It’s that time of the year where the Best Crews get thrown aside, the numbers are tossed in the trash, and ol’ MIXCSR gets to voice his own predictions. 2022’s preview included simulations (similar to what I do in cross country), 2023’s version had stats and charts for an athlete’s average/most recent performances. Compiling all that info is easy during the fall, with 17 separate events in the spring, it’s too dang tedious.
Instead, I’ll be just rolling with my own predictions. I feel that I can do that. Cross Country is all number-based, as are the Best Crews, this is my one moment to put my thoughts out there. But before I let you know my process, know this: I appreciate everyone for competing, to those who’ve made it to June and those who haven’t, you’re awesome. To those who see this and want to prove them wrong: Go do that and tell me about it afterward. To those who see this and want to prove them right: I know you’re 100% capable of showing the world your greatness.
My general thought process for vaults is this:
- Consistency is huge, of course with the context of the competition and heights
- I understand that winning at a lower height is a thing, so I don’t fault someone for winning all the time, yet having swings in height
- Improvement throughout the year
- Looking back to previous years, ability to rise to the occasion in important meets
So here are the predictions, with a little writing beforehand and a bit of info on who I think might the All-State finishers.
DIVISION ONE BOYS
Last Year: Dolan Gonzales – 16’ 0
The two best finalists from last year are gone and that opening has paved the way for intense improvement. Walled Lake Central’s Ray Weatherington has added 3” to his personal best and has been a steady 14’+ performer, using those efforts to win Walled Lake, LVC, and Region 9 titles. Reece Emeott has perhaps embraced the improvement the most, adding over 2’ from his 9th grade best, now a mere 4” from Michigan’s 10th grade class record.
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 10 | Reece Emeott | East Kentwood | Reached a new level at Regionals, 15’3 ranks as #15 sophomore in US |
| 2 | 12 | Ray Weatherington | Walled Lake Central | LVC and Region 9 Champ finished 7th last year |
| 3 | 12 | Hugh Ford | Mattawan | Only Michigander to defeat Emeott this year, 6th in 2023 |
| 4 | 12 | Clark Sheldon | Dexter | 5th Place in 2023, Region 4 Champ |
| 5 | 10 | Sean Cinzori | Plymouth | KLAA and Region 6 Champ |
| 6 | 11 | Brady Lewis | Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills | Unbeaten since early April |
| 7 | 11 | Adam Cohoon | Okemos | Nearly 2′ improvement since 2023 |
| 8 | 12 | Joey Bonacci | Jenison | 2x All-State in the vault |
DIVISION ONE GIRLS
Last Year: Brooke Bowers – 12’ 3
Back in December, Brooke Bowers set the Michigan Indoor State Record with a 13’ 7” vault, another mark in an incredible career that contains a state title and two 3rd place finishes. She hasn’t quite reached that height in outdoors, but don’t be shocked if the 13’ 9” outdoor state record is in jeopardy.
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Brooke Bowers | Forest Hills Central | Defending D1 Champ and 3x All-Stater |
| 2 | 12 | Katie Stewart | Salem | 3rd Place in 2023 and Region 6 Champ |
| 3 | 12 | Taylor Diemond | Lowell | Undefeated since late April, 2x All-State |
| 4 | 9 | Aubree Bowers | Forest Hills Central | #1 freshman in the US |
| 5 | 11 | Isabel German | Lowell | 15″ improvement since 2023 |
| 6 | 12 | Claire Adams | Rockford | 8th Place in 2023 |
| 7 | 12 | Giuliana Serapiglia | Plymouth | 2nd Place in both KLAA and Region 6 |
| 8 | 10 | Debbie McCoy | Dexter | 7th Place in 2023 |
DIVISION TWO BOYS
Last Year: Sam Vesperman – 15’ 1
After winning by a full foot in 2023, Sam Vesperman again appears to be the class of the competition. He’s been unbeaten by his D2 foes and holds the best mark in the division by 15 inches.
