As always, these writeups below will shoutout someone or a team that stood out from the race. That may not be the best runner or the winning team. Perhaps a team that surprised, a runner breaking through, or a runner contributing to a team victory. Of course, if you come to me nicely and want to brag about a fellow team/competitor/teammate, let me know, and I’ll try to give them love further down the line.
EARLY SHOCKERS
Lucas LaPointe, Plymouth
To be fair, this really isn’t a shocker. Following a freshman year where he progressed from the high-18’s to the low-17’s, Lucas established a great consistency in 2023. Many sub-17 efforts with his best one coming in a clutch regional team qualifier. His 16:51 opener here is 25 sec. better than that sophomore year and is only the continuation of the rise he exhibited during track.
Lucinda Paliani, Ann Arbor Huron
A three-time state qualifier with perhaps her best openers of her career. Throughout her River Rat career, Lucinda’s always been in the 19’s at season’s end. However, she usually begins them all with 20+ min. efforts. Already in championship season form, I wonder where this will lead her by the end of the year?
*** = Team State Title type of performance ** = Top-10 Team type of performance * = Team Qualifier type of performance
I promised the Marquette folks this’d be out today. Gotta deliver on your promises.
Girls Adjustment:Â -39 Boys Adjustment:Â -34
As always, these writeups below will shoutout someone or a team that stood out from the race. That may not be the best runner or the winning team. Perhaps a team that surprised, a runner breaking through, or a runner contributing to a team victory. Of course, if you come to me nicely and want to brag about a fellow team/competitor/teammate, let me know, and I’ll try to give them love further down the line.
QUEENS AND KINGS
Marquette’s Boys
Early on, looking like one of the state’s better teams. By the state, I mean… the state. East Kentwood looks like a top-10 type of team in D1 (beating Allendale, Kalamazoo Central, Grand Haven at Under the Lights) and these Redmen were 9 sec. per runner faster. Perhaps this was expected, as Marquette returned 6 of their top-7 from a squad that placed in the top-10 at both Spartan and Bluejay. In the coming weeks, they’re taking their talents to each of those along with a trip to the southwest at Roy Griak.
Also, would it be a crazy proposal if the MHSAA let the UP Division winners run in the Lower Peninsula finals?
Ava Lawrence, East Kentwood
Through her freshmen and sophomore years, she’s put together two seasons of solid racing. Almost all efforts under 20:00, top-10’s in the OK Red and Region 3, top-50 at State. Though until Friday, no wins. Her 20-flat wasn’t her fastest effort of all time, but after a 6+ hour drive, any performance is commendable.
*** = Team State Title type of performance ** = Top-10 Team type of performance * = Team Qualifier type of performance