Blog

THE SUMMER PREVIEW

Accomplishments & Accolades

• 9x All-State (XC & Track)
• 26^th Place – Division 3 State (XC)
• 8^th Place – Division 3 1600m & 3200m
• 2^nd Place – Region 24 (XC)
• 2^nd Place – Greater Lansing (XC)
• CMAC 800m through 3200m Champion

Ratings Throughout the Years

Grade	Name	Time	Team	Rating	Meet	Date
11	Collin Farmer	16:01.3	Pewamo-Westphalia	198.6	Happy Acres	27-Aug
11	Collin Farmer	16:37.0	Pewamo-Westphalia	200.3	Yellowjacket	31-Aug
11	Collin Farmer	16:16.4	Pewamo-Westphalia	197.2	Marauder	7-Sep
11	Collin Farmer	16:27.2	Pewamo-Westphalia	191.6	Sparta	17-Sep
11	Collin Farmer	16:30.0	Pewamo-Westphalia	191.0	CMAC 1	21-Sep
11	Collin Farmer	16:02.3	Pewamo-Westphalia	194.6	Josh Lott	24-Sep
11	Collin Farmer	16:11.7	Pewamo-Westphalia	189.4	Pewamo-Westphalia	28-Sep
11	Collin Farmer	16:20.2	Pewamo-Westphalia	188.6	DeWitt	1-Oct
11	Collin Farmer	16:02.2	Pewamo-Westphalia	191.3	Apples 2 Apples	6-Oct
11	Collin Farmer	16:06.5	Pewamo-Westphalia	195.2	Greater Lansing	15-Oct
11	Collin Farmer	16:41.0	Pewamo-Westphalia	179.3	Region 24	29-Oct
11	Collin Farmer	16:42.1	Pewamo-Westphalia	184.3	Division 3 State	5-Nov
11	Collin Farmer	15:53.5	Pewamo-Westphalia	194.8	MITCA	12-Nov
Grade	Name	Time	Team	Rating	Meet	Date
10	Collin Farmer	16:21.6	Pewamo-Westphalia	192.5	Yellowjacket	2-Sep
10	Collin Farmer	16:26.9	Pewamo-Westphalia	191.0	Marauder	8-Sep
10	Collin Farmer	16:48.5	Pewamo-Westphalia	180.5	CMAC (Fowler)	22-Sep
10	Collin Farmer	16:06.6	Pewamo-Westphalia	188.1	Webberville Spartan	25-Sep
10	Collin Farmer	16:29.0	Pewamo-Westphalia	185.0	Pewamo-Westphalia	29-Sep
10	Collin Farmer	16:48.7	Pewamo-Westphalia	182.8	Bluejay	2-Oct
10	Collin Farmer	16:50.0	Pewamo-Westphalia	184.7	CMAC 2	5-Oct
10	Collin Farmer	16:21.1	Pewamo-Westphalia	185.3	Apples 2 Apples	7-Oct
10	Collin Farmer	16:26.3	Pewamo-Westphalia	196.2	Greater Lansing	16-Oct
10	Collin Farmer	15:54.9	Pewamo-Westphalia	183.0	CMAC 3	20-Oct
10	Collin Farmer	17:11.4	Pewamo-Westphalia	195.2	Region 24	29-Oct
10	Collin Farmer	16:25.6	Pewamo-Westphalia	186.1	Division 3 State	6-Nov
10	Collin Farmer	16:53.9	Pewamo-Westphalia	181.0	MITCA	13-Nov

The Rundown

Talk about a kid who can get it done at all levels. In conference meets? Five wins in six jamborees/championships. Region 24? Winner in 2021 and 2^nd place in 2022. The State Finals? Two All-States in two tries. What about on the track? Well, he only picked up three (!) medals at Kent City in early June. Collin Farmer is a guy with experience on the biggest stages. Sometimes that experience isn’t the greatest – I don’t think his XC State Finals were the fastest he was capable of (and that was proven with a PB at Shepherd the following week). But through the average experiences and the good, Collin keeps rolling and has placed himself in contention for the ultimate prize, coming across the line first in Division 3 this fall.

THE SUMMER PREVIEW

Accomplishments & Accolades

• Contributor to 2021 Team State Championship
• Member of MITS 4x800m & DMR State Champions
• Member of NBON 2nd Place 4xMile
• Member of NBON 3rd Place 4x800m & DMR
• 2x All-Region (XC)
• 5^th Place – SEC Red (XC)
• 4^th Place – Region 5 3200m
• 5^th Place – SEC Red 400m & 3200m