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 11 | Sam Vesperman | Grosse Ile | Defending Champion, tied for #1 vault in Michigan |
| 2 | 12 | Noah McGraw | Forest Hills Eastern | 5″ PR in Region 13 win |
| 3 | 10 | Xander Anthor | Howard City Tri-County | 5″ PR in Region 11 win |
| 4 | 11 | Drake Ross | Gladwin | Added 21″ since his sophomore year |
| 5 | 12 | Colin Ellis | Vicksburg | Undefeated since April 24th |
| 6 | 12 | Landen Klinge | Hopkins | OK Silver Champion |
| 7 | 12 | Willem Evenson | Holland | Full foot personal best to win Region 12 |
| 8 | 12 | Adam Aeschliman | Fowlerville | 13′ 2″ personal best to win Region 20 |
DIVISION 2 GIRLS
Last Year: Allison Shelton – 12’ 0
Allison Shelton won in 2023 in a close competition, winning by way of the tiebreakers. The Oakland commit is still doin’ her thing, winning the FML and Region 19, while attaining the same heights as last year. Evie Mathis has had to work through injury, coming off a regional title, these next ten days should work wonders. There’s much competition elsewhere – Libby Summerland from an always strong Owosso vault crew, Ava Collier coming in undefeated, and Madisyn Lundquist winnin’ a ton of large meets.
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Allison Shelton | Ortonville Brandon | Defending Champion has matched 12′ winning vault |
| 2 | 12 | Libby Summerland | Owosso | Two straight vaults over 11′, Region 20 Champ |
| 3 | 12 | Ava Collier | Plainwell | Undefeated in senior year |
| 4 | 12 | Madisyn Lundquist | Cadillac | Bluejay, Big North Conference, and Region 11 Champ |
| 5 | 10 | Evie Mathis | Wayland Union | First competition since April 16th was a Region 12 win |
| 6 | 12 | Heidi Schulten | Grand Rapids West Catholic | 2nd Place in Division 3 last year |
| 7 | 11 | Kennedy Jasinski | Wayland Union | 6th Place in Division 2 last year |
| 8 | 11 | Mimi Wegener | Ionia | Region 15 Champ |
DIVISION 3 BOYS
Last Year: Tryce Tokar – 15’ 0
It’s been all Tryce Tokar and Chase Battani this spring, with a slight sprinkling of Nathan Vaske. Tokar is unbeaten since early April, losing to Battani early, but building on his 2023 state title. Battani was disposing competitors, whether that be in the BWAC or major meets such as Davison, before succumbing to Vaske at Region 28.
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 11 | Tryce Tokar | Ovid-Elsie | Defending Champ with #4 ranked vault in Michigan |
| 2 | 11 | Chase Battani | Almont | 3rd Place last year, only boy to defeat Tokar in 2024 |
| 3 | 12 | Stepan Masserant | Ottawa Lake-Whiteford | 9″ personal best to win Region 26 |
| 4 | 12 | Nathan Vaske | Charyl Stockwell Academy | 2′ improvement from last year |
| 5 | 11 | Damien McEntaffer | Manistee | Region 22 Champion |
| 6 | 12 | Jordan Nixon | Chesaning | First time in 14’s at Region 30 |
| 7 | 11 | Ayden VanDusen | Kalamazoo Christian | Undefeated on the year, 4th in 2023 |
| 8 | 12 | Jack Borgman | Laingsburg | 2nd Place in 2023 |
DIVISION 3 GIRLS
Last Year: Ally Olszewski – 11’ 3
Olszewski graduates, Heidi Schulten takes her talents to Division 2, newer blood will emerge. An old name we’re used to, Natalee Hoyt, just won over in Region 30, defeating Addison Trierwiler who has been mightily steady this year. Homer’s Emma Wildt has not wilted to any competition. But the story of the year thus far has been Kelsey Saxton, who has been outside of the podium each of the past two years, but holds the highest vault of the year in the division.
