He’s usually All-State, but may cost his team a title through his effort in Race 7.

The simulations give the possibilities of those scenarios and all the various scoring scripts. A sixth girl that can pop off on any certain day, a reliable boy who always runs 17-flat, you name it. Hopefully, they better elucidate our contenders, qualifiers, and how these races play out over the weekend.

Through the simulated races, you can equate all types of scenarios and groupings. Here are the ones listed:

Projected Place – sorted from lowest average score to highest average score
Average Score – the average score across all the simulated races
Place Range – 95% of the placings fall within this range
Win % – the chance that team has of winning the meet
Podium % – the chance that team has of placing top-2
Top-Ten % – the chance that team finishes within the top-10

GIRLS TEAM

Every few years, a new generation of girls comes to the forefront in Otsego, bringing forth the possibility of taking hardware home. In the mid-2010’s, the Bulldogs took home a pair of state titles. A few years later, their 2019 squad had a day at the Finals, placing 3rd. Their frontrunner, Emma Hoffman, surely remembers her runner-up finish from her freshman year, one that led Otsego to another state title. Emma has now gone through the gauntlet and improved mightily, leading once again, this time with a pack of freshmen tailing.

The Bulldogs entered the season as the #1 projected team and they’ve not disappointed. The Bulldogs once again won in the Wolverine Conference, their streak now lasting from 2013-2025. Portage, Regionals, their home invite, and a trek to Minnesota – all wins.

Otsego is one of a strong west side tradition. Of the past 25 team champions, 21 hail from the west coast, Grand Rapids area and below. Present in contention for the podium and the win are a host of other area schools: Holland Christian, Grand Rapids Christian, and Grand Rapids South Christian.

ProjectedTeamAvg. ScorePlace Range
1Otsego1081st-3rd
2Holland Christian1361st-4th
3Grand Rapids Christian1581st-5th
4Grand Rapids South Christian1902nd-6th
5Cadillac2684th-12th
6Goodrich2854th-13th
7Coopersville2935th-13th
8East Grand Rapids2985th-13th
9Pinckney2995th-13th
10Linden3405th-17th
11Spring Lake3405th-16th
12Holland3585th-19th
13DeWitt3636th-18th
14Frankenmuth3747th-19th
15Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard3869th-19th
16St. Joseph39010th-19th
17Freeland43111th-24th
18Shepherd46913th-26th
19Fremont47414th-26th
20Macomb Lutheran North49317th-27th
21Bloomfield Hills Marian49516th-26th
22Sturgis50616th-26th
23Adrian51017th-25th
24Charlotte51718th-27th
25Marysville54726th-28th
26New Boston Huron55317th-26th
27Williamston63519th-27th
28Yale70825th-28th

These squads in close proximity, you get many instances of common competitions. A few are fairly recent – Bulldog, Portage, and Region 12. The order of the first two meetups was the same – Otsego in front, Holland Christian, Grand Rapids Christian, then Grand Rapids South Christian. Gaps were found between the former two and the latter two. At Portage, Otsego had it all covered, bringing in the lowest stick and the best 5th. Holland Christian trailed at nearly every spot, though the margins were as small as you could get. South Christian hung right behind GRC and then at Region 12, moved ahead.

The projections follow this pattern, although they take into account the rest of the season, especially what has occurred throughout the rest of October.

ProjectedTeamWin %Podium %Top-Ten %
1Otsego739395+
2Holland Christian186895+
3Grand Rapids Christian83395+
4Grand Rapids South Christian695+
5Cadillac92
6Goodrich82
7Coopersville79
8East Grand Rapids77
9Pinckney76
10Linden43
11Spring Lake39
12Holland32
13DeWitt26
14Frankenmuth19
15Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard14
16St. Joseph10
17Freeland7
18Shepherd
19Fremont
20Macomb Lutheran North
21Bloomfield Hills Marian
22Sturgis
23Adrian
24Charlotte
25Marysville
26New Boston Huron
27Williamston
28Yale

The three posed questions:

Who has the best fifth?

Most likely Otsego, with upperclasswomen leadership potentially owning those spots. From Portage, it was Rebekah Stachura owning the final scoring spot. Or it could be Skylar Mejeur. Each of the two girls has been in the mid-19’s a bunch this fall.

