It’s baaack. A summertime tradition has returned, the 50 Tickets to Brooklyn. These lists celebrate the top 50 returners – based on a concoction of the ’25 XC season, projected improvements, the ’26 Track season, and a tiny bit of my own input.
Enjoy!
Many of these photos are sourced from either MLive or Miles Postema. Any others will find credit in the caption.
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 11 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:20.3 | Alma | 207.6 | MITCA | 8-Nov | 2025 |
| 11 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:29.1 | Alma | 206.0 | D2 State Finals | 1-Nov | 2025 |
| 11 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:37.8 | Alma | 201.4 | Region 14 | 24-Oct | 2025 |
| 11 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:46.0 | Alma | 199.7 | Greater Lansing | 11-Oct | 2025 |
| 11 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 16:02.9 | Alma | 201.0 | TVC 3 | 7-Oct | 2025 |
| 11 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:52.0 | Alma | 200.0 | Birch Run Fall | 30-Sep | 2025 |
| 11 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:23.0 | Alma | 213.0 | Bluejay | 27-Sep | 2025 |
| 11 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:34.4 | Alma | 207.5 | TVC 2 | 23-Sep | 2025 |
| 11 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:57.3 | Alma | 211.2 | Spartan | 12-Sep | 2025 |
| 11 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:52.0 | Alma | 207.7 | TVC 1 | 9-Sep | 2025 |
| 11 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:30.5 | Alma | 214.2 | John Bruder Classic | 3-Sep | 2025 |
| 11 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:41.9 | Alma | 205.0 | Saranac | 27-Aug | 2025 |
| 11 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:52.2 | Alma | 209.0 | Birch Run Early | 21-Aug | 2025 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 10 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:36.7 | Alma | 202.4 | MITCA | 9-Nov | 2024 |
| 10 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:48.8 | Alma | 197.7 | Division 2 State | 2-Nov | 2024 |
| 10 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:50.7 | Alma | 197.1 | Region 14 | 25-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 17:16.1 | Alma | 195.0 | TVC Overall | 15-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:40.0 | Alma | 204.0 | Greater Lansing | 12-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 16:01.4 | Alma | 198.2 | TVC 3 | 8-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:59.4 | Alma | 198.2 | Portage | 5-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:57.4 | Alma | 195.5 | Birch Run Fall | 1-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:50.7 | Alma | 199.4 | DeWitt | 28-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 16:07.4 | Alma | 205.2 | TVC 2 | 25-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 16:36.5 | Alma | 205.8 | TVC 1 | 17-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 16:09.4 | Alma | 205.5 | Spartan | 13-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:49.9 | Alma | 207.0 | John Bruder Classic | 4-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 16:24.4 | Alma | 204.9 | Yellowjacket | 28-Aug | 2024 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 9 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:38.9 | Alma | 200.0 | MITCA | 11-Nov | 2023 |
| 9 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:46.5 | Alma | 198.5 | Division 2 State | 4-Nov | 2023 |
| 9 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:47.6 | Alma | 197.1 | Region 15 | 27-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 16:39.6 | Alma | 190.5 | CC-C Eagle | 20-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 16:00.3 | Alma | 190.2 | TVC Overall | 17-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 16:26.4 | Alma | 195.9 | Greater Lansing | 14-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:49.9 | Alma | 196.4 | TVC Red Championship | 10-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 16:21.7 | Alma | 193.4 | Birch Run Fall | 3-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 15:55.2 | Alma | 195.6 | Bluejay | 30-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 16:27.7 | Alma | 193.4 | Spartan | 15-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 16:03.0 | Alma | 200.7 | John Bruder Classic | 7-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Ezekiel Baltierra | 16:55.4 | Alma | 182.2 | Yellowjacket | 30-Aug | 2023 |
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 15:17
800m – 1:58
1600m – 4:13
3200m – 9:06
Accolades
XC
6th Place – Division 2 State
3x All-State
TVC Red Champion
3x Top-5 – Greater Lansing
Track
7th Place – Division 2 State 1600m
7th Place – Division 2 State 4×8
4x All-State
Region 20 1600m Champion
TVC Conference 1600m Champion
His Breakout Race
For a kid who’s been in the 15’s all three years, stepped onto the podium each time at MIS, and owned a 4:21 1600m as a freshman, it’s really tough to find ONE breakout race. But I believe this past track season displayed just how much of Baltierra’s potential is still untapped. Two races stand out, both in terms of time and the sense that he’s got even more to show us.
You have to take these in the context of his career. Prior to Distance Night, Ezekiel had donned an Alma jersey for over 30 races at the 1600m distance. He began his career fast, closing his freshman year with a 4:21 in the event. He’d been a consistent runner, many of those efforts between 4:20 and 4:30. In 2026, a few had been a bit quicker, namely two 4:17’s, one for the full mile indoors and another to win Region 20. Past the pressures of regionals and in the right environment, Baltierra was able to pop a 4:13.7 in Grand Rapids.
He’d raced the 3200m a bit less often. He’d always been present at the Bluejay Elite 3200m, racing to 9:24, 9:53, and 9:27 the past three seasons. The week after state, Ezekiel took the trek over to Davison to hopefully end the season on a high note. Coming into the race, though lightly raced, he owned a personal best of 9:21. Under the Davison lights, Baltierra, along with Kamari Ronfeldt and Marek Butkiewicz, took aim at the 9-flat barrier. Zeke aggressively hung in there for much of the race, pushing the pace and holding the other two accountable. After eight laps, Baltierra finished with a brand new PR, 9:06, leagues ahead of where it stood prior.
Cross is next, with ample opportunity to raise his lofty standards.
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 