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 sprints is this:
Consistency is huge, of course with the context of the competition – emphasized a little here
Improvement throughout the year – emphasized a bit more here
Common competition
Especially in championship season – emphasized the most
So here are the predictions, with a little writing beforehand and a bit of info on who I think might the All-State finishers.
The 400m has to be the sprint race of the day, right? 6 of the top-7 400m runners in the State, the best 3 sophomores, the best freshman (who is in reach of the freshman record), and Shamar Heard, the defending champion who is already the state record holder. We saw a preview of this at Farmington, a minor version of it in Region 10, and now we’re treated to a climactic, culminating match.
For the shorter, sprints, I’m excited to see some new names and an answer to a question. Bryce Hurley and Jackson Webber have ran some outstanding 100m times, but without a wind gauge present, we can’t verify their legitimacy? The State Finals are a great opportunity to prove those times right.
Relays
Place
4×1
4×2
4×4
1
Holland West Ottawa
Holland West Ottawa
Chippewa Valley
2
Saline
Chippewa Valley
Troy Athens
3
Kalamazoo Central
Belleville
Clarkston
4
Warren DeLaSalle
Rockford
Oak Park
5
Ann Arbor Huron
Oak Park
Rockford
6
Rockford
Walled Lake Western
Grand Haven
7
Canton
Rochester Adams
Zeeland West
8
Walled Lake Western
Saline
Lincoln Park
100m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Jackson Webber
Grand Blanc
14th Place – 2023, Region 1 Champ, #1 in Michigan
2
12
Cameron Cheetam
Hartland
10th Place – 2023, Region 4 Champ
3
11
Bryce Hurley
Utica Eisenhower
Unbeaten in 2024, Macomb County & Region 10 Champ
4
12
Evan Watson
Troy Athens
12th Place – 2023, OAA Red/White Champ
5
12
Jakevis Neal
Saginaw Heritage
SVL Champ
6
11
Jeremy Dixon
Kalamazoo Central
11th Place – 2022 & 2023, Region 3 & SMAC Champ
7
10
Schmar Gamble
Belleville
Region 5 Champ
8
12
Latay’vion Braxton
Kalamazoo Central
#8 in Michigan
200m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Shamar Heard
Chippewa Valley
2022 Champion, #1 in Michigan
2
11
Will Jaiden Smith
Belleville
6th Place – 2023, Region 5 Champ
3
12
Jeremy Dixon
Kalamazoo Central
Region 3 & SMAC Champ
4
12
Desmond Chapa
Holland West Ottawa
Region 2 & OK Red Champ
5
11
Ruben Esparza
Holland West Ottawa
#14 in Michigan
6
11
Ahmad Ameen
Jackson
Region 4 & SEC White Champ
7
12
Cameron Cheetam
Hartland
10th Place – 2023, KLAA Champ
8
10
Rondre Austion
Oak Park
Oakland County & Region 8 Champ
400m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Shamar Heard
Chippewa Valley
State Record Holder, Defending Champion, Unbeaten in 2024
2
12
Evan Watson
Troy Athens
MITS Champ, #2 in Michigan
3
11
Ahmad Ameen
Jackson
Region 4 & SEC White Champ, #3 in Michigan
4
12
Cameron Cheetam
Hartland
#4 in Michigan
5
10
Rondre Austion
Oak Park
Oakland County & Region 8 Champ, #2 sophomore in Michigan
6
11
Ja’Saivion Taylor
Holt
CAAC Blue Champ
7
12
Henry Shaieb
Ann Arbor Skyline
11th Place – 2023, Region 5 & SEC Red Champ
8
10
Kinley Poole
Ann Arbor Huron
#1 sophomore in Michigan
DIVISION ONE GIRLS
Defending champions going against new competition, either in the form of freshmen, upstarts, or big names from D2. Kamryn Tatum will face it in multiple ways. The West Bloomfield sophomore won the 200m and 400m last year and is a contender once again in those long sprints. Freshman sensation Nevaeh Burns and her rapidly improving teammate Dayshana Kellogg will provide challenges, and hopefully we’ll see a thrilling race as we did at Farmington. In the 200m, she’ll get it from Keyanna O’Tey, D2’s defending 200m champion. Jayla Dace will also get it from O’Tey.
I just want to say this too: Renaissance had a tough day at Regionals, then lost to Cass Tech in the Detroit City Championships. I’ve never known those folks to be down for long and the Phoenix always respond to challenges. So expect a big day from the Outer Drive Crew.
Region 8 & Oakland County Champ, #2 freshman in Michigan
4
12
Maya Rollins
Ann Arbor Pioneer
6th Place – 2023, Region 5 Champ
5
11
Jayla Dace
Detroit Renaissance
3rd Place – 2023
6
9
Willow Mason
Saginaw Heritage
SVL Champ, #3 freshman in Michigan
7
11
Jordynn Young
Saginaw Heritage
Region 1 Champ
8
11
Adalyn Liang
Portage Central
SMAC & Region 3 Champ
400m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
9
Nevaeh Burns
Oak Park
Oakland County & Region 8 Champ, #2 in Michigan
2
10
Kamryn Tatum
West Bloomfield
Defending Champion
3
11
Dayshana Kellogg
Oak Park
5+ sec. improvement from sophomore year, #4 in Michigan
4
12
Shelby Sanders
Detroit Renaissance
Detroit PSL Champion, 4+ sec. improvement from junior year
5
10
Maddy Piotrowski
Troy Athens
12th Place – 2023, Region 10 Champ
6
10
Sloane Schiller
Bloomfield Hills
#4 sophomore in Michigan
7
12
Bianca Evuleocha
Farmington
5th Place – 2023
8
12
Kelis Hunter-Young
Oak Park
3rd Place – 2023
DIVISION TWO BOYS
100m – Jake Machiniak, 10.54 200m – Michael Wright, 21.72 400m – Trannon Aylor, 48.83
Two defending champions return – Jake Machiniak and Trannon Aylor. Both are the top dogs for their respective events, the 100m and 400m, and there’s an empty space in the middle. Machiniak currently holds the top time in the state and he hasn’t been touched in 2024. Aylor placed in the event in 2023, so there’s no doubt he can handle prelims leading into his 400m. Of course, there’s also Wyatt Bower, who will be looking to pick up as many points as possible for his Cavaliers and Malcolm Earvin, hoping to do the same for Whitehall.
Relays
Place
4×1
4×2
4×4
1
River Rouge
Whitehall
Whitehall
2
Corunna
Charlotte
Hamilton
3
Berrien Springs
Berrien Springs
Gladwin
4
Lansing Sexton
Corunna
Mason
5
Mason
Milan
DeWitt
6
Petoskey
Summit Academy
Summit Academy
7
Grand Rapids Catholic Central
Lansing Sexton
Hastings
8
Coopersville
Petoskey
Saginaw Swan Valley
100m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Jake Machiniak
Berrien Springs
Defending Champion, #1 in Michigan, Unbeaten in 2024
2
12
Jamal Rudolph
Henry Ford Academy
Wayne County & Region 17 Champ
3
12
Tarick Bower
Corunna
Unbeaten in 2024
4
11
Jaiden Melton
River Rouge
#10 in Michigan
5
12
Drew Novak
DeWitt
19th Place – 2023, CAAC Blue Champ
6
11
Tayvian Smith
Lansing Sexton
10th Place – 2023, CAAC White & Region 15 Champ
7
11
Chris Coates
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
17th Place – 2023, Oakland County & Region 19 Champ
8
12
Benjamin Boehm
Hamilton
6th Place – 2023, Region 12 Champ
200m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Jake Machiniak
Berrien Springs
Unbeaten in 2024, #1 in Michigan
2
12
Wyatt Bower
Corunna
#12 in Michigan, FML & Region 20 Champ
3
12
Malcolm Earvin
Whitehall
17th Place – 2023, Region 12 & WMC Lakes Champ
4
11
Michael Iwu
Summit Academy
Region 16 Champ
5
12
Drew Novak
DeWitt
Region 15 & CAAC Blue Champ
6
11
Donovan Cruse
Summit Academy
23rd Place – 2023, #33 in Michigan
7
12
Jhace Massey
Gladwin
Jack Pine & Region 11 Champ
8
11
Chris Coates
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
16th Place – 2023, Region 19 & CHSL Bishop Champ
400m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Trannon Aylor
Whitehall
Defending Champion, #9 in Michigan
2
12
Zachary Mylenek
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Region 19 Champ, #14 in Michigan
3
11
Aydan Mccarey
Niles
Wolverine Conference & Region 14 Champ
4
10
Bryce McConnell
Charlotte
Region 15 & CAAC White Champ
5
12
Aiden Aldrich
DeWitt
Over 2 sec. improvement from junior year, #35 in Michigan
6
11
Donovan Cruse
Summit Academy
Region 16 Champ
7
11
Noah Jarvis
Berrien Springs
5th Place – 2023
8
12
Andrew Dudka
GR West Michigan Aviation
13th Place – 2023, Region 13 Champ
DIVISION TWO GIRLS
With O’Tey moving to D1 and Elizabeth Anderson heading to MSU, titles are up for grabs. Two main contenders are out there: Aubrey Wilson and Sydney Kuhn. Wilson’s specialty is the short sprints, Kuhn the long sprints. And it appears that we’ll get a matchup between the two in the 200m.
