The first batch of rankings in early May had the pole vault contained within the jump crews. Now that I have a little more (really, not much) time on my hands, I decided to revert back to the old way of doing things.
An explanation:
The Best Crews have been a thing around here for the past few years. They take their cues from USTFCCCA’s event squads and the World Athletics scoring system, combining the two ideas in order to compare Michigan’s teams against events in their common areas.
The goal of this is to help recognize the athletes and coaches that create cultures, history, and traditions in their respective event areas. Think about it like this: Minnesota always has great hockey, basketball hoops are nailed to Indiana barns, Texas churns out football talent, every Iowa boy has cauliflower ear. Where in Michigan does hurdling reign supreme? Is there a town where kids learn to shot put before they can tie their shoes?
2023’s explanation goes through much of it, but two things have changed for 2025 (and now, 2026).
the Boys 200m points have been re-mathed and edited, as previous versions sold short athletes such as Jeremy Dixon and Jake Machiniak when it came to season end rankings.
instead of using a team’s top-four athletes to generate their total for an event, I’m using their top-three. Belleville’s hurdlers are the main reason for this, there’s no way they shouldn’t have been the top D1 squad in 2024. I feel this will better portray a team’s top athletes.
Here are the figures that show the points for each mark:
Very simply, one had to have hit a regional qualifier to earn points. If a team had three regional qualifiers, all three earn points. And so on with two and one. Those are added together and ranked.
The star power and the head-to-head matchups illuminate the Detroit Catholic Central and East Kentwood matchup. Coming out of Novi, you’ve got Zacchaeus Brocks, Samson Gash, Paxton Heitsch, William Patterson, Caleb Washington, and a crew of others. Fresh off their team state victory, De-Mani Roberts, Shukuru Makechi, Reece Emeott, Jhavon Alexander, and a bigger crew of others.
There will be plenty of spots where the red & blue will line up against one another:
Zacchaeus Brocks and Shukuru Makechi in the 110h and 300h. Samson Gash and De-Mani Roberts in the 100m and 200m. Caleb Washington and De-Mani Roberts in the 400m. Gideon Gash and Jhavon Alexander in the Long Jump. The 4×1 containing a great number of the above names.
There could be hidden pickups, such as Rondell Ruff Jr. in the 400m or the consistent Justin Johnson taking advantage of the warm weather to chase kids down in the 3200m.
To cap it off, the 4×4 could be in play as well. On paper, Catholic Central has a team that can run <3:20, but it hasn’t come to fruition, and thus, they’ll be in a slower heat. East Kentwood will be in the fast section, knowing the place they need, and being pulled along in the process.
Since 2014, the only barriers in the way of the Oak Park girls have been Ann Arbor Pioneer, Detroit Renaissance, and a global pandemic. The Knights have been that reliable, winning 9 of the past 11 D1 girls titles. The formula for Oak Park has typically been a combination of strength in the hurdles, sprints, mid-distance, and relays. The components may change, the depth in certain spots too, but that mix is present yet again.
Payton Gee has turned herself into one of the preeminent hurdlers in the state, turning in state bests in the 100h and 300h this spring.
Nevaeh Burns has won here twice, bringing home crowns in the 400m. Her 54.21 opener from April was the fastest she’s ever run in the spring season, showing progress is still coming.
Those two headline, but their real story is their depth:
You put together those types of numbers and you can pick & choose who to put in the relays. The “weakest” Oak Park relay is their 4×8, ranked #6 in Division 1, greatly indicative of this depth.
The strongest candidate for the runner-up slot is Detroit Cass Tech. Three girls feature prominently in their lineups – Malise Brown, Caylin Ivy, and Laila Hawkins. Hawkins placed 2nd in 2025’s 100h finals and this spring, has been beaten only once. Her 300’s have solidified, consistently staying in the 44-45 second range. Brown and Ivy are pure sprinters, with range all over the place, 100m to 400m. Brown qualified in five events and will need to scratch one, but all three will likely have impact all across the scoring spectrum.
INTRIGUING BATTLES
Boys 1600m – 2025’s 1600m final featured three boys who will likely play a major role in the 2026 final. Last year, Jackson Lam led early, setting an honest pace through the first 1k, before Luka Hammond grabbed the lead. Caden Livermore covered Hammond’s move and moved into the lead with a lap to go, holding for nearly the rest of the race before a late surge from Hammond clinched it. One has to wonder what lessons were learned from then and the year that’s passed, and which tactical tricks the field will have to knock off Hammond, currently ranked #1 in the state and racing with a wisdom beyond his years.
