Author: mixcspeedratings

THE SUMMER PREVIEW

Accomplishments & Accolades

• 13^th Place – Division 1 State
• Region 7 Champion
• 2^nd Place – OAA White
• 7^th Place – Oakland County
• 2x State Qualifier
• Region 9 800m Champion
• OAA Blue/Gold 1600m Champion
• 15^th Place – Division 1 State 800m

Ratings Throughout the Years

Grade	Name	Time	Team	Rating	Meet	Date
10	Molly Baracco	20:13.0	Farmington	135.0	Milford	1-Sep
10	Molly Baracco	20:16.6	Farmington	113.5	OAA White 1	13-Sep
10	Molly Baracco	18:56.4	Farmington	135.2	Jackson	24-Sep
10	Molly Baracco	18:47.7	Farmington	142.1	OAA White 2	27-Sep
10	Molly Baracco	19:43.6	Farmington	131.5	Oakland County	8-Oct
10	Molly Baracco	18:42.4	Farmington	144.2	OAA White Championship	20-Oct
10	Molly Baracco	18:54.2	Farmington	146.9	Region 7	28-Oct
10	Molly Baracco	18:35.1	Farmington	147.3	D1 State	5-Nov
Grade	Name	Time	Team	Rating	Meet	Date
9	Molly Baracco	23:27.4	Farmington	69.2	Milford	2-Sep
9	Molly Baracco	20:59.2	Farmington	115.3	Averill	11-Sep
9	Molly Baracco	21:17.5	Farmington	104.2	OAA White 1	14-Sep
9	Molly Baracco	20:35.1	Farmington	118.3	Spartan	17-Sep
9	Molly Baracco	20:51.0	Farmington	99.7	OAA White 2	28-Sep
9	Molly Baracco	20:17.1	Farmington	115.3	Coaching Legends	2-Oct
9	Molly Baracco	20:50.5	Farmington	116.2	Oakland County	9-Oct
9	Molly Baracco	20:10.9	Farmington	117.0	OAA White 3	22-Oct
9	Molly Baracco	20:10.9	Farmington	117.0	OAA White 3	22-Oct
9	Molly Baracco	20:21.6	Farmington	122.2	7 Hess Hathaway	30-Oct
9	Molly Baracco	19:30.4	Farmington	126.9	D1 State	6-Nov

The Rundown

Well, well, well, we have another Baracco on our hands. Under the careful tutelage of Coach Auer, Molly exploded onto the scene late in the ’22 track season. She’s concentrated on the 800m and 1600m there, medaling in the Oakland County 1600m each of the past two years. Farmington is never a program that concentrates on running fast early, and Molly’s seasons have been a shining example of that philosophy. On the grass, her best time of the year (and her career) was at MIS, an 18:35 that placed her 13^th in Division 1. With that in mind, look for her rise this fall through championship season – and don’t be shocked if she pops a big one at Willow before heading off to another State Finals appearance.

Last Year

Girls

1. Kingston (4th)
2. Unionville-Sebewaing (9th)
3. Ubly (16th)

Boys

1. Brown City (13th)
2. Mayville (18th)
3. Ubly (22nd)

Top 27 Teams

Previous years had top-25 teams, but there’s 27 (and sometimes more) team qualifiers and what does it hurt to add another two?

Girls

Kingston (Top 10), Unionville-Sebewaing (19th), Ubly (22nd)

Boys

Mayville (19th), Ubly (23rd)

(If your team isn’t listed in the images above or the scores below, you probably don’t have five returners, at least on ol’ athletic.net. I’m sure many of these teams will fill out their rosters by late October)

Projected Scores

Place	Girls Team	Score
1	Kingston	23
2	Unionville-Sebewaing	77
3	Ubly	88
4	Marlette	122
5	Harbor Beach	122
6	Dryden	123
7	Brown City	153
8	Deckerville	197

Place	Boys Team	Score
1	Mayville	70
2	Ubly	85
3	Kingston	100
4	Harbor Beach	100
5	Dryden	111
6	Unionville-Sebewaing	156
7	Marlette	168
8	Deckerville	179
9	Brown City	218
10	New Life Christian Academy	223

Top Runners

Thought I’d give a review of some of the top returners in each region. Returners means no incoming freshman (you’ll get your days in the sun). If you’re gonna be in the 50 Tickets, you’ll get a full writeup there. If you’re on a top team (Kingston’s girls) and you’re projected highly here, you hit the jackpot! Yes, I’m writing a bit less than previous years, but I think I’ve learned my lesson in that I need to conserve energy and brainpower for all divisions and regions. Typically by August, I’m rushing to get these done. This time around, hopefully all regions get the same amount of coverage.