Last Year
100m – Keyanna O’Tey, 11.84 200m – Keyanna O’Tey, 24.61 400m – Elizabeth Anderson, 55.38
Relays
Place
4×1
4×2
4×4
1
Summit Academy
Summit Academy
Dearborn Divine Child
2
Dearborn Divine Child
Petoskey
Saginaw Swan Valley
3
Berrien Springs
Dearborn Divine Child
Yale
4
Ferndale
Cadillac
Freeland
5
Petoskey
Forest Hills Eastern
East Grand Rapids
6
Hopkins
Ferndale
Stevensville Lakeshore
7
Big Rapids
Pinckney
Cadillac
8
Chelsea
Shepherd
Goodrich
100m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
9
Aubrey Wilson
Dearborn Divine Child
#3 freshman in Michigan
2
11
Elena Jacobsen
Forest Hills Eastern
Over a second improvement from sophomore year, Region 13 Champ
3
12
Meghan Koss
Dearborn Divine Child
9th Place – 2023, #19 in Michigan
4
12
Grace Constable
Berrien Springs
14th Place – 2023, Region 14 & Lakeland Conference Champ
5
12
Heaven Copeland
Summit Academy
Region 16 Champ, #17 in Michigan
6
12
Grace Clemens
North Branch
19th Place – 2023, Region 19 & Blue Water Champ
7
9
Cayla Bouyer
Lansing Sexton
Region 15 & CAAC White Champ, #5 freshman in Michigan
8
12
Lauren Goodman
Linden
17th Place – 2023, Region 20 & FML Champ
200m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Sydney Kuhn
Saginaw Swan Valley
6th Place – 2023, Region 11 & Saginaw County Champ
2
9
Aubrey Wilson
Dearborn Divine Child
Region 17 & CHSL Bishop Champ, #1 freshman in Michigan
3
12
Anaiia Simmons
Summit Academy
17th Place – 2023, Region 16 Champ
4
11
Kennadi Galy
Allendale
3rd Place – 2023, Region 12 & OK Blue Champ
5
12
Grace Clemens
North Branch
22nd Place – 2023, unbeaten since mid-April
6
12
Meghan Koss
Dearborn Divine Child
11th Place – 2023, #14 in Michigan
7
12
Grace Constable
Berrien Springs
17th Place – 2023, Lakeland Conference & Region 14 Champ
8
12
Heaven Copeland
Summit Academy
Over a second improvement from junior year
400m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Sydney Kuhn
Saginaw Swan Valley
3rd Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024
2
10
Christina Dixon
Haslett
6th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024
3
11
Kathryn Kurtinaitis
Dearborn Divine Child
7th Place – 2023, Region 17 & CHSL Bishop Champ
4
11
Layla Jordan
Goodrich
Unbeaten in 2024
5
11
Joy Evans
Alma
5th Place – 2023
6
10
Kate Ort
Stevensville Lakeshore
13th Place – 2023, Region 14 Champ, Team State Winner
7
11
Najah Williams
Ferndale
8th Place – 2023, Region 18 Champ
8
12
Madisyn Lundquist
Cadillac
16th Place – 2023
DIVISION THREE BOYS
Last Year
100m – Jailin Spikes, 10.71 200m – Jerry Wiegers, 22.11 400m – Jerry Wiegers, 49.49
Jerry Wiegers looks to double up once again. The North Muskegon senior has dropped time in his primary events – the 200m and 400m, and appears to be peaking at the right time, bringing home regional victories in each. In the 100m, the title is up for grabs. Trevor Smith was right in the mix last year, Cobey Cureton has been waiting two years for this moment, and Cam Sellers, who owns the fastest time in D3 this year, has made some major strides in the past year.
Relays
Place
4×1
4×2
4×4
1
Hillsdale
Detroit Edison PSA
Jonesville
2
Ithaca
Michigan Center
North Muskegon
3
Standish Sterling
Dearborn Advanced Technology
Hillsdale
4
Schoolcraft
Clare
Napoleon
5
Grandville Calvin Christian
Hart
Lansing Catholic
6
Hart
Onsted
Olivet
7
Warren Michigan Collegiate
Springport
Chesaning
8
Olivet
Sanford-Meridian
Union City
100m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Cam Sellers
Traverse City St. Francis
22nd Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024
2
11
Cobey Cureton
Dearborn Advanced Technology
Region 26 Champ
3
11
Trevor Smith
Pewamo-Westphalia
2nd Place – 2023, CMAC & Region 30 Champ
4
11
Nathan Mikesell
Ithaca
9th Place – 2023, Team State Winner
5
12
Hunter Wilson
Hillsdale
12th Place – 2023, Region 25 Champ
6
11
Santino Cicarella
University Liggett
Region 27 Champ
7
12
Andrew Stewart
Standish Sterling
3rd Place – 2023, Region 21 Champ
8
11
Zach Harlan
Chesaning
#61 in Michigan
200m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Jerry Wiegers
North Muskegon
Defending Champion, Region 23 Champ
2
11
Trevor Smith
Pewamo-Westphalia
4th Place – 2023, Region 30 Champ
3
11
Cobey Cureton
Dearborn Advanced Technology
Region 26 Champ
4
11
Santino Cicarella
University Liggett
Region 27 Champ
5
12
Geoffrey McBurrows
Detroit Edison PSA
#28 in Michigan
6
11
Zach Harlan
Chesaning
19th Place – 2023, Team State Winner
7
11
Darnell Hall
Detroit Edison PSA
1.5 second improvement from sophomore year, #60 in Michigan
Devin Johnston has graduated and moved onto Eastern Illinois, another two titles are up for grabs.Both Addison Hovey and Claire Neumann have been at the top of D3 this year, each holding top-2 marks in the 100m and 200m, racing to nearly clean slates. One an east sider, one a west sider, we haven’t seen the two face off. Technically, three titles are up for grabs, but Emmry Ross has such a stronghold on this event. 31 straight 400m wins, 2 state titles, and another opportunity to add to the winning streak.
Relays
Place
4×1
4×2
4×4
1
Hillsdale
Traverse City St. Francis
Pewamo-Westphalia
2
Grass Lake
Adrian Madison
Jackson Lumen Christi
3
Hart
Saginaw Valley Lutheran
Constantine
4
St. Mary Catholic Central
Clare
Grass Lake
5
Coloma
Grass Lake
Olivet
6
Adrian Madison
Dearborn Advanced Technology
Hanover-Horton
7
Olivet
Olivet
Ithaca
8
Traverse City St. Francis
Hart
Hart
100m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Claire Neumann
Saginaw Valley Lutheran
Region 29 & TVC Blue Champ
2
11
Addison Hovey
Hart
3rd Place – 2023, Region 22 Champ
3
9
Katelyn Wendling
New Lothrop
#9 freshman in Michigan, MMAC Champ
4
12
Ti’Anna Murphy-Ryan
Comstock
2nd Place – 2023, Region 24 Champ
5
10
Adela Illes
St. Mary Catholic Central
#12 sophomore in Michigan, Region 26 & Huron League Champ
6
9
Jamiyah Burman
Detroit Community
#11 freshman in Michigan, Region 28 Champ
7
12
Arianna Musso
Lakeview
Region 23 Champ
8
10
Naika Rath
Hudson
LCAA Champ
200m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Claire Neumann
Saginaw Valley Lutheran
4th Place – 2023, Region 29 & TVC Blue Champ
2
11
Addison Hovey
Hart
Region 22 Champ, #26 in Michigan
3
10
Adela Illes
St. Mary Catholic Central
#16 sophomore in Michigan, Huron League & Region 26 Champ
The most intriguing race may be the 400m, and it’s got quite a lineup. The top three placers from 2023, including a Nathan Feltner who’s known for his dramatic late-season time drops, jumpin’ and sprintin’ extraordinaire Anthony Buford, a Brock Morris following in Dubem Amene’s footsteps, and an extremely reliable low-50 guy in Nate Spicer.
Relays
Place
4×1
4×2
4×4
1
Climax-Scotts
Fowler
Fowler
2
Gobles
Southfield Christian
Concord
3
Reading
Reading
Reading
4
Concord
White Pigeon
Detroit Frederick Douglass
5
Riverview Gabriel Richard
Gobles
Battle Creek St. Philip
6
Mt. Clemens
Riverview Gabriel Richard
Southfield Christian
7
Beal City
Mt. Clemens
White Pigeon
8
Centreville
Lincoln-Alcona
Kalamazoo Hackett
100m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Jeremiah Bullis
Lincoln-Alcona
17th Place – 2023, Region 31 Champ
2
11
Logan Smith
Morrice
First year running individual sprints, unbeaten in the 100m
2024 has been the year of new faces. Brook Simpson moved to Saugatuck from Belding, where before her knee surgery, she was an outstanding high jumper. Post-operation, she’s still contributing in a huge way, running to the best mark in the 400m. Fowler’s Katie Spicer has improved in bounds from her sophomore year, winning and winning, getting into the 12’s and 25’s. I’m excited to see how these two do against the established winners such as Brooklynn Frazee and Rylee Scheurer. And I’m even more excited to see if Aiden Harrand can add another event to her portfolio full of titles.