Who has the best depth?

Holland Christian, followed by Otsego and Grand Rapids Christian. Both the Maroons and Eagles have had seven girls find their way under 19:30. The Bulldogs trail closely behind, with a Taylee Fox firing off PR after PR of late.

Who steers clear of the bubble?

The projections think there will be a high concentration of girls with ratings between 110-120, which I believe will be 19:45-20:15. The projected top-three should have most of their girls ahead of this, with Grand Rapids South Christian perhaps having a few in the mix. Which leads to a bit more certainty from the top-three, but also a Sailor upset if their depth continues what they did at Region 12.

BOYS TEAM

At various points in the past three years, we’ve seen the main contenders make their rise. From East Grand Rapids and Alma, the signs were present a few years back. Continuing in the Pioneer tradition, yet starting off with a stunner, the ’22 East Grand Rapids squad winning the title as an underdog. That team featured a young Jonah Workman, new to the high school scene, but racing as if he’d been here for years. Alma was a bit less known and wasn’t even thought to bring a team to those State Finals. But a few impactful freshmen ensured a spot from a tough Region 15, allowing those 9th grade Panthers to gain valuable experience that they’ve used over the past few seasons.

 Flint Powers Catholic has been a late comer, the Chargers only qualifying a full team once from 2022-2024. The 2023 squad did and the current contenders feature three of those boys. From last fall to now, the Chargers have improved the most out of any team in D2, perhaps any team in the state. Four boys were sub-4:40 and sub-10:05 in track. Their 4×8 threw down a 7:53, good for 5th in D2. That spring was a major factor in their #4 pre-season ranking.

ProjectedTeamAvg. ScorePlace Range
1Flint Powers Catholic1281st-4th
2East Grand Rapids1381st-4th
3Alma1841st-7th
4Parma Western2442nd-11th
5Grand Rapids Christian2502nd-11th
6Holland Christian2683rd-12th
7Forest Hills Eastern2993rd-16th
8Shepherd3094th-16th
9Allendale3195th-15th
10Fenton3315th-18th
11Otsego3435th-19th
12Pinckney3476th-20th
13DeWitt3757th-21st
14Chelsea3848th-21st
15Adrian3918th-22nd
16Cedar Springs4007th-24th
17Three Rivers4057th-25th
18Richland Gull Lake4129th-24th
19Frankenmuth4138th-23rd
20Petoskey42210th-24th
21Spring Lake43510th-25th
22Detroit Country Day45810th-26th
23Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard47715th-26th
24Macomb Lutheran North49016th-26th
25Yale58421st-27th
26St. Clair58622nd-27th
27Coopersville62923rd-27th

The three squads occupied a great chunk of the pre-season rankings. Powers continued on their path upward, Alma and East Grand Rapids each ran at a high level before a mid-season meeting at Portage Bluejay (not Portage, that’s rare!). Michigan’s favorite course hosted all three squads in a mini state preview. The Pioneers were missing Workman, although as a D2 contender, he’s easy to slot into the standings. Even in his absence, Flint Powers would’ve won the battle of the trio. The Charger depth was key, 16:15 and 16:24 from the final two scoring spots, around a 20 sec. gap on comparable spots from EGR and 35 sec. before the Panthers.

But one thing a performance like that does is set a mark and make you the hunted. In the past month, East Grand Rapids has won at Portage, the OK White, and Region 12. Alma has won the TVC, placed 2nd at Greater Lansing, and overwhelmed the Region 14 competition.

ProjectedTeamWin %Podium %Top-Ten %
1Flint Powers Catholic508595+
2East Grand Rapids377495+
3Alma92795+
4Parma Western694
5Grand Rapids Christian589
6Holland Christian89
7Forest Hills Eastern66
8Shepherd62
9Allendale58
10Fenton48
11Otsego37
12Pinckney36
13DeWitt18
14Chelsea13
15Adrian13
16Cedar Springs19
17Three Rivers19
18Richland Gull Lake11
19Frankenmuth9
20Petoskey5
21Spring Lake7
22Detroit Country Day6
23Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard
24Macomb Lutheran North
25Yale
26St. Clair
27Coopersville

The three posed questions:

Who has the best 5th man?

