It’s baaack. A summertime tradition has returned, the 50 Tickets to Brooklyn. These lists celebrate the top 50 returners – based on a concoction of the ’25 XC season, projected improvements, the ’26 Track season, and a tiny bit of my own input.
Division 3 State Champion Division 3 Team State Champion 2x All-State 2x Northern Shores Champion Region 19 Champion
Track
Division 3 State 1600m Champion 2025 Division 3 State 3200m Champion HS Ryan Shay Mile Champion 4x All-State
His Specialty
Hunter’s specialty is, for lack of a better word, winning. He’s done it at all levels, all races, and all seasons. He’s even won in these past few weeks, when he roared home in front of his Charlevoix crowd, capturing the inaugural HS race at the Ryan Shay Mile.
Much work has been done to earn the title of the local favorite. Inklings of his talent began late in his freshman fall, where Hunter was able to bust into the top-50 in Division 3 cross. Further peeks at his talent came during the track season, where he was conference runner-up in the 1600m & 3200m, then went down to Kent City, placing 10th in the 1600m State Finals.
The wins then came. First on the track, the then sophomore outlasting the field in the Division 3 3200m. This past fall, taking a decisive lead in the final mile at MIS, holding on for the win, and being the influential low-stick for his trophy-hoisting Rayders. This past spring, he was able to spread his wings elsewhere, claiming the 1600m crown against a talented field. Road, grass, or track. Mid to long distance. Hunter can win anywhere.
It’s baaack. A summertime tradition has returned, the 50 Tickets to Brooklyn. These lists celebrate the top 50 returners – based on a concoction of the ’25 XC season, projected improvements, the ’26 Track season, and a tiny bit of my own input.
20th Place – Division 1 State 2x All-State 2nd Place – OK Red Championship 2nd Place – Region 1
Track
9th Place – Division 1 State 1600m 12th Place – Division 1 State 3200m Region 2 3200m Champion OK Red 3200m Champion 8th Place – 2024 Division 1 State 3200m
You Know I Dig Improvement
Just by way of getting out there and competing, Daisy was miles ahead of her ’25 track season. A year ago, between indoor and outdoor, Cox was only able to complete four races. After toeing the line many times for her Rams in this past junior season, Daisy was healthy enough to extend her racing into much of June. Those post-season races saw Daisy set a 2 Mile PR of 10:41 (around 4 sec. faster than she ran the 3200m as a freshman) and get under 5:00 for the first time ever. Minor improvements in terms of time, but major in terms of her ability to get out there. Stacking a successful spring to an already successful career should pay dividends in the coming months.
11th Place – Division 1 State 2x All-State 2x Downriver League Champion 2x Top-5 – Region 5
Track
8th Place – Division 1 State 1600m 26th Place – Division 1 State 3200m Downriver League 1600m Champion Region 5 1600m Champion
You Know I Dig Improvement
Charley is a champion of jetting up the scoreboard over the course of the season. Each of the past two cross campaigns, she’s begun the season on one level and finished on a whole ‘nother one. Back in her freshman year, August through October consisted of many 19:00+ races before dropping into the low-18’s at the State Finals. In a condensed sophomore fall, McKay once again commenced her return with 19+ min. efforts before unleashing a 17:51 to place 11th in Division 1. When the fitness is fully there, it’s obvious she’ll turn in a marvelous performance.
7th Place – Division 3 State 3rd Place – Region 26 10th Place – Greater Lansing
Track
Division 3 State 1600m/3200m Champion 3rd Place – Division 3 State 800m 7x All-State CAAC White 3200m Champion Greater Lansing 1600m Champion Region 30 1600m Champion
You Know I Dig Improvement
We’ve seen the transformation from one cross season to the next, the sophomore to junior difference being a large one (19:21, 32nd in D3 to 18:26, 7th in D3). That doesn’t even come close to the chasm between her two junior seasons. During the fall of that junior year, Wonch was already operating at a high level, the aforementioned mid-18 PR and state performance to go along with her best ever Greater Lansing finish and many sub-19’s. The spring of her junior year saw Grace evolve from one of the better D3 girls to an elite Michigan figure. From the 800m to the 3200m, Wonch ranked within the top-50 of the whole state, with her expertise coming in the longer distances (15th in the 3200m). In a year, that 3200m best dropped from 11:15 to 10:37. Huge gaps that can only continue.
