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2026 Rankings: Late September Girls

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

Not all that many moves were made here in late September. A few teams moved up a few spots, a great deal stayed the same. Though it is significant when a team moves from #5 to #3, as Gobles was able to do. The Tigers raced once, at Pewamo-Westphalia, comfortably clearing #6 Martin and #7 Breckenridge. Their strong upper three were as strong as they’ve been throughout the season and their career. But the change is coming from the rest of their girls – all racing at a higher level than they were earlier in the year. Shang Shi, Addison Tomsic, Taylor Cooley, Alyssa Sparks, Aria Diaz, you name them. That’s where the points can be erased in a race, more moves on the table if they continue to progress.

Looking to November

A Saturday morning in Jackson did nothing to dispel the notion that Hillsdale Academy is the D4 favorite. The Colts flashed their tremendous depth yet again, placing seven girls under 22:00. Whitmore Lake has cut into that margin a little bit, thanks to one of the better races ever from Caroline Darrah. The Trojans definitely have the firepower up front to make things interesting.

The Weekend Ahead

Bluejay

Jays – #4 Onekama, #7 Breckenridge, #9 Grand Traverse Academy, and #11 Fowler

Bulldog

D2 – #3 Gobles

D3/4 – #2 Whitmore Lake, #6 Martin, and #23 Kalamazoo Hackett

DeWitt

D3/4 – #5 Genesee Christian, #12 Dansville

I’m interested to see if Whitmore Lake can continue to cut into the gap towards the top spot. But the most consequential race will come early in the morning at Shepherd, where four top-11 teams will be going at it.

Weekly Moves

Two top-10 teams moved up in tandem – Pewamo-Westphalia and Lake City, both moving up three spots in the D3 world.

The Pirates have had a light schedule thus far. They’re the queens of their conference and Sparta splits up into many races throughout the day, thus the last time they were getting after it in a crowd was at Oiler, a month ago. Nearly everyone in the lineup has seen improvement, perhaps the most coming from Adelyn Thelen, who opened above 22:00 and just reached below 20:30.

Lake City is a new face on the block, bolstered by a group of freshmen. Isadora Shaw and Aubrey Doan have familiarized themselves with the upper echelons of Up North racing and other Trojans further into the pack have gradually reduced time throughout the fall. But it’s the contribution of upperclasswomen that’s helped LC rise in the past week. First year runner Elise Renkiewicz dropped a minute in a week. Prior to September 21st, her best was 21:09. As I’m sitting here now, it’s 19:51, achieved Saturday in Cadillac.

Looking to November

Even missing a few of their top girls, Lansing Catholic easily dispatched D3 competition this past weekend at P-W. The Cougars placed three girls in the top-four and still had a 4th/5th girl that could compete with anyone. But intriguing is who came in as the runner-up in the medium school division – Pewamo-Westphalia. Perhaps it was the home course advantage, perhaps it’s a Pirate squad that’s been laying low in 2026 and ready to assert themselves as a team capable of holding a trophy. We’ll know much more after this weekend when P-W heads over to Allendale to face off against Covenant Christian, another trophy contender.

The Weekend Ahead

Allendale Falcon

Falcon – #3 Covenant Christian, #5 Pewamo-Westphalia, and #11 Kent City

Bluejay

Jays – #13 Maple City Glen Lake

Elite – #3 Saugatuck

Gold – #7 Benzie Central, #8 Ithaca, #12 Hart, #14 Sanford-Meridian, #21 Saginaw Valley Lutheran, and #24 Jonesville

DeWitt

D3/4 – #1 Lansing Catholic, #9 Lumen Christi, #18 Olivet

Wagener Park

#17 Harbor Beach, #19 Bullock Creek, and #20 Caro

Region 25 has five teams listed in the top-27, all packed from 14th to 21st. Three of those five will be getting course preview at Wagener Park, two will be going against one another at Bluejay. We’ll have a clearer picture for next week’s regional projections! At Allendale, I’ll be intrigued to see if Kent City can assert themselves a top-10 team. The Eagles have been biding their time, waiting for a major meet.

