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2026 Rankings: Late September Boys

An extra weekend of the season has given the opportunity for a second batch of rankings. From now on, I’ll stick to the schedule of previous years – mid-season Regional projections, three sets of rankings, Regional projections, then State projections.

The rankings take the individual ratings from each race and weigh them using factors of recency, field size, and field competitiveness. In order to account for races where a runner may not go all out, when four or more races are run, the top 67% of a runner’s resume is considered. Those weighted ratings are then sorted by team, scored against the entire division, and ranked. Thus, teams with more depth tend to be ranked a little higher than they’d be at a regular invite or even the State Finals. But I know no better way to rank all the teams in a division than to compare against all teams in a division. Compare to last week if you must.

As always, these are for fun and a vehicle to drive interest in the best sport in the world. If they cause undue stress or pressure or motivate you to write me unkind messages (been reading some genuinely nice messages this week which makes this free work a little easier) this site might not be for you. That’s fine, the many XC fans of Michigan will enjoy it all the same.

Weekly Moves

A huge jump (42nd to 11th) from Genesee Christian warrants a greater look!

For these D4 schools, typically adding one new face will end up in a significant impact. Three new names added to the mix, well that’s how one moves up 30+ spots. Linden isn’t the easiest place to get an introduction to the sport or the season, so credit to Maverick Kirkman, Will Oskey, and Ryan Stewart for kicking off their ’26 campaign in a positive manner. The leap didn’t just come from the new additions, as Nolan Stadel and Gabe Schultz have both been running at a higher level in these past two weeks. Both have nearly matched their PB from Chesaning (a quick track) in meets at Holly and Linden, typically tougher traverses.

Looking to November

I see no real changes from the previous week. Holland Calvary Christian has set themselves up as the favorite. Breckenridge would be the favorite in 90% of other years, but they’re going against arguably one of the better D4 teams of all-time. Hillsdale Academy has the numbers that are capable of a podium finish. There is a steeply distinct drop-off from these top-three to the rest of the division.

The Weekend Ahead

There are two main spots where there’s a congregation of elite D4 teams: Bluejay and Bulldog.

Bluejay

Jays – #2 Breckenridge, #6 Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, #8 Leland, #15 Grand Traverse Academy, and #18 Fowler

Elite – #1 Holland Calvary Christian

Yep, the Owls are running with the big boys in the elite race. They were in this division last year, placing 15th. They’re clearly far ahead of 2025’s level and I would think have a great chance of finishing in the top-5.

Bulldog

D2 – #12 Gobles

D3/4 – #4 Whitmore Lake, #5 Martin, and #10 Kalamazoo Hackett

I’m assuming Gobles has moved up to D2 to get Libby Smith a better taste of competition. Regardless, this should give a bit more clarity on the depth of the division.

Weekly Moves

These rankings and ratings do not factor in every race. They allow for a runner to cruise through a conference meet, use the race as a workout, or just have a bad day. I’ll take the upper 2/3 of a runner’s resume and use them for rating use. But I do like to have a small sample of races, so for a runner that’s raced 3 or less times, I take all 3. When they get to 4 races, I’ll take 3, same with 5.

Lansing Catholic was likely a bit underrated coming through last week. With three races under their belt and their home invite where they clearly didn’t go to the well, their numbers were a bit subdued. Adding in a strenuous effort at Pewamo-Westphalia to go along with two others at Averill and Michigan Catholic gives the Cougars three supreme race days.

One characteristic that’s striking for LC is their consistency. On days where they’ve pushed, there’s rarely an example of a runner who’s had a subpar race. When the pressure ratchets up in early November, I’d expect that characteristic to be a major boon.

Looking to November

Everything appears similar to a week prior, with 4-5 teams in contention for the main trophy and podium. Hanover-Horton has definitely separated from the rest, earning a victory over another top-10 team at Jackson. A pack of three has separated a bit from Maple City Glen Lake, though the Lakers will have the opportunity to run fast in the early morning at Shepherd.

The Weekend Ahead

The main concentration of D3 folks will be centered around XC heaven, Shepherd. There are a few minor battles elsewhere as well.

Bluejay

Jays – #5 Maple City Glen Lake

Elite – #3 Saugatuck

Gold – #1 Hanover-Horton, #4 Hart, #6 Jonesville, #11 Benzie Central, #20 Ithaca, and #27 Belding.

