One of the things that struck me in the creation of this was how far Annika has come
I had always assumed she was great, unheralded, but always great
But she started out slow as a freshman, her first four meets all north of 23:00, and only began to transform her times late in that year
At the end, a glimpse was seen, a 20:00 at Benzie, a time that set the stage for the coming years
In her sophomore campaign, she continued to show flashes, with multiple efforts in the low-19’s
Late in her junior year, she began to put the stamp on all that potential and use it for lift herself to podiums
Past mid-September, Annika was almost automatically sub-18:30 and along that path, racked up numerous honors
All-State, Regional Champ, Kent County champion
She may be small in stature, but she exudes confidence, sticking her nose in every race in every which way
Grade
Name
Time
Rating
Meet
Course
Date
11
Annika Sandman
19:42.6
135.8
Portage EB
Portage West MS
20-Aug
11
Annika Sandman
21:52.5
129.5
Hesperia
Baker Woods
25-Aug
11
Annika Sandman
19:24.1
135.6
Pete Moss
Benzie Central HS
28-Aug
11
Annika Sandman
19:20.8
136.1
OK White 1
Gainey Fields
8-Sep
11
Annika Sandman
18:29.7
155.1
Bredeweg
Macatawa Bay MS
11-Sep
11
Annika Sandman
19:12.8
142.1
Ottawa Hills
Riverside Park
17-Sep
11
Annika Sandman
18:22.5
146.5
OK White 2
Riverside Park
22-Sep
11
Annika Sandman
18:18.9
145.7
Autumn Sunrise
Heritage Christian School
25-Sep
11
Annika Sandman
18:42.5
142.8
Allendale Falcon
Allendale HS
2-Oct
11
Annika Sandman
18:21.9
145.4
OK White 3
Brookside GC
6-Oct
11
Annika Sandman
19:05.1
149.0
Kent Ottawa
Gainey Fields
16-Oct
11
Annika Sandman
18:26.6
151.1
OK White 4
South Christian HS
20-Oct
11
Annika Sandman
18:14.5
149.2
1 Allendale
Allendale HS
30-Oct
11
Annika Sandman
18:21.7
149.8
D1 State
MIS
6-Nov
11
Annika Sandman
18:20.5
150.8
MMOC
Shepherd HS
13-Nov
Grade
Name
Rating
Meet
Course
Date
10
Annika Sandman
118.5
Pete Moss
Benzie Central HS
29-Aug
10
Annika Sandman
123.8
OK White (GF)
Gainey Fields
16-Sep
10
Annika Sandman
129.0
Ottawa Hills
Riverside Park
18-Sep
10
Annika Sandman
115.8
OK White 2
Lowell HS
23-Sep
10
Annika Sandman
103.9
Bob Perry
Lowell HS
26-Sep
10
Annika Sandman
131.4
Allendale Falcon
Allendale HS
3-Oct
10
Annika Sandman
133.7
Autumn Sunrise
Heritage Christian
10-Oct
10
Annika Sandman
128.2
OK White Championship
Byron Center West MS
14-Oct
10
Annika Sandman
133.2
Kent Ottawa
Gainey Fields
17-Oct
10
Annika Sandman
124.3
PR 2
Cedar Springs ES
24-Oct
10
Annika Sandman
128.0
D1 Reg 1
Buckley HS
31-Oct
10
Annika Sandman
120.5
D1 State
MIS
6-Nov
Grade
Name
Rating
Meet
Course
9
Annika Sandman
57.7
Bredeweg
Macatawa Bay MS
9
Annika Sandman
73.9
Allendale Falcon
Allendale HS
9
Annika Sandman
92.3
Kent Ottawa
Gainey Fields
9
Annika Sandman
84.0
OK White
Riverside Park
9
Annika Sandman
113.8
1
Benzie Central
I don’t know how he does it, but Nicholas consistently and continually finds a way to outperform these rankings
Whether it’s Oakland County last year (projected 8th, finished 2nd), State Finals (projected 18th, finished 13th), or the Meet of Champions (should’ve drafted him), Nicholas is always bringing it
During the past two years, he’s reached sub-16, both instances at State Finals and his first venture into that realm during that year
This past spring, he took giant leaps in both the 1600m and 3200m, dropping from 4:40 to 4:25 and 9:47 to 9:19
All in all, a very lethal combination of improvement and late-season performances, that formula could lead to more great accomplishments in a few months
This guy usually runs pretty fast. I had it at +8 for the DeWitt Invite this past fall, +4 on average for Regionals in 2020. I don’t know too much about it!
2021 Boys: St. Johns (3rd), Ionia (19th), East Grand Rapids (8th)
2021 Girls: East Grand Rapids (1st), Forest Hills Eastern (4th), Williamston (17th)
Typically, I’m critical of how the regions are setup. Schools from every which way composing a “region” is the exact opposite meaning of the word region. Region 14, this version, exemplifies the true definition of a region. Save for Parma Western and Jackson Northwest, all schools are from a similar area with similar challenges and similar advantages. Out are East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills Eastern, and West Michigan Aviation. In comes DeWitt, Mason, and Olivet. Regional representation!