Grade
Name
Time
Team
Rating
Meet
Date
Year
11
Caroline Randall
17:49.6
Hastings
156.8
D2 State Finals
1-Nov
2025
11
Caroline Randall
18:46.2
Hastings
145.3
Region 12
25-Oct
2025
11
Caroline Randall
18:22.2
Hastings
141.6
I-8 Championship
16-Oct
2025
11
Caroline Randall
18:16.5
Hastings
145.5
Gabriel Richard
11-Oct
2025
11
Caroline Randall
18:30.5
Hastings
153.2
Portage
4-Oct
2025
11
Caroline Randall
19:17.2
Hastings
145.9
I-8 2
30-Sep
2025
11
Caroline Randall
17:39.8
Hastings
159.7
Otsego Bulldog
27-Sep
2025
11
Caroline Randall
19:10.6
Hastings
136.5
Bangor
20-Sep
2025
11
Caroline Randall
18:52.7
Hastings
145.1
Hopkins
13-Sep
2025
11
Caroline Randall
19:20.7
Hastings
140.4
I-8 1
9-Sep
2025
11
Caroline Randall
19:19.7
Hastings
138.1
Delton Kellogg
4-Sep
2025
11
Caroline Randall
18:43.7
Hastings
143.4
Barney Roy
26-Aug
2025
11
Caroline Randall
18:25.9
Hastings
156.0
Under the Lights v2
22-Aug
2025
11
Caroline Randall
19:15.2
Hastings
147.6
PC Early Bird
15-Aug
2025
Grade
Name
Time
Team
Rating
Meet
Date
Year
10
Caroline Randall
18:36.8
Hastings
141.4
Division 2 State
2-Nov
2024
10
Caroline Randall
19:01.6
Hastings
133.1
Region 12
26-Oct
2024
10
Caroline Randall
19:55.6
Hastings
124.1
I-8 Championship
17-Oct
2024
10
Caroline Randall
20:08.8
Hastings
115.7
Portage
5-Oct
2024
Grade
Name
Time
Team
Rating
Meet
Date
Year
9
Caroline Randall
18:49.4
Hastings
135.5
MITCA
11-Nov
2023
9
Caroline Randall
18:45.8
Hastings
139.1
Division 2 State
4-Nov
2023
9
Caroline Randall
19:19.3
Hastings
135.9
Region 12
28-Oct
2023
9
Caroline Randall
19:09.9
Hastings
128.0
I-8 Championship
21-Oct
2023
9
Caroline Randall
18:57.0
Hastings
139.0
Portage
7-Oct
2023
9
Caroline Randall
18:45.8
Hastings
140.1
Otsego Bulldog
30-Sep
2023
9
Caroline Randall
19:41.2
Hastings
128.3
Bangor
23-Sep
2023
9
Caroline Randall
19:36.6
Hastings
123.1
Lakeview
9-Sep
2023
9
Caroline Randall
20:12.8
Hastings
122.1
Delton Kellogg
7-Sep
2023
9
Caroline Randall
19:10.7
Hastings
124.8
Barney Roy
29-Aug
2023
9
Caroline Randall
19:26.5
Hastings
135.8
Under the Lights v2
25-Aug
2023
9
Caroline Randall
20:02.8
Hastings
128.4
Portage Early Bird
18-Aug
2023
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 17:39 1600m – 5:08 3200m – 10:45
Accolades
XC
4th Place – Division 2 State 3x All-State 2x Barry County Champion 3x I-8 Champion
Track
3rd Place – Division 2 State 3200m I-8 800m/1600m/3200m Champion Region 15 1600m/3200m Champion
You Know I Dig Improvement
Caroline has always shown a propensity to race her best at season’s end, whether a shortened or lengthy season. Those furious finishes have only gotten better throughout time. Her first two years on the high school scene featured podium finishes at MIS. They were a bit further back in the field, in the mid to high-18’s, 29th as a freshman and 20th as a sophomore. Her ’25 portfolio was full of racing from August 15th to November 1st, and through that full season, Randall was able to progress into the 17’s. The first instance of those speedy performances came at Otsego, which proved she had the potential to reach up in the elite area of D2. Come November, when Caroline lowered her MIS PB from 18:34 to 17:49, that exactly happened. Her career may be a lesson to many, keep sticking with it and you’ll reap the rewards.
