Following in the footsteps of his brothers Patrick and Ethan comes Sean
Both are running at the collegiate level and that opportunity is 100% there for Sean if he so chooses
During his sophomore year, he did a great job of establishing himself as someone to watch, this past year, he did an even better job capitalizing on that shown potential
In 2019, Plymouth was fresh off a state title, the Michigan running world was wondering if they’d find a 4th or 5th man to capture another one
Some of us pegged Sean as a potential contributor, but that unfortunately didn’t come to fruition as his season ended early after a string of 18:00+ performances
These past two years, he’s really taken a whole new intensity
He spent the entirety of the 2020 championship season in the 16’s, the 2021 season in the low-16’s/high-15’s
This past October, those quick times led to honors – his first All-State, a Region 6 title
Come spring, he used those accomplishments to vault himself into 3200m success
First at New Balance, a shiny new personal best and placed 10th among D1 athletes
Then at State Finals, he both moved up 2 spots and hit another PB, kicking hard off a slower early pace
Plymouth had one of the better distance-oriented track seasons of anyone at the State, the Wildcats will look to continue that momentum into the fall with Sean at the helm of their accelerating ship
Grade
Name
Time
Rating
Meet
Course
Date
11
Sean Byrnes
16:49.1
189.6
A2 Early Bird
Huron Meadows
2-Sep
11
Sean Byrnes
16:40.7
192.8
Tommy Titan
Cass Benton
11-Sep
11
Sean Byrnes
16:16.4
201.2
Holly
Springfield Oaks
18-Sep
11
Sean Byrnes
16:04.4
200.5
Coaching Legends
Huron Meadows
2-Oct
11
Sean Byrnes
16:12.3
200.6
Wayne County
Willow
9-Oct
11
Sean Byrnes
15:58.7
193.4
Gabriel Richard
Hudson Mills (South)
16-Oct
11
Sean Byrnes
16:02.9
197.0
KLAA Championship
Huron Meadows
21-Oct
11
Sean Byrnes
16:18.2
198.9
6 Hudson Mills
Hudson Mills (North)
30-Oct
11
Sean Byrnes
16:00.5
197.8
D1 State
MIS
6-Nov
Grade
Name
Rating
Meet
Course
Date
10
Sean Byrnes
165.3
Northville/Plymouth
Cass Benton
1-Sep
10
Sean Byrnes
185.7
Hartland/Plymouth
Hartland HS
19-Sep
10
Sean Byrnes
179.3
Franklin/Plymouth
Cass Benton
29-Sep
10
Sean Byrnes
183.1
Brighton/Plymouth
Cass Benton
3-Oct
10
Sean Byrnes
181.8
Hartland/Plymouth/Salem
Willow
10-Oct
10
Sean Byrnes
182.3
Plymouth/Skyline
Huron Meadows
13-Oct
10
Sean Byrnes
185.2
KLAA
Huron Meadows
17-Oct
10
Sean Byrnes
183.6
PR 11
Hudson Mills (North)
24-Oct
10
Sean Byrnes
186.8
D1 Reg 6
Willow
31-Oct
10
Sean Byrnes
191.7
D1 State
MIS
6-Nov
Grade
Name
Rating
Meet
Course
9
Sean Byrnes
149.7
South Lyon
Island Lake
9
Sean Byrnes
150.6
A2 Early Bird
Huron Meadows
9
Sean Byrnes
163.4
Tommy Titan
Cass Benton
9
Sean Byrnes
160.3
Holly
Springfield Oaks
Drew follows in the footsteps as well, but of EGR greats
Anna Petr, Hannah Bodine, Ainsley Workman in recent memory, I’m sure there are many more from the past
Drew came into high school pegged for success, breaking 12:00 in cross, running well under that mark on the track
But being pegged for success doesn’t mean you’ll gravitate towards success
Through hard work and a little bit of patience, her track season was her best yet
She gained personal bests in the 800m (2:31 to 2:19) and 1600m (4:55 to 4:51)
The 3200m stayed the same, but she never ran a championship race for those eight laps
I say championship race for a reason, as she brought a whole new level of focus for those, winning the D2 State 1600m and 4×800, winning the OK White 1600m
Tons of talk about track, she’s well-accomplished on the grass as well
Sub-18 as a freshman, this past year wasn’t quite as quick, but the accolades ring the same
Twice 5th place in Division 2, Twice Regional Champ, and a valuable figure on EGR’s return to the top spot
New coach, same goals, having a reliable girl at the front will make Coach Collette’s transition easier and usher in a new era of Pioneer greatness
3rd Place – MIAC 26th Place – Oakland County 4th Place – Region 36
2020
6th Place – MIAC 3rd Place – Pre-Region 72
2019
7th Place – Region 36
Anything in Track?