Relays
Place
4×1
4×2
4×4
1
Saugatuck
Portland St. Patrick
Rochester Hills Lutheran NW
2
Portland St. Patrick
Frankfort
Fowler
3
Hillsdale Academy
Fowler
Portland St. Patrick
4
Frankfort
Dryden
Hillsdale Academy
5
Fowler
Hillsdale Academy
Auburn Hills Oakland Christian
6
Gobles
Morenci
Dryden
7
Southfield Christian
Royal Oak Shrine
Pittsford
8
East Jordan
Harbor Springs
Adrian Lenawee Christian
100m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Katie Spicer
Fowler
Unbeaten in May, #22 in Michigan
2
10
Layla Bolzman
Unionville-Sebewaing
5th Place – 2023, Team State Winner
3
12
Rylee Scheurer
Portland St. Patrick
3rd Place – 2023, Region 36 Champ
4
11
Molly Brown
Addison
2nd Place – 2023, Region 35 & Lenawee County Champ
5
10
Brooklynn Frazee
Buckley
Defending Champion
6
12
Kariesue Taghon
Maple City Glen Lake
11th Place – 2023
7
12
Grace Ligon
Southfield Christian
6th Place – 2023, MIAC & Region 40 Champ
8
10
Sofia Alaimo Schindler
Frankfort
9th Place – 2023
200m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Layla Bolzman
Unionville-Sebewaing
6th Place – 2023, Unbeaten since late April
2
11
Katie Spicer
Fowler
3rd Place – 2023, Unbeaten in May
3
12
Rylee Scheurer
Portland St. Patrick
Defending Champion, Region 36 Champ
4
10
Sofia Alaimo Schindler
Frankfort
5th Place – 2023, NWC Champ
5
9
Clara Slattery
Kalamazoo Hackett
#12 freshman in Michigan, SAC Champ
6
12
Brook Simpson
Saugatuck
Region 34 Champ
7
11
Molly Brown
Addison
Region 35 & Lenawee County Champ
8
11
Tamerah Peterson
Parkway Christian
4th Place – 2023, Macomb County & MIAC Champ
400m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Brook Simpson
Saugatuck
Region 34 & SAC Champ, Team State Winner
2
12
Olivia Reynolds
Dryden
3rd Place – 2023, Region 39 Champ
3
12
Aiden Harrand
Buckley
6x State Champ with first ever venture into 400m at the State level
4
11
Eliza Keith
Auburn Hills Oakland Christian
Nearly 1.5 second drop since sophomore year
5
11
Ella Hufnagel
Fowler
9th Place – 2023, Region 37 & CMAC Champ
6
11
Kenzie Fedewa
Portland St. Patrick
5th Place – 2023, Region 36 Champ
7
11
Katie Spicer
Fowler
#86 in Michigan
8
10
Kiana Kuntzman
Rochester Hills Lutheran NW
16th Place – 2023
UP DIVISION ONE BOYS
Last Year
100m – Michael Floriano, 11.08 200m – Carter Oshelski, 22.89 400m – Carter Oshelski, 51.43
Ryver Ryckeghem not only holds a great name, he’s a great sprinter. Unbeaten in May, winner of the 100m and 200m at Region 41, this Blue Devil looks to pick up his first state title(s).
Relays
Place
4×1
4×2
4×4
1
Marquette
Gladstone
Marquette
2
Kingsford
Marquette
Manistique
3
Gladstone
Kingsford
Menominee
4
Houghton
Menominee
Negaunee
5
Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie
Escanaba
6
Negaunee
Negaunee
Houghton
7
Menominee
Houghton
Kingsford
8
Calumet
Ishpeming Westwood
Calumet
100m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
1
12
Ryver Ryckeghem
Sault Ste. Marie
2
12
Nate Young
Gladstone
3
12
Wyatt Demers
Manistique
4
12
Michael Floriano
Kingsford
5
10
Jack Olson
Kingsford
6
9
Samuel Roth
Houghton
7
12
Tucker Welch
Marquette
8
12
Kainoa Lacar
Negaunee
200m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
1
12
Ryver Ryckeghem
Marquette
2
12
Michael Floriano
Kingsford
3
11
Jacob MacPhee
Marquette
4
10
Jack Olson
Kingsford
5
12
Wyatt Demers
Manistique
6
12
Kainoa Lacar
Negaunee
7
12
Bryant Lee
Houghton
8
10
Ford Richardson
Marquette
400m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
1
11
Jacob MacPhee
Marquette
2
10
Nathan Komp
Menominee
3
9
Lucas Ballard
Marquette
4
10
Derek McEachern
Negaunee
5
10
Ben Sands
Escanaba
6
10
Benjamin Hemmer
Houghton
7
12
Carter Kilpela
Houghton
8
11
Kaleb Fornetti
Kingsford
UP DIVISION ONE GIRLS
Last Year
100m – Julia Ott, 12.67 200m – Julia Ott, 25.97 400m – Baux Truckey, 62.81
The versatile Jacie Tuljus and the amazing freshman Keira Waterman will be going toe-to-toe for most of this. Waterman ranks as the top freshman in our greater peninsula in all of the sprint events, especially excelling in the 400m. Tuljus holds the best times in the 200m and 100m, and even her weaker event, the 400m, she’s ranked #4.
Relays
Place
4×1
4×2
4×4
1
Gladstone
Sault Ste. Marie
Marquette
2
Negaunee
Manistique
Sault Ste. Marie
3
Sault Ste. Marie
Gladstone
Menominee
4
Marquette
Kingsford
Negaunee
5
Escanaba
Menominee
Manistique
6
Calumet
Ironwood
Houghton
7
Houghton
Negaunee
Calumet
8
Kingsford
Calumet
Kingsford
100m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
1
11
Jacie Tuljus
Gladstone
2
12
Caitlyn Strom
Calumet
3
11
Lauren Sundquist
Gladstone
4
9
Keira Waterman
Negaunee
5
9
Aaliyah Sears
Manistique
6
11
Bella Smith
Sault Ste. Marie
7
11
Macyn Dellangelo
Negaunee
8
11
Faith Spiroff
Ishpeming Westwood
200m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
1
11
Jacie Tuljus
Gladstone
2
11
Bella Smith
Sault Ste. Marie
3
9
Keira Waterman
Negaunee
4
11
Lauren Sundquist
Gladstone
5
11
Lucy DeGroot
Gladstone
6
10
Addelyn Hallum
Ishpeming Westwood
7
12
Addie Rutter
Kingsford
8
10
Ivy Van Ooyen
Kingsford
400m
Place
Grade
Name
Team
1
9
Keira Waterman
Negaunee
2
11
Jacie Tuljus
Gladstone
3
9
Grace Meyer
Sault Ste. Marie
4
12
Erin Schuettpelz
Menominee
5
12
Dayna Szabo
Sault Ste. Marie
6
12
Ayla Miller
Houghton
7
9
Norah Woodruff
Houghton
8
10
Kayleigh Manninen
Negaunee
UP DIVISION TWO BOYS
Last Year
100m – Wyatt Demers, 11.39 200m – Kavin Fredrick, 23.51 400m – Grant Mason, 53.81
Iron Mountain should have their hands all over these sprints. Short sprinter Matthew Colavecchi has lost only once this year and Bryce Davis has run 53-54 pretty consistently in this last month.
Danice Shamion has hit the sprint triple the past three years. Read that sentence again. She’s a serious contender to complete that yet again, holding top-2 UP times in all three sprint events. But if there’s ever a contender to knock her off, it’s Mckenzie Hoffmyer, who picked up two Regional titles and has entered the 12’s and 26’s.
With a sprint triple boy graduating, three titles are about to find new hands. Three main candidates arise: Kennedy DePew, a consistent figure in the mid-11’s that just ran a 200m personal best. Matthew Jokela, who twice placed 4th in the 2023 Finals and also is unbeaten at the 200m/400m this year. Tommy Trudgeon, the Speedboy who lives up to the (best team name in the State, sorry Nimrods) moniker as well as one can, the boy with the fastest 100m time in the UP.
In 2022, Emily Jokela picked up three individual titles. In 2023, she picked up four. Sadly, she’s not allowed to pick up five, but I bet she could if she entered in the 100h. Anyhow, Jokela was another earner of the sprint triple crown and she’s another candidate of getting there again. Watch out for those 8th graders though, as Destiny Bleau is hoping to begin to create her own legacy. The young Black Bear has been whittling her 200m time down to the mid-26’s, winning invites and regionals along the way. Experience vs. youth, a constant story in this ever changing, yet remarkably consistent track and field world.
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 hurdles is this:
Consistency is huge, of course with the context of the competition and heights – emphasized a bit here
Improvement throughout the year – emphasized a bit here
Common competition
Now I haven’t even hurdled a step in my life, but I gotta imagine in the crowded space of the high hurdles, keeping your form and poise is essential – emphasized the most here
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.
The Belleville infusion, the rise of Zacchaeus Brocks, and the return of Brayden Kennedy. Kennedy was a force during his sophomore year, All-State in both hurdle events. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to be here for what would’ve been his junior version. But his senior version is here and primed to repeat the feats from two years ago. With the graduation of Brann and Mabin, a void was left that anyone could step into. Which is exactly what Zacchaeus did, dropping a second from his 110’s and a whopping 7+ seconds from his 300’s.
Oak Park and Pioneer’s girls have proved it over the years, if you want a direct path toward a state title, conquer the hurdles. And these Tigers boys + Coach Price have done their best to establish themselves as the best crew in the state. They’ve got three: Elijah Dotson, Schmar Gamble, and Will Jaiden Smith. The three can handle either event and also dabble in the sprints as well.
110h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Elijah Dotson
Belleville
5th Place – 2023, State leader into a headwind
2
10
Zacchaeus Brocks
Detroit Catholic Central
17th Place – 2023, Oakland County Champ
3
10
Schmar Gamble
Belleville
#5 in Michigan
4
11
Will Jaiden Smith
Belleville
#3 in Michigan
5
11
Michael Piggee Jr.
Muskegon
10th Place – 2023, OK Green Champ
6
11
Michael Wilkerson
Rochester Adams
Region 8 Champ
7
11
Keaton Hendricks
Zeeland West
13th Place – 2023
8
12
Brayden Kennedy
Highland-Milford
6th Place – 2022, LVC Champ
300h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Will Jaiden Smith
Belleville
Region 5 Champ, #1 in Michigan
2
12
Leonardo Ignacio
Saline
SEC Champ
3
12
Brayden Kennedy
Highland-Milford
Lakes Valley Champ
4
12
Leonardo Peralta-Castro
Lincoln Park
4.5 second improvement since junior year, #2 in Michigan
Nonah Waldron may have moved on, but what was left behind was a stable of great competitors. Just look at the names from last year’s finals – Morgan Roundtree, Maya Rollins, Carrie VanNoy, Lindsay Johnson, Lauren Bickerdt. And Renaissance, Cass, East Kentwood, Belleville, amongst many others, are adding more into the mix.