Weekly Moves

Opposed to the boys, where teams moved up 30 places in one week, these girls seem locked in. With one exception thus far, the St. Joseph girls. The Lady Bears raced twice last week, at the initial SMAC Jamboree and at Cougar Falcon. They finished a surprising 3rd in the SMAC, locked in a three-way tie at 114 points, sitting on the good side of that tie due to the best 6th and 7th girls among their close competition. That 3rd place finish came on the backs of immense improvement, with girls such as Audrey Kline, Avey Wier, and Vittoria Perrucchetti running significantly faster on the same course compared to a month prior.

Looking to November

This was the case last year and should be the case for years to come – Otsego and Holland Christian are far and away the two candidates to reach the MIS podium. Although close in proximity, the two have avoided one another thus far in ’26. That is, until Saturday.

The Weekend Ahead

Allendale Falcon

Scarlet – #8 Holland, #11 Allendale, #19 NorthPointe Christian, and #21 Cadillac

Bluejay

Elite – #14 Goodrich, #15 Holly, and #26 Chippewa Hills

Blue – #7 East Grand Rapids, #18 Macomb Lutheran North

Bulldog

D2 – #1 Holland Christian, #2 Otsego, #5 GR South Christian, #6 Grand Rapids Christian, #12 Coopersville, #13 Adrian, #16 Thornapple-Kellogg, #17 Spring Lake, #22 Plainwell, #25 Cedar Springs, and #27 Ludington

DeWitt

D1/2 – #3 Linden, #4 DeWitt

Two huge matchups. A Region 14 preview at DeWitt between two teams that are an unlikely regional matchup, but also closely matched. And then every single ranked D2 team descending upon Otsego for their 25th annual invite. Coach Long has sure built a meet that’s a destination. Coopersville is the team that I’ll be watching. The Broncos are extremely strong through four, and just had solid races from their 5th/6th girls in a RCA win last week.

Weekly Moves

Tons of tiny moves throughout the standings, with one sorta significant change, these Traverse City Central girls moving up four spots. Jackson will tend to be a gamechanger, a fast pack getting pulled along through those gently rolling hills. The Trojans haven’t been a stranger to enhanced competition, as they were present at Spartan two weeks back. Though used to a big stage, TCC pulled through with some major moves from their girls. Everyone who took the trip down south achieved a season best, with Claire Gross and Jane Steen achieving lifetime bests. The 9th grader Gross had a stunning race at Sharp Park, dropping over 50 sec. from her opener and launching into the mid-19’s.

Looking to November

Many of these divisions were ho-hum, much of the same. Thankfully, D1 provided a little drama and a little update for the upcoming championships. Ann Arbor Pioneer received the return of Natasza Dudek, inevitably moving the Pioneers into the top slot. But although the purple crew went 1-2-3 at Jackson, they won by a mere 7 pts. over Ann Arbor Skyline, who gained 35 points in the final two scoring slots. Jackson should mimic a D1-type field and we’ll see in meets down the line if that same point structure holds true. Northville spent the weekend in Ohio, winning the Strongsville Invite. They’re still a team capable of hoisting a trophy.

The Weekend Ahead

Allendale Falcon

Scarlet – #6 Rockford, #17 Grand Haven

Bluejay

Elite – #16 Utica, #20 Traverse City Central, #22 Midland Dow, #24 Traverse City West

Bulldog

D1 – #1 Ann Arbor Pioneer, #4 Portage Central, #9 Hudsonville, #12 Holland West Ottawa, #14 Brownstown Woodhaven, #23 Mason, #26 Zeeland East, and #27 Richland Gull Lake

Oakland County

#5 Rochester Adams, #8 White Lake Lakeland, #18 Novi, and #25 Rochester

Kind of a disparate weekend in terms of how the teams are spread apart throughout the state. The main concentration will be in Otsego, with many teams hoping to use the positive momentum from fast times on a quick course to propel themselves into October. I’ll have Oakland County projections later in the week.

Weekly Moves

No changes in the top-10!

Looking to October

Yep, still a two-horse race in Division 1. We’re no stranger to extremely tight races in the UP’s upper division. Two years ago, it was Marquette and Houghton separated by a mere two points. In 2026, Sault Ste. Marie has decided to make it a close competition. After messing around in the muck at Holly a Saturday before, the Blue Devils came down to Jackson’s pristine conditions and left with three PB’s and three SB’s. We’ll see if Marquette can match that this weekend at Shepherd. Both courses seem to run fairly similar.