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Kelsey Saxton | Kingsley | 9″ improvement from 2023 and ranked #21 in the State |
| 2 | 11 | Emma Wildt | Homer | Undefeated on the year, 4th Place in 2023 |
| 3 | 12 | Addison Trierwiler | Pewamo-Westphalia | 7 10′ vaults this year |
| 4 | 12 | Natalee Hoyt | St. Louis | 3rd Place in 2023, Region 30 Champion |
| 5 | 11 | Carly Sicilia | The Potter’s House | 8th Place in 2023, Region 23 Champion |
| 6 | 11 | Megan Robertson | Lawton | Region 24 Champion with 9″ improvement from 2023 |
| 7 | 12 | Josie Bauman | New Lothrop | Undefeated in May |
| 8 | 10 | Mattie LaFreniere | Manton | 10th last year and hoping to get on the podium |
DIVISION 4 BOYS
Last Year: Isaac Bowden – 13’ 0
Three seniors on a collision course. Two from Marlette, Tyler Izydorek and Logan Malloy, one from Montabella in Cooper Bolton. Each were in the top-five in 2023. Izydorek won in Region 38, Malloy hit a 14’ PB earlier in May, and Bolton has only one defeat on his season.
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Logan Malloy | Marlette | 2nd Place last year, ranked #1 in D4 |
| 2 | 12 | Cooper Bolton | Montabella | 3rd Place last year, ranked #2 in D4 |
| 3 | 12 | Tyler Izydorek | Marlette | Twice All-State in the Vault |
| 4 | 9 | Aaron Locke | Beal City | #12 freshman in Michigan |
| 5 | 11 | Teagan Williams | Pittsford | Went from 5th to Champ in Region 35. |
| 6 | 12 | Daniele Tomasi | Holton | Region 33 Champ. |
| 7 | 12 | Adam Townsend | Frankfort | Region 32 Champ. |
| 8 | 12 | Jack Lantz | New Buffalo | PR of 12′ hit to win Region 34. |
DIVISION 4 GIRLS
Last Year: Rebecca Moeller – 10’ 6
The contenders come from all over: the Thumb to the Southwest to the Northwest to mid-Michigan. Rebecca Moeller is the defending champion, undefeated on the year. We were witness to a mini state preview at Bluejay, where Novella DeGraaf and Alayna Vandegriff went head to head, DeGraaf squeaking ahead. Payton Haynes is finding the form from late last year, where she grabbed 2nd place.
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 11 | Rebecca Moeller | Deckerville | Defending champ and unbeaten this year |
| 2 | 12 | Alayna Vandegriff | Fowler | 1.5 foot improvement from sophomore best |
| 3 | 11 | Payton Haynes | Mason County Eastern | 2nd Place last year |
| 4 | 9 | Novella DeGraaf | Saugatuck | #3 freshman in Michigan |
| 5 | 11 | Aubree Moeller | Deckerville | 6th Place last year |
| 6 | 11 | Chloe Fowler | Pittsford | 9’6+ each of the last three meets |
| 7 | 11 | Madisyn Harrison | Marcellus | 6th Place last year |
| 8 | 10 | Alexandra Findlay | Marlette | 5th Place last year |
UP DIVISION 1 BOYS
Last Year: Rayce Rizzo – 13’ 3
Rayce Rizzo is looking like a favorite to defend his title. He’s been unbeaten against Division 1 competition this year and is peaking at the right time, with multiple May vaults over 13’.
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Rayce Rizzo | Sault Ste. Marie | Defending champ and #1 ranked vaulter in the UP. |
| 2 | 11 | Drew Bradley | Marquette | 6″ PR at Regionals |
| 3 | 11 | Micheal Cattoor | Marquette | 12″ PR at Regionals |
| 4 | 9 | Andrew Karl | Gladstone | #13 freshman in Michigan |
| 5 | 11 | Wade Zadorecky | Houghton | 4th last year |
| 6 | 11 | Ilya Velat | Houghton | |
| 7 | 10 | Louis Salmi | Ishpeming Westwood | |
| 8 | 10 | Gavin Comero | Ishpeming Westwood |
UP DIVISION 1 GIRLS
Last Year: Lexi Olson – 11’ 0
The UP D1 Champion as a sophomore, Lexi Olson comes back to defend. She has the best vault north of the bridge, but could be challenged by Sophia Wagner, who has cleared 10’ on multiple occasions.