Roundtree is the main contender in each, former champ in the 300h, and unbeaten in all but one hurdle final this year. She hasn’t faced Johnson or Rollins yet this year. Rollins has put up remarkable times, the only girl to get into the 13’s yet this year in the 100’s. Johnson is slowly inching towards Roundtree in the 300’s. However it shakes out – Oak Park, Renaissance, and Cass Tech will all be putting up points in their quests towards trophies
100h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Maya Rollins
Ann Arbor Pioneer
2nd Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024
2
12
Morgan Roundtree
Oak Park
3rd Place – 2023, 3x All-State
3
12
Lindsay Johnson
Detroit Cass Tech
5th Place – 2023, Detroit PSL Champ
4
11
Carrie VanNoy
Oak Park
4th Place – 2023, 2x All-State
5
11
Celeste Davis
Detroit Renaissance
#6 in Michigan
6
11
Lauren Bickerdt
Detroit Renaissance
8th Place – 2023, #9 in Michigan
7
10
Laila Hawkins
Detroit Cass Tech
#1 sophomore in Michigan
8
11
Jada Wilson
Belleville
KLAA Champ
300h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Morgan Roundtree
Oak Park
2022 Champion, 3 top-3 State finishes
2
12
Lindsay Johnson
Detroit Cass Tech
3rd Place – 2022 & 2023, Detroit PSL Champ
3
11
Lauren Bickerdt
Detroit Renaissance
5th Place – 2023, 6th Place – 2022
4
12
Ashley Krahe
Northville
16th Place – 2023, KLAA & Region 6 Champ
5
11
Carrie VanNoy
Oak Park
4th Place – 2023
6
10
Alana Bracey
East Kentwood
9th Place – 2023, OK Red Champ, #1 sophomore in Michigan
7
12
Kate Carter
Walled Lake Northern
Region 9 & LVC Champ
8
12
Lydia Michelin
Highland-Milford
7th Place – 2023
DIVISION TWO BOYS
Last Year
110h – Tyler Baker, 14.63 300h – AJ Martel, 38.90
Just as Region 5 is the anchor point of D1’s Boys hurdles, that stretch from Lansing to Grand Rapids is hurdling heaven in D2. The two defending champs are from Mason, and Tyler Baker is back to play a prominent role, hoping to go back-to-back in the 110’s. He’s joined by another Bulldog standout, Cole Ries.
Heading west, you get Charlotte (Cutler Brandt quickly embracing the hurdles), Wayland Union (Austin Graham on a roll as good as any), and come across Catholic Central with another two-headed monster – Mill Coleman and Marcus Nystrom. Previous competitions from those in this area play a role in these predictions and definitely will be part of the story on Saturday.
110h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Mill Coleman
Grand Rapids Catholic Central
9th Place – 2023, #8 in Michigan, Region 13 Champ
2
12
Tyler Baker
Mason
Defending Champ, CAAC Red & Region 15 Champ
3
12
Cole Ries
Mason
First season of high hurdlin’, #25 in Michigan
4
11
DJ White
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
2nd Place – 2023, Region 15 Champ
5
12
Austin Graham
Wayland Union
11th Place – 2023, Region 12 Champ
6
12
Michael Armetta
Monroe Jefferson
Huron League & Region 16 Champ
7
11
Aydan Mccarey
Niles
6th Place – 2023, Region 14 Champ
8
12
Daniel Romero
Fremont
10th Place – 2023
300h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Mill Coleman
Grand Rapids Catholic Central
9th Place – 2023, #8 in Michigan, Region 13 Champ
2
12
Tyler Baker
Mason
Defending Champ, CAAC Red & Region 15 Champ
3
12
Cole Ries
Mason
First season of high hurdlin’, #25 in Michigan
4
11
DJ White
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
2nd Place – 2023, Region 15 Champ
5
12
Austin Graham
Wayland Union
11th Place – 2023, Region 12 Champ
6
12
Michael Armetta
Monroe Jefferson
Huron League & Region 16 Champ
7
11
Aydan Mccarey
Niles
6th Place – 2023, Region 14 Champ
8
12
Daniel Romero
Fremont
10th Place – 2023
DIVISION TWO GIRLS
Last Year
110h – Ella Jenkins, 14.64 300h – Annabelle Densmore, 45.06
The young blood is taking over. Freshwomen and sophomores abound in these hurdle lists. Sadie Dykstra, hailing from the Blue Water Area, comes into the State Finals unscathed. 9th graders Macy Subka and Davea Crowe are among the freshwomen 300 hurdlers in Michigan. Then of course, you have old heads such as Leila Wells, hoping to recapture the magic of ’22 or Kam Moored, hoping to make the most of her first individual qualifier.
100h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
10
Zion Ellis
Berrien Springs
9th Place – 2023, Region 14 Champ
2
11
Brooklyn Harmon
Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg
OK Gold & Region 13 Champ
3
10
Jayden VandenAkker
Allegan
SAC Champion, #5 sophomore in Michigan
4
10
Sadie Dykstra
Yale
5th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024
5
12
Leila Wells
Chelsea
2022 Champion, Region 16 & SEC White Champ
6
11
Keirra Taube
Yale
Nearly 2 sec. improvement from sophomore year
7
12
Mallory Huttenga
Grand Rapids South Christian
13th Place – 2023
8
11
Lynzi Evans
Cranbrook-Kingswood
7th Place – 2023, CHSL AA Champ
300h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
10
Sadie Dykstra
Yale
6th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024
2
11
Brooklyn Harmon
Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg
OK Gold & Region 13 Champ
3
10
Gabrielle Hufnagel
Owosso
Region 20 Champ
4
12
Kambria Moored
Hopkins
Region 12 & OK Silver Champ
5
9
Macy Subka
Spring Lake
#3 freshman in Michigan
6
10
Jayden VandenAkker
Allegan
10th Place – 2023, SAC & Region 14 Champ
7
9
Davea Crowe
Pinckney
SEC White & Region 17 Champ, #2 freshman in Michigan
8
11
Abby Lambers
Hudsonville Unity Christian
Nearly 3 sec. improvement from sophomore year, OK Blue Champ
Holden Van Poppel returns to defend his crown and the 300’s are wide open between returners and newcomers. Van Poppel has a bit less on his resume compared to this point in 2023. But you wonder if that’s intentional, because when it’s mattered, he’s won, and won quickly.
I like the confluence of returners (Elijah Dyer), freshmen (Brandon Commet), and then the unbeaten folks such as Matthew Johnston and Max Ward. Unlike Divisions 1 & 2, many of these kids are coming from different areas, it will be interesting to see how they embrace a field full of competition.
110h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Max Ward
Elk Rapids
11th Place – 2023, Region 21 Champ
2
11
Caleb Walker
Chesaning
Region 30 Champ
3
12
Holden van Poppel
Napoleon
Defending Champ, Region 25 & Cascades Champ
4
12
Rhys Bedford
Delton-Kellogg
24th Place – 2023, SAC Champ
5
9
Brandon Commet
Ida
#1 freshman in Michigan
6
11
Grant Wheaton
Lakeview
10th Place – 2023, Region 23 Champ
7
10
Drew Enright
Schoolcraft
Region 24 Champ
8
12
Elijah Dyer
Springport
21st Place – 2023
300h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Max Ward
Elk Rapids
11th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024
2
12
Elijah Dyer
Springport
3rd Place – 2023, Region 25 Champ
3
12
Matthew Johnston
Hemlock
9th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024
4
11
Aden Nystrom
Olivet
3.5 second improvement from sophomore year, #54 in Michigan
5
11
Rushawn James
Constantine
2+ second improvement from sophomore year, #46 in Michigan
Last spring, I recall remarking or pondering the magnificent youth of this D3 hurdle group. Look at them again. I know the top-8 predictions don’t represent the whole state, but in a hypothetical world where these are completely correct, every single one of them is coming back next year.
But for now, we’re in 2024 and Emily Peters has a title to defend, Beth Sweeney is gunning for her in the 300’s while hoping to hold down the 100’s, and many of the top 300 girls have dropped significant time this season.
100h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Beth Sweeney
Erie Mason
Region 26 Champ
2
11
Sadie Larson
Lake City
8th Place – 2023, Region 22 Champ
3
9
Elli VanDusen
Kalamazoo Christian
#1 freshman in Michigan
4
11
Sophia Orton
Schoolcraft
17th Place – 2023, Region 24 Champ
5
11
Norah Galton
Kingsley
NWC Champ
6
11
Nevada Gillons
Union City
10th Place – 2023, Big 8 Champ
7
10
Brookelyn Parker
Quincy
Region 25 Champ
8
11
Hannah Abbott
Remus Chippewa Hills
13th Place – 2023, CSAA Champ
300h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
10
Emily Peters
Olivet
Defending Champ, Unbeaten in 2024
2
11
Beth Sweeney
Erie Mason
11th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in May
3
11
Norah Galton
Kingsley
3+ sec. improvement from sophomore year, NWC & Region 22 Champ
4
11
Nevada Gillons
Union City
3+ sec. improvement from sophomore year, Big 8 Champ
5
10
Brookelyn Parker
Quincy
Nearly 4 sec. improvement from freshman year, Region 25 Champ
6
11
Hannah Abbott
Remus Chippewa Hills
9th Place – 2023, CSAA Champ
7
10
Julia Hughes
Ida
2nd Place – 2023, LCAA Champ
8
10
Mya Viegelahn
Grass Lake
1.5 sec. improvement from freshman year and 1st qualifier in the hurdles
The age old battle of time vs. competition. Brady Feldpausch owns the best times in the Division, but Tayshawn Bester and Landon Bennett got crowns to defend.