The Weekend Ahead

Marquette is headin’ down to Shepherd, a place where XC dreams can come true. And if the Sentinels want to further establish themselves as D1’s team to beat, they’ll have a great opportunity in the elite race. I see no reason they can’t finish in the upper half of that field.

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
112Kaylie LivingstonWhitmore Lake155.0
212Libby SmithGobles152.7
312Veyda ConleyMartin145.7
411Callie SinkeOnekama144.7
510Norah KileyKingston134.3
69Faith SchipperHolland Calvary Christian128.0
711Sophie GrinageLeland126.7
89Grace JolinDansville123.5
912Evelyn MeyerHillsdale Academy118.9
1010Ryleigh AlderinkHolton118.7
119Madalyn StolzDansville118.3
1211Malynda LambrosWhitmore Lake117.5
1312Kiera PiperKalamazoo Hackett116.2
1412Lauren ShafferGobles116.1
1512Ava DeYoungGobles112.8
1610Faith SmithGenesee Christian112.2
1711Cassidy BowersAustin Catholic111.8
1811Julia WhitePortland St. Patrick111.1
1911Ava BatesLutheran Westland107.6
209Amy WalkerClarkston Everest Collegiate106.1
2112Addy ZellerOnekama105.6
2211Maizy MatthewsBreckenridge105.3
2310Ava HigleyFrankfort105.3
2412Lindsey NordykeByron Center Zion Christian104.5
2511Taylor WillsMt. Pleasant Sacred Heart101.1
2612Veronica PagaPetoskey St. Michael100.8
2711Melodie HulinekBear Lake98.5
2811Claire WrightDryden97.8
299Clara ThelenFowler97.3
3010Isabella WestMayville96.8
3111Deirdre O’ConnellAllen Park Cabrini96.6
3211Lorelei StemmeHillsdale Academy96.3
3310Heather MorrisHillsdale Academy96.2
3410Zakia WagonerOnekama96.2
3511Zoe FabingFowler95.6
3610Eliza RobertsHillsdale Academy94.9
3711Andi KirkmanGenesee Christian94.6
389Gabby WeigoldBreckenridge94.4
3910Audrey PyleConcord93.7
4011Anna HowellBridgman93.1
419Kennedy GedenRoyal Oak Shrine93.1
429June CountsWhitmore Lake92.6
439Sophia MessingDeckerville90.0
4412Madison SmithGrand Traverse Academy89.8
4512Louisa DenksRoyal Oak Shrine89.4
4612Sydney EricksonLutheran Westland89.2
4711Allison RodgersMartin89.1
4812Natalie BurpeeLeland89.1
4910Brooklyn GriffinBuckley88.2
5012Moira BeierHillsdale Academy87.9

RankGradeNameTeamS27 Rating
111Tiya FeldpauschOlivet149.5
212Violet TetilCaro148.5
310Alaina CivinskasRoscommon147.7
412Samantha SchroederJackson Lumen Christi145.9
511Josie BishopLansing Catholic144.2
611Caelyn TorryMcBain142.3
79Isadora ShawLake City141.3
812Alyssa KramerPewamo-Westphalia141.1
912Grace WonchLansing Catholic141.1
1011Avery KellyBenzie Central140.9
1110Anna DrauerLansing Catholic138.0
1211Madisyn WansteadLeroy Pine River136.8
1311Piper LyonRochester Hills Lutheran NW136.8
1410Lily BrittonOlivet135.1
1511Elliana MaxKent City134.9
1611Maisey ToteffHanover-Horton134.6
179Grace JordanChesaning133.0
1811Lindsey LudwigLansing Catholic129.2
1911Maggie McClellanBenzie Central127.4
209Maggie MohrhardtTraverse City St. Francis126.8
219Merrick TacktorMason County Central126.0
2212Isabelle SliterFennville125.5
2312Kamryn SixberrySaugatuck125.3
2412Mikenna NagelSanford-Meridian125.2
2512Makinna FoglesongIthaca123.5
2612Shelby KuiperGrand Rapids Covenant Christian123.3
2710Ellyse HeyserSaugatuck122.6
2810Calista GeorgePewamo-Westphalia121.9
2912Lyvia CurtisSaugatuck121.4
3012Natalie RosemaHart118.7
3110Lily SissonLeroy Pine River116.5
3212Anna HallettBlissfield116.1
3312Molly Kate HollandsworthTraverse City St. Francis115.5
349Elina GuffySaugatuck115.2
3511Emma KerrTraverse City St. Francis114.7
369Aubrey DoanLake City114.6
3712Anna DeVriesGrand Rapids Covenant Christian114.2
3811Lindsey CmeylaSaginaw Valley Lutheran114.1
399Hannah MuladoreCharlevoix113.8
409Avyrie OttenbacherMaple City Glen Lake113.2
4112Leah SnellerMuskegon Western Michigan Christian112.8
4210Ellery KemnerTraverse City St. Francis112.4
439Juliet SiemenHarbor Beach112.0
4412Nico TrieboldGrayling111.9
459Annie LloydLansing Catholic111.4
4610Avery HaynesBrooklyn Columbia Central110.8
4710Anamaria BrazdauPlymouth Christian Academy110.1
4810Katherine SchaferPewamo-Westphalia109.4
4910Kate DeVriesGrand Rapids Covenant Christian109.3
509Kate RoweTraverse City St. Francis109.1