Allendale Falcon

Falcon – #14 Pewamo-Westphalia, #17 Muskegon WMC, #21 Holland Black River, #22 Covenant Christian, #25 Montague

DeWitt

D3/4 – #2 Lansing Catholic, #8 Lumen Christi

Wagener Park

#12 Caro, #18 Gladwin, #19 Midland Bullock Creek

The Gold race at Shepherd will likely have the most impact, as Hart and Benzie Central come back after some time off, and Jonesville/Hanover-Horton will look to keep the momentum rolling.

Weekly Moves

Not as dramatic as Genesee Christian listed above, though moving up the standings due to a major addition. Omar Elbashir has made his way back into the fray, opening up with a 16:49 at Hansons. The Yellowjackets have a low-stick in Jack Hincks, two consistent pieces in Hari Varma and Ethan Bray, and a steadily improving Remy Cicotte.

Looking to November

More of the same. Holland Christian is a solid favorite at this point. At Autumn Sunrise, the Maroons placed all five scorers in the top-six, scored 20 points, routed the other teams, and I didn’t even think they had their best day. Pinckney and Flint Powers Catholic still remain at #2 and #3. Parma Western had a great day at Sharp Park, one that if repeated, could lead to a D2 podium.

The Weekend Ahead

Three spots will house D2 royalty – Shepherd, Otsego, and DeWitt

Bluejay

Elite – #3 Flint Powers, #5 Petoskey, #6 Alma, #9 Holly, and #16 Shepherd

Blue – #7 East Grand Rapids

Bulldog

D2 – #1 Holland Christian, #8 Grand Rapids Christian, #10 Adrian, #11 Otsego, #14 Forest Hills Eastern, #15 Vicksburg, #19 Paw Paw, #20 Cedar Springs, and #24 Freeland

DeWitt

D1/2 – #7 Parma Western, #13 DeWitt, #18 Owosso, and #21 Haslett

DeWitt is a Region 14 preview. Early returns are suggesting a tightly contested one, especially between Haslett and Owosso. A mid-season check-in will be essential for all teams.

Bulldog and Bluejay should give a hint at a championship field. Bulldog has more concentrated D2 depth, Bluejay has D2 teams in the same field as a few elite squads from either division. I’d expect both to play out like a MIS field, where depth and low-sticks are important, as is staying ahead of trouble spots and bubbles in the pack.

Weekly Moves

Midland had a great early morning over in Jackson. The Chemics had been hanging out beyond the top-10, but through a 3rd place finish, have vaulted into the upper tier of the rankings. The Jackson field should be a similar one that we’ll see in early November, numbers and speed comparable to what you’d typically see at MIS. In those environments, the Chemic pack thrives. For example, Midland’s 4th and 5th scorers totaled 101 points. A good chunk of the teams chasing the Chemics were >150 points from those two spots, with a few of those squads in the running for a top-10 placing down the line.

Individually, six of Midland’s top-seven hit a personal best. The one exception, Elliot King, has been one of D1’s more consistent guys, and his season best of 16:04.5 was a mere 2.5 seconds clear of his lifetime best. To make a long story short, a banner day and surely a celebratory drive back north.

Looking to November

I’d place five teams into two tiers

Brighton – beat Skyline at Holly, doing their typical routine of running tough courses early
Ann Arbor Skyline – had the best individual day of any D1 team yet this year

Traverse City West – bested Jenison at Ottawa Hills, likely underrated by the numbers due to chilling at a few races
Jenison
– super consistent, racing at a podium level each time out.
Lowell – potential to be anywhere, but need Elabed back.

Portage will be a great bellwether.

The Weekend Ahead

Yeah, Portage will be a banger, but there’s still action the Saturday before.

Allendale Falcon

Scarlet – #3 Jenison, #9 Rockford, #16 East Kentwood

Bluejay

Elite – #5 Traverse City West, #7 Grand Ledge, #20 Detroit Catholic Central, #22 White Lake Lakeland, #24 Traverse City Central, #25 Saginaw Heritage

Blue – #6 Midland

Bulldog

D1 – #4 Lowell, #12 Saline, #14 Kalamazoo Central, #18 Caledonia, #19 Ann Arbor Pioneer, #27 Zeeland West

Oakland County

#10 Highland-Milford, #11 Lake Orion, #20 Detroit Catholic Central, #23 Troy

I’ll have a projection for Oakland County later in the week. Bulldog will provide an opportunity for a team outside the top-10 to move in. I’m guessing TCW will get after it at Bluejay, others too, especially if they don’t want to lose to a D4 team.

Weekly Moves

Ain’t much change north of the bridge, with one exception – Gladstone. The Braves came home from a muddy day at Holly and kept the train rolling with two meets last week. Each time out, the purple clad crew finished 2nd, even beating 5th-ranked Munising at El Harger.