110h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Tayshawn Bester
Reading
Defending Champion, Region 35 Champ
2
11
Brady Feldpausch
Fowler
2nd Place – 2023, Region 37 Champ
3
12
Daniele Tomasi
Holton
Region 33 Champ
4
12
Landon Bennett
Athens
3rd Place – 2023, Team State Winner
5
11
Jordan Pisco
White Pigeon
Region 34 Champ
6
11
Logan Smith
Morrice
5th Place – 2023
7
12
Michael Ross
Riverview Gabriel Richard
Region 40 Champ
8
12
Kaden Bruce
Kingston
Region 38 Champ
300h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Brady Feldpausch
Fowler
2nd Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024
2
10
Dawson Scharer
Hillsdale Academy
Defending Champion, Region 35 Champ
3
12
Landon Bennett
Athens
#2 in Division 4, Team State Winner
4
12
Jadin Mix
Onaway
10th Place – 2023, Region 31 Champ
5
12
Jack Lantz
New Buffalo
Region 34 Champ
6
11
Kris Vigars
Riverview Gabriel Richard
14th Place – 2023, Region 40 Champ
7
12
Kaden Bruce
Kingston
12th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in May
8
11
Alex Richards
Hillsdale Academy
Nearly 3 second improvement from sophomore year
DIVISION FOUR GIRLS
Last Year
110h – Molly Brown, 15.01 300h – Anna Plum, 46.01
The powers of experience and the inexperienced who may not know any better. Upperclasswomen standouts such as Molly Brown, Mazie Robison, Sophia Schrauben have all been on this stage and have done very well. Someone such as Ava Mustapha is new to this whole thang and is picking it up quite quickly. Over half of her hurdle races have been wins and she’s raced to the fastest 300 time in D4.
100h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Molly Brown
Addison
Defending Champion, Region 35 & Cascades Conference Champ
2
11
Ava Mustapha
Lansing Christian
CMAC Champ
3
12
Sophia Schrauben
Portland St. Patrick
4th Place – 2023, Region 36 Champ
4
11
Mazie Robison
Saugatuck
2nd Place – 2023 (D3), Region 34 Champ
5
12
Leah Rorick
Morenci
5th Place – 2023, TCC Champ
6
9
Novella DeGraaf
Saugatuck
#5 freshman in Michigan
7
12
Abby Kissling
Brethren
Region 33 Champ
8
9
Lucy Cote
Hillsdale Academy
SCAA Champ, #8 freshman in Michigan
300h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Ava Mustapha
Lansing Christian
CMAC & Region 36 Champ
2
10
Paige Thelen
Fowler
7th Place – 2023, Region 37 Champ
3
11
Tamerah Peterson
Parkway Christian
13th Place – 2023, 2nd Place – Macomb County
4
11
Molly Brown
Addison
2nd Place – 2023, Region 35 & Cascades Conference Champ
5
12
Sophia Schrauben
Portland St. Patrick
4th Place – 2023
6
11
Rebecca Moeller
Deckerville
11th Place – 2023, Region 38 Champ
7
11
Ava Mallar
Pittsford
3rd Place – 2023, SCAA Champ
8
12
Abby Kissling
Brethren
20th Place – 2023, Region 33 Champ
UP DIVISION ONE BOYS
Last Year
110h – Will Fairchild, 15.60 300h – Will Fairchild, 41.88
Will Fairchild moves on and this brings about a massive matchup: Luke Bracket vs. Brody Mattila. In 2023, each finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in the two hurdle events. For the 110’s, they’re both unbeaten in 2024. Mattila hasn’t been touched in the longer race, though Brady Mager put a definite scare into him at Region 42.
110h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Luke Bracket
Gladstone
2nd Place – 2023, Undefeated in 2024
2
12
Brody Mattila
Houghton
3rd Place – 2023, Undefeated in 2024
3
11
Brady Mager
Negaunee
Marquette County Champ
4
10
Sid Olson
Kingsford
#11 in the UP
5
9
Kyle Waterman
Negaunee
#2 freshman in the UP
6
12
Carsyn Hinkson
Manistique
#14 in the UP
7
11
Seamus Waite
Marquette
#10 in the UP
8
10
Isaac Niebuhr
Sault Ste. Marie
7th Place – 2023
300h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Brody Mattila
Houghton
3rd Place – 2023, Undefeated in 2024
2
11
Brady Mager
Negaunee
6th Place – 2023, Marquette County Champ
3
12
Luke Bracket
Gladstone
2nd Place – 2023, Region 41 Champ
4
10
Ford Richardson
Marquette
#8 in the UP
5
12
Carsyn Hinkson
Manistique
3+ second improvement since junior year
6
10
Sid Olson
Kingsford
2+ second improvement since junior year
7
9
Kyle Waterman
Negaunee
#1 freshman in the UP
8
10
Oliver Kudej
Marquette
4+ second improvement since junior year
UP DIVISION ONE GIRLS
Last Year
110h – Danica Ryyanen, 16.80 300h – Madison Pekrul, 48.95
Two freshwomen have taken the Upper Peninsula by force – Sadie Rogers and Ahnaka Oshelski. Being from the Soo and past Marquette, the two haven’t faced each other. They’ll likely compete for the two hurdle thrones, but I bet defending 300h champion Madison Pekrul has something to say about that, as she did to secure the win at Region 41.
100h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
9
Sadie Rogers
Negaunee
Unbeaten in 2024, #1 freshman in UP
2
9
Ahnaka Oshelski
Sault Ste. Marie
Region 41 & Straits Area Conference Champ, #2 freshman in UP
3
11
Madison Pekrul
Negaunee
2nd Place – 2023
4
10
Ava Stalboerger
Escanaba
GNC Conference Champ
5
10
Camryn Pertile
Houghton
7th Place – 2023
6
11
Annabelle Fazzari
Sault Ste. Marie
2nd Place – 2022
7
11
Kristy Karl
Gladstone
6th Place – 2023
8
11
Chloe Serafin
Houghton
4th Place – 2023
300h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
9
Ahnaka Oshelski
Sault Ste. Marie
Region 41 & Straits Area Conference Champ, #1 freshman in UP
2
9
Sadie Rogers
Negaunee
WestPAC Conference Champ, #2 freshman in UP
3
11
Madison Pekrul
Negaunee
Defending Champion, Region 42 Champ
4
11
Maggie Martin
Escanaba
GNC Conference Champ
5
10
Ava Stalboerger
Escanaba
#4 sophomore in UP
6
9
Chloe Jackson
Marquette
#3 freshman in UP
7
11
Chloe Serafin
Houghton
5th Place – 2023
8
10
Josie Mechling
Negaunee
8th Place – 2023
UP DIVISION TWO BOYS
Last Year
110h – David Kozisek, 15.40 300h – David Kozisek, 41.39
We really missed out on some great hurdle matchups at Munising’s home invite. Time-wise, the Mustangs’ Joe Kelley has been one of the better hurdlers of the year. He’s only been bested once – by top freshman Gionni McDonough. We’ll see in a few days how he stacks up against Tramon Gauthier.
110h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Tramon Gauthier
Ishpeming
7th Place – 2023, Region 43 Champ
2
12
Joe Kelley
Munising
7th Place (D3) – 2023, Region 44 Champ
3
9
Gionni McDonough
Bark River-Harris
#1 freshman in the UP
4
11
Tommy Storey
Pickford
Over a second improvement from sophomore year
5
10
John Anderson
Pickford
EUP Conference Champion
6
10
Talon Hughes
Ironwood
8th Place – 2023
7
12
Alec Arvon
Ishpeming
6th Place – 2023
8
10
Logan Holm
Ironwood
2.3 second improvement from freshman year
300h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Joe Kelley
Munising
Unbeaten in 2024
2
12
Tramon Gauthier
Ishpeming
4th Place – 2023, Region 43 Champ
3
11
Tommy Storey
Pickford
EUP Conference Champion
4
10
John Anderson
Pickford
#13 in the UP
5
12
Alec Arvon
Ishpeming
8th Place – 2023
6
10
Oliver Brzuchalski
Pickford
3+ second improvement from freshman year
7
10
Logan Holm
Ironwood
#29 in the UP
8
10
Talon Hughes
Ironwood
#51 in the UP
UP DIVISION TWO GIRLS
Last Year
110h – Lena Pleaugh, 16.72 300h – Lena Pleaugh, 49.79
After Lena Pleaugh doubled up in ’23, can Lauren Zawada do the same? Girl does hold the top times in each race. And can another Zawada join her to go 1-2 in the 300’s?
100h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Lauren Zawada
Bark River-Harris
Region 44 Champ
2
11
Dayne Behning
Munising
5th Place (D3) – 2023
3
11
Addison Pizzi
Hancock
5th Place – 2023, Region 43 Champ
4
12
Seanna Stine
West Iron County
4th Place – 2023
5
11
Rowyn Fiszer
West Iron County
6th Place – 2023
6
9
Evelyn Nicholas
Ishpeming
#15 freshman in UP
7
9
Sophia Redlon
Gwinn
8
10
Hailey Ketola
Gwinn
300h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Lauren Zawada
Bark River-Harris
2nd Place – 2023, Region 44 Champ
2
9
Emma Zawada
Bark River-Harris
#5 freshman in UP
3
11
Dayne Behning
Munising
5th Place (D3) – 2023
4
12
Seanna Stine
West Iron County
3rd Place – 2023
5
9
Laynie Korpi
Ishpeming
Region 43 Champ
6
9
Zahra Wicks
Iron Mountain
7
11
Rowyn Fiszer
West Iron County
8
9
Evelyn Nicholas
Ishpeming
UP DIVISION THREE BOYS
Last Year
110h – Samuel McKissack, 16.71 300h – Chris Hopson, 45.21
Can anyone match Jonathan Ingalls? The St. Ignace Saint is unbeaten against D3 competition and it hasn’t been very close either. If anyone, it could be defending champ Chris Hopson in the 300’s, who last year ran a personal best to capture the crown. Or perhaps one of the Upper Peninsula’s top freshmen?