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 11 | Lexi Olson | Ishpeming Westwood | Defending Champ and ranked #1 in UP |
| 2 | 12 | Sophia Wagner | Escanaba | Over 10′ on four occasions this year |
| 3 | 12 | Valerie Royer | Escanaba | 1′ season best at Regionals |
| 4 | 12 | Caitlyn Strom | Calumet | |
| 5 | 10 | Nori Korsman | Negaunee | |
| 6 | 10 | Kyra Carlson | Manistique | |
| 7 | 11 | Lucy DeGroot | Gladstone | |
| 8 | 12 | Kayleigh Carlson | Houghton |
UP DIVISION 2 BOYS
Last Year: Owen Lester – 11’ 6
Owen Lester and Jax Lipnitz move to Division 3, Alec Arvon slots in as the highest returner. He’s gone 10’ this year, including a win in Region 43. After a year off from the vent, Jaydon Niemi-Alcorn has made great strides and freshman Rylee Harris has hung with the upperclassmen on the leaderboards.
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 11 | Jaydon Niemi-Alcorn | Rudyard | 1′ higher than his freshman best |
| 2 | 9 | Rylee Harris | Gwinn | #2 freshman in the UP |
| 3 | 12 | Alec Arvon | Ishpeming | 3rd last year |
| 4 | 11 | Tommy Storey | Pickford | |
| 5 | 9 | Dane Schmitt | Bark River-Harris | |
| 6 | 11 | Mitchell Martin | Ironwood |
UP DIVISION 2 GIRLS
Last Year: Avery Visnaw – 8’ 6
St. Ignace’s move to Division 3 has left a void where only three girls qualified. Freshman Mira Johnson comes in with the best vault for Division 2 and tied for the best in her entire class.
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 9 | Mira Johnson | Bark River-Harris | Tied for the top-ranked freshman in the UP. |
| 2 | 11 | Hanna Vaughn | Ironwood | Went from 5th in Region 43 to this year’s winner. |
| 3 | 11 | Eiley Meske | West Iron County | First time qualifying in the pole vault. |
UP DIVISION 3 BOYS
Last Year: Josiah Peramaki – 13’ 0
With 4 of the top 5 spots in 2023 occupied by seniors, a new set of vaulters will reach the podium. Of course, St. Ignace is bringing down Owen Lester, Division 2’s Champion. Clay Christoff has been consistent all spring, Gabriel Quevado has been adding height in quick succession.
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Owen Lester | St. Ignace | Defending Champion. |
| 2 | 11 | Clay Christoff | Rapid River | 4th Place in 2022. |
| 3 | 12 | Jax Lipnitz | St. Ignace | Qualifier in the Discus and 200m as well. |
| 4 | 11 | Jacob Mohar | Newberry | |
| 5 | 11 | Gabriel Quevedo | Forest Park | Rapidly improving, from 8’6 last year to 10′ now |
| 6 | 9 | Lane Olson | Rapid River | |
| 7 | 10 | Howard Bliss | Newberry | |
| 8 | 8 | Isaac Lambert | Holy Name | 8th grader! |
UP DIVISION 3 GIRLS
Last Year: Nora Keranen – 9’ 0
Nora Keranen defends against Abi Codere, who holds the highest vault in D3 and Avery Visnaw, who comes down from D2. Keranen has shown a tendency to rise to the occasion, as she vaulted much higher in last year’s finals than she had all season.
| Place | Grade | Name | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 10 | Abi Codere | Lake Linden-Hubbell | 2nd Place last year |
| 2 | 10 | Avery Visnaw | St. Ignace | Tied for #1 rank in the UP. |
| 3 | 11 | Nora Keranen | Dollar Bay | Defending Champion |
| 4 | 12 | Kayela Putnam | Stephenson | 4th place last year. |
| 5 | 10 | Sixta Smart | Brimley | 3rd place last year. |
| 6 | 9 | Elisa Delene | Baraga | |
| 7 | 9 | Laila Bell | Dollar Bay | |
| 8 | 12 | Alison Cece | St. Ignace | 7th Place in Division 2 last year |
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 