Is it me or is the Traverse City area just loaded with talent this year?
Bauer, Muha, Central girls, St. Francis girls, now Jonah
I think this is always the case, but wow
Just as Joe Muha, Jonah had a breakout race at Bluejay in October of his sophomore year, a 16:17, at that point a 20+ second personal best
A month later, he used the confidence gained from Shepherd into a 16:27 at MIS, the 7th fastest sophomore in Division 1
Those cross country breakouts were nothing compared to what he’s been able to accomplish in the past three seasons
His sophomore year on the cinders, he was able to whittle his 1600m time down to 4:28
His junior year on the same surface, he began to dig in his heels at the mid-distances, sprinting to 1:54/4:21, that 1:54 gaining Jonah a 5th place finish at State
And in cross, showing incredible range, multiple sub-16’s and another All-State honor
Beyond Benne and Seth, many spots are up for grabs, and Jonah is as good a candidate as any to place extremely high at State
Grade
Name
Time
Rating
Meet
Course
Date
11
Jonah Hochstetler
15:58.1
203.0
Pete Moss
Benzie Central HS
28-Aug
11
Jonah Hochstetler
15:42.5
200.2
Northwood
Fisher Trails
11-Sep
11
Jonah Hochstetler
16:34.1
189.3
Petoskey
Petoskey MS
25-Sep
11
Jonah Hochstetler
15:43.2
204.6
Bluejay
Shepherd HS
2-Oct
11
Jonah Hochstetler
16:07.6
200.1
Portage
Portage West MS
9-Oct
11
Jonah Hochstetler
16:35.3
195.9
Big North Conference
Petoskey MS
19-Oct
11
Jonah Hochstetler
15:55.7
195.1
Northern Michigan
Michaywe Pines GC
23-Oct
11
Jonah Hochstetler
17:04.2
195.6
2 Delta
Delta College
30-Oct
11
Jonah Hochstetler
15:49.8
201.4
D1 State
MIS
6-Nov
11
Jonah Hochstetler
16:10.6
195.5
MMOC
Shepherd HS
13-Nov
Grade
Name
Rating
Meet
Course
Date
10
Jonah Hochstetler
182.4
Pete Moss
Benzie Central HS
29-Aug
10
Jonah Hochstetler
178.7
Petoskey Twilight Classic
Petoskey MS
11-Sep
10
Jonah Hochstetler
183.6
Ludington
West Shore CC
19-Sep
10
Jonah Hochstetler
191.3
Petoskey
Petoskey MS
26-Sep
10
Jonah Hochstetler
190.6
Shepherd Bluejay
Shepherd HS
3-Oct
10
Jonah Hochstetler
175.2
Big North Conference
Petoskey MS
13-Oct
10
Jonah Hochstetler
184.6
PR 1
Grand Haven HS
23-Oct
10
Jonah Hochstetler
180.6
D1 Reg 1
Buckley HS
31-Oct
10
Jonah Hochstetler
188.5
D1 State
MIS
6-Nov
Grade
Name
Rating
Meet
Course
9
Jonah Hochstetler
153.5
Pete Moss
Benzie Central
9
Jonah Hochstetler
163.9
Lancer
Stratford Woods
9
Jonah Hochstetler
153.8
Linden Classic
Linden HS
9
Jonah Hochstetler
170.2
Portage
Portage West MS
9
Jonah Hochstetler
164.3
Big North Conference
Gaylord CC
9
Jonah Hochstetler
173.0
Northern Michigan
Michaywe Pines GC
Maya entered high school cross country with a dream season
Late in her freshman year, she conquered the Portage course in a personal best of 18:33, won at OK Black and Ottawa County, then captured an All-State honor
With no chance to show that talent come track, the momentum was lost
Her sophomore year had success in the OK Red (toughest conference in Michigan?) and a state qualifier, but wasn’t to that level of her freshman fall
But last fall and into this winter, you could see the signs of rebirth, regrowth
Two sub-19’s, at OK Red and Regionals, her OK Red placing her best yet
In the winter, running relays with the West Michigan Harriers crew, an easy team to root for
Come spring, those glimpses gave way to real times
A sub-11 in a late April dual against Hudsonville
Three days later, 5:00 on the dot at the Grand Rapids Elite Challenge
And then to close May, a 2:14 at Distance Night
That sub-11 eventually became a 10:49 and portends well for cross country, where she’s ready to continue her journey back to the podium in Brooklyn
The home of cross country in the Jackson area. Unless there’s a better setup in the northern part of the State, this is by far the easiest course to spectate. You can see the runners at least seven times, be able to see the start, get to the finish, optimal for the old, slow folks such as myself. Tends to run fair in late September, then a little fast come championship season. Many turns and maneuvering around trees/boulders, but runners are aided by long, gradual downhills.
I love the old-school map carved into the wood at Sharp Park, but this online version will suffice:
2021 Girls: Jackson Lumen Christi (5th), Onsted (20th), Leslie (24th)
In the last regional preview, I asked how to judge regional strength. An example there was the girls (Lansing Catholic, Ithaca, P-W), and how difficult it would be to come home with a championship trophy. The boys race here represents the opposite side of that equation. Hanover-Horton, the traditional power that they are, should be a lock. Four teams (Leslie, Jonesville, Lumen Christi, and Bronson) will be in the battle for two spots.