Lilah Kiley, Kingston

Freshman year started a bit slow, but by the end, Lilah was sub-20 and juuust outside of All-State. This spring, she established herself in the mid-distance, running in the low-60’s and placing 14^th in the 400/800m.

Kyra Beemer, Brown City

I’m not sure what happened between her freshman fall and spring, but since then she’s been in a whole new territory. Sub-6:00 both seasons in the 1600m and jumped up 20 places to qualify for the D4 State Finals.

Gracy Walker, Kingston

After two years as an individual qualifier, as a junior, Gracy got to compete at MIS with her Cardinal teammates. But whether as a part of a team or competing for herself, she can nab All-State, placing in the top-30 each of the past two years.

Lily Lemanski, Marlette

This past spring marked her first year running distance on the track for the Red Raiders, and in doing so, she ripped through the 6:00 barrier in the 1600m. I’ve always felt that if you can run in the high 5’s, you can consistently run in the 20’s, an area she reached twice last fall.

Reece Wruble, Harbor Beach

Literally and figuratively, Wagener County Park is her home. In times, such as her 20:09 personal best established in 2021. In accolades, such as her two All-Region spots attained here.

Brody Karg, Harbor Beach

After a solid cross campaign, became a championship-level athlete on the track, winning both the Tribune Meet of Champs and GTC East crowns in the 3200m. His 3200m rank as a freshman in D4? 7^th.

Utah Gusa, Ubly

Is this the last year I’ll have to pen some words about a Gusa?!? This family has left its mark on Thumb Area XC and Utah is no different than his kin. Three consecutive state qualifiers, all three years placing in the top-10 here in Region 35.

Carson Burgess, Brown City

Played a major role in the Green Devils’ run toward a state berth, dropping exactly 300 seconds from his opener at Mike Jackson to place 8^th here.

Gavin Helgeson, Mayville

Have loved the slow n’ steady progress from Gavin. Started his career out with a freshman year that began in the 25’s, then moved to a junior year where he was sub-18 on three separate occasions.

Isaac Bignall, Unionville-Sebewaing

Ran the race of his life here to place 5^th last year. His second time under 18:00 and a 35+ second personal best.

THE SUMMER PREVIEW

2022 Accomplishments

3^rd Place – Division 3 State
CAAC White Champions
2^nd Place – Region 24
3^rd Place – Greater Lansing

Top Returners

Tessa Roe

By my numbers, one of the more consistent runners last year. Adjusting for different courses, she was right at that 19-min mark each time out. Of course, when it was time to go fast, she did just that, sub-19 at Shepherd and Cougar Falcon and Regionals. When it was time to be the best 3^rd runner in Division 3, she placed 10^th at State. Now it’s her time to lead this young group.

Frances Melinn

It took her a bit of time to get going, but she established herself with a string of 21-min. efforts to close the year. I feel she’s in line for a major uptick in performances, as she came into her own during track. Multiple sub-2:30 relay legs and didn’t shy away from any moment, whether in Philly at Nationals or with an All-State on the line in the 300 hurdles.

Stella Lipinski

On any normal D3 team, Stella would be a great addition to their 4×8 and probably a contributor to any All-State team. But the 5^th girl on a team that ended up rocking it at Nationals, she was left out of the relay fray. No worries, she still found a way to contribute, such as grabbing 5^th place in the CAAC White.

Paige Kutas

Another one of these many upcoming sophomores who could rise to the occasion. Paige did late in the year, slipping under 23:00 in mid-October.

Brianna VanZwoll

Has the potential to provide solid depth, maintaining 23-24 minute efforts throughout much of the season.

Kate Coffey

Progressed from a 26 min+ opener in the mountains of the St. Francis Retreat Center to nearly breaking 23:00.

Potential Newcomers

Grace Wonch

In my mind, Jr. Greater Lansing is one of the more established predictors of next level significance. If you’re top-10 there, as Grace was, you have a real shot of being a contributor.

Avery Miller

Closed her middle school season with three consecutive sub-14’s.