With new faces come new qualifiers and opportunities for teams to step up. DeWitt, moving down into Division 2, will immediately feel the impact of being a big fish in a smaller pond. Whereas having teams capable of putting five boys under 17:45 or seven girls sub-21:30 placed them in the middle of the pack in Region 4’s highly competitive landscape, Division 2 is a bit more kind.
Of course, you have your mainstays, your holdovers from last year. The boys from St. Johns went on an October renaissance, largely aided by Tyler Dohm, Isaac Staib, and Joey Bowman. And behold, they’re all back.
West Michigan Aviation was a team on a similar rise last fall, but shockingly, Williamston put an end to that. Tamara Stoner-Sleight was the key for the Hornets, placing 10+ spots better than her projection, and as the ratings go, running at least 30 seconds better than she did in the previous month.
It appears the chaotic nature of that girls regional will again appear, both in the chase for the trophy and the chase for a State qualifier. DeWitt looks to be a bit top-heavier, Williamston more solid through all their spots. The battle between St. Johns and Owosso will take on the traditional form of who has the better 5th girl.
For the boys, three teams, all exhibiting different characteristics. DeWitt will have seven (and maybe more beyond their varsity) capable of being in the 17’s. St. Johns will have the firepower up front, can they find a fifth man? And Mason may be the strongest through five, exhibiting both the strength near the top, but the soundness toward the middle of the pack.
Top 25 Boys Teams: St. Johns (16th), DeWitt (18th), Mason (25th)
Top 25 Girls Teams: DeWitt (8th), Williamston (9th), St. Johns (12th), Owosso (16th)
Here, I’m writing at least a little anecdote about kids that are in the top-15 but aren’t freshman (Sydney Ferguson, I see you), in the 50 Tickets (Meghan, Joey), or on Top 10 teams (DeWitt, Williamston). 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. Also, it’s late at night and I’m tiiiiired. If there’s an error in here, let me know.
Camden Johnecheck, Williamston: Narrowly missed a spot on the 50 tickets, but he showed he’s plenty speedy with a 15:57 at Stockbridge. Placed 6th here, matching his spot from 2020.
Nate Carmody, Haslett: Tremendous improvement from his freshman to sophomore years. Nate first jetted under 17:00 at Marauder, he closed his season with a 16:57 in Brooklyn too.
Koda Brandt, Charlotte: Pure point getter at the CAAC White Championships on the track. Tripled in the three individual distance events, walked out of each with a contribution for his Oriole team.
Nolan Inglis, DeWitt: His time to shine is coming, and it’s coming fast. Big ol’ 16:21 this past November, the fastest of any freshman in Division 1.
Alex Doneth, Mason: As a youthful freshman, the 2nd man on a Bulldog team that nabbed a 13th place at State Finals. As Landon Buskirk graduates, it’s now Alex’s time to grab the reins.
Logan Roka, Corunna: Much to prove after a disappointing race in this race in 2021. Track season indicates he put that behind him, his 4:30 in the 1600m showing the necessary grit to come through in late October.
Tyler Dohm, St. Johns: 20:18 to 18:46 to 16:54. Not much else that needs to be said. If the trend holds, is sub-16 in sight?
Lucas Hopkins, Olivet: This region is so full of youngsters that a guy such as Lucas seems like a wise elder. That sophomore wisdom surely helped when he captured a victory in the GLAC Championship last October.
Brett Marschall, Fowlerville: Was 49th here as a freshman, 10th and 12th the past two years. Personal bests in the 1600m and 3200m during April and May give evidence of possible progress from those spots.
Isaac Staib, St. Johns: Quarter miler come track, MIS master at cross country. His 16:58 was a season’s best by over 30 seconds.
James Meninga, Mason: Showed gradual progress throughout the year, his XC season culminating in a 17:36 at State. But track is where the real hay was made, his 4:35 placing 5th in the CAAC Red.
Brennan McKone, DeWitt: One of those DeWitt kids poised to help lead his team to Regional greatness. Only ran that 1600m once this spring, but it was a doozy, half a minute better than his freshman best.
Austin Rybolt, Eaton Rapids: Just a few races on his track calendar, but the last of them capped his best spring yet. A 4:47 in the CAAC White 1600m was a season best and 12 second improvement from his sophomore year.
Kenny Evans, Corunna: I’m having a hard time deciding which time drop is more impressive: the 5:32 to 4:48 or the 11:39 to 10:38. No matter the answer, each led to a medal at the FML Championship.
Clara Fletcher, St. Johns: Absolutely crushed it at State Finals, her 19:06 a 35+ second personal best. The result of that massive breakthrough? Her first of what looks to be a few All-States.
Josie Jenkinson, Owosso: Racked up the honors in her debut season. Shiawassee County champion, Top-5 finish in the FML, and the 5th girl here.
Lauren Hunter, Haslett: The bumpier the road, the sweeter the destination. Her first XC season in two years ended in the same fashion as her freshman year. At a race track, breaking 20:00, proving she belongs with the upper echelon of Division 2 girls.
