11 to 27
| Rank | Team | Score |
| 11 | Saline | 514 |
| 12 | Plymouth | 524 |
| 13 | Portage Central | 570 |
| 14 | Traverse City Central | 576 |
| 15 | Highland-Milford | 583 |
| 16 | Oxford | 615 |
| 17 | Okemos | 622 |
| 18 | Forest Hills Central | 654 |
| 19 | Holland West Ottawa | 694 |
| 20 | Troy | 759 |
| 21 | Utica | 784 |
| 22 | Dexter | 786 |
| 23 | Macomb Dakota | 813 |
| 24 | White Lake Lakeland | 835 |
| 25 | Rockford | 865 |
| 26 | Rochester | 886 |
| 27 | Grandville | 927 |
Overall Landscape
| Rank | Team | 2023 State Place | Scoring Returners | Varsity Returners |
| 1 | Northville | State Champion | 3 of 5 | 5 of 7 |
| 2 | Brighton | 2nd | 3 of 5 | 4 of 7 |
| 3 | Kalamazoo Central | 4th | 4 of 5 | 5 of 7 |
| 4 | Canton | 5th | 3 of 5 | 5 of 7 |
| 5 | Jenison | 7th | 5 of 5 | 7 of 7 |
| 6 | Ann Arbor Pioneer | 6th | 3 of 5 | 4 of 7 |
| 7 | Grand Haven | 3rd | 3 of 5 | 5 of 7 |
| 8 | Clarkston | 8th | 3 of 5 | 5 of 7 |
| 9 | Livonia Churchill | 16th | 4 of 5 | 6 of 7 |
| 10 | East Kentwood | 24th | 4 of 5 | 6 of 7 |
I wanted to change things up a bit regarding the Top Ten Teams. Over the past two summers, this has been a solid feature in the hype department, giving highlight to many kids on superb teams. One aspect I’ve felt that I’ve lacked is explaining how each team relates in comparison to others. I’ll attempt to do that here!
Included features are:
Strengths – characteristics making that team a contender.
Question Marks – any person or team that I write about here, I’m 100% confident you’ll shore up this “weaker” spot by year’s end. But this is a section that’ll look into why a team could be beat.
Looking Ahead – how the team might fare in their championship meets (conference, county, regional, state)
#1 Northville
Strengths
At any position in their lineup, some of the better runners comparable to other teams. For instance, their projected 6th man is Ryan Stojov, a kid who went 2:01/4:24 in the spring. A luxury at a non-scoring spot that many teams would love to have.
Question Marks
Complacency, perhaps? I’d wager this isn’t a huge concern as the Mustangs were already favorites and defending champs, then won again. And the same is true in the 4×8, where they’ve handled being the defending victor with grace and fire.
Looking Ahead
This Northville squad is never fearful of sticking their necks out there. They’ve gone to Chicago and Roy Griak the past two years. This fall appears to be a greatest hits of the state’s best invites – Bath, Spartan, Portage. Northville will likely be headliners in each, but that doesn’t mean they’re immune to defeat.
#2 Brighton
Strengths
Depth late in the lineup. The Bulldogs might not have the absolute front runners like they’ve had in years past, but they do have kids late in the game such as Tyler Outlaw (top-50 at State) and Zach Wyderko (4:28/9:51) rounding out their scorers.
Question Marks
Not as strong as some of the others up front. The Bulldogs have a likely All-Stater in Tyler Brock, they’re gonna need one another to match Northville. Though maybe a Blake Kulesza can slip into that slot? Blake had the 6th best 3200m time of any D1 freshman in 2024.
Looking Ahead
I’m just over here thinking back to last year, where Brighton beat Northville at Portage and Spartan, took defeats at their KLAA dual and championship. The Bulldogs gave the Mustangs the stiffest test of anyone at D1 State. The same setup is here again – four team matchups before November, a Region 4 where Brighton is a heavy favorite, and likely, a D1 State Finals.
#3 Kalamazoo Central
Strengths
Experience in the middle of their pack. A kid such as Joseph Spada has hit the 16’s in each of his three seasons. Top-20 at Regionals each of the past two. Closed his regular season with an all-time best, 16:13 at State.
Question Marks
Prior to Friday, I would’ve said a low stick, however Andrew Wright answered the bell. His 16:07 win at the PC Early Bird was a 50 sec. improvement from his 2023 opener and nearly matched his personal best. Right now, I’ll say battling their patience. The Giants are always bringing their best material on regional day, the challenge will be to stay patient until that time.
Looking Ahead
It’s looking like another rivalry year between these Giants and Portage Central. KC can take solace in that they’ve won the past two regionals and last year’s SMAC trophy. Portage Central got the upper hand early. These contentions help in being great practice for when an East Kentwood and FHC invade in late October. Pre-season, KC may have been the favorite, perhaps that’ll change, perhaps they’ll be in their usual championship form.
#4 Canton
Strengths
Old and wise. Canton’s projected varsity runners are all upperclassmen. Most are seniors and even the ones that aren’t, Steven Dusseau and Aiden Pengelly were able to get valuable big-race experience last year.
Question Marks
Staying the course while battling the Brightons and Northvilles of the world. Two top teams in the same division may be disheartening to some, as most teams in this 4th spot would win their league. Although perhaps Canton springs an upset and rides high going into Brooklyn?
Looking Ahead
For many of these, I’m looking to late October. For the Cobras, September 10th. Cass Benton. Canton/Brighton/Northville. I have Tuesdays off work. See ya there.