110h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Jonathan Ingalls
St. Ignace
2nd Place (D2) – 2023, Region 45 Champ
2
10
Greg Taylor
Rapid River
Region 46 Champ
3
12
Elijah Parker
Engadine
First season competing in the high hurdles
4
12
Gabe Popko
Lake Linden-Hubbell
5th Place – 2023, Region 47 Champ
5
10
Asher Priebe
Stephenson
#27 in the UP
6
11
Miles Lindholm
North Dickinson County
10th Place – 2023, Region 48 Champ
7
12
Achilles Suri
Bessemer
6th Place – 2023
8
9
Connor Kemppainen
L’Anse
#4 freshman in the UP
300h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Jonathan Ingalls
St. Ignace
2nd Place (D2) – 2023, Region 45 Champ
2
12
Liam Rao
Newberry
4th Place (D2) – 2022
3
9
Connor Kemppainen
L’Anse
#3 freshman in the UP
4
9
Lukas Axford
Lake Linden-Hubbell
#4 freshman in the UP
5
11
Kaiden Gariepy
Lake Linden-Hubbell
Nearly 4 second improvement from sophomore year
6
11
Chris Hopson
Newberry
Defending Champion
7
10
Leonard Huffman
St. Ignace
First year running the 300’s
8
9
Dietrich Rasner
Forest Park
Region 48 Champ, #6 freshman in the UP
UP DIVISION THREE GIRLS
Last Year
110h – Abi Codere, 16.72 300h – Emily Jokela, 45.63
Can Emily Jokela keep the streak going? Twenty-one straight at this point and at this point in the season, the most impressive hurdle mark of any girl from our more scenic peninsula.
100h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
10
Ava Fischer
Forest Park
Region 48 Champ, #1 in UP
2
12
Autumn Tremblay
Brimley
Unbeaten in 2024
3
10
Avery Visnaw
St. Ignace
2nd Place (D2) – 2023
4
9
Ava Elliott
Brimley
#3 freshman in UP
5
11
Claire Oven
Engadine
Region 46 Champ
6
10
Cleo Milkey
Lake Linden-Hubbell
9th Place – 2023
7
8
Addy Otradovec
Powers North Central
8
12
Ellie Delene
Baraga
10th Place – 2023
300h
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Emily Jokela
Lake Linden-Hubbell
21 consecutive 300 hurdle victories, including 2 State Titles
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 throws is this:
Consistency is huge, of course with the context of the competition and heights
Improvement throughout the year – emphasized more here
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.
I love the geographical concentrations of throwers here: Detroit’s Northwest suburbs (Walled Lake schools, Lakeland) and Grand Rapids area (Zeeland East, Cedar Springs). Oh, and don’t forget Merrick Hocking, representing Midland, All-State 4x now in his career.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Garrett Weeden
Zeeland East
9th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024
2
11
Liam Vaughan
Walled Lake Western
10th Place – 2023, Lakes Valley Champion
3
12
Brycen Anderson
Walled Lake Central
Region 9 Champion
4
10
Andre Neumann
White Lake Lakeland
Oakland County Champion
5
12
Merrick Hocking
Midland
6th Place – 2023, SVL & Region 1 Champion
6
12
Tyler Marrogy
Walled Lake Central
8’+ improvement since junior year
7
12
Parker Williams
Zeeland East
8th Place – 2023
8
11
Hudson Pant
Cedar Springs
5.5′ improvement since sophomore year
Discus
Last Year: Gerald Capaccio – 167’ 2”
Interesting confluence of both consistent throwers – Garrett Weeden, Merrick Hocking, Robbie Schuckel, Teegan Williams with those showing huge tosses late in the season such as Tyler Marrogy, Nathan Cody, and Ray Glory-Ejoyokah.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Garrett Weeden
Zeeland East
6th Place – 2023, Region 2 & OK Green Champion
2
11
Teegan Simmons
Monroe
SEC & Region 5 Champion
3
12
Robbie Schuckel
Northville
Undefeated in 2024, KLAA & Region 6 Champion
4
12
Merrick Hocking
Midland
7th Place – 2023, Region 1 Champion
5
12
Tyler Marrogy
Walled Lake Central
3rd Place – 2023, Region 9 Champion
6
10
Jackson Shaltry
Grand Ledge
CAAC Blue, Region 4 Champion. #2 sophomore in Michigan
7
12
Clintin Allen
Grosse Pointe North
Region 7, MAC Red Champion
8
12
Matthew Gurwin
Walled Lake Northern
Moved up 8 spots in one year in Region 9 to qualify
DIVISION ONE GIRLS
Shot Put
Last Year: Sophie Daugard, 41’ 7”
Abigail Russell has been performing to a high standard all year, enough to gain the #2 rank in the entire state in the Shot Put. We have yet to see what Traverse City Central freshman Lorelai Zielinski can do when facing intense competition, but I’m guessing she’ll be up for the task.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Abigail Russell
Allen Park
2022 Champion, 3rd Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024
2
9
Lorelai Zielinski
Traverse City Central
#6 freshman in US
3
12
Kayla Harris
East Kentwood
4th Place – 2023, Region 3 & OK Red Champion
4
12
Aubree Meyer
Hartland
5th Place – 2023, Region 4 & KLAA Champion
5
11
Leigha Stoepker
Jenison
2nd Place – OK Red, Region 2
6
12
Jordyn Harris
Walled Lake Central
Region 9, LVC Champion
7
11
Izzy Krause
Plymouth
13th Place – 2023, Region 6 Champion
8
10
Olivia Hosford
Rockford
10th Place – 2023, Region 1 Champion
Discus
Last Year: Abigail Russell, 148’ 7”
As a senior, Abigail Russell has been over 150’ on many occasions, even ripping a 165’ that’s within sight of the state record. Ready to see what she has in store for the big stage and hopefully, favorable conditions.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Abigail Russell
Allen Park
2022 & 2023 State Champion
2
12
Kayla Harris
East Kentwood
OK Red & Region 3 Champion
3
12
Anna Tilden
Zeeland East
6th Place – 2023, Region 2 & OK Green Champion
4
9
Lorelai Zielinski
Traverse City Central
#4 freshman in US
5
11
Jada Ewell
Royal Oak
Region 8, OAA Red/White Champion
6
12
Jordyn Harris
Walled Lake Central
LVC, Region 9, Oakland County Champion
7
11
Leigha Stoepker
Jenison
26′ improvement from sophomore year
8
12
Ania Toboy
Wyandotte Roosevelt
Wayne County Champion
DIVISION TWO BOYS
Shot Put
Last Year: Michael Howey, 55’ 8”
Many of the top throwers have been hitting 50’+ with no shame, straight steadiness all year. These type of consistent, high-level efforts under pressure makes one believe that the 60’s aren’t out of the equation. The question is – who?