Ratings Throughout the Years

Grade	Name	Time	Team	Rating	Meet	Date
11	Natalie Mello	19:20.0	Ann Arbor Pioneer	137.0	Pete Moss	27-Aug
11	Natalie Mello	19:01.7	Ann Arbor Pioneer	141.1	John Bruder Classic	7-Sep
11	Natalie Mello	19:24.5	Ann Arbor Pioneer	132.5	SEC Red 1	14-Sep
11	Natalie Mello	19:16.1	Ann Arbor Pioneer	141.0	Spartan	16-Sep
11	Natalie Mello	18:44.9	Ann Arbor Pioneer	139.0	Jackson	24-Sep
11	Natalie Mello	19:23.8	Ann Arbor Pioneer	131.1	SEC Red 2	28-Sep
11	Natalie Mello	18:57.5	Ann Arbor Pioneer	137.2	Portage	8-Oct
11	Natalie Mello	18:58.2	Ann Arbor Pioneer	133.6	Freeland Falcon	15-Oct
11	Natalie Mello	18:35.8	Ann Arbor Pioneer	138.7	SEC Red Championship	20-Oct
11	Natalie Mello	18:15.7	Ann Arbor Pioneer	142.1	Region 5	29-Oct
11	Natalie Mello	19:18.8	Ann Arbor Pioneer	132.7	Division 1 State	5-Nov
Grade	Name	Time	Team	Rating	Meet	Date
10	Natalie Mello	19:23.3	Ann Arbor Pioneer	135.9	Pete Moss	28-Aug
10	Natalie Mello	19:25.0	Ann Arbor Pioneer	134.7	John Bruder Classic	8-Sep
10	Natalie Mello	19:18.4	Ann Arbor Pioneer	140.5	SEC Red 1	14-Sep
10	Natalie Mello	19:23.7	Ann Arbor Pioneer	142.1	Spartan	17-Sep
10	Natalie Mello	19:11.5	Ann Arbor Pioneer	139.2	Jackson	25-Sep
10	Natalie Mello	19:42.2	Ann Arbor Pioneer	129.9	Portage	9-Oct
10	Natalie Mello	19:27.2	Ann Arbor Pioneer	129.9	SEC Red Championship	21-Oct
10	Natalie Mello	20:35.8	Ann Arbor Pioneer	133.7	Region 5	30-Oct
10	Natalie Mello	18:54.7	Ann Arbor Pioneer	138.8	Division 1 State	6-Nov

The Rundown

Just as Laney Alig for Saline, Natalie falls victim to the consequences of the Pioneer dynasty, sliding under the radar on a championship-level squad. But also like Laney, her performances warrant more attention. In her first year of cross, on her biggest stage as a runner to date, coming in at 18:54 in the Division 1 Finals helped earn her Pioneers a State Title. Continuing onto the track, contributing to two indoor titles this winter, heading to Philly and playing a major role in the Purple TC’s high finishes at Franklin Field.

Under my watch, one race stands out, her race at Barnyard. In the driving rain after a somewhat pedestrian pace the first few laps, Natalie aggressively took the reins on the third lap. She didn’t end up winning that heat, but she nearly nailed a personal best. And I feel that bold attitude serves her well in her racing.

THE SUMMER PREVIEW

2022 Accomplishments

• 2^nd Place – TVC-8
• 8^th Place – Greater Lansing
• 3^rd Place – TVC Overall
• 2^nd Place – Region 15
• 21^st Place – Division 2 State

Top Returners

Thomas Larson

A reliable frontrunner for these Panthers, placing in the top-10 of every race he competed in for Alma. A steady presence in spite of the tremendous pressure.

Ali Kudmani

Anyone who can practice and compete while fasting is tough in my book. Once on the other side of Ramadan, Ali was able to muster up PB’s in the 1600m and 3200m, 4:44 and 10:15.

Luca Lebron

Concentrated on the longer distances this past track season, registering PB’s of 4:49 and 10:30. But beyond the numbers, he was a great teammate this spring, stepping on in the Panthers’ 4×8 state squad when they were down a man.

Bodie Heiss

One singular sub-18 to close the 2021 season paved the way for a season full in 2022. Bodie was in the 17’s for 9 of his last 10 races during his sophomore year.

Elijah Baltierra

Stepped up in a huge way for the Panthers at last year’s Regionals. Going up against Gladwin and Frankenmuth (along with Clio, who qualified), every point was needed. Elijah was over 18:00 for much of the year, and if he ran that, the Panthers were staying home. His 17:37 was by far his best effort and as a result, the Alma season extended one more week.

Noah Chouinard

Begun to scratch the surface of his potential during track, nearly breaking 5:00 and 11:00.

Potential Newcomers

Ezekiel Baltierra

One of the, if not the best, mid-Michigan middle schoolers last year. Picked up wins in the TVC-8, TVC Overall, and MHSAA Zone 5. And he was also generous enough to give us a peek at his 5k skills, running 17:11 at MITCA

Kevin Terpstra

Another athlete kind enough to give a glimpse at what he can do over the 5k distance. His 18:55 at Shepherd would be good for any 8^th grader or even 9^th grader. Click over and look at his track times though, if he keeps up the progress, Alma will be loaded with competition and depth.