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2025 Division 3 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

The east side of Lansing is teeming with talent. Purely distance girls, mid-distance girls, hurdlers, a combination of which that is speedy on the track and title-worthy on the grass. That combination of ability led to a Lansing Catholic championship in 2024 and has positioned the Cougars as the favorite in 2025. Last year, the Cougars won on their strength from their 5th girl (Avery Miller), who was the fastest 5th in the field. Her 38th place in the team race helped her Cougars come back and pass Pewamo-Westphalia in the team scoring.

The top six have returned from that 2024 MIS squad, enough quality that would have led the Cougars to the #1 spot. Extra insurance has been added in the form of Anna Drauer, a freshman that’s been a consistent presence in the 19’s this latter half of the season. The Cougars as a whole have not been complacent. They’ve captured the CAAC White yet again, keeping the 14-year streak alive. They achieved the lowest score ever in the history of the Michigan Catholic Invite. In the Portage pre-state setting, the team dominated the D3 field enroute to a 80+ point victory. The accomplishments abound in the regular season and can clearly be capped by another championship season title.

ProjectedTeamAvg. ScorePlace Range
1Lansing Catholic811st-2nd
2Pewamo-Westphalia1882nd-5th
3Saugatuck2322nd-8th
4Blissfield2442nd-8th
5Jackson Lumen Christi2482nd-10th
6Olivet2773rd-11th
7Hart2842nd-13th
8Grandville Calvin Christian3055th-13th
9Grand Rapids Covenant Christian3064th-14th
10Benzie Central3184th-15th
11Traverse City St. Francis3405th-18th
12Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian3487th-17th
13Remus Chippewa Hills3569th-17th
14McBain3616th-20th
15Kent City3697th-20th
16Bronson40411th-22nd
17Plymouth Christian Academy40513th-20th
18Caro42813th-23rd
19Saginaw Valley Lutheran44012th-24th
20Stanton Central Montcalm47017th-24th
21Leslie48116th-25th
22Bath48917th-26th
23Harbor Springs49017th-25th
24Bridgman54921st-27th
25Grass Lake55820th-28th
26Boyne City57721st-28th
27Monroe St. Mary CC62225th-28th
28Fennville63724th-28th

Although the Cougars aren’t truly 100% favorites to win it (no one is!), the question is: who joins LC on the podium? Four teams have a distinct possibility:

Pewamo-Westphalia
Saugatuck
Jackson Lumen Christi
Blissfield

As these squads are based in different regions of Michigan, common matchups aren’t all that common. One did occur at Portage, where P-W placed 2nd, ahead of Saugatuck and Lumen Christi. P-W and Saugatuck also faced off at the former’s home invite, with the Pirates once again holding serve.

ProjectedTeamWin %Podium %Top-Ten %
1Lansing Catholic95+95+95+
2Pewamo-Westphalia6495+
3Saugatuck1295+
4Blissfield695+
5Jackson Lumen Christi1395
6Olivet93
7Hart82
8Grandville Calvin Christian70
9Grand Rapids Covenant Christian69
10Benzie Central55
11Traverse City St. Francis35
12Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian22
13Remus Chippewa Hills17
14McBain29
15Kent City19
16Bronson7
17Plymouth Christian Academy
18Caro
19Saginaw Valley Lutheran6
20Stanton Central Montcalm
21Leslie
22Bath
23Harbor Springs
24Bridgman
25Grass Lake
26Boyne City
27Monroe St. Mary CC
28Fennville

I’ll refer back to the questions posed yesterday:

Who has the best 5th girl? Likely either Saugatuck or Pewamo-Westphalia. At the two common invites, the Pirates held a slight edge at the 5th spot, but Saugatuck still has had five girls sub-21 on the year.

Who holds the greatest depth through all varsity runners? Probably Pewamo-Westphalia, who appears interchangeable in their 4th-6th slots.

Who steers clear of the bubble? The numbers guess that the main pack of girls will be rated 80-95, or what I would anticipate to be 21:00-21:50. Saugatuck, Blissfield, and Pewamo-Westphalia will all likely have 3-4 girls clear of the pack, Jackson Lumen Christi will have many entrenched in the mix. So there are scenarios where the Titans punch above their projection with the possibility of a few seconds meaning multiple places.

