In the midst of these regional writings, I don’t much to offer here in words. Although it’s worth noting that St. Johns’ 5th and 6th boys had two of their better races of the year. That’s where points are added, or what is looking more to be the case for the Redwings, SUBTRACTED.
Two-time defending State Champs, St. Louis, looked to be a lock in the summer and with these last few weeks, has further established their legitimacy. The question coming into the year was: who would join them? After a month or so of action, I think we have some answers. Caro has added the necessary components that left the Tigers out of the summer writings, and even their returners have shown progress. Jacob Moore, for example, is knocking on the door of the 17’s, an area not within sight a year ago. Sanford-Meridian was projected to have five in the top-20, I don’t see any reason that can’t happen. For a team already thought to have an easier path through this region, extra insurance is a bonus, adding a kid such as Tyler Heal, who’s entered the 17:00 range in his first season with the Mustangs.
The girls side also closely resembles those thoughts posted a month ago. Unfortunately, Reese doesn’t appear to have brought out the numbers to score a full squad. Into that void has stepped those pesky Sharks, who placed 2nd in the initial TVC 10 Jamboree and have seen solid time reductions from Abby Dice and Laney Pestrue. Lost in the sea of the hundreds of teams I attempt to cover is a squad such as Sandusky. Need I remind you that the Redskins finished 13th in the State last year and return a great number of those same girls? Speaking of the State Finals, Caro may have been ranked #6 in last week’s rankings, don’t be shocked if they’re in a better place than that come November.
Let’s take another look back to the ole summer preview and how wrong it was. Clio and Frankenmuth (boys and girls) for two examples. Landen Wise showed his goods during track, the 4th fastest freshmen 1600m runner in the state. The youth movement hasn’t stopped there, Brett Magnus and Anthony Plana both contributors to a team that placed 2nd in the first TVC 8 Jamboree. The first team? Oh those reliable FreelandFalcons. Clio has to be the eye opener thus far, one of the greater impacts on their rise being Andrew Yax, a steady figure in the low-17’s during these first few weeks.
If this girls race isn’t one of the more competitive and tightly wound regional races, I don’t know what is. Projected within 15 points are four teams with a legitimate shot of winning, making it in, or being left out. Shepherd, Freeland, and Alma all made it last year and can use that past experience as a guide. Frankenmuth has added a trio of freshmen behind Mary Richmond, that youth improving with each race. These four teams are so away and ahead of the others that there’s a real chance that each can put four in the top-20.
Shepherd opened with a win at Early Season Warrior, a 2nd place at Under the Lights, but were subdued with a few setbacks in early September. A Jack Pine victory could be the start of some championship momentum for a team projected just sliiightly out of the money. Freeland’s order isn’t the one expected in August, but I blame that squarely on Paige Kloha, running the best she has since her freshman year (7 second PB last weekend!). And given the summertime grief from those Ithaca gorlz, one must give credit where it’s due. You improve the girls that are already on the Panther team, Hannah Raglin, running 30-40 seconds faster than she ever has, you add 400m stud Joy Evans, sprinkle in frontrunner Ezgi Kurt, and you have a team set up to win championships.
As the guy responsible for much of the cross country discourse in the State, this falls on me. The Okemos girls are the least talked about D1 team in the State. Winners of the Corunna Early Bird and leading in the CAAC Blue, 2nd at John Bruder, 8th at Spartan Elite. I think it’s the lack of eye-popping frontrunners. But winners don’t place you high in big fields, depth does that, and the Chiefs have plenty of that, seven capable of running under 20:30.
Those East Lansing boys have been the real thorn in my side (sorry, Caledonia) the past few years. Graduating Zeleke and Page, what could be expected of the Trojans? Nothing much really other than Sam Booth grasping a gigantic PB in comparison to last season (and 4 minutes faster than his 2019 self) and Eden Lampi breaking 17:00 for the first time ever.
Michigan Lutheran Seminary has moved up in a major way, Jeffery Harden playing a major role in the Cardinals high early ranking. He’s been hitting times that last year took him until late October to reach. It looks like Breckenridge will be able to absorb the loss of Ondray Thornton, though they’ll have a challenge to wheel away another trophy in their trailer.
As projected over the summer, there will be four teams fighting for three spots. Breckenridge made history last week, winning their first ever MSAC Jamboree over the Sacred Heart team ranked above them. Both outfits from Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart have battled numbers issues, what was four girls competing at Michigan Catholic has turned into six finishers at Cadillac. Beal City has added depth, and I’ve heard the Aggies may have another surprise up their sleeve.
Hart has been very Hart-like in ways, maybe in a different manner than in years past. Their boys have begun the year in a strong fashion, the Pirates winning their division at Pete Moss and Cougar Falcon, placing high at Spartan and Bredeweg. Caleb Bitely, back after not competing in 2020 and 2021, has solidified their top-5. Even with that gap in results, he’s knocked off a minute plus from his freshman best.
As far as state-wide rankings go, their girls have held steady in the #4 spot. Powered up front by Jessica Jazwinski and Alyson Enns, they’re almost guaranteed to have the best two in any race, any setting. Even accounting for the downward trend in times caused by better weather, their depth had their best races of the season.
Beyond Hart, chalk has prevailed thus far. Reed City’s boys were predicted to finish in a great spot in 2021, but that may have been a year premature. 2022 has fared much better, where the Coyotes have picked up trophies at Oiler and Early Season Warrior, won the first CSAA Jamboree, and finished 3rd in a highly competitive, D3-centric division at Pete Moss.
Benzie Central’s girls have absolutely been a surprise. Mylie Kelly always turns it on come championship season, we saw that in track with her gritty 8th place in the D3 3200m. She’s the steady hand up front, Nora Grossnickle has been finishing in PB’s each time out, Bianca Delogu has joined the Huskies for her senior year and just dropped 90 seconds in less than two weeks.
Boys, girls, the Sparta teams have been the story of September and August. While on the outside looking in during the summer, the girls have inserted themselves in the conversation for advancement out of here and down south. Kennedi Wood has raced especially well comparative to 2021, thus far a near guarantee to finish in the 20’s. Both Emma and Greg Janesak are capable of All-State level honors.
While the boys side is rather unsurprising, the girls bring all the intrigue, and this projected result is a great factor in why I’m making the trek up this way. Ludington, mentioned in the preview up above, has some redemption to be had. The young freshman addition, Christina Theis, has kept the Orioles in the game. An enormous breakthrough was just realized for her, a 19:36 at Cougar Falcon. Cadillac gives us the combination of the best depth and the quickest rise. The Vikings are projected to have the strongest 4th-7th runners in this field and are coming off two top-10 finishes at Spartan and their home invite.
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 