At this point, I think it has to be Flint Powers, with Bluejay as the main piece of evidence.

Who has the best depth?

I’m going with East Grand Rapids. Both Sam Hillary and Thomas Fisher have capabilities of pushing toward the mid-16’s, hitting 16:22 and 16:42 at the OK White Championship.

Who steers clear of the bubble?

One main pack seems like it’ll exist between 16:45-17:10ish and another could be ahead of it between 16:20-16:35ish. These are two spots where athletes may coagulate. Seemingly most entrenched in either are Alma and Flint Powers. East Grand Rapids has athletes either ahead or between the two. Thus, you could see a little more variability with the Panthers and Chargers, a few seconds equaling many points. Every point matters.

GIRLS INDIVIDUAL

First, I must mention Ava Schafer. The St. Johns Redwing is the defending champ. I’ve always praised her racing savvy and it appears that her junior has featured many of her same positive characteristics. She’s won five of her seven races, and again slipped into the 17’s with a 17:50 at John Bruder. Last year proved that her best material comes during championship season, PRs coming here and at MITCA. I wouldn’t be shocked if another late-season time descent occurs.

By the numbers and with the results, Emma Hoffman and Katie Berkshire have surged to the front of the D2 standings. Berkshire hasn’t even been ABOVE 18:00 this fall, racing and winning with her typical vigor. She’s unbeaten on the year, with wins coming at Holly (17:37), Bluejay (16:58), and at Region 10 (16:32).

That 16:32 ranks 2nd in Division 2. In any year other 2023, that would’ve been the best time in Michigan. I know XC isn’t all about time, because with Emma Hoffman occupying the 2nd fastest slot, winning is of importance too. The Bulldog senior has won a ton over the past two years. Back-to-back victories at home, conference, and regional action. A dominant Portage performance. An impressive D2 gold track double. When given the opportunity to rip it this fall, she has, lowering her Otsego record even further, all the way down to 16:20.

Watching these two compete will be a worthy post-Halloween treat.

ProjectedGradeNameTeam
112Emma HoffmanOtsego
212Katie BerkshireGaylord
311Jaelyn RayPinckney
410Avery EngbersHolland Christian
511Ava SchaferSt. Johns
612Natalie FoltzFrankenmuth
711Mia MaySparta
811Johanna MulderHolland
911Lane IsomRichland Gull Lake
109Eliza SchwassLudington
1111Caroline RandallHastings
1211Ayda SkeelsAdrian
1312Marie GatesHudsonville Unity Christian
1412Chloe RinzemaGrand Rapids South Christian
1511Clara KaczorFreeland
1610Oakley OsterhartCoopersville
1711Annabelle LowmanLudington
1810Kayla ShellenbargerGoodrich
1910Tiffany DeMaagdGrand Rapids South Christian
2012Lilah PoelGrand Rapids Christian
2112Julia GarciaPinckney
2211Olivia WeissHolland
2310Anneliese PasschierEast Grand Rapids
249Alayna VerhageOtsego
2510Mai NguyenPlainwell
2611Alivia OttingerGoodrich
2712Elise BardenFrankenmuth
2811Addison JosephsonLinden
2910Ana LovellLake Fenton
3010Remie EllisEaton Rapids
3111Eliana StobHolland Christian
3212Brooklynn BrownCadillac
339Addelyn SabatkeOtsego
3412Alexis KotkowiczSpring Lake
3511Ella McInerneyCadillac
369Adelyn VerhageOtsego
3711Zoe HoekstraGrand Rapids Christian
3810Madison PettyAdrian
3912Ellie ScholmaGrand Rapids Christian
4011Adeline ArmstrongEast Grand Rapids
4112Miriam KlohaSt. Johns
4210Annika StobHolland Christian
4311Ellery LampenHolland Christian
4412Linnea PaigeFremont
4510Addison BixlerCoopersville
469Vittoria PerucchettiSt. Joseph
4712Layla GeurinkHolland Christian
4812Beatrice PerucchettiSt. Joseph
4911Skylar MejeurOtsego
509Hailey KuhnCadillac
5111Monica LynnAnn Arbor Gabriel Richard
5212Jillian ClasonForest Hills Eastern
5311Ahna WoltjerGrand Rapids West Mich. Aviation
5410Audrey KlineSt. Joseph
559Lily VanEykGrand Rapids South Christian
5611Samantha WhitlamMacomb Lutheran North
5710Eva LindstromGrand Rapids Christian
5811Lucy WaalkesGrand Rapids Christian
599Breslyn KleinCoopersville
6012Annika TerBeekGrand Rapids Christian
6111Mackenzie HuizengaHolland Christian
6211Bridget FidkowskiAnn Arbor Gabriel Richard
6312Rebekah StachuraOtsego
6410Abree VanDenBrinkWayland Union
6510Danica RedesShepherd
6612Georgia BabcockEdwardsburg
679Lulu ParkSturgis
6810Grace LemanEdwardsburg
6910Abby CrandellOwosso
7010Bridget FullertonParma Western
7111Cora ParkerSpring Lake
7211Colette CharchutHaslett
7312Avery TurkNew Boston Huron
7411Melody MeckstrothLinden
7511Avery SilvasCharlotte
7610Sophie JonesHolland Christian
7712Samantha BrownClio
7812Tessa HattSturgis
7910Peyhton BeardsleyFruitport
8012Nora GerzemaFarmington Hills Mercy
819Noelle HulstGrand Rapids South Christian
8210Chloe MazzaCadillac
8310Kaleigh ClarkSpring Lake
849Taylee FoxOtsego
859Brooklyn TakagishiDeWitt
8611Kylie MausolfBirch Run
8710Claire MillerMonroe Jefferson
8810Aurora (Rory) DoepkerDeWitt
899Jordane FalveyDearborn Divine Child
9011Sawyer ReaganAllendale
9110Maggie ScholmaGrand Rapids Christian
9210Vivienne ConflittiForest Hills Eastern
9310Eastynn CharderPinckney
9410Lily PhillipsForest Hills Eastern
9512Ava PawlickPetoskey
9610Addy NesbittCedar Springs
979Isabelle OostemaGrand Rapids South Christian
9811Lucy ConzelmannFrankenmuth
9910Courtney FloeterLinden
1009Claire AlbrechtArmada