A metric many use when looking to see who will advance is: who has the strongest 5th runner? This matters less in a smaller race, but more when there are plenty of displacers and runners of similar capabilities. Here, it appears that could be Jonesville and their incoming freshman, Marshall Baker. Marshall ended his middle school year with a few low-12 performances and I’ve found that incoming freshman are able to run 5k at a slightly faster pace than they did 2 miles in the previous year.
It’s a bit of added insurance if you can place four boys in the top-20. Leslie has that capability, also bolstered by a familiarly surnamed freshman, Grason Weber.
Lumen Christi’s got the potential, shown by kids like Nathan Padbury and Gannon Shore, each of which have had superb races at Turkeyville for the I-8 title. If those races are replicated, the Titans odds of advancement will increase.
Have you been there before? Bronson has, and on that stage, they’ve come through. Four of their top-5 runners are seniors. Despite doubts from area rivals, the Vikings advanced out of this region and didn’t stop until they crossed the finish line on their season, placing 11th at State. When the pain comes late in the race, the added confidence of past success can be a major boost.
Lumen Christi’s girls were well on their way to a spot on that podium at MIS when struck by an unfortunate injury. Sydney Fazekas, a sophomore addition to the Titan team, was shut down after Portage. Dreams may have been dashed, but the girls were undaunted, still grabbing a 5th place finish. One can’t help but extrapolate. Sydney had been running near Gabrielle Osterberg for much of the year, had she competed at State in the same fashion, this was a sure top-2 outfit. Fast forward to 2022, Faith Smith moves down the road to Ann Arbor, Macy Fazekas join their ranks, and they’ll be right back in that equation. We’ll see how it begins to shake out in an early throwdown at Michigan Catholic.
In 2020, Leslie’s MS girls won Harriers for Hope, Blackhawk, and the GLAC Championship. Many of those same girls that comprised that group are now on their high school team. Erin Lubahn, Jaidyn Smith, Haley Creisher will be fresh faces to many at the head of the pack.
Onsted’s Wildcats ripped off one amazing track season. Their girls won the LCAA and Region 25, then placed 3rd at D3 State. A team effort too, full of cross country kids filling various roles. Kara Terakedis dropping time across the mid-distances, Alison England grinding across longer distances, Emmry Ross capturing titles in the long sprints, and Allyson Robarge with that short sprint power. They’re all coming together, combining that talent for another run to MIS.
Top 25 Boys Teams: Hanover-Horton (Top 6), Bronson (18th), Jackson Lumen Christi (19th), Jonesville (23rd)
Top 25 Girls Teams: Jackson Lumen Christi (Top 6), Leslie (Top 6), Onsted (20th)
Just a little rundown of those in the top-15 that haven’t been mentioned in the 50 Tickets (Madison, Rogan), the Top Tens (Lumen Christi, Hanover-Horton, Leslie), and aren’t freshmen (you’ll get your day, Brookelyn). Many of these are just scouring athleticnet (note – if you have a kid you want to brag about, reach out, tell me their story), but it’s more attention paid than many publications, it helps me learn names, and most of all – GETS ATTENTION TOWARDS KIDS THAT DESERVE IT.
Rhett Reif, Quincy: Twice an All-Stater. Once as a freshman, once as a junior, his junior appearance was his best placing yet, 13th.
Alex Czeiszperger, Hudson: Has a penchant for showing up when it counts. All-State and LCAA champion as a freshman, top honors in both of those as a sophomore.
Ashton Wells, Bronson: Has dropped time in each of his three seasons. His first dip into the 16’s was this past November at State.
Isaiah Dinverno, Jackson Lumen Christi: Freshman year at Lumen Christi featured three sub-18’s.
Cameron Pierce, Leslie: Took a step forward in track, lowering his personal bests in the 800m (2:17 to 2:11) and 1600m (4:57 to 4:46). Given those times, a real candidate to return to his sophomore form come fall.
Nolan Grant, Hillsdale: Although it didn’t come to fruition at Regionals, took a giant step as a sophomore. Of his six races in October, four were sub-18.
Brody Amthor, Onsted: Dude just excels at it all. In his first full season at Onsted, he improved in every event in every venue. Cross, track, 800m to 5k.
Gavin VanKampen, Jonesville: From his freshman to his sophomore year, knocked a minute off his personal best and 23 spots off his regional placing. The result? A trip down the road to MIS.
Gannon Shore, Jackson Lumen Christi: The potential is there, shown by his 10th place finish at I-8. If Gannon finds some consistency, that will help take Lumen Christi to a top-10 outfit.
Aden Hathaway, Bronson: Came through in a big way for Bronson at last fall’s State Meet. 30+ second season best helped the Vikings secure an 11th place finish.
Kyler Pequet, Napoleon: Some may wonder about his inclusion, just take a peek at that track season. Massive drops in everything 800m to 3200m.