Boys 4×8 – 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 – four in a row, Northville looking to make it five. Each year, there seems to be a contender to knock the Mustangs off their throne, each year, through mid-race adversity overcome by wise racing, Northville seems to persevere. Usually it’s a singular team that can knock them off, this year there appears to multiple candidates. Oak Park, Ann Arbor Skyline, Ann Arbor Pioneer. In this version, Northville holds the top seed, but extending only 5 seconds back are 8 other teams. This may be the toughest test yet for the Northville streak.
Boys Long Jump – I’m sure Jeff Hollobaugh has this obscure stat loaded up and ready to go, but what if Greg Myers wins both the 800m and Long Jump? Surely that winning event combination has never occurred prior, right? Myers has had mid-distance ability for years, placing 10th here as a sophomore and 2nd as a junior. But the long jumpability is a recent revelation, as he hovered around 20’ for much of the spring before busting out a 22’ 10.75” to win the SEC White. He’s ranked slightly behind two OK Red rivals, Jhavon Alexander and Collin Munford. Both are no stranger to these boards (important) and are familiar with the State Finals setting, both qualifying in 2024 and 2025.
Girls 400m – mentioned above,three athletes from top-level teams will have prime lanes in the fast section of the 400m. There’s also one girl that will join them, Cayla “Boss” Hawkins. We’ve seen her name on the AAU/Club circuit for years, winning and placing high at indoor nationals, outdoor nationals, and proving that there’d be no doubt she’d be ready for the high school stage. During this 9th grade year, nothing has changed, as Hawkins won the indoor state 400m, ran the fastest time of any girl in the state this year (53.34), and won the freshman race at NIN. All that said, it’ll be a race between two winners, as Nevaeh Burns has captured the past two D1 titles. Seeded 1 and 2, lanes right next to one another, expect a barnburner.
Girls 800m – both in terms of the race for first and the sheer depth. This is wild, seeds 3-27 are separated by a mere 4 seconds, 2:13.5 to 2:17.7. There will likely be much jostling in each section, but also one must figure that it’ll take 2:14 or under to get on the medal stand. At the top of the medal stand, three names stand out. Lane Isom, who’s held the D1 lead for much of the spring and hit All-State out of the slow heat last year. Collette Wierks, the defending D1 champion who won with a late burst, rounding into her best form of her career. And Becca Van Lent, who just threw down a 2:10.9 in just her second individual 800m of the year, besting Natasza Dudek (even if not her prime event, a momentous feat).
STATE RECORD BREAKERS?
Rapidly rising and putting himself in the conversation has been Belleville’s Peyton Trammer. At this point last year, he was unable to make it out of the prelims and was sprinting to 100m times north of 11 seconds. In only half a year, he set the indoor 60m record, running a 6.68 at the LAB. Sidelined for a bit to start the outdoor season, Trammer has only been able to reach top speed for a month. In that month, he’s moved from a 10.51 (into a 0.9 m/s headwind) to a 10.31 (barely an illegal tailwind). With two additional weeks of training, 10.23 is 100% within reach.
I’m loving the hurdling renaissance in this state over the past few seasons. We saw the seeds of it two years ago when Will Jaiden Smith, Schmar Gamble, and Zacchaeus Brocks were sophomores, all hitting in the very low 14’s or under. Smith left his mark at last year’s State Finals, Gamble right on his tail, while Brocks stewed on the sidelines. And now only Zacchaeus Brocks remains, the focus only on himself, for real good reason. He’s already run 13.26 (with a 3.1 m/s tailwind) and 13.43 (into a 0.9 m/s headwind), both indicators that something <13.35 can be in order. The 300’s are also on the table, with Brocks hitting a 36.23 (only Kenny Ferguson has run faster) on a regional day with a similar workload compared to what he’ll face tomorrow.
She’s scratched from the 1600m, so perhaps there will be extra energy needed for the 3200m. Our MIS record holder and State/2x National Champ, Natasza Dudek is entered as an individual in only one event, the 3200m. She’s already thrown down a 10:01 in the 3200m at Shepherd, and now has an additional month of training under her belt. The 3200m record is 9:49.9, a bit in the distance, but when has Natasza not challenged a barrier in a championship setting?
Lorelai Zielinski has spent the spring writing and re-writing, breaking and re-breaking our Discus record. The previous record, set by Allen Park’s Abby Russell in her win at ‘24’s NBON, was 166’ 11”. At Grand Ledge’s Comet Classic, Zielinski tossed a 167’ 0”, an inch over that mark. Just five days later, she added another 3” to her lifetime best. Just ten days after that, she shot right into the 168’s with a 168’ 5”. Incremental progress throughout the year, but nearly 4’ further than her state-winning sophomore self. Those tiny gains typically mean something bigger is on the horizon, perhaps tomorrow?