The projections show a little less variability toward potential All-Staters, around 45 girls (not in the above order) with a fighter’s change.

BOYS INDIVIDUAL

A season on the sidelines, the fire must have burned deep. Although he raced unattached on many occasions, Robert Jazwinski never got the chance to make a return trip to MIS, never got a chance to prove his training during his sophomore season. During the 2025 fall, he’s more than verified his work. Undefeated on the year, yet he’s picked his spots for the supreme efforts. A 15:15 at Under the Lights announced his return. A 15:28 at Spartan was the fastest time of the day. And a 14:56 at Benzie was the fastest time of his life. The margin on Saturday will undoubtedly be smaller than previous meets, but there’s been nothing to prove that he’s not up for the challenge.

As stated prior, throughout his career, Jonah Workman has shown he’s up for the challenge. His freshman effort here was integral to the Pioneer title. Two years later, his 15:17 was a personal best and 5th place finish. This spring, he was 3rd in the D2 3200m. He’s demonstrated the wheels via a 14:58 at Sparta. A mid-season sickness prevented a true showdown at Portage, but gives motivation for revenge.

I should also mention a few seniors who have given much to the sport and will be present here:

Thomas Larson – hitting the mid-15’s in his past three races, including a Region 14 win.

Moises Salazar Jr. – 3x All-State and Lenawee County Champion.

Edison Lopeman – 8th here a year ago. Has been battling this year, showing hope with his effort these past few weeks.

Bryce Gross – in tandem with Lennox Naswell, but nonetheless impactful. 20th here last year with a personal best, one that he’s nearing towards in his past two races.

Ronnie Silveira – twice All-State here and holder of four consecutive sub-16’s.

And if you’re looking forward to 2027, a Gavin Katic/Lennox Naswell showdown. The two sophomores are closely-knit in residence, time, and age. Half a second separated the two at Greater Flint, one of many future battles from these exciting 10th graders.