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Brennan Faber
Parma Western
4th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024
2
11
Derrick Simmons
Frankenmuth
13th Place – 2023, TVC Red & Region 20 Champion
3
11
Adam Huff
Wayland Union
16th Place – 2023, OK Gold Champion
4
12
Logan Klein
Gladwin
3rd Place – 2023, Region 11 & Jack Pine Champion
5
12
Noah Shaw
Parma Western
8’+ improvement in past year, 2nd Place – Region 15 & I-8
6
12
Gabe Vansickle
Coopersville
Nearly 5′ improvement in past year, Region 12 & OK Blue Champion
7
12
Matthew Foor
Carleton Airport
8th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in May
8
11
Riley Gelderbloom
Comstock Park
20th Place – 2023, Region 13 Champion
Discus
Last Year: Dalton DeBeau, 171’ 6”
Four of 2023’s top five finishers were seniors, as a result, we’ll have some new faces to the top spots in D2. Regionals produced three throwers standing above the rest: Matthew Foor, Adam Huff, and Derrick Simmons. All ripped throws of 175+, the kind of peak you need to win a title here.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Adam Huff
Wayland Union
2nd Place – 2023, Undefeated in 2024
2
11
Derrick Simmons
Frankenmuth
6th Place – 2023, Region 20 Champion
3
12
Matthew Foor
Carleton Airport
Region 16, Huron League Champion
4
12
Samuel Talaga
Freeland
Region 11, Saginaw County Champion
5
12
Larson Fessenden
Edwardsburg
Wolverine Conference Champion
6
11
Niko Mamaladze
Frankenmuth
17′ improvement since 10th grade, 4th Place – Team State
7
11
Darrin Strey
Paw Paw
25′ improvement since 10th grade, Region 14 Champion
8
11
Korbin Sulitis
Petoskey
Big North Champion
DIVISION TWO GIRLS
Shot Put
Last Year: Janae Hudson, 42’ 7”
The defending champion, Janae Hudson, returns and time after time, she’s been putting it over 40’. Lately, girls such as Ellianna Foley, Kalia Monroe, and Makenzie Johns have been joining her in the 40’s, and all have shown in the past that they can elevate to a new level come State time.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Janae Hudson
Marysville
Defending Champion, Region 19 Champion
2
11
Kalia Monroe
Eastpointe
6th Place – 2023, Region 18 & Macomb County Champion
3
12
Makenzie Johns
Cadillac
2nd Place – 2023, Region 11 Champion
4
11
Ellianna Foley
Coldwater
4th Place – 2023, I-8 & Region 14 Champion
5
11
Cora Williams
Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard
8th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024
6
10
Aubree Deshetsky
North Branch
6′ improvement since freshman year
7
11
Anna Brant
Chelsea
14th Place – 2023, SEC White Champion
8
12
Ellie Thorburn
Williamston
19th Place – 2023, CAAC Red Champion
Discus
Last Year: Haley Guerrant, 136’ 10”
The throws have been poppin’ lately. Janae Hudson with a 146’ to win the Blue Water Meet of Champions, Aliyah Springer ripped a 138’ to capture the Region 12 crown, and Allyson Broaddus, the OK Gold Champion with a 133’.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Janae Hudson
Marysville
4th Place – 2023, Region 19 Champion
2
12
Aliyah Springer
Hamilton
5th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024
3
12
Allyson Broaddus
Grand Rapids Catholic Central
6th Place – 2023, Region 13 & OK Gold Champion
4
12
Ella Schafer
St. Johns
CAAC Red & Region 20 Champion
5
10
Aubree Deshetsky
North Branch
32′ improvement since freshman year
6
11
Kalia Monroe
Eastpointe
Macomb County & Region 18 Champion
7
12
Makenzie Johns
Cadillac
19th Place – 2023
8
12
Lily Hileman
Freeland
11th Place – 2023, Saginaw County Champion
DIVISION THREE BOYS
Shot Put
Last Year: Gavin Nurenburg, 57’ 9.5”
In May of ’23, Gavin Nurenburg was defeated by Kellen Kimes at the Bluejay Invite, but in June, he came back to grab the crown. At this year’s Kent City Elite Invite, Mason Mayne bested Nurenburg. The prior year’s trend could continue, it could not, either way, these are two excellent throwers.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Gavin Nurenburg
Pewamo-Westphalia
Defending Champion, Unbeaten in May
2
11
Mason Mayne
Lawton
2nd Place – 2023, Undefeated in 2024
3
11
Mason Brodie
Clinton
13th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in May
4
12
Dalton Brown
Pewamo-Westphalia
4th Place – 2023
5
9
Chris Tetloff
Midland Bullock Creek
#11 freshman in the US
6
11
Carter Helsel
Manton
14th Place – 2023, Highland Conference & Region 22 Champion
7
12
Maddox Gonzalez
Standish Sterling
21st Place – 2023, Region 21 & TVC Blue Champion
8
12
Bennett VandenBerg
Constantine
Region 25, SAC Champion
Discus
Last Year: Kellen Kimes, 174’ 3”
The torch passes on. Last year, it was Kimes claiming the latter portion of his back-to-back titles. Placing second, right on his tail, was Mason Mayne, who is hitting his stride late in this season. His 178’er to win in Region 23 ranks #3 in Michigan and #141 in the nation.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Mason Mayne
Lawton
3rd Place – 2023, Region 9 Champion, Unbeaten in 2024
2
12
Gavin Nurenburg
Pewamo-Westphalia
2nd Place – 2023, CMAC & Region 30 Champion
3
12
Bennett VandenBerg
Constantine
6th Place – 2023, Region 25 & SAC Champion
4
12
Logan Cole
Union City
5th Place – 2023, Big 8 Champion
5
11
Chase Bott
Kingsley
11th Place (in D2) – 2023, Region 22 & NWC Champion
6
11
Mason Brodie
Clinton
4th Place – 2023, Region 26 & LCAA Champion
7
12
Alex Pranger
GR NorthPointe Christian
39′ improvement since 11th grade, Region 23 Champion
8
12
Maddox Gonzalez
Standish Sterling
9th Place – 2023, 14′ improvement since 11th grade
DIVISION THREE GIRLS
Shot Put
Last Year: Payton Otto, 39’ 4.5”
Yes, you read that correctly. A freshman ranked #5 in the country.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
9
Addyson Stiverson
Montrose
Ranked #5 in the US
2
12
Rylan Finstrom
Grayling
Region 21 & LMC Champion
3
10
Allison Gladu
McBain
Region 22 & Highland Conference Champion
4
11
Isabel Rozeveld
McBain
10th Place – 2023, Region 1 Champion
5
11
Brenna McDonald
Schoolcraft
12th Place – 2023, Region 24 & SAC Champion
6
12
Emily O’Dell
Standish Sterling
TVC Blue Champion
7
12
Claire Boomstra
Grandville Calvin Christian
18th Place – 2023, OK Silver & Region 23 Champion
8
11
Kate Classens
Traverse City St. Francis
15th Place – 2023
Discus
Last Year: Sophia Snellenberger, 141’ 5”
After coming into 2022’s Finals with a personal best of 128’1, Rylan Finstrom busted out a 145’ winner. Coming back late in her junior season, a State title was unfortunately out of the cards. Now with a full season under her belt, she’s been consistently hitting 130’s with the occasional 148’+ toss.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Rylan Finstrom
Grayling
Defending Champion, Unbeaten in 2024
2
9
Addyson Stiverson
Montrose
#19 freshman in the US
3
12
Anya Sexton
Watervliet
SAC & Region 24 Champion
4
12
Jaylyn Perkins
Homer
7th Place – 2023, Region 25 & Cascades Champion
5
11
Brenna McDonald
Schoolcraft
4th Place – 2023
6
10
Jenna Spitzley
Pewamo-Westphalia
16th Place – 2023, CMAC & Region 30 Champion
7
10
Madalyn Wayward
Manistee
20th Place – 2023, Region 22 Champion
8
11
Megan Mackinder
Stockbridge
13th Place – 2023, Region 28 Champion
DIVISION FOUR BOYS
Shot Put
Last Year: Kyle Affer, 49’ 2”
The general rise of these competitors throughout the year, starting in the low 40’s and consistently moving into the high 40’s (or even 50’s) should make for a thrilling competition.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
10
Oliver Long
Morrice
Region 36 Champion, #3 sophomore in Michigan
2
11
Zander Mapes
Breckenridge
Region 37, MSAC Champion
3
12
Lloyd Sebright-Johnson
White Cloud
Region 33, CSAA Champion
4
12
Seth Miller
White Pigeon
7th Place – 2023, Region 34 Champion
5
11
Warren Aylsworth III
Maple City Glen Lake
3rd Place – 2023, Region 32 Champion
6
12
Kylis Fletcher
Beal City
12th Place – 2023
7
12
Levi Schroeder
Michigan Lutheran Seminary
9′ improvement since junior year
8
12
Benjamin Gavin
Detroit Frederick Douglass
8th Place – 2023, Region 40 Champion
Discus
Last Year: Nathan Buchmann, 157’ 1”
The top spot up for grabs, some of the highest finishers have set up their senior year in excellent fashion to rise on the podium. Kylis Fletcher recovered from Regionals to throw 150’ in a Highland Conference win, Zander Mapes is throwing at least 20’ further than any comparable point in 2023, and Dominic Scharer is unbeaten during championship season.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Dominic Scharer
Hillsdale Academy
3rd Place – 2023, Region 35 & SCAA Champion
2
11
Zander Mapes
Breckenridge
4th Place -2023, Region 37 & MSAC Champion
3
12
Kylis Fletcher
Beal City
2nd Place – 2023, Highland Conference Champion
4
11
Zachary McFadden
Fruitport Calvary Christian
13th Place – 2023, Region 33 Champion
5
12
Noah Matson
Kalamazoo Hackett
Region 34 Champion
6
12
Jude Mickevich
Mason County Eastern
27′ improvement since junior year
7
12
Lloyd Sebright-Johnson
White Cloud
2nd Place – CSAA, Region 33
8
10
Julius Johnson
Marlette
Region 38, GTC East Champion
DIVISION FOUR GIRLS
Shot Put
Last Year: Natalie Wandrie, 39’ 8”
Six of the top eight medalists from 2023 were seniors, paving the way for a whole new set of throwers.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Maddy Biller
Brethen
7th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in 2024
2
12
Lyla Mullins
Austin Catholic
16th Place – 2023, Region 39 Champion
3
12
Desjanea Perkins
Forest Area
10th Place – 2023, Ski Valley & Region 32 Champion
4
12
Izzy Boyer
East Jordan
18th Place – 2023
5
12
Grace Nemecek
East Jordan
10th Place (D3) – 2022
6
11
Mariah Kerley
East Jackson
14th Place – 2023, Cascades & Region 36 Champion
7
12
Alyse Baughman
Kalamazoo Hackett
9th Place – 2023, Region 34 Champion
8
10
Diamond Cook
Southfield Christian
27th Place – 2023, MIAC & Region 40 Champion
Discus
Last Year: Natalie Wandrie, 128’ 11”
I’m here for the massive progress, whether that be Lyla Mullins moving above 115’ after a career full of 40-70’ discs or Eleanor Valkner, who grabbed golds in the NWC and Region 32, both of which were out of her grasp last year.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Eleanor Valkner
Maple City Glen Lake
13th Place – 2023, Region 32 & NWC Champion
2
12
Lyla Mullins
Austin Catholic
42′ improvement since junior year
3
12
McKayla Cruson
Marion
WMD Champion
4
12
Izzy Boyer
East Jordan
Nearly 16′ improvement since junior year
5
12
Maddy Biller
Brethen
8th Place – 2023, Region 33 Champion
6
11
Abbie Morris
Rochester Hills Lutheran NW
7th Place – 2023, MIAC Champion
7
10
Ryleigh Ewald
Unionville-Sebewaing
Region 38 Champion
8
11
Niki McNeil
Saugatuck
Region 34 Champion
UP DIVISION ONE BOYS
Shot Put
Last Year: Garrett Veale, 48’ 8.5”
Whatever may occur, the Flivvers will be picking up points. Garrett Veale won this last year, this time around, Noah Johnson has taken the reigns. Thus far, Noah is the only boy north of the bridge to cross the 50’ barrier.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Noah Johnson
Kingsford
2nd Place – 2023
2
12
Evan Arbic
Sault Ste. Marie
3rd Place – 2023
3
12
Garrett Veale
Kingsford
Defending Champion
4
11
Mathew Franti
Calumet
WestPAC Champion
5
12
Zach Barron
Escanaba
7th Place – 2023
6
10
Braden Ditmeyer
Sault Ste. Marie
#9 in the UP
7
12
Tucker Welch
Marquette
#11 in the UP
8
12
Grayson Palmer
Kingsford
#22 in the UP
Discus
Last Year: Noah Johnson, 160’ 5”
Noah Johnson’s discus tosses would make him a serious candidate for medals and/or wins in every division in Michigan. No one in the UP has come close this year as he goes for his second consecutive title.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Noah Johnson
Kingsford
#19 in Michigan, Defending Champion
2
12
Grayson Palmer
Kingsford
2nd Place – 2023
3
12
Dasan Smith
Marquette
4th Place – 2023, Region 41 Champion
4
10
Talon Smith
Marquette
Almost 37′ improvement since freshman year
5
10
Nathan Cattoor
Marquette
Marquette County Champion
6
12
Garrett Veale
Kingsford
Is it me or is “Garrett Veale” an excellent throwing name?