Grand Ledge may have kicked off Zielinski’s record-breaking behavior and the culture of the Comets has undeniably helped Katie Blue in her history-setting quest. Blue excels in a number of events – the hurdles, long jump, and especially, the pole vault. Her pole vault prowess began in earnest as a sophomore, breaking 12’ and placing 4th here at D1 State. As a junior, she added a good 9” to her best and as a senior, has sped up the progression. Her push took her to 14’ 0.5” for a win at NBIN, setting the all-time state record and setting precedent of one that can step up in big moments, perhaps breaking her outdoor record of 13’ 10”.
DISTANCE PREDICTIONS
Come on, you knew I had to impart some of my own guesses for my distance kids. I’ve been making those early qualifier posts, calculating rankings, announcing meets, but I haven’t had the chance to predict and project. These are purely vibes-based, no complex formulae like in XC. And with the caveat that I really appreciate you all – none of this is personal. I’ll be hopping around from Kent City to Rockford to Hudsonville to Hamilton, but if you do prove these wrong and respectively want to let me have it, you know where to find me.
Four boys teams look to have a gap on the rest of the field – Alma, Flint Powers Catholic, Frankenmuth, and Harper Woods.
Harper Woods will be relying on DeAndre Bidden, the top-ranked sprinter in the 100m, a favorite to gain points in the 200m, and a relay contributor on two short sprint squads coming in as the favorite. An extra supplement could be points from Dakota Guerrant in the low hurdles and Shawn Mosley in the 200m.
Alma has a bit more depth, but more of the distance concentration. Both Thomas Larson and Ezekiel Baltierra will feature often, both individually and on their relays, which will need to score points. The Panthers have a bit more depth than Harper Woods, bringing Brayden Trumen in as a potential point-scorer in the high jump and Brendan Francisco the same in the 400m.
Both Flint Powers and Frankenmuth will be bringing busloads of athletes to Hamilton. Each team qualified all four of their relays and it appears that seven of those eight could rack up serious points. Grant Roberts will headline the Charger lineup, coming in as the #2 seed in the 200m, #6 in the 100m, and a prominent feature of their burgeoning sprint relays. And don’t you forget, these Flint boys were victorious on the cross course in the fall. That has to mean something. Frankenmuth is a bit more diverse in their numbers, qualifying Avery Simmons in the shot put and Brendan DeRocher in the pole vault, each capable of giving their Eagles an advantage early in the day.
As always, relays will play a large role in determining the outcome. All four of ‘em have three of these teams, three of the four have three teams capable of scoring. A bit unique to this division and gender is the role of the longer distance races. Alma, Frankenmuth, and Flint Powers all stand to gain points in the 1600m and 3200m. If other outstanding D2 distance kids populate the medal stand, odds will increase for Harper Woods.
In the girls group, I once again find four teams separated from the field, split into groups of two.
At the front, you’ve got Dearborn Divine Child and Stevensville Lakeshore.
Aubrey Wilson is as much of a sure thing that a team can ask for. She’s now a junior, and in her two prior appearances at Hamilton, she’s been a part of 29 and 30 points, respectively. Coming up under her wing is one of the better athletes in the division and perhaps the best freshwoman in the state, Jordane Falvey. In the long jump, Falvey has leapt over 17’ seemingly all year and in the 400m, just popped a second+ PR, clearly unfazed by the long season.
Lakeshore can point to a few more names, such as Kate Ort, Lucy Cross, Leigha Whitman, and Abbie Luckman. All four should be able to tally up solid points in their respective events, then come together in the relays. This Lancer outfit has won all year, victorious as the smaller school against D1 foes at Don Lukens and in the SMAC, still on top against their D2 brethren in Region 14.
Going about in different ways are two coastal teams, Holland Christian and Spring Lake. The Lakers have the firepower, with Macy Subka as perhaps the best hurdler in the division and Coa Parker following in her sister’s footsteps as a prominent distance girl. Both girls, along with Meghan Guczwa, play roles in their 4×2 and/or 4×4, two teams that can cross the line in first. The Maroons have potential points all over the place. Seeded barely outside the top-8 are many HC girls, in events ranging from the 800m to the 3200m, Discus to Shot Put to High Jump. Lest you forget, this deep distance squad was hoisting a trophy in November and deep track squad did the same just last week at Team State.
INTRIGUING BATTLES
Boys 100m – where it might take 10.80 just to make the final. The 8th fastest mark of any D2 100m boy sprinter is 10.79 and 27 boys are listed at 11.00 and below. Whatever it is, there will be new blood, as the top-3 slots from 2025 were taken by seniors. Could it be Porter Westdorp, the highest-ranking returner? Or DeAndre Bidden and Nolan Cullens with the fastest times in the division? Or Austin Langeland, who popped a 10.69 into a headwind to capture Region 12?
