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 | Jaelyn Ray | 17:21.3 | Pinckney | 167.6 | MITCA | 8-Nov | 2025 |
| 11 | Jaelyn Ray | 17:53.0 | Pinckney | 155.7 | D2 State Finals | 1-Nov | 2025 |
| 11 | Jaelyn Ray | 18:37.3 | Pinckney | 151.2 | Region 16 | 25-Oct | 2025 |
| 11 | Jaelyn Ray | 18:05.9 | Pinckney | 158.0 | SEC Championship | 16-Oct | 2025 |
| 11 | Jaelyn Ray | 17:36.7 | Pinckney | 158.8 | Gabriel Richard | 11-Oct | 2025 |
| 11 | Jaelyn Ray | 18:02.6 | Pinckney | 162.5 | Portage | 4-Oct | 2025 |
| 11 | Jaelyn Ray | 18:54.8 | Pinckney | 157.4 | Coaching Legends | 27-Sep | 2025 |
| 11 | Jaelyn Ray | 18:20.8 | Pinckney | 162.1 | SEC White 2 | 25-Sep | 2025 |
| 11 | Jaelyn Ray | 19:04.8 | Pinckney | 146.7 | Linden Classic | 20-Sep | 2025 |
| 11 | Jaelyn Ray | 18:17.5 | Pinckney | 161.2 | Holly | 13-Sep | 2025 |
| 11 | Jaelyn Ray | 17:57.1 | Pinckney | 157.6 | SEC 1 | 9-Sep | 2025 |
| 11 | Jaelyn Ray | 19:03.1 | Pinckney | 153.0 | Milford | 28-Aug | 2025 |
| 11 | Jaelyn Ray | 18:25.5 | Pinckney | 163.8 | Lamplighter | 15-Aug | 2025 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 10 | Jaelyn Ray | 18:23.7 | Pinckney | 145.8 | Division 2 State | 2-Nov | 2024 |
| 10 | Jaelyn Ray | 18:46.5 | Pinckney | 143.5 | Region 16 | 26-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Jaelyn Ray | 18:40.6 | Pinckney | 144.8 | SEC Championship | 17-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Jaelyn Ray | 18:37.5 | Pinckney | 146.2 | Portage | 5-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Jaelyn Ray | 20:02.7 | Pinckney | 132.4 | Coaching Legends | 28-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Jaelyn Ray | 19:20.6 | Pinckney | 143.1 | Holly | 14-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Jaelyn Ray | 19:08.1 | Pinckney | 146.0 | SEC 1 | 10-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Jaelyn Ray | 19:52.4 | Pinckney | 149.5 | Milford | 29-Aug | 2024 |
| 10 | Jaelyn Ray | 18:45.4 | Pinckney | 151.5 | Lamplighter | 23-Aug | 2024 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 9 | Jaelyn Ray | 19:29.5 | Pinckney | 122.2 | MITCA | 11-Nov | 2023 |
| 9 | Jaelyn Ray | 19:27.5 | Pinckney | 125.2 | Division 2 State | 4-Nov | 2023 |
| 9 | Jaelyn Ray | 19:53.6 | Pinckney | 122.1 | Region 16 | 28-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Jaelyn Ray | 20:19.3 | Pinckney | 117.2 | SEC Championship | 19-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Jaelyn Ray | 19:36.6 | Pinckney | 131.1 | Gabriel Richard | 14-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Jaelyn Ray | 19:36.6 | Pinckney | 125.8 | Portage | 7-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Jaelyn Ray | 20:10.0 | Pinckney | 126.3 | Coaching Legends | 30-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Jaelyn Ray | 20:11.4 | Pinckney | 133.5 | Milford | 31-Aug | 2023 |
| 9 | Jaelyn Ray | 19:09.5 | Pinckney | 147.5 | Lamplighter | 18-Aug | 2023 |
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 17:21
800m – 2:12
1600m – 4:49
3200m – 10:28
Accolades
XC
5th Place – Division 2 State
2x All-State
Region 16 Champion
2x SEC White Champion
Track
Division 2 State 3200m Champion
2nd Place – Division 2 State 1600m
5th Place – Division 2 State 4×8
5x All-State
2nd Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 3200m
4th Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 1600m
Her Championship Season
She had been building to the point, progressing forward through every season, leaving each track or cross campaign stronger than where she started. The closing stretch of this past track season was her best string of races yet.
Going into her junior spring season, the Pinckney Pirate had found success, especially in the 3200m. As a freshman, she broke through with a major personal best at State, then the following year, placed 3rd in Division 2. Ray was also coming off a cross season where she continued to prove that she was one of D2’s elite girls.
Her quick racing began in late April, where Jaelyn stayed right with the torrential pace set by Eliza Schwass and Natasza Dudek, hanging on for a massive 1600m PR, 4:49. Up in Shepherd the following week came another one, jumping from 10:45 to 10:32 in the 3200m. Fitness was proved, now time to win championships.
At the State Finals, Jaelyn didn’t make it easy on herself, contributing to the Pirate 4×8, then doubling back in the 1600m/3200m. That Saturday in late May was a bit steamy as well, however, Pinckney harriers never lack toughness. After grabbing a runner-up finish in the 1600m, Jaelyn displayed that grit in the 3200m, taking the lead and extending it with each lap. Her first state title, run with the attitude that makes you believe more can come.
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 