7
11
Aaron Hughes
Gladstone
MPC Champion
8
9
Michael Solena
Houghton
#2 freshman in the UP
UP DIVISION ONE GIRLS
Shot Put
Last Year: Hannah Maurer, 37’ 4.5”
It appears we’ll have two battles of two teammates: Danielle Lund and Gwen Brewster, Katie Anderson and Annabelle Fazzari. The latter two picked up top-five finishes last year. Lund has a near perfect track record this year, the one defeat coming from Brewster.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Danielle Lund
Manistique
D2 Champion – 2023, MPC & Region 41 Champion
2
11
Annabelle Fazzari
Sault Ste. Marie
4th Place – 2023, Straits Area Conference Champion
3
12
Katie Anderson
Sault Ste. Marie
3rd Place – 2023
4
12
Ashley Bell
Negaunee
6th Place – 2023
5
10
Gwen Brewster
Manistique
6th Place (D2) – 2023
6
11
Jackie Kiilunen
Calumet
Region 42 Champion
7
11
Allison Bjorn
Calumet
WestPAC Champion
8
9
Kate Filpus
Houghton
#3 freshman in the UP
Discus
Last Year: Eliana Jucemich, 117’ 5”
One of the benefits of the Soo’s close proximity to the bridge is the ability to come down for more competition. So when Katie Anderson throws at East Jordan, her 119’ gives her the best mark in the UP to date. That’s not to say the competition in our better peninsula is worse, cause Danielle Lund won a regional crown over Anderson. Will there be payback?
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Katie Anderson
Sault Ste. Marie
2nd Place – 2023, #1 in the UP
2
12
Danielle Lund
Manistique
3rd Place (D2) – 2023, Region 41 Champion
3
12
Ashley Bell
Negaunee
4th Place – 2023, Unbeaten in May
4
11
Annabelle Fazzari
Sault Ste. Marie
5th Place – 2023
5
12
Zoey Gillis
Gladstone
#17 in the UP
6
10
Alina Nelson
Negaunee
23′ improvement since her freshman year
7
11
Jackie Kiilunen
Calumet
#22 in the UP
8
12
Madeline Boehmer
Kingsford
#30 in the UP
UP DIVISION TWO BOYS
Shot Put
Last Year: Brayden Altoft, 45’ 2”
This past week, we may have gotten a preview for Saturday. At the WestPAC Conference meet, Bryce Davis and Myles Lewis faced off, Lewis placing 2nd at 43’ 7”, Lewis 3rd at 43’ 0”.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Myles Lewis
Hancock
2nd Place – 2023, Region 43 Champion
2
11
Bryce Davis
Iron Mountain
MPC & Region 44 Champion
3
12
Brayden Martin
Ispheming
4th Place – 2023
4
11
Carlos Perez
Ishpeming
5th Place – 2023, Marquette County Champion
5
10
Tanner Nordstrom
West Iron County
6th Place – 2023
6
11
Mason Beauchamp
Gwinn
#33 in the UP
7
12
Kaeden Sistrunk
Rudyard
#26 in the UP
8
12
Luke Wolfe
Iron Mountain
First SP state qualifier
Discus
Last Year: Brayden Martin, 136’ 1”
It appears that no one will match Brayden Martin’s 136’ from 2023, but then again, Brayden Martin showed no signs of hitting that 136. There are plenty in this field that have been bumping up in distance, so don’t be shocked when a 130-footer comes about.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Ethan Hoolsema
Rudyard
10th Place – 2023, Region 44 Champion
2
12
Kurt Bissell
Ironwood
8th Place – 2023
3
12
Brayden Martin
Ishpeming
Defending Champion, Region 43 Champion
4
11
Jack Cifelli
Rudyard
20’+ improvement since sophomore year
5
10
Tanner Nordstrom
West Iron County
4th Place – 2023
6
11
Mason Beauchamp
Gwinn
20’+ improvement since sophomore year
7
12
Kendrick Brace
Pickford
First discus qualifier
8
11
Carlos Perez
Ishpeming
First discus qualifier
UP DIVISION TWO GIRLS
Shot Put
Last Year: Danielle Lund, 34’ 10.25”
Over multiple meets, two girls have consistently thrown over 30’: Emma Wardon and Chloe May. But with May being from Pickford and Wardon from Ironwood, we understandably haven’t seen the two face off.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
10
Emma Wardon
Ironwood
4th Place – 2023, Region 43 Champion
2
12
Chloe May
Pickford
3rd Place – 2023, Region 44 Champion
3
11
Jadyn Negilski
Ishpeming
Marquette County Champion
4
10
Mya Hemmer
Ishpeming
2nd Place – 2023
5
11
Brooke Portice
Pickford
#19 in the UP
6
11
Nikol Kharlan
Gwinn
#30 in the UP
7
11
Sidney Storti
West Iron County
#42 in the UP
8
11
Elizabeth Wing
Munising
First ever SP qualifier
Discus
Last Year: Kadence Potoczak, 100’ 10”
The Pickford tradition looks to continue, Potoczak winning last year and Chloe May placing 2nd. For extra added security, Junior Brooke Portice holds the best mark in the division.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Chloe May
Pickford
2nd Place – 2023, Region 44 Champion
2
11
Brooke Portice
Pickford
5th Place – 2023, #3 in the UP
3
10
Emma Wardon
Ironwood
Nearly 40′ improvement since freshman year
4
10
Mya Hemmer
Ishpeming
Region 43 Champion
5
11
Nikol Kharlan
Gwinn
#21 in the UP
6
11
Elizabeth Wing
Munising
14th Place – 2023
7
11
Journey Comment
Ishpeming
First ever Discus qualifier
8
11
Jadyn Negilski
Ishpeming
8th Place – 2023
UP DIVISION THREE BOYS
Shot Put
Last Year: Koby Goldi, 42’ 1”
This could go a thousand different ways. Ethan Pavey and Gabe Luck, the Newberry teammates, have battled back and forth all year. Neal Rand is the highest-placing returner. Kevin Giuliani and Gabe Popko both claimed conference and regional titles.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Gabe Luck
Newberry
5th Place – 2023, EUP Conference & Region 45 Champion
2
11
Ethan Pavey
Newberry
#8 in the UP
3
12
Neal Rand
Bessemer
2nd Place – 2023
4
11
Kevin Giuliani
Forest Park
Region 48 & Skyline Conference Champion
5
12
Gabe Popko
Lake Linden-Hubbell
Region 47 & Copper Mountain Champion
6
11
Ben Kaurala
Bessemer
3rd Place – 2023
7
12
Nick Halberg
St. Ignace
#15 in the UP
8
11
Spencer Willa
Powers North Central
First SP state qualifier in first season throwing
Discus
Last Year: Seth Mills, 134’ 2”
Pound for pound, the best discus competition in the UP. Three of the top four ranked throwers and kids who were all over podiums last spring.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
12
Liam Nalette
Newberry
2nd Place – 2023, #4 in UP, Region 45 Champion
2
12
Gabe Popko
Lake Linden-Hubbell
Region 47 & Copper Mountain Champion, #2 in UP
3
12
Neal Rand
Bessemer
4th Place – 2023, #3 in the UP
4
11
Kevin Giuliani
Forest Park
5th Place – 2023, Region 48 Champion
5
12
Jax Lipnitz
St. Ignace
3rd Place (D2) – 2023
6
11
Nate Sterbenz
Baraga
#8 in the UP
7
11
Eddie Forslund
Rapid River
Region 46 Champion
8
11
Alex Drew
Lake Linden-Hubbell
11th Place 2023
UP DIVISION THREE GIRLS
Shot Put
Last Year: Grace Hill, 31’ 11.5”
All year, it’s been the two Carney-Nadeau girls. Mariska Laurila has had the upper hand thus far (and is looking to add the SP to her discus title), though Kelsie Smith is slowly trending up into the 30’s.
Place
Grade
Name
Team
Notes
1
11
Mariska Laurila
Carney-Nadeau
2nd Place – 2023, Region 48 Champion
2
12
Kelsie Smith
Carney-Nadeau
7th Place – 2023, #12 in UP
3
10
Tallulah Slabosheski
Brimley
Region 45 Champion
4
10
Maddy Dudenas
Lake Linden-Hubbell
Region 47 Champion
5
11
Alayna Strahl
Stephenson
11th Place – 2023
6
11
Cadence Cullen
St. Ignace
First ever SP qualifier
7
10
Hannah Ruppert
Forest Park
5′ improvement since freshman year
8
10
Hope Brunngraeber
Rock Mid-Peninsula
Region 46 Champion
Discus
Last Year: Mariska Laurila, 102’ 3”
That 102’ toss was a huge step up for Mariska Laurila, as was Reese Holley’s 100’ 9” that helped her place second. Now the two are throwing further. And they’ve yet to face each other in 2024.