RankGradeNameTeamS27 Rating
112Jaelyn RayPinckney166.0
212Caroline RandallHastings161.9
311Avery EngbersHolland Christian159.5
412Maddie LindleyHolly156.6
510Eliza SchwassLudington156.3
69Clara CookDeWitt155.2
711Oakley OsterhartCoopersville154.0
812Ava SchaferSt. Johns153.9
911Kayla ShellenbargerGoodrich153.4
1011Julia BambachHolly153.0
119Natalya HoffmanPlainwell149.1
1210Breslyn KleinCoopersville147.2
1312Mia MaySparta146.2
1412Ellery LampenHolland Christian145.5
159Evelyn GoosenSpring Lake144.6
1612Ella McInerneyCadillac144.4
1711Courtney FloeterLinden143.9
1812Eliana StobHolland Christian143.7
1912Ayda SkeelsAdrian143.5
2012Olivia WeissHolland143.4
2112Addison JosephsonLinden143.1
2212Clara KaczorFreeland142.5
2311Madison PettyAdrian142.0
249Annabel BuggiaWilliamston141.4
2511Tiffany DeMaagdGrand Rapids South Christian141.3
2610Alayna VerhageOtsego141.2
2711Remie EllisEaton Rapids141.2
2810Lydia DwyerStevensville Lakeshore140.3
2911Mai NguyenPlainwell139.7
3011Grace LemanEdwardsburg139.0
3110Lily VanEykGrand Rapids South Christian138.7
3211Elizabeth GerzemaFarmington Hills Mercy137.2
3312Alivia OttingerGoodrich135.9
3410Addelyn SabatkeOtsego134.6
3512Sawyer ReaganAllendale134.0
3611Valyntina GarciaPinckney133.4
379Molly WhiteHolland Christian133.2
3812Lucy ConzelmannFrankenmuth132.9
3910Adelyn VerhageOtsego132.4
4012Annabelle LowmanLudington132.0
4111Anneliese PasschierEast Grand Rapids131.9
4211Natalie HayesDeWitt131.4
4311Addison BixlerCoopersville130.3
4412Skylar MejeurOtsego130.2
4512Lucille ClarkBloomfield Hills Marian130.0
469Anna ZietlowHolland Christian128.6
4712Elliana HuftonLake Fenton128.3
4811Saige ColeYale128.1
4910Addisyn WoodSparta128.0
509Emi CrewsMiddleville Thornapple-Kellogg126.8