Isaac St. John, Hudson: Put it together late in his freshman campaign. Projected 23rd here, finished 16th. Sub-18’s at both LCAA Finals and State Finals.
Kara Terakedis, Onsted: I always say, you have to pay your dues before descending to the next level. Kara paid hers last year with four races under 20:15 but above 20:00, a 51st place finish at MIS. The payoff? A track season where she was LCAA and Lenawee County champ, 10th at State, and knocked 20 seconds off her 1600m best.
Emmry Ross, Onsted: Freshman year contained a sub-20 at Stockbridge, league title, and a freakin’ gold medal at State track. That 400m speed could be crucial in any late race kick.
Chloe Stalhood, Hillsdale: It’s not often that athletes get any lower than their time at Gabriel Richard, but Chloe was able to do so. Her 19:54 at State was a season best, a perfect peak to her initial season.
Sophia Reynolds, Hanover-Horton: Two consecutive top-10 finishes here. Flashed a bit of that speed endurance this past spring with a 2:25 best in the 800m.
Ava Schnell, Hanover-Horton: Began to shine toward the tail end of her track season. Sixth spot at the Cascades Conference 1600m, a shiny new PB of 6:10.
Hope Wilkes, Brooklyn Columbia Central: Three-time top-10 at Regionals, three-time top-5 at LCAA, Hope is a girl who just knows how to get it done when it matters the most.
Four individual races at State events, three top-3 finishes
Those top finished have spanned both the grass and the track
That 3rd place finish on the track was in the 3200m as a freshman, just behind Frens and Squires
The other two have been at MIS, where Meghan truly shines
She’s been at the head of the D2 discussion for the past two years and rightfully so, with many trophies to her name
Greater Lansing as a freshman, Regional and CAAC Reds both years
CAAC Reds and Regionals on the track
The times were a little faster as a freshman, 17’s at both CAAC Red and Bluejay, but come November, she actually ran faster, 18:18 at State in 2020 to 18:10 in 2021
Given that progress, we should expect a run into the 17’s and many more championships to bring home
Grade
Name
Time
Rating
Meet
Course
Date
10
Meghan Ford
19:12.5
146.8
Lamplighter
Ford Field
20-Aug
10
Meghan Ford
19:28.0
150.7
Mustang
Cass Benton
31-Aug
10
Meghan Ford
18:51.0
147.7
Lansing Catholic Mini 1
St. Francis Retreat Center
9-Sep
10
Meghan Ford
19:02.8
143.1
CAAC Red 1
St. Johns HS
21-Sep
10
Meghan Ford
18:18.5
152.8
Bluejay
Shepherd HS
2-Oct
10
Meghan Ford
19:12.4
136.9
CAAC Red 1
St. Johns HS
5-Oct
10
Meghan Ford
18:39.9
150.7
Portage
Portage West MS
9-Oct
10
Meghan Ford
18:34.8
151.7
Greater Lansing
Ledge Meadows GC
16-Oct
10
Meghan Ford
19:22.2
141.9
CAAC Red 3
Fowlerville HS
21-Oct
10
Meghan Ford
18:42.7
139.4
13 Portage
Portage West MS
30-Oct
10
Meghan Ford
18:10.8
153.1
D2 State
MIS
6-Nov
10
Meghan Ford
18:09.9
154.4
MMOC
Shepherd HS
13-Nov
Grade
Name
Rating
Meet
Course
Date
9
Meghan Ford
156.0
Holt/Mason
Holt HS
28-Aug
9
Meghan Ford
156.8
Haslett/Mason
Mason HS
10-Sep
9
Meghan Ford
156.3
Mason/St. Johns
Mason HS
15-Sep
9
Meghan Ford
161.3
Mason/JLC
Mason HS
22-Sep
9
Meghan Ford
165.5
Shepherd Bluejay
Shepherd HS
3-Oct
9
Meghan Ford
166.4
Greater Lansing
Ledge Meadows
10-Oct
9
Meghan Ford
150.8
CAAC Red League
Haslett HS
14-Oct
9
Meghan Ford
145.8
PR 27
St. Francis Retreat Center
24-Oct
9
Meghan Ford
154.2
D2 Reg 14
DeWitt HS
31-Oct
9
Meghan Ford
159.3
D2 State
MIS
6-Nov
The benefit of having very fast training partners and a yearly tradition of success is that you can bring Joe along slowly, ready to dominate at the front of the pack as a senior
I should take that back, Joe has always been at or near the front
In his 2019 freshman year, he was able to eclipse the 17:00 barrier late, both at Benzie and Northern Michigan
During his 10th grade year, he threw out an eye-opening 16:14 at Bluejay, then repeated that immaculate performance with a 16:19 at State
But his junior year is when he began to put it all together, the entire year sub-17, many of those races under 16:35, culminating in a 15:54 at State
His finishes at Regionals, Northern Michigan, and State were all his best to date
In track, we’ve seen those undeviating advances too, his 800m improving from 2:07 to 2:01, his 1600m from 4:35 to 4:21
That added strength and speed in the 1600m could be the ticket to a huge fall, at the very least, we know Joe will keep tickin’ and hittin’ those gains
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 