Eliza Keith
62.1/2:22/5:16
1st Place – Region 38 400/800/1600m 1st Place – MIAC 400/1600m 2nd Place – MIAC 800m 4th Place – Oakland County 1600m 3rd Place – D4 State 800m
Karis Keith
2:59/6:06/13:50
5th Place – Region 38 3200m 8th Place – Region 38 1600m
Leah Kroge
13.9 (100m)
7th Place – MIAC 100m
The Past Three Years
2021
Team Champions – WMC, Region 20, D3 State
2020
Team Champions – WMC, Pre-Region 40, Region 20, D3 State
2019
Team Champions – Oceana County, WMC, Region 20, D3 State
Anything in Track?
4×800
9:30
1st Place – WMC 1st Place – Region 22 1st Place – D3 State
Jessica Jazwinski
61.3/2:14/4:54/10:44
1st Place – WMC 400/800/3200m 1st Place – Region 22 1600/3200m 2nd Place – West Michigan 800m 2nd Place – D3 State 3200m 3rd Place – D3 State 1600m 4th Place – D3 State 800m
Alyson Enns
5:15/11:14
1st Place – WMC 1600m 3rd Place – Region 22 3200m 1st Place – West Michigan 1600/3200m 6th Place – D3 State 3200m
Lexie Beth Nienhuis
2:30/5:49/12:21
3rd Place – WMC 1600m 5th Place – WMC 800m 5th  Place – Region 22 800m 8th Place – West Michigan 800m
Brooklyn Carter
2:47/5:52/13:23
8th Place – WMC 1600m
Abigail Pretty
2:39/6:17/13:33
Savanna Owens
14.2/28.2/64.5/8’3 (PV)
6th Place – WMC 200m/PV 4th Place – Region 22 PV 5th Place – Region 22 400m 6th Place – West Michigan PV 8th Place – West Michigan 400m
Lauren Pretty
2:56/6:28/14:46
The Past Three Years
2021
Team Champions – OK Gold 2nd Place – Region 14 4th Place – D2 State
2020
Team Champions – OK Gold 2nd Place – Pre-Region 22 2nd Place – Region 11 9th Place – D2 State
2019
3rd Place – OK Gold 2nd Place – Region 14 4th Place – D2 State
Anything in Track?
4×800
9:51
2nd Place – OK Gold 3rd Place – Region 13 6th Place – D2 State
Ellory Clason
2:27/5:34/11:39
5th Place – OK Gold 3200m 6th Place – OK Gold 1600m 6th Place – Region 13 3200m
Sarah Dixon
64.6/2:29
5th Place – OK Gold 400/800m 6th Place – Region 13 800m
Ashlyn Smith
2:35/5:37
7th Place – OK Gold 1600m
Addison Washler
12.7/25.6
1st Place – OK Gold 100m 2nd Place – OK Gold 200m 2nd Place – Region 13 200m 2nd Place – D2 State 200m
Marlina Howell
5:53/12:51
8th Place – Region 13 3200m
Kate Laidlaw
2:27/5:565th Place – Region 13 800m
Lauren Walls
2:53/6:32
Harper Scott
3:08/6:53
The Past Three Years
2021
Team Champions – Wayne County, KLAA 2nd Place – Region 6 4th Place – D1 State
2020
Team Champions – KLAA, Pre-Region 15, Region 8 7th Place – D1 State
2019
Team Champions – Region 6 2nd Place – KLAA 6th Place – D1 State
Anything in Track?
4×800
9:27
1st Place – KLAA 1st Place – Region 5 8th Place – D1 State Ella Christensen
2:19/4:59/11:25
3rd Place – KLAA 800/1600m 3rd Place – Region 5 800/1600m 15th Place – D1 State 1600m
Cassie Garcia
2:26/5:06/11:00
2nd Place – KLAA 3200m 5th Place – KLAA 1600m 2nd Place – Region 5 3200m5th Place – Region 5 1600m 15th Place – D1 State 3200m
Maya Labonte
5:27/11:48
6th Place – KLAA 3200m
Lily Connors
2:31/5:32
Anna Gdowski
2:24/5:29
7th Place – Region 5 800m
Jasmine Beltrame
2:43/5:42/12:49
Callan Kaffl
2:37/5:49
Looks to be a transfer from California? No listed races for speed ratings here, but TullyRunners covered one of her meets. To get the conversion from his to mine, add 26 points. She isn’t listed here on his site, but her CIF SS Finals were the equivalent of a 105 by these ratings. 105 will put you in the 20:45 range on Michigan courses, a bit slower than what her track times suggest. I’d expect on limited information, a girl capable of 20:30 or so, but with Coach Smith’s training, that could easily be sub-20.
Actually, across the street from Chippewa Hills, in the rolling pastures and blowdozed woods. Compared to many courses in mid-Michigan, this is undulating terrain and that’s’ a GOOD THING. Cross Country should be a test and the speed bumps and turns make it so. Anyway, here’s their course video:
Well, year to year consistency might be the theme here. It’s appearing like five of the six qualifiers are heavy favorites to move on, but who will grab that sixth spot?