RankGradeNameTeamS27 Rating
111Natasza DudekAnn Arbor Pioneer187.5
210Keira Von BlonAnn Arbor Pioneer183.2
311Sienna KlemmerAnn Arbor Pioneer178.2
410Alexandra ScappaticciNorthville173.8
511Adalyn RaabZeeland East169.9
611Rachel SmithOkemos164.9
712Daisy CoxRockford161.9
812Lucia LachapelleNorthville159.2
911Emilia GarcesMidland Dow158.5
1011Paige RohdaBerkley158.3
1111Alannah WesselRomeo157.7
1210Grace SnyderHudsonville157.0
1312Tessa MascariTraverse City West156.9
1411Gabriella MercierMacomb Dakota156.8
1511Ainsley KelmPortage Northern156.5
1612El McMahanRochester Adams153.3
1711Avery ScottPortage Central151.2
1811Charley McKayBrownstown Woodhaven151.2
1912Katarina MunsonSaline151.0
2010Brynn SomersNorthville150.9
2112Reese RosboltRomeo150.7
2212Kodie SnyderDexter150.5
2310Kaitlyn BergMidland150.5
2411Charlotte JonesRochester150.0
2511Alexandra GreenBirmingham Seaholm150.0
2611Savannah StatonSaline149.0
2710Claire LawrenceBloomfield Hills148.9
2810Giada MillsBeverly Hills Groves148.9
2912Anyla RobinsonOak Park148.9
3012Paige McMeansJenison148.2
319Brooklyn ThomasmaEast Kentwood148.0
3212Isla TharpAnn Arbor Skyline147.7
3310Jessica SoldanRochester Adams146.8
3411Jillian LewakowskiRockford146.1
3511Ella LorenzBrighton145.8
3612Chloe PurwinHudsonville145.4
379Claire CubittUtica145.3
3812Becca Van LentAnn Arbor Skyline145.1
3912Katelynn EgliNovi143.2
4012Abigail DobryDexter142.7
4112Lizzie WernimontAnn Arbor Pioneer142.5
4210Lexie SnyderHudsonville142.3
439Harper HendersonJenison141.7
4411Lucia LlanesAnn Arbor Skyline141.6
4512Collette WierksHolland West Ottawa141.3
4610Grace MeyersBay City Western141.3
4712Morgan ScallyWhite Lake Lakeland141.1
4811McKinley JonesSaline140.7
4912Lane IsomRichland Gull Lake140.3
5011Lila EdisonAnn Arbor Skyline140.3

RankGradeNameTeamS27 Rating
111Asia JonesSault Ste. Marie128.0
212Abby TaylorNewberry127.1
39Charlotte JonesMarquette118.0
411Maria MurvichKingsford117.3
510Emma ZieglerMarquette116.4
69Julia PlaxcoNegaunee113.9
711Holly CookeHoughton113.6
89Edye BurdettSuperior Central113.5
910Molly McNamaraNewberry111.8
1011Bree BesonenEwen-Trout Creek107.8
1110Brooke HoppeHoughton107.3
129Emma ConklinMunising104.6
1312Keira WatermanNegaunee102.8
1410Ava CantwayMarquette95.3
1510Evonna LaCosseRapid River94.6
1610Cora GouletSault Ste. Marie94.5
1712Winley BrandtMenominee94.4
1811Isabeau WoodardSault Ste. Marie93.1
199Emma JukuriHoughton90.8
2010Melissa KirschnerRudyard89.9
2111Alena PietilaHancock89.3
2212Regan SporteSault Ste. Marie84.3
2311Addie BowermanMunising83.3
2410Amira PerrierMarquette80.8
2512Joselyn MillsGladstone80.2

RankGradeNameTeamS27 Rating
112Gianna ChaignotGRTC Peregrines158.0
29Marielle ChaignotGRTC Peregrines152.5
312Stephanie DiPiazzaGRTC Peregrines152.1
410Hailey SielerGRTC Peregrines135.4
510Elise BarberGRTC Peregrines132.7
610Eve WebbGRTC Peregrines130.0
79Aria KoertWest Michigan Homeschool124.0
811Kate O’DonohueGRTC Peregrines118.4
912Elyana DavisKalamazoo Homeschool Sports101.9
1010Ava GrosseWest Michigan Homeschool95.3
1112Belle RichardsonKalamazoo Homeschool Sports94.2
129Ellery NovakoskiWest Michigan Homeschool84.0
1311Gracie HibmaKalamazoo Homeschool Sports83.6
1410Elsie WoldhuisKalamazoo Homeschool Sports82.8
159Arie NeefKalamazoo Homeschool Sports80.7
1610Beti KelleyWest Michigan Homeschool80.3
1710Mia SetteringtonCapital Homeschool79.3
1812Maria BanaskyKalamazoo Homeschool Sports74.8
1910Belle MillerWest Michigan Homeschool73.9
209Carmella GarritanoKalamazoo Homeschool Sports73.4
219Emma MastCapital Homeschool73.2
229Abi VanderweyCapital Homeschool71.4
2311Maatje VanderweyCapital Homeschool68.9
2410Juliana NicodemiMACH68.4
259Grace CoganCapital Homeschool62.1