12th Place – Division 1 State 2nd Place – Region 2 FML Champion 2nd Place – Oakland County
Track
10th Place – Division 1 State 1600m 34th Place – Division 1 State 3200m 6th Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 1600m 13th Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 800m Region 9 1600m Champion 2nd Place – Oakland County 1600m
You Know I Dig Improvement
With Maddie having one of the greater transformations of any Michigander in the sport. It’s plainly evident from the numbers, times, and accolades that Lindley has turned into a totally different runner. Where and when the shift began, I don’t know, but I do know that it began to bear out during her sophomore fall. Commencing the season in the 20-21 min. range, Maddie was able to run a personal best in her most important race of the year in Region 4, then grab the opportunity at State and blast a 19:26. The momentum continued from there, when in the following track season, Lindley lowered her 3200m best from 11:30 to 10:55. That 10th grade transformation then led into a junior cross season where Maddie was the best runner in the FML and dropped into the 17’s for her final three races. Gettin’ faster and making the most of the opportunities thrown her way can only lead to continued greatness throughout her senior year.
21st Place – Division 1 State 2nd Place – Big North Conference 3rd Place – Region 2
Track
12th Place – Division 1 State 1600m 17th Place – Division 1 State 800m 5th Place – Division 1 State 4×8 2nd Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State DMR Region 1 1600m Champion
You Know I Dig Improvement
Despite beginning her career at a high level, Tessa has always figured out a way to improve. Those reductions may be a bit more gradual than most, but added together, they’re significant. Take XC for example. Thrust onto a Traverse City West team that’s usually occupying a State Finals spot, Mascari was able to begin her career as an influential force, placing in the top-10 in her league and region. Mascari ended that season with a personal best of 19:03, a time she’s whittled away at ever since. A year later, that low-19 effort became a 18:25 at season’s close, and that 18:25 turned into 17:49 during her junior season. As the times have dropped, so too have the MIS finishes, which have been *almost* cut in half each year (80th to 40th to 21st). Steadily keeping at it, with no end in sight.
Grade
Name
Time
Team
Rating
Meet
Date
Year
10
Ainsley Kelm
18:11.2
Portage Northern
149.3
D1 State Finals
1-Nov
2025
10
Ainsley Kelm
18:40.2
Portage Northern
143.9
Region 3
25-Oct
2025
10
Ainsley Kelm
18:11.0
Portage Northern
159.7
Portage
4-Oct
2025
10
Ainsley Kelm
17:44.8
Portage Northern
160.8
Jackson
20-Sep
2025
10
Ainsley Kelm
18:07.2
Portage Northern
155.9
Ottawa Hills
12-Sep
2025
10
Ainsley Kelm
18:15.7
Portage Northern
152.5
Lakeview
6-Sep
2025
10
Ainsley Kelm
18:19.5
Portage Northern
158.2
Under the Lights v2
22-Aug
2025
Grade
Name
Time
Team
Rating
Meet
Date
Year
9
Ainsley Kelm
18:33.0
Portage Northern
142.7
Division 1 State
2-Nov
2024
9
Ainsley Kelm
18:42.3
Portage Northern
142.6
Region 3
25-Oct
2024
9
Ainsley Kelm
18:46.7
Portage Northern
139.4
SMAC Championship
19-Oct
2024
9
Ainsley Kelm
18:57.8
Portage Northern
139.4
Portage
5-Oct
2024
9
Ainsley Kelm
19:12.2
Portage Northern
139.3
Cougar Falcon
21-Sep
2024
9
Ainsley Kelm
19:54.6
Portage Northern
125.8
SMAC West 1
18-Sep
2024
9
Ainsley Kelm
19:13.4
Portage Northern
136.2
Ottawa Hills
13-Sep
2024
9
Ainsley Kelm
19:04.7
Portage Northern
131.4
Lakeview
7-Sep
2024
9
Ainsley Kelm
19:28.7
Portage Northern
131.8
Under the Lights v2
23-Aug
2024
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 17:44 1600m – 5:00 3200m – 10:43
Accolades
XC
28th Place – Division 1 State 6th Place – Region 3 2x Top-6 – Region 3
Track
7th Place – Division 1 State 3200m 8th Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 3200m SMAC 3200m Champion 2nd Place – Region 3 1600m/3200m
You Know I Dig Improvement