BOYS TEAM

This D3 boys’ race could be the race of the day. Three teams in close proximity, the top trio projected within 8 points of one another. And a non-zero chance that a major upset occurs from the projected 4th, 5th, or even 6th spot. Traverse City St. Francis, 2024’s Division 3 Champion and commonly found outfit up here in the standings left quite a void, returning only one athlete from their title squad. Thus, this championship was always up for grabs.

Saugatuck has always been thought of a contender, both from this season’s work and last fall’s impressive runner-up finish. The Trailblazers weren’t projected anywhere near the 2024 podium, yet were able to pack up and bring home a trophy. The team, fully comprised of underclassmen, set their top-five between 16:19 and 16:46, barreling their way into the 2nd spot through their tremendous depth.

Jackson Lumen Christi perhaps didn’t have the best day last year, but you can imagine that has spurred their inclusion in this conversation. Especially when one peeks at the improvement of their varsity boys, many impactful time drops by multiple minutes.

Apparent in the spring was the progress of Charlevoix. Three underclassmen that were sub-10 in the 3200m. A State Title in the same event from Hunter Eaton. State qualifiers and a pair of 11th place finishes from Ryder Hopkins and Matthew Solomon.

ProjectedTeamAvg. ScorePlace Range
1Jackson Lumen Christi1751st-6th
2Charlevoix1791st-7th
3Saugatuck1871st-8th
4Lansing Catholic2111st-8th
5Ithaca2151st-9th
6Hanover-Horton2661st-14th
7Stanton Central Montcalm2744th-13th
8Jonesville2824th-14th
9Benzie Central2833rd-14th
10The Potter’s House3135th-16th
11Buchanan3324th-19th
12Holland Black River3427th-18th
13Hart3447th-18th
14Ann Arbor Greenhills3527th-20th
15Plymouth Christian Academy3759th-21st
16Lake City3818th-21st
17Pewamo-Westphalia42913th-24th
18Erie Mason44112th-26th
19Midland Bullock Creek44513th-26th
20Caro45315th-26th
21Blissfield45614th-25th
22Montague46815th-27th
23Traverse City St. Francis50918th-27th
24Montrose51116th-27th
25Schoolcraft51217th-27th
26Harbor Springs52119th-27th
27Monroe St. Mary CC52617th-27th

Unlike the first D3 race of the day, common matchups are easy to find. Plenty took place throughout mid-September. Two prominent ones occurred just before championship season: Portage and Bluejay. And Region 23 gives a little hope of what could be an incredible upset.

Bluejay was one of the few races that we saw Charlevoix in action against the other top teams. The Rayders were the top D3 team in the elite section, placing 9th out of 35 teams. Ithaca and Central Montcalm also competed there, placing 21st and 22nd – the Rayders cleared either squad by approximately 200 points. That wasn’t Ithaca’s day, as some of the Yellowjackets’ better performances have come of late.

A week later, at the Portage bonanza, Hanover-Horton, Lansing Catholic, and Saugatuck all jumped out the gate, nearing the lead at the mile. In the middle mile, the Titans surged to the lead, one they wouldn’t relinquish. It’s that kind of strategy that gives confidence for state, pouncing as the adrenaline wears off from the excited and anxious field. But with only a 24-point gap to Saugatuck and 20 more to Lansing Catholic, it showed that there isn’t a huge gap at the top end of the contenders.

Region 23 furthered that point, three top-ten teams present at Sharp Park – Lumen Christi, Hanover-Horton, and Jonesville. The former Comets nearly pulled off the upset, a huge performance (35+ second SB) from Zach Hassenzahl pulling H-H to within a point of Lumen Christi.

ProjectedTeamWin %Podium %Top-Ten %
1Jackson Lumen Christi295295+
2Charlevoix244795+
3Saugatuck284495+
4Lansing Catholic71995+
5Ithaca82095+
6Hanover-Horton876
7Stanton Central Montcalm81
8Jonesville73
9Benzie Central73
10The Potter’s House50
11Buchanan38
12Holland Black River25
13Hart26
14Ann Arbor Greenhills28
15Plymouth Christian Academy13
16Lake City12
17Pewamo-Westphalia
18Erie Mason
19Midland Bullock Creek
20Caro
21Blissfield
22Montague
23Traverse City St. Francis
24Montrose
25Schoolcraft
26Harbor Springs
27Monroe St. Mary CC

The three posed questions:

Who has the best 5th runner?

