They call him D1 Trent for a reason, he’s absolute money with a race on the line
We saw that on multiple instances throughout the year, beginning with a 1:55 state lead at Elaine Leigh, extending out to the 3200m in the early session at New Balance
Patient early, knowing to wait to take the lead in a decisive fashion, then putting it away
Last fall, we were able to grab a peek at his 5k fitness, running the equivalent of sub-16 multiple times, capturing a MAC Red victory in front of the best in Macomb County (a few All-Staters)
Sadly, his season was cut short, sidelined by a rare foot injury
But perhaps that was a blessing in disguise, paving the path for a careful build towards track?
Blessed with the confidence from victory after victory and raised up by the support of his Macomb County brothers and sisters, Trent is finally ready to make his stamp on the fall
Grade
Name
Time
Rating
Meet
Course
Date
11
Trent McFarland
17:02.7
195.4
UCS Quad
Eastwood Beach
26-Aug
11
Trent McFarland
16:23.8
198.1
A2 Early Bird
Huron Meadows
2-Sep
11
Trent McFarland
16:00.0
202.7
Muskrat Classic
Algonac HS
11-Sep
11
Trent McFarland
16:16.9
201.0
Holly
Springfield Oaks
18-Sep
11
Trent McFarland
16:15.6
202.8
MAC Red 1
Eastwood Beach
21-Sep
11
Trent McFarland
17:29.8
169.1
MMOC
Shepherd HS
13-Nov
Grade
Name
Rating
Meet
Course
Date
10
Trent McFarland
177.5
MAC Red 1
Barnabo Field
18-Sep
10
Trent McFarland
173.6
Cleverley Friday Night
Anchor Bay HS
25-Sep
10
Trent McFarland
181.6
Hansons
Freedom Hill
3-Oct
10
Trent McFarland
177.5
Macomb County
Freedom Hill
9-Oct
10
Trent McFarland
174.3
PR 17
Bloomer Park
21-Oct
10
Trent McFarland
180.7
D1 Reg 9
Anchor Bay HS
30-Oct
10
Trent McFarland
177.3
D1 State
MIS
6-Nov
Grade
Name
Rating
Meet
Course
9
Trent McFarland
145.0
A2 Early Bird
Huron Meadows
9
Trent McFarland
162.3
Averill
Kensington
9
Trent McFarland
159.2
Holly
Springfield Oaks
9
Trent McFarland
165.7
Hansons
Parkway Christian
9
Trent McFarland
170.7
Macomb County
Eastwood Beach
9
Trent McFarland
171.0
MAC Division
Eastwood Beach
You know you’re getting deep into a list of accomplishments when you leave out Jessica’s 4th place in the D3 1600m, State title in the 4×800, two Regional wins, two Conference championships
Tremendous to me beyond the wins is Jessica’s range
One might think that a freshman might specialize in one area of events and throughout time, you’d build towards other areas
Nope, Jessica laid down speed – 13.8 to 61.3 in the sprints, endurance – 10:44, multiple sub-18’s in cross
All while being a major contributing part to a Hart team that’s taken home the past five titles
It’ll be a tougher road this time around but with this girl on board, that’s a steady hand at the front for the next three years
Looking back over the past few years, there have been a couple meets a year held here. Many of them are of the SW10 variety, small jamborees that I haven’t rated. The others are the Bangor Invite, held in late September. The rating at the 2021 Bangor Invite was +11. With another month left going towards Regionals, I’ll assume this course runs fast. A look at the terrain on Google Maps shows nothing in the way of hills. The previous post on this region had nothing in terms of a map, but Jacob Tanner has been tremendously selfless in his contributions, always good for a message after I neglect to find a map in my quick research. Here you go:
2021 Boys: Mason (13th), Battle Creek Harper Creek (16th), Grand Rapids South Christian (25th)
2021 Girls: Marshall (11th), Mason (8th), Grand Rapids South Christian (18th)
So much upheaval here in the regional setups in the SW side of the state. It appears that half the teams here were present last year, the other half are coming over from 2021’s Region 12.
Otsego is the heavyweight that’s making their way over to Bangor. As Jacob Tanner noted here, their dynasty is unmatched within their region. I’ll also note that their boys have finished in the top-10 at MIS in 7 of the past 10 years, including a State Championship in 2021. Each team will be replacing a bunch, though the culture Coach Long has created has cultivated depth and incoming freshman that want to be part of success.