Where some may see progress within a season, some may see it from year to year, others such as Ainsley are examples of when it can occur from one discipline to the next. Kelm definitely had one of the better 9th grade seasons of any girl in 2024, opening her season with a mid-19 performance at Under the Lights, then gradually moving to a 18:33 at State (11th best amongst all Michigan freshmen). A season as such could lead to a track campaign where a State berth is possible, although not guaranteed. But then 6.5 months later in the Region 3 3200m, Kelm left no doubt that she’d get another crack at Michigan’s biggest stage. Not only was she able to comfortably run under the qualifying standard, she won the dang regional title. By season’s end, her 3200m time ranked 6th amongst 9th grade girls. A year later, she wasn’t just ranked, she was All-State on the track. With Ainsley, what you see now may not be what you see in the future, and that’s a good thing.
7th Place – Division 2 State 2024 Division 2 State Champ 3x All-State 3x Region 14 Champion 3x CAAC Red Champion 2x Greater Lansing Champion
Track
4th Place – Division 2 State 3200m 2023 Division 2 State 3200m Champion Region 20 1600m/3200m Champion CAAC Red 1600m/3200m Champion Greater Lansing 3200m Champion
You Know I Dig Improvement
Ava has definitely been an athlete that’s had much writing on here, praising her consistent, wise, and relentless racing. She was the D2 3200m champion as a freshman, then accomplished the same supremacy on the grass during her sophomore fall. The successive seasons seemed to take a step back (which we certainly don’t judge – times and accomplishments do not even begin to mark your importance as a runner and human being), as Schafer battled injuries and challenges she had rarely faced. Facing setbacks and struggles, however, gives us the chance to learn and grow, which Ava certainly has done. As a junior, she was able to improve on her sophomore 3200m best (10:43 to 10:36) and move back onto the medal stand at State (10th to 4th). She’s battle-tested in all ways and no one is more ready for a senior season.
14th Place – Division 1 State 2025 Division 1 Team State Champion 3rd Place – Region 5 3rd Place – SEC Red Championship
Track
5th Place – Division 1 State 3200m 2nd Place – Division 1 State 4×8 5th Place – New Balance Indoor 4xMile 12th Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 1600m SEC Red 1600m Champion
You Know I Dig Improvement
When you begin your career on the elite level that KVB has, it’s a little tougher to find drastic leaps in time. Prior to the ’25 season, Pioneer was thought to be one of the better squads in the state, but perhaps not a state title contender. Her 18:46 opener at Pete Moss drastically shifted that conversation. She made quick work towards improvement, taking that 18:46 and turning it into a sub-18 at Jackson. Within a week, what was once a runner that snuck into the 17’s was one that ripped a 17:32 at Otsego. Come championship time, Von Blon was able to use the newly acquired speed for team success, finishing 3rd in SEC Red/Region 5 wins, then crossing the line in 14th at MIS. Had Keira ended the season where she began, Pioneer’s title bid would’ve likely been unfulfilled. Through her in-season improvement, Keira and her purple-clad crew were able to become state champions.
16th Place – Division 1 State 4th Place – Region 5 4th Place – SEC Red Championship
Track
6th Place – Division 1 State 3200m 4th Place – Division 1 State 4×8 2nd Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 4×8 4th Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State DMR 6th Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 3200m
You Know I Dig Improvement
From cross to track, season to season, Savannah gives hints of what’s to come, a bounding improvement that’s consistently marked her career. During her freshman fall, potential was evident on a few occasions, namely mid-18 efforts at Jackson and at MIS. That potential was partially realized during the next track season, where Staton was one of nine freshmen girls to slip under 11:00 in the 3200m. Full realization happened this past year, when Savannah gave us two sub-18 performances to close her XC schedule, the latter of which being a 16th spot at State. Even fuller realization came on the oval, where that positive momentum at the tail end of the fall became a 10:29 for the 3200m. A nearly 30 sec. drop in one year, while already operating at an extremely high level, what can it possibly mean? Given Savannah’s history, leaping from level to level between seasons, the answer is full of intrigue and promise.