Most likely Lumen Christi, with a lesser chance of Lansing Catholic. At Portage, Avery Morrow handled the heat better than any other D3 5th kid and was the main driver behind the Titan win. Lansing Catholic had the 2nd best 5th performance there and all of their top-five has been sub-17.

Who has the best depth?

There isn’t really any exceptional team here, most have a considerable drop off between their scorers and their 6-7. Lansing Catholic has smallest gap between the two.

Who steers clear of the bubble?

I’d anticipate the main pack crossing the line between 17:00 and 17:40. Lansing Catholic, Saugatuck and Ithaca are the most avoidant of this area. Lumen Christi, Charlevoix, and Hanover-Horton will likely be sparring with others in this range of times. The former two will likely have three come in before it, Hanover-Horton could have many in the mix.

Where am I getting with this? Hanover-Horton could be most variant from their projected spot. Charlevoix, Lumen Christi, and Saugatuck will have many spots to gain (and points to lose) from their depth. Lansing Catholic and Ithaca appear the most stable and could move up on any potential subpar performance from the above teams.

GIRLS INDIVIDUAL

A few names have had excellent careers to date and have come to the forefront this season:

Hailey Creisher – defeated only twice this season, victorious on 14 occasions. At Greater Lansing, was able to slip under 18:00 for the 2nd time in her career. Back-to-back winner of the Cascades Conference and Region 26.

Samantha Schroeder – has followed the same pattern that led to last year’s 8th place finish. Has put forth her best material in recent weeks, winning the CHSL Bishop title and finishing first in the D3 race at Portage. Following those wins, the times have come, hitting a season’s best of 18:14 in her Region 23 win.

Hope Miller – following the departure of Emmry Ross, finally has come to claim SE side supremacy. Winner of the Lenawee County, LCAA, and Region 27 titles. Has ventured into the mid-18’s in her past three meets. If track is any indication, 2025 championship meets are her time to shine, as Miller was 2nd in the 800m and 3rd in the 1600m.