Libby Summerland, Owosso: This long sprinter on the track found success on the grass last fall. After spending her entire freshman year above 21:00, she was well-established in the 20’s as a sophomore. State qualifier in the 400m as well.
Julionna West, Owosso: Julionna began to find a rhythm come late September, grinding out a PB at Ortonville-Brandon’s FML Jamboree. From then on, her freshman year flowed, all the way down to a 20:17 at Shiawassee County.
Sydney Thompson, Eaton Rapids: Great familiarity with this course and this setting, Sydney grabbed 10th here two years ago.
I feel sometimes I have a ton of ‘splainin to do with a few of these lower division schools. Shrine, as many others, could be greatly impacted by their middle school program. When they fielded a full team at CYO Finals, they won the whole dang thing. Now I’ve been on this Earth awhile, I know not all middle schoolers will advance to run at the same high school, but for these purposes, I have to assume they are. And given that assumption, this freshman class is LEGIT.
2021
37th Place – Oakland County 3rd Place – CHSL CD 2nd Place – Region 36 16th Place – D4 State
2020
2nd Place – Pre-Region 52 2nd Place – Region 26 24th Place – D3 State 2019
31st Place – Oakland County 6th Place – Catholic League 4th Place – Region 36
Anything in Track?
Arline Lile
57.6/2:09
4th Place – Region 37 800m 4th Place – CHSL Cardinal 800m
Mitchell Graveline
5:31
Michael Dorian
2:28/6:27
Kye Jackson
2:38/6:08
The Past Three Years
2021
2nd Place – Jack Pine 6th Place – Northern Michigan 7th Place – Region 10
2020
Team Champions – Jack Pine, Pre-Region 49 2nd Place – Region 25 23rd Place – D3 State
2019
3rd Place – Jack Pine 14th Place – Northern Michigan 5th Place – Region 25
Anything in Track?
4×800
8:32
3rd Place – Region 21 2nd Place – Jack Pine
Brad White
2:01/4:33/9:57
2nd Place – Region 21 1600m 3rd Place – Region 21 3200m 2nd Place – Jack Pine 800m 3rd Place – Jack Pine 1600m 4th Place – Jack Pine 3200m 2nd Place – Mid Michigan MoC 800m 19th Place – D3 State 1600m
Nic Porter
2:06/4:43/10:49
5th Place – Region 21 1600m 4th Place – Jack Pine 3200m 5th Place – Jack Pine 800m/1600m 6th Place – Mid Michigan MoC 800m
Andrew Klaus
2:17/4:47/10:346th Place – Jack Pine 1600/3200m 8th Place – Mid Michigan MoC 1600m
Ayden Barcia
2:23/5:19/11:08
Caidan Gaskill
58.1/2:16
Isaiah Mulheron
2:22/5:39
Hayden Wood
55.8/2:16
5th Place – Jack Pine 400m
Charlie Hicks
2:26/5:45
The Past Three Years
2021
Team Champions – OK White, Region 11 4th Place – D2 State
2020
Team Champions – Pre-Region 26 4th Place – OK White (tough to tell with 4 jamborees and not knowing the format) 2nd Place – Region 13 9th Place – D2 State
2019
Team Champions – OK Gold, Region 11 6th Place – D2 State
Anything in Track?
4×800
8:00
2nd Place – OK White 1st Place – Region 13 4th Place – D2 State
Reuben Wiering
1:59/4:21
3rd Place – OK White 800m 2nd Place – Region 13 1600m 20th Place – D2 State 1600m
Simon Triezenberg
2:04/4:35/10:00
5th Place – OK White 3200m 5th Place – Region 13 3200m
Joe Waalkes
2:13/4:41/10:05
6th Place – Region 13 3200m
Jonathan Koetje
5:15/10:48 Peter Kuperus
2:15/4:52/10:45
Keegan Hoekstra
5:01/10:40
Rowan Jansen
54.5/2:10
Blake Bouwman
2:14/5:17/12:01
Nathan Baker
2:16
The Past Three Years
2021
Team Champions – Big North, Northern Michigan, Region 1 6th Place – D1 State
2020
Team Champions – Big North, Pre-Region 1 2nd Place – Region 1 6th Place – D1 State
2019
Team Champions – Big North, Northern Michigan, Region 1 5th Place – D1 State
Anything in Track?
4×800
8:24
3rd Place – Region 1 1st Place – Big North 1st Place – Record Eagle
Joe Muha
2:01/4:21/9:46
6th Place – Region 1 800m 8th Place – Region 1 1600m 2nd Place – Big North 1600m 3rd Place – Big North 800m 4th Place – Record Eagle 1600m
Micah Bauer
4:35/9:40
4th Place – Region 1 3200m 2nd Place – Big North 3200m 6th Place – Record Eagle 1600m
Jett Reimers
2:01/4:47
7th Place – Region 1 800m 6th Place – Big North 800m 3rd Place – Record Eagle 800m