Ludington’s girls *just* missed out last year as the Chippewa Hills girls had the race of their season. But when I say they missed, I don’t mean they had a disappointing day, just that the Orioles surprised and someone else surprised more. Oftentimes, that’s a great motivating tool for a runner. Attain success but it’s not enough. Gain confidence, but know you must run your butt off in the off-season.
Although the boys team qualifiers appear to be a level above the rest of the field, an intriguing battle for first could be on the horizon. Shane Izzard through Carter McIlroy, each of these boys finished in the top-12 last year and are the top returners (that haven’t moved divisions or regions). Richmond, Janesak, and McIlroy each ran nearly identical times in the 3200m, Izzard concentrated more on the 800m, and Nixon was on a trajectory to run the best 1600m of the bunch. Can Owen Metzger join them? As an 8th grader, he doesn’t lose a single race during the XC season, then nabbed a 10:23 in track, the 5th best time of any middle schooler.
Top 25 Boys Teams: Petoskey (10th), Sparta (11th), Fremont (14th)
Top 25 Girls Teams: Petoskey (6th), Ludington (19th), Cadillac (20th)
Here, I’m writing at least a little anecdote about kids that are in the top-15 but aren’t freshman (Owen, Linnea), in the 50 Tickets, or on Top 10 teams (Petoskey and Petoskey). Want to spread love but also not overwork myself. All in all, my estimation is through all these previews, I’ll be writing at least a sentence about 1000+ kids. If there’s an error in here, let me know.
Nolan Nixon, Cadillac: Spent a few days with Nolan in Oregon this summer and came away impressed with his quiet demeanor and workman-like attitude. After a season primarily spent in the 17’s, he busted out a 16:38 to close at State. Looked to be upon that same path in track after his 2:08/4:33 at Shepherd, but his season was prematurely ended. When the season begins, he should be ready to roll and come late October, he’ll be challenging for this win.
Gregory Janesak, Sparta: Gregory had a disappointing close to his freshman year, he made sure that didn’t happen twice. He helped the Spartans qualify for MIS with his 11th place finish here. Exhibited some serious strength during track with his 9:54 3200m at Metro Health.
Andre Richmond, Whitehall: Between his freshman and sophomore years, Andre raced 18 times. In those 18 races, he broke 20:00 twice. He finished the 2021 season with a personal best of 16:56. All the 20:00+ kids out there reading this, take note and dream big.
Carter McIlroy, Whitehall: The constant transformation is a theme with the Whitehall boys. After being above 18:00 for his sophomore year, Carter smashed the 17:00 mark in his final junior effort. Never one to be satisfied, he reached a new level in track with his 4:33/9:58. We could very well have five athletes in the low-16’s, if not lower.
John Christensen, Fremont: This running man finished 26th here, but rebounded with a 17:17 at State, helping his Packers secure an 11th place finish.
Cole Lowery, Fremont: Grinding through difficult and adverse conditions at Baker Woods and Branstrom Park made this freshman a tough cookie. Closed his championship season with three of his final four races in the 17’s.
Brodie Delamater, Grant: Brodie’s 3200m races this spring grab my attention as someone who will reliably be a top-15 contender. Six sub-11’s when his freshman best was 11:13.
Noah Momber, Sparta: Reliability was a necessary factor in Sparta’s 2021 season. Noah was a guy you could rely on to run in the mid-17’s, hitting between 17:25 and 17:40 in six of his final seven meets.
Emma Janesak, Sparta: Emma didn’t run the 1600m much during track, but she sure was able to find a quick one late. Her 5:23 there lends evidence to what could be a solid improvement come fall.
Cami Kraai, Whitehall: If I ever did a sleeper list, Cami would be on it. Ran just two races during her freshman year, both in the early season, both in the 20’s. Completed a full track season, mastered that speed endurance with a 2:23 in the 800m.
Remington Arney, Newaygo: Nothing like a good ole 180 place improvement at State. Remington wasn’t even close to a top-50 spot in my projections, she shattered those with her 19:38 and 41st place.
Summer Brower, Ludington: Crossed the line here four spots ahead of her projections, running a personal best in the process. That personal best was struck down the following week with her 19:38 at State, the 7th fastest freshman girl in Division 2 that day.
Nadia Grierson, Ludington: Began to find herself during this past track campaign. Competed at her highest levels at the far end of the season. At the West Michigan Track Invite, doubled with a 5:36/12:07.
Madyson Oudbier, Sparta: Twice a state qualifier, twice a top-100 finisher at MIS.
Regan Hill, Cadillac: After mono put a damper on her sophomore year, she returned to her freshman form. This year, she’s looking to push past that, entering the season having underwent the best summer of training she’s ever put together.
Autumn Brower, Ludington: As many freshmen tend to do, Autumn closed her year with her best races. Placed 17th here, an individual qualifier, took advantage of that the following week with a 25+ second personal best.
