I love it when things start to click and multiple times in Lillian’s short career, you’ve seen noticeable upticks. The first came gradually, a freshman cross country season that began close to 25 flat, but ended in a state qualifier. The next one came just last summer, transforming from a girl struggling to break 6 in the mile to one running near that pace for 5k. And the final one was taking it to even a higher level during indoor track, extending into this past outdoor season, where Lillian was on the cusp of reaching into the 4’s and 10’s. Whatever process she’s using, it’s working, and I can’t wait to see how she progresses from season to season to season.
Both Fowler’s girls and Webberville’s boys snuck in to grab the third spots in minor upsets. Grace O’Hare and Rebecca Smith coming up huge for the Eagles, Liam Wilder was exception for the Spartans. Two major players have moved out of the regional since, Carson City and Everest Collegiate, both heading north.
Top 27 Teams
Previous years had top-25 teams, but there’s 27 (and sometimes more) team qualifiers and what does it hurt to add another two?
Girls
Whitmore Lake (Top 10)
Boys
Whitmore Lake (Top 10)
(If your team isn’t listed in the images above or the scores below, you probably don’t have five returners, at least on ol’ athletic.net. I’m sure many of these teams will fill out their rosters by late October)
Projected Scores
Place
Girls Team
Score
1
Whitmore Lake
18
3
Lansing Christian
73
2
Portland St. Patrick
75
4
Livingston Christian
86
5
Byron
112
Place
Boys Team
Score
1
Whitmore Lake
27
2
Novi Christian Academy
92
3
Webberville
107
4
Portland St. Patrick
121
5
Lansing Christian
131
6
Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
148
7
Genesee
151
8
Potterville
185
9
Morrice
249
10
Byron
252
11
West Bloomfield Frankel Jewish Academy
304
Top Runners
Thought I’d give a review of some of the top returners in each region. Returners means no incoming freshman (you’ll get your days in the sun). If you’re gonna be in the 50 Tickets, you’ll get a full writeup there. If you’re on a top team (all of Hillsdale Academy) and you’re projected highly here, you hit the jackpot! Yes, I’m writing a bit less than previous years, but I think I’ve learned my lesson in that I need to conserve energy and brainpower for all divisions and regions. Typically by August, I’m rushing to get these done. This time around, hopefully all regions get the same amount of coverage.
Breaking my rule and posting about a freshman, but I think we all know it’s warranted. Kaylie was undefeated at the middle school last fall and held her own competing against the high schoolers during indoor track. Will surely be a factor for many titles, both in conference, in her region, and at the state level. But the scary part is, Whitmore Lake doesn’t need much help, the Trojans have already assembled a great squad. Less pressure may end up being a blessing.
After a few 20 min.+ efforts, finally found her form as the season got rolling. Winner of the MIAC title and this Region, then placed 4th in the state.
Genesee moves over from Region 35, bringing this hard working All-Stater along with them. Isabella improved from the mid-21’s to a regional victory last year, running 19:39. What I like about Isabella is that she ran in the MITCA meet after the track season. One of only a few underclassmen too, showing her attitude toward the sport, chasing times she knows she can hit. The result of extending her season another week? An 800m personal best.
The potential was apparent as a freshman, where she slipped under 6 for the 1600m. That potential has been realized the past two years, where she’s nabbed two All-States and closed her last XC race well under 20. Now she’s the senior leader of a group capable of doing big things and I couldn’t think of a better candidate for that role.
The Eagle junior ran many races during her sophomore season, but none more significant than her 10th place finish here. Not only was her 20:59 a season best, but it was just one part of the whole that contributed to extending Fowler’s season by another week.
Freshman cross campaign saw Landen gravitate toward the 17’s on 10 occasions, admirable for any freshman. 7th here, 4th in the MIAC, too. But began to see the realization of his talent during track, where his 10:29 3200m ranked 8th amongst Division 4 freshman.
Junior year was his first year of cross, and he improved like many do when they initially come to the sport. Then he kept improving. And kept improving. When it was all said and done, Cam went from a mid-19 kid to one on the cusp of All-State.
Moves over from the shores of Lake Huron to the farm fields of the Lansing area. In doing so, this 3x qualifier could be a contender for a regional title. He’s run in the 17’s all three years, including a 17:25 personal best over at Wagener Park.
Was able to compete in one race as an 8th grader, running a respectable 19:55 here, placing 38th. His 9th grade self was a much-improved version, soaring into the mid-17’s and just one year later, grabbing the 6th spot.
Ottawa Hills, guys. The squad of light racing, development, and Benne Anderson. But this ain’t about Benne, his training partner Liam is on the rise and ready for a big senior year. We saw evidence of that late last autumn, where he sprung sub-16’s at the Portage Regional, then again a few weeks later in Terredise (not an easy endeavor). Those string of quality performances paved the way for a track season where Liam dropped his 1600m best by a significant margin – 15 seconds. If those gains continue, how low can he go?
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 