The above infographs are from last season. I’ll make some new ones with updated stats for 2023.
With the early season ratings, a couple of notes:
Elite, more experienced runners will always be a bit overrated early. They tend to come into the season in better shape relative to the rest of the field, and thus are closer to their championship season fitness compared to someone newer to the sport.
With smaller meets, they’re not as accurate as they may be later in the year. Smaller samples and less ability to compare makes it hard to come up with an adjustment. Which explains why I’ll concentrate on the larger ones early, then work my way back toward the smaller ones.
Adversity tends to have a greater impact early. Whether that’s heat, hills, humidity, or even all three, those less fit will tend to struggle a bit more early, possibly overcooking the course adjustment.
The girls adjustment will typically be a bit more, as they’re spending more time on the course.
These will get weighed less and less as the season rolls on, meaning virtually nothing come October. As a coach, I’d stress not losing sleep over early season times. On here, I’m stressing the same thing.
Meet
Girls Adj.
Boys Adj.
Average
Lakeview
+14
+13
+14
Northwood
+4
+6
+5
GIRLS TEAM RATINGS
*** = State title worthy effort ** = Top 10 worthy effort
The above infographs are from last season. I’ll make some new ones with updated stats for 2023.
With the early season ratings, a couple of notes:
Elite, more experienced runners will always be a bit overrated early. They tend to come into the season in better shape relative to the rest of the field, and thus are closer to their championship season fitness compared to someone newer to the sport.
With smaller meets, they’re not as accurate as they may be later in the year. Smaller samples and less ability to compare makes it hard to come up with an adjustment. Which explains why I’ll concentrate on the larger ones early, then work my way back toward the smaller ones.
Adversity tends to have a greater impact early. Whether that’s heat, hills, humidity, or even all three, those less fit will tend to struggle a bit more early, possibly overcooking the course adjustment.
The girls adjustment will typically be a bit more, as they’re spending more time on the course.
These will get weighed less and less as the season rolls on, meaning virtually nothing come October. As a coach, I’d stress not losing sleep over early season times. On here, I’m stressing the same thing.
Girls Adjustment: -10 Boys Adjustment: -7
As always, these writeups below will shoutout someone or a team that stood out from the race. That may not be the best runner or the winning team. Perhaps a team that surprised, a runner breaking through, or a runner contributing to a team victory. Of course, if you come to me nicely and want to brag about a fellow team/competitor/teammate, let me know, and I’ll try to give them love further down the line.
BREDEWEG BREAKOUTS
Emma Drnek, Zeeland East
At some point, you just run out of things to say. Emma just won’t stop improving. After winning her first OK Green Jamboree during the week, she made a real run at sub-19 here at West Ottawa. She finished just on the high side, but has already dropped 30+ seconds from her sophomore year.
Luke Glasgow, Spring Lake
I really don’t know too much about Luke! But that’s what these are all about – recognizing the names coming out of nowhere. Here’s a few stats I do know:
This was his second mid-16 effort of the year
He’s improved by 1.5 minutes from last October
He excelled in the mid-distances during track, placing top-8 in West Michigan, the OK Blue, and Region 12
And now, Spring Lake is a team that can find their way into the Top Ten
GIRLS TEAM RATINGS
*** = State title worthy performance ** = Top 10 worthy performance
The above infographs are from last season. I’ll make some new ones with updated stats for 2023.
With the early season ratings, a couple of notes:
Elite, more experienced runners will always be a bit overrated early. They tend to come into the season in better shape relative to the rest of the field, and thus are closer to their championship season fitness compared to someone newer to the sport.
With smaller meets, they’re not as accurate as they may be later in the year. Smaller samples and less ability to compare makes it hard to come up with an adjustment. Which explains why I’ll concentrate on the larger ones early, then work my way back toward the smaller ones.
Adversity tends to have a greater impact early. Whether that’s heat, hills, humidity, or even all three, those less fit will tend to struggle a bit more early, possibly overcooking the course adjustment.
The girls adjustment will typically be a bit more, as they’re spending more time on the course.
These will get weighed less and less as the season rolls on, meaning virtually nothing come October. As a coach, I’d stress not losing sleep over early season times. On here, I’m stressing the same thing.
Girls Adjustment: -41 Boys Adjustment: -35
As always, these writeups below will shoutout someone or a team that stood out from the race. That may not be the best runner or the winning team. Perhaps a team that surprised, a runner breaking through, or a runner contributing to a team victory. Of course, if you come to me nicely and want to brag about a fellow team/competitor/teammate, let me know, and I’ll try to give them love further down the line.
AVERILL’S ACES
Olivia Purdy, Romeo
Masterfully moved up the entire race, picking off body after body. At the end of the Possum Hollow track, she raced her way into 7th, the fourth Romeo girl, and essentially sealing the second early season win for the Bulldogs. Her 20:22 was a full TWO MINUTES faster than last year’s Averill Invite.
Kyle O’Rourke, Milford
First Evan Loughridge last week, then Kyle this week. Low-16 efforts on this Kensington course are usually unheard of this early in the season. Good weather helps, but so does smart racing. Kyle opened up a lead coming off the first major hill and ran away from the field, running a course, season, and personal best.
GIRLS TEAM RATINGS
*** = performance worthy of State Title contention ** = performance worthy of Top-10 contention
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 