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 | Luka Hammond | 15:19.4 | Grand Haven | 207.9 | MITCA | 8-Nov | 2025 |
| 11 | Luka Hammond | 15:20.0 | Grand Haven | 207.3 | D1 State Finals | 1-Nov | 2025 |
| 11 | Luka Hammond | 15:25.2 | Grand Haven | 206.6 | Region 1 | 25-Oct | 2025 |
| 11 | Luka Hammond | 15:28.8 | Grand Haven | 203.7 | OK Red Championship | 16-Oct | 2025 |
| 11 | Luka Hammond | 15:33.5 | Grand Haven | 211.5 | Portage | 4-Oct | 2025 |
| 11 | Luka Hammond | 15:38.5 | Grand Haven | 206.9 | Allendale Falcon | 27-Sep | 2025 |
| 11 | Luka Hammond | 15:39.3 | Grand Haven | 207.2 | OK Red 2 | 24-Sep | 2025 |
| 11 | Luka Hammond | 15:38.7 | Grand Haven | 217.4 | Spartan | 12-Sep | 2025 |
| 11 | Luka Hammond | 15:46.5 | Grand Haven | 207.8 | OK Red 1 | 9-Sep | 2025 |
| 11 | Luka Hammond | 15:42.4 | Grand Haven | 211.2 | Under the Lights v2 | 22-Aug | 2025 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 10 | Luka Hammond | 15:42.1 | Grand Haven | 200.6 | MITCA | 9-Nov | 2024 |
| 10 | Luka Hammond | 15:19.9 | Grand Haven | 207.4 | Division 1 State | 2-Nov | 2024 |
| 10 | Luka Hammond | 15:54.8 | Grand Haven | 195.7 | Region 1 | 26-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Luka Hammond | 15:55.6 | Grand Haven | 195.1 | OK Red Championship | 17-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Luka Hammond | 15:37.6 | Grand Haven | 205.5 | Portage | 5-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Luka Hammond | 15:43.1 | Grand Haven | 202.0 | Allendale Falcon | 28-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Luka Hammond | 16:36.8 | Grand Haven | 200.4 | OK Red 2 | 25-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Luka Hammond | 16:06.1 | Grand Haven | 206.6 | Spartan | 13-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Luka Hammond | 16:05.0 | Grand Haven | 206.7 | OK Red 1 | 10-Sep | 2024 |
| 10 | Luka Hammond | 16:01.5 | Grand Haven | 200.5 | Under the Lights v2 | 23-Aug | 2024 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 9 | Luka Hammond | 16:04.3 | Grand Haven | 191.6 | MITCA | 11-Nov | 2023 |
| 9 | Luka Hammond | 15:58.7 | Grand Haven | 194.8 | Division 1 State | 4-Nov | 2023 |
| 9 | Luka Hammond | 16:16.2 | Grand Haven | 188.3 | Region 1 | 28-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Luka Hammond | 16:08.2 | Grand Haven | 190.9 | OK Red Conference | 19-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Luka Hammond | 16:01.9 | Grand Haven | 196.4 | Portage | 7-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Luka Hammond | 16:16.4 | Grand Haven | 191.2 | Allendale Falcon | 30-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Luka Hammond | 16:20.1 | Grand Haven | 196.0 | Spartan | 15-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Luka Hammond | 16:39.2 | Grand Haven | 189.3 | Bredeweg | 9-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Luka Hammond | 16:29.9 | Grand Haven | 193.4 | Under the Lights v2 | 25-Aug | 2023 |
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 15:19
400m – 50.97
800m – 1:51
1600m – 4:07
3200m – 8:58
Accolades
XC
14th Place – Division 1 State
2x All-State
2nd Place – Region 1
3rd Place – OK Red Championship
Track
2025 & 2026 Division 1 State 1600m Champion
8th Place – Division 1 State 3200m
5x All-State
Region 2 1600m/3200m Champion
OK Red Conference 800m Champion
His Specialty
Savvy racing in the 1600m.
Yeah, that’s a reeeeal specific specialty, but when you’ve gone back-to-back with Division 1 wins, it’s worthy of a writeup.
The first example of his wisdom, quoted from last year’s 50 Tickets post:
“Then the best conclusion, a win in a drag race at State. Three west siders led at various points in the contest. Jackson Lam for the first kilometer, Caden Livermore and Hammond desperately trying to stay connected as Lam sped past 800m in 2:05. Luka gained and then held the lead from a kilometer to the bell, where Livermore made his bid. A gap opened and it was gut check time for Luka, be content with 2nd or hang until you can give one final surge. After choosing the latter, Hammond opened up his stride and gritted out a victory in the final meters.”
The second came at May 30th’s D1 Finals. Hammond once again let others do the work, trailing in second place for much of the first 1000 meters. He began to take on the lead at 600m to go, then gradually inched down the pace until he was in an all-out sprint for the final 300m. Caden Livermore right on his heels, ready to pounce on any weakness. Hammond somehow found another gear in the final 100m, closing in what appeared to be a sub-60. Another State Finals win, another variance of a deadly and decisive kick.
It ain’t just the four-lappers on the track, Luka is here because of his exploits on the grass. Sub-16 as a freshman, two straight state medals. His 3200m isn’t all that bad either, one of two Michiganders to move under 9:00 this past spring. The endurance and speed are two factors. The wisdom makes him extra special.
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 