Looking to October

Still appears to that D2 is the prime race. Athletic.net has Munising as the favorite, the ratings say Rudyard. Two meetings between the two have taken place, with each squad taking one.

The Weekend Ahead

Marquette is heading down to Shepherd, yukking it up in the Elite section. The Sentinels, although not as ferocious as in year’s past, have done enough to warrant this placing. At Sault Ste. Marie’s Elks Invite, Gladstone will look to keep the upward trend and Munising will try to prove they’re the D2 favorite.

INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS

As each year comes and goes, I’ve tended to gradually dislike ranking individuals during a season. But I feel this list is better than just sorting by SB’s. And I’ll just hide this at the bottom. When we get closer to championship time, more writing will be dedicated toward individuals, for now, this’ll do.

RankGradeNameTeamS27 Rating
112Anthony RoweBreckenridge205.4
211Lincoln LaansmaTri-Unity Christian205.3
312Christian GetzHolland Calvary Christian199.9
412Noah SchipperHolland Calvary Christian199.9
59Cooper BurtBreckenridge196.9
610Abram FettigSaginaw Nouvel196.4
712Brady EdwardsMt. Pleasant Sacred Heart194.9
812Jacob FerdubinskiRiverview Gabriel Richard192.5
912Kyle RedmanMesick190.8
1012Gibson WhiteHolland Calvary Christian189.2
1112Elias BaldwinDecatur188.7
1211Reagan DowningHolland Calvary Christian185.1
1312Brody VanTuinenHolland Calvary Christian185.0
1412Francis AustenPortland St. Patrick184.8
1511Peter WinnHillsdale Academy183.5
1612Owen LedebuhrHolland Calvary Christian183.2
1712Wesley ChaffeeMt. Pleasant Sacred Heart181.7
1811Leo WeaverWhitmore Lake181.3
1910Stephen HolmHillsdale Academy181.1
2010Henry RorickHillsdale Academy180.8
2110Gus BarrBreckenridge178.0
2211Liam KnuthCardinal Mooney Catholic177.8
2312Dom ChivertonBreckenridge177.7
2412Timothy GaeblerHillsdale Academy177.5
2511Nolan StadelGenesee Christian175.9
2610Gabe SchultzGenesee Christian173.9
2711Lance NiedzielskiMason County Eastern173.8
2810Gavin BowersAustin Catholic173.1
2912Daniel ChaneyLake Leelanau St. Mary172.0
3010Fletcher AmosGobles171.7
3112Alec DodakManchester171.7
329Benjamin BolinderBridgman169.0
339Samuel McIndoeNovi Christian Academy168.9
349Linkon UtterHolland Calvary Christian168.8
3512Rush MarsdenFulton168.7
3610James SandersBreckenridge168.2
3710Thomas SiglerMartin167.9
3811Nolan KoscinskiBear Lake167.5
399Grady HanesPetoskey St. Michael167.2
4011Wyatt BlohmVassar166.4
4111Owen JaroszFrankfort165.6
4212Micah ArlowCardinal Mooney Catholic164.9
4312Eric JunkerWhitmore Lake164.7
4410Blake RootSand Creek164.3
4512Max BarronTekonsha164.1
4610Ethan HarrandBuckley163.6
4712Silas DanielsSand Creek162.4
4811Beckett DennisGrand Traverse Academy162.3
4911Christopher KnudsenLeland162.0
5011Cole WesleyPetoskey St. Michael162.0