JPC Champion 4th Place – Region 15 31st Place – Division 2 State 3x Top-7 – Region 15
Track
JPC 800m/1600m Champion 2nd Place – JPC 3200m 3rd Place – Region 11 1600m 17th Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State DMR
His Breakout Race
Was probably this spring’s Bluejay Elite 3200m. Throughout his three years donning a Shepherd uniform, Bryce had racked up many accomplishments. Jack Pine Champion, state qualifier, sub-16 on many occasions. He’d moved up high on many Shepherd lists, finding himself in the top-10 all-time for the 1600m, 3200m, and in cross. Following a February where he unleashed a 9:24 to win the 3200m at Distance Fest, the Bluejay 3200m record was in sight. Two months and change later, Bryce was able to give his best effort, his 9:17.51 within a third of a second of the vaunted Caleb Rhynard’s mark. Evidence that progress has been made, but just a little motivation to conquer his senior year. Given Rhynard’s exploits (State Champ and FootLocker qualifier), Bryce is in rarefied air.
3rd Place – Region 5 5th Place – KLAA Championship 36th Place – Division 1 State
Track
12th Place – Division 1 State 3200m 5th Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 3200m 15th Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 1600m Region 7 3200m Champion 4th Place – KLAA Championship 1600m 7th Place – KLAA Championship 3200m
His Breakout Race
Was sort of hidden in the 2025 track season, but it was part of the moment that Algahmi positioned himself as one of the better youngsters in the state, one with worlds of potential. Mourad closed his cross season on a high level, breaking into the 15’s after a season spent in the mid-16’s. Track had been exceptional, as Algahmi competed in both the 1600m and 3200m at Indoor State, then qualified for both outdoor. His 1600m qualifier gave him the opportunity to shine, as Mourad dropped a 4:24.71 at East Kentwood. That mark was the 2nd fastest of any 9th grader in the race and ranked him 3rd amongst all Michigan freshmen. The momentum continued into his sophomore year, where he was a consistent sub-16 performer throughout the fall and earned a medal for the 3200m indoors.
13th Place – Division 2 State 2x All-State 2024 Team State Champion 2x Region 11 Champion
Track
24th Place – Division 2 State 1600m 25th Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 1600m 2025 Division 2 State 4×8 Champion
His Breakout Race
Came at a time when Allendale most needed him. The ’24 Falcons were stacked, numerous runners in the 15’s, 16’s. Thoughts of a state title permeating their entire summer and season. Mason was projected to be a contributor, as he was coming off a 9th grade year where he closed cross in the mid-16’s then pumped out multiple quick quarters on the oval. The speed and talent were evident and fully realized during the 2024 championship season. The big breakthrough came at Region 11, when Mason dropped over 30 sec. from his personal best to take the win. The next race at State built off that, another tiny time drop to 15:24, but most importantly a vital 13th place finish on the Falcon title squad.