Boys 1600m – a few weeks back, the waters were muddy. Though as time passes, more clarity is being gained. That vision came to fruition at Saturday’s Distance Night Under the Lights, where a pair of Alma boys, Thomas Larson and Ezekiel Baltierra set themselves above the rest of their D2 brethren, running 4:12 and 4:13. They will be challenged, as Ryan Good is a terrifying opponent, one that can negative split a 1:50 for 800m.
Girls 4×4 – which could be the deciding factor in a team trophy. Both Stevensville Lakeshore and Spring Lake have teams capable of winning a title, both occupy the top-2 seeds in the event. Spring Lake has only run their combo of Meghan Guczwa, Cora Parker, Kayleigh Clark, and Macy Subka on one occasion, hitting an EQ at East Kentwood. The Lakeshore quartet of Kate Ort, Abbie Luckman, Lucy Cross, and Rorie Tippetts has passed the baton around a few times, winning both in the SMAC and in Region 14. The top-end speed, speed endurance, and mid-distance ability is all there, with each team featuring sub-27, sub-59, and sub-2:16 girls. Expect these two to push each other well under 4-flat.
Girls 4×8 – three teams have separated themselves from the field – Holland Christian, Sturgis, and Cadillac. Sturgis has established a track tradition as of late, winning a state title, being a force in the sprints and jumps. Their distance program is coming along, anchored by Berkley Holtz, but speedy throughout, laying down a 9:25 to win their Wolverine Conference. Which was a mark that was slightly bested that same from a Maroon squad made of up of their top XC performers. I love the wide-ranging exploits of the HC 4×8 squad, with two girls sub-2:20 in the 800m, a 400m specialist in Annika Stob, and a 3200m specialist such as Ellery Lampen. But neither of these two quartets have matched the fastest time in D2, which is held by Cadillac. Thus far in 2026, the Vikings have put four girls sub-2:25, 5:30, and 11:45. A well-rounded distance crew with the firepower to bring home the gold.
Girls High Jump – the top-8 girls have seasons bests ranging from 5’ 5” to 5’ 4”. Someone’s gonna have to go beyond their comfort zone to win this, else we’ve got a convoluted mess of misses.
Girls Long Jump – an area where the girls have kept pushing the needle. The first 18-footer of the season occurred back in late March, the phenom freshman Jordane Falvey leaping to a 18’ 0” at the Jim Gardiner Invite. Defending D2 Champion Leigha Whitman screamed back a few weeks later to take the division lead, but was later replaced by another Divine Child girl, the multi-talented Aubrey Wilson. These three have been joined in the 18’s by Sadie Dykstra, looking to earn back the title and add it to the 2024 one in her portfolio. Recently joining the group in the 18’s is 2024 All-Stater and all around jumping extraordinaire, Bella Friddle.
STATE RECORD BREAKERS?
Last year, Ben Goran set on this path, clearing 15’, attaining the 9th grade class record in the vault. The trajectory has risen up even further, as Goran’s 16’ 5” to win Region 12 eclipsed the sophomore class record by nearly a foot. Trevor Stephenson’s 16’ 9.5” looms a few inches ahead, and Goran on this course? Could be any day now.
Declin Doroh has had barriers on his mind all year, what’s another one? Clearing 6’ 10” in mid-April, the thought of a 7’+ high jump must have permeated his brain for the past month. With his season nearing an end and opportunities lessening, Doroh has made the most of his chances, inching up to 6’ 11” to win the SMAC and 7’ 0” to win Region 14. 2” in a month with another 2.25” to go.
Aubrey Wilson is inching closer and closer to the 100m record, an 11.37 set by Shayla Mahan back in 2007. With the exception of one prelim in early May, Wilson has been in the 11’s all year. Come championship time, she’s busted out a 11.54 to win the CHSL and a 11.55 to win Region 17, the former of which a wind-legal mark and the latter barely too much wind. Two tenths of a second is still a sizable gap, but not insurmountable given that our weather has been less than sprint friendly.
Three seconds is a tiny bit of a gap, but if one watches Eliza Schwass race, one can foresee records being etched in her name. Schwass’s 4:40 was impressive enough, but the method she took to get there left many in wonder. Schwass split around 3:34-35, then closed in a fiery 65-66. I’m not sure an evenly-paced race with runners to push her will happen here, but in that environment, expect a run well into the 4:30’s.
DISTANCE PREDICTIONS
Come on, you knew I had to impart some of my own guesses for my distance kids. I’ve been making those early qualifier posts, calculating rankings, announcing meets, but I haven’t had the chance to predict and project. These are purely vibes-based, no complex formulae like in XC. And with the caveat that I really appreciate you all – none of this is personal. I’ll be hopping around from Kent City to Rockford to Hudsonville to Hamilton, but if you do prove these wrong and respectively want to let me have it, you know where to find me.
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 