#5 Jenison
Strengths
A senior class that’s grown together and ready to give it one last hurrah. Mason Lucas and Seth Conner have already been mentioned here. This past spring, Matthew Schwartz dropped 30+ seconds from his 3200m best. Parker Strelecki reached low into the 16’s last fall, running 16:14 twice. Dominic Otto made great strides in the 800m, nearly breaking 2-flat and earning a spot on the Wildcats sub-8 4×8. Like Schwartz, Andrew Wangler dropped significant time in his 3200m, 10:43 to 10:18.
Question Marks
Getting their 5th runner into the low-16’s. The strength at the top of the division is so much that mid-16’s will push you back. Wenglikowski is looking like he has the potential to move into that spot. Right on the cusp of sub-10 on the track and just threw down a 16:56 opener, 2.5 minutes faster compared to 2023.
Looking Ahead
The Wildcats miss out on all the OK White and Red fireworks, instead compete in the OK Green. Heavy favorites there, Jenison should be able to go all out on the weekends and have a bit more left in the tank for Region 1, which could have four top-10ish teams.
#6 Ann Arbor Pioneer
Strengths
One of the better first three’s in the State. Kamari Ronfeldt is an obvious one, Beckett Crooks slightly less obvious, Theo Sacks-Thomas might be a name not many know. TST had a wonderful three race stretch to close the 2023 fall, running 16:30 or faster each time out.
Question Marks
Who fills in beyond those three? Quinn Davis gained valuable experience in late-season JV meets, placing 2nd in the SEC and 1st in Region 5’s PROM. Dax Winegarden had a breakout freshman track season running 4:38/10:25. Both are candidates to be called up to the big leagues.
Looking Ahead
Pioneer benefits from being in Region 5, where they’ve paired with Saline to dominate for the past few years. Seriously, the last time the Pioneers missed out on qualifying as a team was 2015. The Purple men probably also benefit from the highly-competitive SEC Red, bringing quality teams such as Skyline, Bedford, Huron, and Dexter into the mix. Pioneer is a favorite against all, though that young Hornet squadron is right there.
#7 Grand Haven
Strengths
All in all, an experienced lineup that’s been in a ton of major meets. Beyond Luka Hammond and Ben Eisnor, each listed in the 50 Tickets, you have kids such as Aron Gal and Carson Berko. Gal has been top-20 in the OK Red these past two years, Berko has been top-20 both times in the highly competitive Region 1.
Question Marks
Who can step into the 5th role? The Bucs appear to have a bit of a gap between their 4th and 5th, which could be a detriment in major meets. Owen Cross immediately jumps out as a candidate, running in the 17-min. range for much of the end of the year (including a 16:41). Kasen Todtz too, running 4:46 in his first track season ever.
Looking Ahead
Well, the OK Red got a little stronger with a quality Rockford team hanging with Portage Central and Kalamazoo Central. And subsequently, so did Region 1.
#8 Clarkston
Strengths
An experienced senior lineup that’ll be hungry to handle the rough Oakland County championship season. Barnes, DeGrendel, Nowik, Ellingsworth, Wilson, and Waechter are all seniors.
Question Marks
Who can lead up front? At the state level or other large meets, a low-stick might be helpful. Ryan Barnes could definitely get there. After a massive drop from his freshman to sophomore XC seasons, he turned it up a notch in the spring. A clutch 9:30 race at Regionals (10+ sec PB) qualified Ryan for state in the 3200m.
Looking Ahead
The OAA Red and Region 8 are fairly similar in terms of teams, Clarkston appears to be the favorite in each. Oakland County expands it a bit, with squads such as Lakeland, WLN, and Milford on its home course. All of these teams are close enough to challenge these Wolves.
#9 Livonia Churchill
Strengths
The penchant for development. I’ve already looked into Joey Rohmfeld. Chase Wolters got a little shoutout in Region 6. What about Teo Condevaux? Barely broke 20:00 as a freshman. Stayed above 18:00 as a sophomore. Then last year, hit a 16:57 to place 24th in Wayne County. He’s one example, who’s the next?
Question Marks
Can the Chargers stay engaged in a conference season where they’ll likely roll? The answer to this is probably yes, as they’ve had a history of training through mid-week meets before they rip it on the weekend.
Looking Ahead
As mentioned above, in their KLAA division, winning should be a formality. They’ll too be favorites in the ever-important Livonia City Championship. Other aspects aren’t so easy. Canton and Plymouth will be present at the Wayne County meet, then Northville and those two will be ready in one of the tougher regions out there, Region 6.
#10 East Kentwood
Strengths
A top-two that can hang with anyone. Evan Nickoles has his ticket, Isaac Tanis nailed down a few sub-16’s and top-10 finishes in the OK Red and Region 3.
Question Marks
Who’s the runner or two to bridge the gap behind Tanis and Nickoles? The positive thing is that the Falcons are young. EK had four 9th or 10th graders running below the 17’s. Now sophomore Justin Johnson flourished in track, closing his season with PRs of 4:39/10:03. He moves up to join Tanis and Nickoles, so will the Falcons.
Looking Ahead
Two days into the season, EK’s road ahead appears a bit tougher than before. Portage Central and Rockford both had eye-opening beginnings to their seasons. Rockford’s in the OK Red, along with Grand Haven and an improved West Ottawa squad. The Falcons should be in contention for the conference crown. They should be a favorite to qualify out of Region 3, though given how PC ran on Friday, that region could have three top-10 teams. And a fourth ranked team in Forest Hills Central. No slip ups will be tolerated.
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 