Grade
Name
Time
Team
Rating
Meet
Date
Year
10
Micah Becker
15:19.6
East Grand Rapids
207.8
MITCA
8-Nov
2025
10
Micah Becker
15:32.6
East Grand Rapids
204.8
D2 State Finals
1-Nov
2025
10
Micah Becker
15:42.5
East Grand Rapids
204.5
Region 12
25-Oct
2025
10
Micah Becker
15:49.5
East Grand Rapids
197.5
OK White Championship
15-Oct
2025
10
Micah Becker
15:59.1
East Grand Rapids
203.0
Portage
4-Oct
2025
10
Micah Becker
15:33.8
East Grand Rapids
209.4
Bluejay
27-Sep
2025
10
Micah Becker
16:23.5
East Grand Rapids
196.8
OK White 2
24-Sep
2025
10
Micah Becker
15:44.5
East Grand Rapids
203.5
Sparta
13-Sep
2025
10
Micah Becker
16:16.0
East Grand Rapids
198.0
OK White 1
3-Sep
2025
10
Micah Becker
15:55.2
East Grand Rapids
206.9
Under the Lights v2
22-Aug
2025
Grade
Name
Time
Team
Rating
Meet
Date
Year
9
Micah Becker
15:55.2
East Grand Rapids
196.3
MITCA
9-Nov
2024
9
Micah Becker
15:56.7
East Grand Rapids
195.1
Division 2 State
2-Nov
2024
9
Micah Becker
16:01.3
East Grand Rapids
193.6
Region 12
26-Oct
2024
9
Micah Becker
16:02.2
East Grand Rapids
192.6
OK White Championship
16-Oct
2024
9
Micah Becker
16:25.9
East Grand Rapids
189.4
Portage
5-Oct
2024
9
Micah Becker
16:33.6
East Grand Rapids
191.8
OK White 2
2-Oct
2024
9
Micah Becker
16:03.1
East Grand Rapids
197.3
Bluejay
28-Sep
2024
9
Micah Becker
16:33.7
East Grand Rapids
188.4
OK White 1
18-Sep
2024
9
Micah Becker
17:01.0
East Grand Rapids
188.3
Spartan
13-Sep
2024
9
Micah Becker
16:51.5
East Grand Rapids
188.5
Bath
7-Sep
2024
9
Micah Becker
16:52.7
East Grand Rapids
189.1
Under the Lights
23-Aug
2024
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 15:19 800m – 1:59 1600m – 4:20
Accolades
XC
7th Place – Division 2 State 2nd Place – Region 12 3rd Place – OK White Conference Championship 2x Top-6 – Region 12
Track
6th Place – Division 2 State 4×8 27th Place – Division 2 State 1600m 3rd Place – OK White Championship 1600m
His Breakout Race
Micah has been running at a high level for so long that it’s almost impossible to pick out ONE moment that stands out. A few come to mind from his freshman campaign, such as his 4:29 closer at Distance Night or the first sub-16’s to end his 9th grade fall. While those performances popped at the freshman level, he reached a new one this past fall, particularly at the midseason mark. The Pioneers had raced sparingly prior to Bluejay, which meant there were plenty of reserves and pent-up energy for a big one. Becker produced a huge one, dropping a 15:33 and placing 9th in the elite field. That day on the Shepherd course gave way to more great performances down the line, including a 7th place D2 finish and another personal best to close the season out (15:19). Taking a peek at the EGR schedule, seeing that they’ll be at Shepherd again, and I know Micah will be ready for another advance.
16th Place – Division 1 State 2x All-State 2nd Place – OK Red Championship 4th Place – Region 4
Track
9th Place – Division 1 State 3200m 4th Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 3200m 2nd Place – OK Red Conference 3200m 2nd Place – Region 3 3200m
His Breakout Race
Season in, season out, the guy is consistent. We saw it this past year, where every effort was the equivalent of a sub-16. We’ve seen it the past two track seasons, where Justin has qualified for D1 State in the 3200m, running his fastest times at season’s end. But there’s a point before he’s gotten to this point, way back to his sophomore fall. Back when Johnson was only running above 16, as he had all year even through late October. Until the State Finals, where the then 10th grader busted through into the 15’s, dropping over 25 sec. from his previous best. His 15:41 earned him a spot on the medal stand and established the standard that he’s carried to this day, and will hopefully carry onto his senior year.
5th Place – Division 2 State Division 2 Team State Champion Region 15 Champion SVL Champion
Track
4th Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 1600m 7th Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 800m SVL 3200m Champion 2nd Place – Region 20 1600m
His Breakout Race
Just as Bluejay was the day for Becker, the same occurred for Naswell. Lennox had already done a standup job of positioning himself as one of the state’s better sophomores. He’d broken through into the 15’s late in his freshman fall. He’d qualified for the 1600m and 3200m the previous spring, even placing at D2 State with his Powers 4×8 team. He’d won everything in sight throughout the first half of the season. The real break and time reduction came at Bluejay. The Elite race was a test for both Powers, hoping to set themselves as the D2 favorite, and for Naswell, to prove his winning streak was no fluke. Both succeeded, as Powers won the meet and Lennox dropped a 15:13 (20+ sec. PR), setting the stage for his championship season heroics.