ProjectedGradeNameTeam
112Hailey CreisherLeslie
211Samantha SchroederJackson Lumen Christi
312Hope MillerBlissfield
410Tiya FeldpauschOlivet
510Elliana MaxKent City
611Alyssa KramerPewamo-Westphalia
711Grace WonchLansing Catholic
810Josie BishopLansing Catholic
911Violet TetilCaro
109Calista GeorgePewamo-Westphalia
1111Isabelle SliterFennville
1210Caelyn TorryMcBain
1312Brynne SchulteElk Rapids
149Anna DrauerLansing Catholic
1510Dory SimonRemus Chippewa Hills
169Lily BrittonOlivet
1710Avery KellyBenzie Central
1812Abigail ReisMillington
1912Bella LaFountainMonroe St. Mary CC
2010Isabelle CurrieLansing Catholic
2111Kamryn SalladayLakeview
2212Ashlynn HarrisBronson
2312Alina MartinsonSaugatuck
2412Anna PrayElk Rapids
259Tala CarlinBuchanan
2612Mattie GagneMidland Bullock Creek
2712Macy FazekasJackson Lumen Christi
2811Makinna FoglesongIthaca
2910Lindsey LudwigLansing Catholic
3011Kamryn SixberrySaugatuck
3110Madisyn WansteadLeRoy Pine River
3212Aletta ScholtenGrandville Calvin Christian
3311Shelby KuiperGrand Rapids Covenant Christian
3411Natalie RosemaHart
3512Grace CostonStanton Central Montcalm
3611Marlowe WalcottReed City
379Anamaria BrazdauPlymouth Christian Academy
389Jocelyn TetilCaro
3912Madi HarePlymouth Christian Academy
409Kylie ZwiepGrand Rapids NorthPointe Christian
4112Ella HeffnerCharyl Stockwell Academy
4211Lyvia CurtisSaugatuck
4311Betsy GoodenManton
4410Shelby ZimmerKent City
4512Hailey SillsBlissfield
4610Lindsey CmeylaSaginaw Valley Lutheran
479Avery HaynesBrooklyn Columbia Central
489Alaina CivinskasRoscommon
499Emma MillerHart
5011Jenna KeilenPewamo-Westphalia
5112Quinn HatfieldRemus Chippewa Hills
5211Anna HallettBlissfield
5312Frances MelinnLansing Catholic
5412Anna PoppemaBath
5510Emma KerrTraverse City St. Francis
5611Molly Kate HollandsworthTraverse City St. Francis
5710Maggie McClellanBenzie Central
5810Alaina SchanerHart
5910Peyton NellisRemus Chippewa Hills
6010Aaliyah HillierKalkaska
6111Avery MillerLansing Catholic
6210Faith HelselLake City
6312Maryrose HalbergCharlevoix
6411Emily BeetheSaginaw Valley Lutheran
6511Lydia MinderhoudGrand Rapids Covenant Christian
6611Nico TrieboldGrayling
679Sage PalmerSandusky
6811Faith JenkinsGrandville Calvin Christian
699Lily SissonLeRoy Pine River
7012Emily PetersOlivet
7111Brynlee SwihartHanover-Horton
7212Kandin ShulerBridgman
7311Laura CastrejonNewaygo
7410Lynnae MeengsGrandville Calvin Christian
759Madelynn PattersonOlivet
7611Ellie BeachSanford-Meridian
7710Ellason FosterNewaygo
7810Adalyn JarchowGrass Lake
7912Braelyn BuntingStanton Central Montcalm
8010Ingrid Molins RalloBenzie Central
8110Sarah NothstineMidland Bullock Creek
8210Olivia BrownBad Axe
839Ellyse HeyserSaugatuck
8412Georgia HaagManistee
859Sydney KnieperNew Lothrop
8611Stefi ReskevicsHarbor Springs
879Joselyn VogelKent City
889Allison BurnsConstantine
8910Esther CahillSaranac
909Kate DeVriesGrand Rapids Covenant Christian
919Mya BronkemaMcBain
929Jenny WoznickGrand Rapids NorthPointe Christian
9311Delaney SmithPewamo-Westphalia
9411Alonna GoodsellBronson
9510Taylor StanczakAlmont
9610Averie StefanovskyCaro
9712Makenna GwisdallaBad Axe
989Katherine SchaferPewamo-Westphalia
999Leah ElzingaGrand Rapids Covenant Christian
10011Kaleea BraunBlissfield

As I stated in the D4 preview, I don’t anticipate the conditions will be *as* optimal as in 2023 or 2024, so I’d expect times to be a little slower. If I had to fathom a guess toward the All-State cutoff, I’d be antsy if I were above 19:30. The projections give around 55 girls (not in the above order) a fighter’s chance of stepping onto that podium.

BOYS INDIVIDUAL

That void does and doesn’t exist for the D3 boys. Although outgoing seniors took the top-two spots, underclassmen had their presence felt throughout the standings.

Gage Hoffman was the top non-senior, hitting a personal best in his 3rd place finish.

Christian Craanen and Nole Lorenzen established themselves as youngsters to be reckoned with.

Landen Styka hit another sub-16 in a season full of ‘em.

Caleb Blonde was the fastest sophomore.

Hunter Eaton hit a season best and set the stage for his track heroics.

There doesn’t seem to be great differences or tiers between the top runners. Appearing to have the greatest chances of coming out on top are:

Hunter Eaton – who when faced with the opportunity, has brought his best material. The greatest example of that being his 15:22 from Bluejay.

Gage Hoffman – winner of Portage and Region 24 for the 2nd year in a row.

Nole Lorenzen – two straight Region 26 titles but also ripping some fast times, such as his 15:24 from Larry Steeb.

Christian Craanen – entered MIS last year with a personal best of 16:20. Enters it this year having already run 15:42. Given his performance at the speedway last November, that gives great hope for another breakout.

Luke Herron – had a dramatic jump toward the end of last year (16:01 and 20th here) and has continued it further, dipping into the 15’s at John Bruder and Brooks Mid-Season.

Caleb Blonde – battle-tested down in the Jackson area. Winner of the Cascades Conference for the second year in a row and captured Region 23 for the first time ever. Sub-16 for the past four races.