Three Rivers looks to be in a good spot to make a return trip east to Brooklyn. The Wildcats are a team full of experience, only two underclassmen projected to be in their top-7. And those seven look to be better than many others best five.
St. Joseph’s girls share a similar spot to those Three Rivers boys, though the Bears are coming over from Division 1. Their regional last October was a harrowing one, battling the likes of Caledonia, Zeeland West, Portage Central, and Jenison for a qualifying spot. These girls came out ahead, largely aided by clutch performances from Cecilia Ruchti and Olivia Ippel.
Top 25 Boys Teams: Otsego (7th), Three Rivers (20th)
Top 25 Girls Teams: Otsego (Top 5), St. Joseph (11th)
Here, I’m writing at least a little anecdote about kids that are in the top-15 but aren’t freshman (Berkley and Sydney, I see you), in the 50 Tickets (Megan Germain, I’m rooting for you to get here next year), or on Top 10 teams (Otsegooo). Want to spread love but also not overwork myself. All in all, my estimation is through all these previews, I’ll be writing at least a sentence about 1000+ kids. Also, it’s late at night and I’m tiiiiired. If there’s an error in here, let me know.
Austin Williford, Paw Paw: Track was his best season of any thus far, cross country included. He was sub-10 in the 3200m at Don Lukens, then nearly matched that mark a month later at the Distance Night Under the Lights.
Luke Morrison, Berrien Springs: With Race Bettich graduated, that Berrien County title opens up. At the County meet in 2021, Luke found his way into the 16’s for the first time in his career.
Will Vanderbor, Paw Paw: From afar, sometimes it’s easy to tell when motivation hits a team. After spending a majority of his junior cross season in the 17’s, Will (along with Austin above) was able to drop a sub-10 in the 3200m. A sure sign of a gritty winter.
Will Fiesbeck, St. Joseph: Behold this 800m kid. Will went sub-2 on three occasions in our most recent spring. Placed 5th in an ultra-competitive Grand Haven regional and 4th in the SMAC.
Kyler Copenhaver, Three Rivers: Talent made a few appearances during Kyler’s debut to the high school scene. On the cusp of crashing through 17:00, he ran his best race on the biggest stage, helping Three Rivers move onto run another week. When you share a last name to a Michigan linebacker from the best defense ever, you know how to perform an important role for your team.
Shay White, St. Joseph: Always here for that year to year improvement. 18:42 in his 9th grade year, 16:56 in a year’s time.
Skye Smith, Vicksburg: Gave a few great efforts in the longer distances during track. Four sub-11’s and a single sub-5, the aerobic capacity is high at such a young age.
Javier Kelly-Martinez, Three Rivers: Four days after clinching his first St. Joseph County title, he one-upped himself with a nearly 20 second personal best on the regional stage.
Sulley Zietlow, Three Rivers: I’m calling it now. It may be this year, but it’ll definitely be next year: Three Rivers will be a top-10 team in Division 2. Sully is ANOTHER underclassmen who spent much of 2021’s October in the 17’s.
Tucker Radgens, Vicksburg: Wasn’t looking likely early, but come late October, Tucker matched his championship season from the season prior. In two consecutive years, he’s run a season best at Regionals.
Side note: is it me or does this region have the best names?
Elena Figueroa, St. Joseph: Flashed greatness in cross, but took it a step further in track. Became a reliable figure in the 1600m late, a virtual guarantee to run 5:25.
Grace Pettit, Plainwell: Grace has been through it all and accomplished it all. Twice All-State, Allegan County Champ, three-time state qualifier. A great career with one year left.
Charlie Drew, Edwardsburg: Charlie’s freshman year saw her close the fall with five consecutive sub-21 efforts.
Amanda Laughery, Vicksburg: As a sophomore, Amanda closed her year with many efforts in the 21’s, qualified for State, an all-around success. Her junior year wasn’t on the same trajectory UNTIL a giant 15+ second personal best on regional day.
Anezka Pradna, Three Rivers: Over in Region 12 last October, Anezka picked a great day to run a 20+ second personal best. She was 10th there, her second consecutive state qualifier.
Olivia Timmons, Otsego: One of those Otsego girls ready to step up and shine. Learned from their upperclasswomen, then took that knowledge to a final three meets where she was able to break 21:00 on each occasion.
