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 |
| 9 | Eliza Schwass | 17:28.4 | Ludington | 165.2 | MITCA | 8-Nov | 2025 |
| 9 | Eliza Schwass | 17:44.0 | Ludington | 158.7 | D2 State Finals | 1-Nov | 2025 |
| 9 | Eliza Schwass | 17:47.5 | Ludington | 150.5 | Region 10 | 25-Oct | 2025 |
| 9 | Eliza Schwass | 19:03.8 | Ludington | 144.1 | Late Season Warrior | 18-Oct | 2025 |
| 9 | Eliza Schwass | 19:14.6 | Ludington | 131.1 | WMC Lakes 3 | 14-Oct | 2025 |
| 9 | Eliza Schwass | 18:25.3 | Ludington | 146.6 | Oiler Blue & Gold | 11-Oct | 2025 |
| 9 | Eliza Schwass | 20:11.9 | Ludington | 130.4 | WMC Lakes 2 | 30-Sep | 2025 |
| 9 | Eliza Schwass | 17:54.9 | Ludington | 154.7 | Otsego Bulldog | 27-Sep | 2025 |
| 9 | Eliza Schwass | 18:21.3 | Ludington | 164.9 | Spartan | 12-Sep | 2025 |
| 9 | Eliza Schwass | 19:30.6 | Ludington | 152.5 | WMC Mega | 9-Sep | 2025 |
| 9 | Eliza Schwass | 17:38.0 | Ludington | 169.0 | Pete Moss | 23-Aug | 2025 |
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 17:28
800m – 2:08
1600m – 4:40
3200m – 10:13
Accolades
XC
3rd Place – Division 2 State
WMC Lakes Champion
2nd Place – Region 10
Track
Division 2 State 800m/1600m Champion
2nd Place – Division 2 State 3200m
4th Place – Brooks PR Freshmen Mile
8th Place – New Balance Outdoor Mile
Region 11 800m/3200m Champion
WMC Lakes 800m/1600m Champion
Her Specialty
Being track fast.
Eliza’s freshman track campaign was otherworldly, on a 100% different level than what she’d accomplished in cross. Which was admirable for any freshman, with multiple sub-18’s and a 3rd place finish in Division 2. To be fair, following her middle school track exploits, we should’ve expected more of the same. Those middle school accolades were many, including a win at 2025’s MITS/MITCA Indoor State 1600m, two New Balance Outdoor MS victories, and a runner-up at Brooks PR.
Following her successful debut on the grass, Eliza wasted no time ripping up the indoor oval, running as fast as 2:09 and 4:46 before the end of 2025. By winter’s end, she’d run 4:42 in the 1600m, a perfect setup for the upcoming spring. In late April, Schwass traveled from the Lake Michigan coast to Romeo, taking on Michigan’s best at the Barnyard. For three laps, she hung on the shoulder of Natasza Dudek, biding her time before making her move. With 400m to go, Schwass made a decisive move, covering the final lap in 65 seconds, laying down a 4:40.34, the fastest time in Michigan in 2026. That may have been the highlight in terms of time, but Schwass’s talent both longer and shorter, her 2:08.6 in the 800m ranking #1 in Michigan and her 10:13 in the 3200m holding the #2 rank. In late May, Eliza further proved her greatness, winning D2 titles in the 1600m and 800m, then coming back with a tough effort in the 3200m, placing 2nd.
Smart tactically with burners for legs.
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 