ProjectedGradeNameTeam
111Hunter EatonCharlevoix
212Gage HoffmanStanton Central Montcalm
310Nole LorenzenRochester Hills Lutheran NW
410Christian CraanenMonroe St. Mary CC
511Caleb BlondeJonesville
611Logan YoungmanHillsdale
711Luke HerronCaro
811Ryder HopkinsCharlevoix
911Jonas BallardHolland Black River
1011Chad TysonHanover-Horton
1112Landen StykaIthaca
1210Owen PoppemaBath
1312Edward MugishaThe Potter’s House
1412Tyler LeachOtisville LakeVille
1510Will HulinCentreville
1611Marcus SilvaSaugatuck
1711Rocky BoltonJackson Lumen Christi
1812Matthew SolomonCharlevoix
1910Eli VanPoortflietBenzie Central
2010Clint CouchmanBrooklyn Columbia Central
2112Gibson ShoreJackson Lumen Christi
2211Grant RehkopfSaugatuck
2311John KeserBuchanan
2412Qwynn DarnellElk Rapids
2511Evan OlsonPigeon-Laker
2612Emmanuel MehariPlymouth Christian Academy
2712Jayden FoxSaginaw Valley Lutheran
2812Jeryn FrisbieBelding
2911Isaac DionneBoyne City
3011Evan MacLarenIthaca
3111James TennesLansing Catholic
3210Soren CrosthwaiteJackson Lumen Christi
3312Lucas GatesLansing Catholic
3412Jacob MankeyIthaca
3510Michael WeidmayerBlissfield
3611John KowatchPewamo-Westphalia
379Isaac CoxPlymouth Christian Academy
3811William GancerStockbridge
3912John EdlerHomer
4010Jackson BowmanSaugatuck
4111Naveen KulkarniAnn Arbor Greenhills
4212Maxwell DurhamNew Haven
4312Trenton FetterAdrian Madison
4412Kyler FertigStanton Central Montcalm
4512Jackson SchaubBenzie Central
4611Everett BeachLansing Catholic
4710Tristan HernandezKingsley
4812Sylus WilsonStanton Central Montcalm
4911Levi SchimmelGrand Rapids Covenant Christian
5011Marshall BrandtMidland Bullock Creek
5111Cooper FlickHanover-Horton
5212Noah DevereauxLaingsburg
5311Collin FucileJonesville
5412Ben GautscheUnion City
5512Peter SoltisJackson Lumen Christi
5610Noah SillsBlissfield
579Asher PutmanReese
5810Jack SongerRochester Hills Lutheran NW
5911Evan CivinskasRoscommon
609Reese DevisserSchoolcraft
6110Edison HuizingaManistee
6211Sawyer MonroeSaugatuck
6312Caiden HelselLake City
6412Connor HelselLake City
6512Alessandro AvilaConstantine
6612Nicholas FowlerJonesville
6712Paul SaladinReed City
6810Ashton PotwinJonesville
6912Liam McBethBuchanan
7012Owen BeinditAlgonac
7111Cooper TiffanyLakeview
7211David CastrejonNewaygo
7310Nolan KesslerMontague
7412Nico AagesenAnn Arbor Greenhills
7511Avery MorrowJackson Lumen Christi
7611Téo KrummLansing Catholic
7712Jack SherwoodBuchanan
7811Logan YoungHarrison
7910Simon ReedPlymouth Christian Academy
8011Easton McCloyGrand Rapids NorthPointe Christian
8112Isaac JohnsonHolland Black River
8211Owen SytsemaMuskegon Western Mich. Christian
8310Grant CorlewHarbor Springs
8411Charlie GeorgePewamo-Westphalia
8511Kenneth ManglesLeslie
869Sam CasianoWatervliet
8711Gibson SmithMontague
8810Christopher ShemesIthaca
8910Eli HobsonMontrose
9011Ethan HuffHomer
9111Joseph ColalucaErie Mason
9211Sebastian ZylstraHolland Black River
9310Tyler HarrisHanover-Horton
9410Grady RicheyLansing Catholic
9510Timothy WolffHart
9612Isaac NorcrossGrand Rapids NorthPointe Christian
9712Henry BeckAnn Arbor Greenhills
9811Maxwell DrenthCharlevoix
9910Remyngton ClishSanford-Meridian
10012Isaac Struck-VanderHaakThe Potter’s House

I’d guesstimate 16:30 being the slowest time required for an All-State finish. This is a highly variant mix of kids, around 75 boys having a good shot of earning a medal.