22nd Place – Division 1 State 2x All-State 2nd Place – Region 3 2nd Place – SMAC Championship (2025 Champion)
Track
4th Place – Division 1 State 1600m Region 3 1600m/3200m Champion SMAC 1600m/3200m Champion 11th Place – Division 1 State 4×8
His Breakout Race
Sam’s been a kid who can excel in a ton of surroundings. This was shown early in his career, running 4:24 for the full mile as a freshman and earlier in that year, breaking 16:00 late. Further examples came during his shortened sophomore season, where he came out swinging out of the gates and never let up, walking out of MIS with a 14th place finish. Track has been a spot where he’s especially found new heights, with one major breakthrough that has precipitated his greatness these past few seasons. That came at Barnyard in April of ’25. Coming into Romeo, Baker was the owner of a 4:22 personal best in the 1600m. Faced with adverse conditions, weather delays, and every reason NOT to run fast, Baker did just the opposite, popping a 4:13. Since that day, he’s racked up another medal in the fall and matched that performance with a 4th place finish in Rockford. Throw anything his way and you’ll get a positive response.
8th Place – Division 2 State 2nd Place – OK White Championship 2nd Place – Region 11
Track
2nd Place – Division 2 State 3200m Region 13 1600m Champion OK White 1600m Champion
His Breakout Race
Mitchell had been patiently biding his time throughout the years, gradually making improvements, whittling time down. And then boom, he had arrived. His career began inauspiciously, above 20:00 for the first few races, then by the end of his 9th grade season he was able to sneak into the 17’s. A year passed and late in his sophomore championship season, he’d found his way into the low-16’s on multiple occasions. Track had followed this same pattern, getting better, but nothing out of the ordinary. 2025’s eye-popping opener at Michigan Catholic was out of the ordinary. One of the tougher courses in the state, typically on a warm August day, Mitchell was able to race to a 16:19 (44 sec. course PB). That mark was one that could find him as one of D2’s best, which he continued to prove all year, ending in a 8th place finish in November. It kept playing out in track and all signs point to the trend staying in this next season.
21st Place – Division 1 State 3rd Place – Region 4 4th Place – SEC Red Championship
Track
17th Place – Division 1 State 3200m 2nd Place – Region 4 3200m 2nd Place – SEC Red Championship 3200m
His Breakout Race
Coen’s quick rise lends itself to many examples coming forth. Three stand out to me – all at the same place, all representing a new level he’d find himself at. Hill always runs well at Jackson. The Ella Sharp track was home to his first sub-19 ever as a freshman, a time range he’d stay at for the rest of that ’23 season. A year later, he’d grown tremendously, all the way down into the 16’s, where he closed his 10th grade season. This past fall, that late September setting was where Coen truly established himself in the upper reaches of D1. A 15:42 placed 11th amongst the deep D1 field and set the stage for a championship season where he’d hang in races with all those big dogs. I’m sure in just under two months, we’ll receive another gem.
23rd Place – Division 1 State RCA Conference Champion 8th Place – Region 3
Track
11th Place – Division 1 State 3200m RCA Conference 800m/1600m Champion 4th Place – RCA Conference 3200m 5th Place – Region 3 1600m
His Breakout Race
An easy selection could showcase the manner in which Marshall sprung onto the scene as a sophomore. After closing his first season with a string of mid-17’s, the then Lowell sophomore ripped the bandage off with a 16:19 opener, paving the course for a sophomore season where he’d flirt with breaking 16:00. That time never came, it’d just have to wait. Though when it arrived, he embraced every last bit of it. Another great opener came at Portage Central, but the real advancement came a week later at Under the Lights. His 15:27 placed 2nd in the race and was the springboard for many superb races, including a 23rd place in Brooklyn. His season-to-season drops are stupendous and we’re ready to see one more.
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 