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The Top Tens: Division 4 Boys #7

THE SUMMER PREVIEW

2022 Results

MeetDivisionPlace
Red DevilSmall2nd of 7
Lancer1st of 12
Kalkaska1st of 6
BluejayGold1st of 11
PortageD42nd of 18
Region 282nd of 6
Division 4 State3rd of 27

Top Returners

Lynus Cadarette

Was able to expand upon his October swoon during the track season. He was great across the board, ranging from 2:11 to 10:13. The 3200m got him to State, where he was able to place 15th.

Cody Bradley

Another one that exhibited growth after a successful cross season. The freshman ran 10:17 during track, and although he didn’t make it to the Track Finals, the time ranks #4 amongst all D4 freshmen.

Russell Vandermus

Has twice been top-20 up in Region 28. The difference between his first two years is the MIS performance, where he moved up 35 spots to cross the line in 90th in 2022.

Levi Benzing

An upperclassman on this young squad that showed improvement is possible even at the higher grades. Took his 18:44 best at East Jordan in 2021 and brought us close to a minute faster effort in 2022. One may say the conditions were more favorable. Well, Levi dropped the same amount of time the following week.

Domenico Fantozzi

Wasn’t able to take part in the Guardians’ historic State Finals effort, but didn’t let that get him down. Only ran a 20 sec. PB the following week at Shepherd, more than 3.5 minutes faster than where he was two months prior.

Jerome Fate

Debuted in the 24’s but made rapid progress, lowering his personal best multiple times before ending at 20:30.

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The Top Tens: Division 4 Girls #7

THE SUMMER PREVIEW

2022 Results

MeetDivisionPlace
Under the Lights v2Twilight7th of 12
SpartaSilver2nd of 7
BluejayJays4th of 17
PortageD36th of 31
GMAA3rd of 8
Late Season Warrior2nd of 16
Region 212nd of 12
Division 3 State14th of 26

Top Returners

Grace VanderKooi

Regional post focused on her overall picture, let’s hone in on what Grace has done on the cross country course. Twice All-State, running faster in 2022 than she did 2021. If you were there both years, you know the varying conditions, and 2022 was a much slower year, so don’t just pay attention to places. Grace also picked up top-5’s at Shepherd and Region 21, along with a win at GMAA. At any D4 race, she’ll be adding very little to the Warriors score.

Grace Folkema

Has mastered the art of peaking at the right time during each of her high school seasons. October of ’22 contained a number of mid-20 efforts. Grace essentially ran her personal best twice, first at GMAA, then with the heightened pressure of Regionals. Both 20:31 efforts, both a minute faster than her freshman best.

Eleanor Kingshott

Comes into her element when October rolls around. During these past two years, from the GMAA Championship onward, Eleanor has been sub-22 in 75% of her races. I think she’ll benefit from competing with the track girls this year, the strength from running 65’s and participating in an All-State 4×8 will pay dividends come cross.

Morgan Lawrence

Dropped a good minute from her freshman to sophomore year and I think more is in store. Morgan’s late season contained a bundle of 22-min. efforts. Then her track season contained a 6:08, a good 45 seconds faster than the previous spring.

Paige Chapel

Remarkably consistent during her freshman year. Began the season in the 23’s and stayed in the 22-23 range throughout the year, the only deviation being Hill & Bale (and as someone who’d fall on their face there – I completely understand).

Potential Newcomers

Leah Sneller

Finished 11th at the GMAA Championship, then toughed out a mid-14 effort on a hilly Chippewa Hills course.

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50 Tickets to Brooklyn: Boys #36

THE SUMMER PREVIEW

Accomplishments & Accolades

  • 14th Place – Division 2 State (XC)
  • Region 11 Champion (XC)
  • 2x State Qualifier (XC)
  • 7th Place – Division 2 State 3200m
  • OK White 3200m Champion

Ratings Throughout the Years

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDate
10Simon Triezenberg16:07.2Grand Rapids Christian199.6Pete Moss27-Aug
10Simon Triezenberg16:29.0Grand Rapids Christian195.7OK White 17-Sep
10Simon Triezenberg16:04.0Grand Rapids Christian198.0Ottawa Hills16-Sep
10Simon Triezenberg16:16.9Grand Rapids Christian194.7OK White 221-Sep
10Simon Triezenberg16:01.7Grand Rapids Christian194.8Cougar Falcon24-Sep
10Simon Triezenberg16:10.5Grand Rapids Christian192.5Otsego Bulldog1-Oct
10Simon Triezenberg16:48.6Grand Rapids Christian199.8OK White 35-Oct
10Simon Triezenberg15:53.9Grand Rapids Christian198.0Portage8-Oct
10Simon Triezenberg15:57.2Grand Rapids Christian193.6OK White 419-Oct
10Simon Triezenberg15:59.6Grand Rapids Christian196.8Region 1129-Oct
10Simon Triezenberg16:09.3Grand Rapids Christian197.9Division 2 State5-Nov
10Simon Triezenberg15:50.6Grand Rapids Christian195.8MITCA12-Nov
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDate
9Simon Triezenberg17:26.8Grand Rapids Christian173.4Pete Moss28-Aug
9Simon Triezenberg17:22.3Grand Rapids Christian174.6OK White 18-Sep
9Simon Triezenberg17:06.5Grand Rapids Christian176.5Christian School11-Sep
9Simon Triezenberg17:24.3Grand Rapids Christian176.2Ottawa Hills17-Sep
9Simon Triezenberg16:59.2Grand Rapids Christian175.9OK White 222-Sep
9Simon Triezenberg17:01.8Grand Rapids Christian178.1Otsego Bulldog2-Oct
9Simon Triezenberg16:48.7Grand Rapids Christian177.4OK White 36-Oct
9Simon Triezenberg17:04.1Grand Rapids Christian181.3Portage9-Oct
9Simon Triezenberg17:03.7Grand Rapids Christian175.1OK White 420-Oct
9Simon Triezenberg17:00.8Grand Rapids Christian177.1Region 1130-Oct
9Simon Triezenberg16:50.8Grand Rapids Christian180.4Division 2 State6-Nov

The Rundown

Grand Rapids Christian has had some great ones over the past few years – Justin Varineau, Tinsae Nelson, Ben Zwart. But none of those three, at least in terms of time (Varineau was one spot higher at State), were able to reach what young Simon did in his 10th grade year. After October 1st, during championship season, Simon was able to finish in the 15’s on over 50% of his races. Among those were a regional title, top-10’s in the OK White and Portage, and an All-State. That ability to grind through late season distance races came through again during track, where Simon outlasted 36 other competitors in that massive D2 3200m field to finish 7th. Mind you, he was 6th in his REGION two weeks prior. At the state level, he placed 2nd amongst all from Region 13. That experience and success in gigantic moments will be great during the next two years and this fall as his Eagles are in the hunt for the grand prize.