One of the things that struck me in the creation of this was how far Annika has come
I had always assumed she was great, unheralded, but always great
But she started out slow as a freshman, her first four meets all north of 23:00, and only began to transform her times late in that year
At the end, a glimpse was seen, a 20:00 at Benzie, a time that set the stage for the coming years
In her sophomore campaign, she continued to show flashes, with multiple efforts in the low-19’s
Late in her junior year, she began to put the stamp on all that potential and use it for lift herself to podiums
Past mid-September, Annika was almost automatically sub-18:30 and along that path, racked up numerous honors
All-State, Regional Champ, Kent County champion
She may be small in stature, but she exudes confidence, sticking her nose in every race in every which way
Grade
Name
Time
Rating
Meet
Course
Date
11
Annika Sandman
19:42.6
135.8
Portage EB
Portage West MS
20-Aug
11
Annika Sandman
21:52.5
129.5
Hesperia
Baker Woods
25-Aug
11
Annika Sandman
19:24.1
135.6
Pete Moss
Benzie Central HS
28-Aug
11
Annika Sandman
19:20.8
136.1
OK White 1
Gainey Fields
8-Sep
11
Annika Sandman
18:29.7
155.1
Bredeweg
Macatawa Bay MS
11-Sep
11
Annika Sandman
19:12.8
142.1
Ottawa Hills
Riverside Park
17-Sep
11
Annika Sandman
18:22.5
146.5
OK White 2
Riverside Park
22-Sep
11
Annika Sandman
18:18.9
145.7
Autumn Sunrise
Heritage Christian School
25-Sep
11
Annika Sandman
18:42.5
142.8
Allendale Falcon
Allendale HS
2-Oct
11
Annika Sandman
18:21.9
145.4
OK White 3
Brookside GC
6-Oct
11
Annika Sandman
19:05.1
149.0
Kent Ottawa
Gainey Fields
16-Oct
11
Annika Sandman
18:26.6
151.1
OK White 4
South Christian HS
20-Oct
11
Annika Sandman
18:14.5
149.2
1 Allendale
Allendale HS
30-Oct
11
Annika Sandman
18:21.7
149.8
D1 State
MIS
6-Nov
11
Annika Sandman
18:20.5
150.8
MMOC
Shepherd HS
13-Nov
Grade
Name
Rating
Meet
Course
Date
10
Annika Sandman
118.5
Pete Moss
Benzie Central HS
29-Aug
10
Annika Sandman
123.8
OK White (GF)
Gainey Fields
16-Sep
10
Annika Sandman
129.0
Ottawa Hills
Riverside Park
18-Sep
10
Annika Sandman
115.8
OK White 2
Lowell HS
23-Sep
10
Annika Sandman
103.9
Bob Perry
Lowell HS
26-Sep
10
Annika Sandman
131.4
Allendale Falcon
Allendale HS
3-Oct
10
Annika Sandman
133.7
Autumn Sunrise
Heritage Christian
10-Oct
10
Annika Sandman
128.2
OK White Championship
Byron Center West MS
14-Oct
10
Annika Sandman
133.2
Kent Ottawa
Gainey Fields
17-Oct
10
Annika Sandman
124.3
PR 2
Cedar Springs ES
24-Oct
10
Annika Sandman
128.0
D1 Reg 1
Buckley HS
31-Oct
10
Annika Sandman
120.5
D1 State
MIS
6-Nov
Grade
Name
Rating
Meet
Course
9
Annika Sandman
57.7
Bredeweg
Macatawa Bay MS
9
Annika Sandman
73.9
Allendale Falcon
Allendale HS
9
Annika Sandman
92.3
Kent Ottawa
Gainey Fields
9
Annika Sandman
84.0
OK White
Riverside Park
9
Annika Sandman
113.8
1
Benzie Central
I don’t know how he does it, but Nicholas consistently and continually finds a way to outperform these rankings
Whether it’s Oakland County last year (projected 8th, finished 2nd), State Finals (projected 18th, finished 13th), or the Meet of Champions (should’ve drafted him), Nicholas is always bringing it
During the past two years, he’s reached sub-16, both instances at State Finals and his first venture into that realm during that year
This past spring, he took giant leaps in both the 1600m and 3200m, dropping from 4:40 to 4:25 and 9:47 to 9:19
All in all, a very lethal combination of improvement and late-season performances, that formula could lead to more great accomplishments in a few months
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 