RankGradeNameTeamS27 Rating
112Cooper FlickHanover-Horton212.9
212Luke HerronCaro212.4
311Nole LorenzenRochester Hills Lutheran NW211.9
412Logan YoungmanHillsdale209.4
511Will HulinCentreville205.4
612Hunter EatonCharlevoix203.2
712Chad TysonHanover-Horton203.2
810Spencer McNittMaple City Glen Lake202.1
911Owen PoppemaBath201.5
1010Mason RogersThree Oaks River Valley201.3
1112Caleb BlondeJonesville200.1
1211Eli VanPoortflietBenzie Central199.6
1312Marshall BrandtMidland Bullock Creek198.5
1410Isaac CoxPlymouth Christian Academy197.6
1511Soren CrosthwaiteJackson Lumen Christi197.6
1610Asher PutmanReese197.2
1711Christian CraanenMonroe St. Mary CC197.0
1812Owen WindgastonClawson196.5
1911Jackson BowmanSaugatuck194.8
2012Abraham FeeneyMaple City Glen Lake194.6
2112Everett BeachLansing Catholic194.0
2212Cage EdingfieldBenzie Central193.8
2311Silas AckleyHart193.8
2412Naveen KulkarniAnn Arbor Greenhills193.6
2510Max ReedCentreville192.7
2612John KowatchPewamo-Westphalia192.6
2712Isaac DionneBoyne City192.3
2812Evan MacLarenIthaca191.9
2911Tristan HernandezKingsley191.3
3011Noah SillsBlissfield191.0
3111Michael WeidmayerBlissfield191.0
3210Wesley MairMontague190.7
3312Jonas BallardHolland Black River190.6
3412Rocky BoltonJackson Lumen Christi190.6
3512Sawyer MonroeSaugatuck190.3
3612William ReadyTraverse City St. Francis190.1
3712Téo KrummLansing Catholic189.7
389Nick OverwegCentreville189.6
3912William GancerStockbridge189.1
4012Grant RehkopfSaugatuck188.8
4112Carson AckleyHart188.3
4212Ryder HopkinsCharlevoix187.7
4311Timothy WolffHart187.4
4412Avery MorrowJackson Lumen Christi187.2
459Coen LorenzenRochester Hills Lutheran NW186.2
4611Wyatt HassenzahlHanover-Horton186.0
4712Collin FucileJonesville185.3
4811Edison HuizingaManistee185.3
4912James TennesLansing Catholic185.2
5011Grady RicheyLansing Catholic185.2

RankGradeNameTeamS27 Rating
112Robert Jazwinski IIIWhitehall230.4
211Lennox NaswellFlint Powers Catholic213.7
312Cole McCrawPinckney210.9
411Micah BeckerEast Grand Rapids209.1
512Ezekiel BaltierraAlma207.3
612Mitchell DunlapGrand Rapids Catholic Central207.0
711Ashton FinkGrand Rapids Christian206.6
812Lukas AlbrightBig Rapids204.7
912Broden LaddHolly204.1
1010Logan CristianParma Western203.0
1111David KoreThree Rivers202.7
1210Grant LampenHolland Christian201.7
1311Jack HincksDetroit Country Day201.5
1410Zander StewartHolland Christian200.8
1511Ethan FergusonEdwardsburg200.6
169Drew FrankenHolland Christian200.5
1712Caiden CaswellVicksburg200.4
1811James Scholten-HolcombGrand Rapids Christian199.8
1912Lincoln ReedPinckney199.5
2011Duncan PalmerWilliamston199.4
2112Abraham McHughMarshall199.4
2211Liam DewittHaslett198.8
2311Cole HeikkaHolly198.6
2412Thomas FisherEast Grand Rapids198.4
2512Bryce FalbeMuskegon Oakridge198.1
2612Cole CoffmanHolland Christian196.9
2711Grayson MichelsForest Hills Eastern196.5
2812Ben BoucheyFlint Powers Catholic196.0
2912Seth BetzoldEssexville-Garber195.7
309Camden ClevengerGoodrich195.7
3112Joshua MacriMacomb Lutheran North195.5
3212Nick ParkerFrankenmuth195.1
3312Cameron CraneNew Boston Huron194.9
3412Mason HillAllendale194.8
3512Jack FrentzPetoskey194.6
3612Wyeth AngusChelsea194.5
3712Seth RandallSt. Joseph194.4
3810Zach DillerHolland Christian194.3
3911Andrew NunningPontiac Notre Dame Prep193.9
4011Christian PavligeFruitport193.8
4111Aiden LambersHolland193.8
4212Reeve ObermanPetoskey193.7
4312Ben VerlinGrand Rapids South Christian193.4
449Connor CharboneauSaginaw Swan Valley193.3
4511Rex PumfordWhitehall193.1
4612Hunter SmithVicksburg192.9
4712Bryce CahoonShepherd192.7
4810Parker SmithAdrian191.7
4910Leonidas ErfourthOwosso191.6
5011Ryan RathsburgFlint Powers Catholic191.6