ProjectedGradeNameTeam
111Robert Jazwinski IIIWhitehall
212Jonah WorkmanEast Grand Rapids
310Lennox NaswellFlint Powers Catholic
410Gavin KaticFenton
512Thomas LarsonAlma
611Ezekiel BaltierraAlma
711Mason HillAllendale
811Mitchell DunlapGrand Rapids Catholic Central
912Edison LopemanParma Western
1010Micah BeckerEast Grand Rapids
1112Ronnie SilveiraAllendale
1212Moises Salazar Jr.Adrian
1312Bryce GrossFlint Powers Catholic
1412Shephard BowerForest Hills Eastern
1511Caiden CaswellVicksburg
1611Bryce CahoonShepherd
1712Aden AshworthAllendale
1811Cole McCrawPinckney
1912Vincent PattisonGoodrich
2011Abraham McHughMarshall
2112Sean RyanGrand Rapids Christian
2212Asher JagerGrand Rapids West Mich. Aviation
2312Jack EdisonEast Grand Rapids
2412Jacob StanislawskiFlat Rock
2510Ashton FinkGrand Rapids Christian
2610Duncan PalmerWilliamston
2712Brett MagnusFrankenmuth
2812Aiden MarpleDeWitt
2912Ben VerellenGladwin
3011Seth RandallSt. Joseph
319Logan CristianParma Western
3212Kenny ShefferOtsego
3311Owen AdamsSpring Lake
3410Ryan RathsburgFlint Powers Catholic
3512Charlie BrauerThree Rivers
3611Seth BetzoldEssexville Garber
3712Henry FredenbergChelsea
3812Caleb CarignanFlint Powers Catholic
3912Cole WisniewskiOrchard Lake St. Mary’s
4012Tommy BeiterFlint Powers Catholic
4110Jack HincksDetroit Country Day
4210Aiden LambersHolland
4312George ScuphamEdwardsburg
4412Owen MetzgerSparta
4511Joshua MacriMacomb Lutheran North
4611Omar ElbashirDetroit Country Day
479Jackson PantRichland Gull Lake
4811Christian AyresBattle Creek Harper Creek
4912Brodie LicataLake Fenton
5011Gabe GriersonLudington
519Grant LampenHolland Christian
5211Christopher VogtPaw Paw
5311Nick ParkerFrankenmuth
5412Landon GerritsmaHolland Christian
5511Ryan GoodParma Western
5611Steven ZawackiForest Hills Eastern
5710Liam DewittHaslett
5811Lucas AardemaEast Grand Rapids
5912Luke DuleckiNew Boston Huron
6011Wyeth AngusChelsea
6110Gerard GilmourFenton
6212Thad VanderLaanGrand Rapids South Christian
6312Aiden WellerCedar Springs
6411Gunnar DjerfOtsego
6512Jacob HyltonOrtonville Brandon
6612Matthew CarbajoGrosse Ile
6712Zahar RushPetoskey
6811Reeve ObermanPetoskey
6912Murphy WagnerSaginaw Swan Valley
7010Rex PumfordWhitehall
7110Teddy WeberWilliamston
7212Tyler VanKuikenEast Grand Rapids
7312Carson WoodSparta
7412Braylon LennemanDeWitt
7510Carson WiersbeSt. Joseph
7612Sam HillaryEast Grand Rapids
7711Hunter SmithVicksburg
7812Raymond HerekWilliamston
7912Benjamin MoralesSturgis
8012Hiro NguyenPlainwell
8112Luca LebronAlma
8212Reagan WardSt. Johns
839Parker SmithAdrian
849John RochowiakPinckney
8512Andrew FeldpauschPortland
8610Kash MooredHopkins
8710Samuel JohnsonAlma
8810Macen WhiteHolland Christian
8912Hunter ParsonsWhitehall
9010Grayson MichelsForest Hills Eastern
9111Ben VerlinGrand Rapids South Christian
9211Cole CoffmanHolland Christian
9312Micah SmallGrand Rapids Christian
9412Jonah ZietlowThree Rivers
9512Cooper GardnerBattle Creek Harper Creek
9612Jack EstelleHopkins
9710Andrew NunningPontiac Notre Dame Prep
9810Eli MorrisTecumseh
9910Christian PavligeFruitport
10011Jakin WhitneyShepherd

This looks to be a wild one, with upwards of 75 boys (not in the above order – some boys are more consistent, others have had occasional bouts of greatness) in contention for the All-State spots.