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THE SUMMER PREVIEW

2022 Accomplishments

3^rd Place – Division 3 State
CAAC White Champions
2^nd Place – Region 24
3^rd Place – Greater Lansing

Top Returners

Tessa Roe

By my numbers, one of the more consistent runners last year. Adjusting for different courses, she was right at that 19-min mark each time out. Of course, when it was time to go fast, she did just that, sub-19 at Shepherd and Cougar Falcon and Regionals. When it was time to be the best 3^rd runner in Division 3, she placed 10^th at State. Now it’s her time to lead this young group.

Frances Melinn

It took her a bit of time to get going, but she established herself with a string of 21-min. efforts to close the year. I feel she’s in line for a major uptick in performances, as she came into her own during track. Multiple sub-2:30 relay legs and didn’t shy away from any moment, whether in Philly at Nationals or with an All-State on the line in the 300 hurdles.

Stella Lipinski

On any normal D3 team, Stella would be a great addition to their 4×8 and probably a contributor to any All-State team. But the 5^th girl on a team that ended up rocking it at Nationals, she was left out of the relay fray. No worries, she still found a way to contribute, such as grabbing 5^th place in the CAAC White.

Paige Kutas

Another one of these many upcoming sophomores who could rise to the occasion. Paige did late in the year, slipping under 23:00 in mid-October.

Brianna VanZwoll

Has the potential to provide solid depth, maintaining 23-24 minute efforts throughout much of the season.

Kate Coffey

Progressed from a 26 min+ opener in the mountains of the St. Francis Retreat Center to nearly breaking 23:00.

Potential Newcomers

Grace Wonch

In my mind, Jr. Greater Lansing is one of the more established predictors of next level significance. If you’re top-10 there, as Grace was, you have a real shot of being a contributor.

Avery Miller

Closed her middle school season with three consecutive sub-14’s.

THE SUMMER PREVIEW

Take three kids in the 17’s and below for much of the year, add two freshmen that ran sub-12 for their 8th grade seasons, and that’s five who can compete in many Division 3 races.

2022 Accomplishments

3^rd Place – LCAA Championship
8^th Place – Region 23

Top Returners

Nolan Grant

Showed some serious gains this past track season, qualifying for his first individual berth at the State Finals. His 3200m at Kent City placed him 18^th in Division 3.

Miles Brown

Concentrated on the 800m this outdoor season, resulting in a marked improvement from his freshman year and medals at the LCAA and Hillsdale County championships.

Aiden Monroe

His 17:45 at Stockbridge may be his personal best, but the regional effort might be his best effort. 17:46 to close the year there gives hope for a senior year spent in the 17’s.

Marius Zwick

First year of XC started in the 20’s but closed with sub-19’s in five of his final six races.

Braden Lige

Two minute improvement from his freshman to sophomore year. No fluke either, Braden was in the mid-20’s on a variety of courses the entire year.

Ashton Cramer

3+ minute reduction from his September 13^th opener to October 15^th jaunt through Hudson Mills.

Potential Newcomers

Logan Youngman

Sub-12 on six of his seven middle school races. And for those that have doubts on the validity of middle school courses, Logan went 10:33 on the track.

Brennan McFanin

Joined Logan in the 11’s on two separate occasions.

Devon Carver

I don’t take this into account when making projections, but you gotta think he’s on the right trajectory. High-14’s as a 7^th grader, busting into the 12’s in 8^th grade. Maybe a ways from contributing, but that’s solid progress.

THE SUMMER PREVIEW

Accomplishments & Accolades

• 13^th Place – Division 2 State
• Region 10 & Northern Mich. MoC Champion
• 4^th Place – Big North Conference
• 2x All-Region
• 2x State Qualifier

Ratings Throughout the Years

Grade	Name	Time	Team	Rating	Meet	Date
11	Nolan Nixon	16:31.1	Cadillac	191.6	Pete Moss	27-Aug
11	Nolan Nixon	16:34.9	Cadillac	193.7	Oiler	2-Sep
11	Nolan Nixon	16:25.0	Cadillac	195.0	John Bruder Classic	7-Sep
11	Nolan Nixon	16:46.5	Cadillac	189.5	Spartan	16-Sep
11	Nolan Nixon	16:05.6	Cadillac	191.5	Cadillac	24-Sep
11	Nolan Nixon	16:15.8	Cadillac	190.7	Otsego Bulldog	1-Oct
11	Nolan Nixon	16:21.6	Cadillac	188.8	Portage	8-Oct
11	Nolan Nixon	16:37.1	Cadillac	197.0	Big North Conference	18-Oct
11	Nolan Nixon	16:30.8	Cadillac	184.1	NW Mich MOC	22-Oct
11	Nolan Nixon	16:09.4	Cadillac	195.2	Region 10	28-Oct
11	Nolan Nixon	16:09.1	Cadillac	198.0	D2 State	5-Nov
11	Nolan Nixon	15:51.5	Cadillac	195.5	MITCA	12-Nov
Grade	Name	Time	Team	Rating	Meet	Date
10	Nolan Nixon	17:20.2	Cadillac	175.3	John Bruder	8-Sep
10	Nolan Nixon	17:31.5	Cadillac	177.5	Spartan	17-Sep
10	Nolan Nixon	17:08.1	Cadillac	171.0	Cadillac	25-Sep
10	Nolan Nixon	17:20.8	Cadillac	172.1	Bluejay	2-Oct
10	Nolan Nixon	17:09.8	Cadillac	179.4	Portage	9-Oct
10	Nolan Nixon	17:50.0	Cadillac	177.7	Freeland Falcon	16-Oct
10	Nolan Nixon	17:27.1	Cadillac	178.6	Big North Conference	19-Oct
10	Nolan Nixon	16:57.9	Cadillac	174.4	Northern Michigan	23-Oct
10	Nolan Nixon	17:01.2	Cadillac	181.9	10 Chip Hills	29-Oct
10	Nolan Nixon	16:38.8	Cadillac	184.4	D2 State	6-Nov
10	Nolan Nixon	16:51.5	Cadillac	181.8	MMOC	13-Nov
Grade	Name		Team	Rating	Meet	Date
9	Nolan Nixon		Cadillac	151.6	Ottawa Hills	18-Sep
9	Nolan Nixon		Cadillac	146.0	Cougar Falcon	26-Sep
9	Nolan Nixon		Cadillac	160.6	Shepherd Bluejay	3-Oct
9	Nolan Nixon		Cadillac	159.3	Mancelona (LS)	6-Oct
9	Nolan Nixon		Cadillac	158.5	Bengals	9-Oct
9	Nolan Nixon		Cadillac	161.7	Big North Conference	13-Oct
9	Nolan Nixon		Cadillac	163.7	PR 19	19-Oct
9	Nolan Nixon		Cadillac	159.5	D2 Reg 10	31-Oct

The Rundown

When the rain falls harder, the winds howl louder, and the mud grips your every step, an athlete such as Nolan Nixon only becomes stronger. Nolan excels in what others may deem a hindrance, perhaps best evidenced by his 13^th place finish at the Division 2 State Finals. My predictions had him 17^th, but being out there on that cold, blustery November day, I knew the environment was in his favor to outperform those expectations. Circumstances aside, he closed the 2022 season on a high note. A late move coming out of the woods at Chippewa Hills was unable to be covered by his competition, gaining Nolan a regional championship. In the postseason, he excelled in Kenosha, running near his best times all season (rarely done – tough course) and set a personal best at MITCA, breaking 16 for the first time.