RankGradeNameTeamS27 Rating
112Luka HammondGrand Haven224.5
212Caden LivermoreGrandville221.6
312Kamari RonfeldtAnn Arbor Pioneer220.6
412Marshall HuhnLowell219.8
512Jack MacGregorHowell219.3
612Matii TarekegnEast Kentwood219.1
712Samuel BakerKalamazoo Central218.6
812Brandon CloudNorthville215.0
911Todd Tobin JrHighland-Milford214.4
1012Jacob SzalaySaline214.0
1110Archer VerHageGrand Haven213.1
1212Austin MercadoSalem213.0
1311Gavin KaticFenton211.1
1412Coen HillDexter209.5
1511Rylen RicheyGrand Ledge207.7
1612Blake KuleszaBrighton207.7
1711Xavier SolgotL’Anse Creuse North207.4
1810Hudson DollAnn Arbor Skyline207.3
1912Liam WierzbaTraverse City West207.1
2011Alexander AllenAlpena206.1
2112Josiah DerksenRockford206.0
2211Cooper McNaughtonClarkston205.6
2310Josh Keillor-BealeBrighton205.2
2412Caelan MarshGrand Ledge204.0
2511Mourad AlgahmiDearborn Fordson203.8
2610Tucker AsmanBrighton203.4
2711Caleb ConnerJenison203.4
2812Logan GessfordMidland202.8
2911Carter CookeJenison202.5
3012Ethan BurksJenison202.4
3110Tanner SmithZeeland West202.2
3211Roman StilwellAnn Arbor Skyline202.1
3311Chase ShermanJenison202.0
3410Grant KuleszaBrighton201.8
3511Martin GehrkeAnn Arbor Skyline201.3
3611Aidan SchwalbachRochester Hills Stoney Creek201.3
3712Colin StawaszLowell201.2
3811Johnathan ElseaMount Pleasant201.1
3912Nick MartensDexter200.9
4010Aiden DoggettHighland-Milford200.9
4111Marcus EsslingPortage Central200.8
4211Lucas CampbellRochester200.7
4310Tommy McCormickGrand Blanc200.3
4412Justin JohnsonEast Kentwood200.0
4512Devin LauFarmington200.0
4612Jack HannerSalem199.8
4711Bennett SnapperCaledonia199.8
4812Cody BromleyLowell199.8
4911Luke BultmanRockford199.7
5011Kilian Boulware-LopezEast Lansing199.6

RankGradeNameTeamS27 Rating
112Lucas BallardMarquette203.2
212Eli FolkersmaRudyard173.1
311Lake SkyttaMarquette171.5
411Brandon Van KarsenHoughton168.9
512Chase AldridgeSault Ste. Marie166.4
610Calvin CarlsonIshpeming Westwood164.8
711William LindsayMarquette164.7
810Ashdeyn GerowRock Mid-Peninsula161.1
912Cavan MulliganKingsford157.6
1011Garrett CrimminsMarquette157.0
1112Welly FillmoreMarquette156.7
1212Vasu EsplinMarquette154.4
139Bradley KlannMenominee154.0
149Tyler RuleHoughton153.8
1510Eduel SpencerWest Iron County153.8
1610Drew BurttSault Ste. Marie153.1
1712Blake LakoskyMunising152.3
1811Branson AndersonPainesdale-Jeffers151.2
1910Jack LaLoneRudyard151.0
2011Wyatt HuhnSt. Ignace150.5
219Anthony MessinaMarquette150.4
229Evan KeltoMunising150.4
2312Chuck CameronGladstone149.6
2410Owen TruittRapid River144.4
2512Kemper GearhartIshpeming144.1

RankGradeNameTeamS27 Rating
111Abenezer OlsonKalamazoo Homeschool Sports206.0
212Noah RiceKalamazoo Homeschool Sports199.9
312Evan ArmstrongKalamazoo Homeschool Sports196.6
411Eli MillerGRTC Peregrines191.7
511Andrew EgliGRTC Peregrines186.6
610Calvin GrahamGRTC Peregrines184.9
711Tyler EgliGRTC Peregrines184.8
812Anthony SchmitzGRTC Peregrines184.1
99Rocco StreetGRTC Peregrines183.5
1012Jacob ZiolkowskiGRTC Peregrines183.2
1110Colton ChildressMonroe Milers182.8
1212Brian ArtmanKalamazoo Homeschool Sports181.8
1311Timothy AdairKalamazoo Homeschool Sports179.6
1411Daniel LaRoyKalamazoo Homeschool Sports179.4
1510Dawson KolehouseWest Michigan Homeschool174.0
169Kyle WhitacreKalamazoo Homeschool Sports169.0
1712Caleb MillerWest Michigan Homeschool163.4
1811Garrett PottsMACH163.3
1912Riley WeedWest Michigan Homeschool161.9
2012Nathan PerezMACH157.7
219Zeke LindellWest Michigan Homeschool157.3
2210Joel VanderweyCapital Homeschool155.0
2310Jeremy LongWest Michigan Homeschool151.7
2412Allen SumegoCapital Homeschool150.0
2512Andrew UrbenMACH149.2