Now we’re getting to the fun part! In previous years, what I’ve done is list the top teams, top individuals. Prior to last summer, I’d write and write and write, then never finish my writings before the season started. In 2021, I made the decision to just list the top teams and not add any creative input. I’m going to bridge that gap this year. The best of the best are covered in the 50 Tickets, the fastest runners on the best teams will be covered in their Top 10s. In these previews, I want to write just a tiny bit about everyone else. Maybe it’s only a sentence, but y’all deserve even the tiniest bit of recognition.
These projections include incoming freshmen. This is a necessary step in the previews, however there are some unknown areas. Many of the schools in this region have identifiable feeder schools, but I’ll always miss someone that didn’t run 8th grade XC or add someone that ran 8th grade XC and won’t run in HS. There’s really no other way to do it other than make it a guessing game or to ask every coach individually, which would take years. As always, if you’re reading here, have an upcoming region with an odd case, reach out!
Where:
Webberville’s Happy Acres. The Cross Country Field of Dreams. I fully expect Michigan legends to emerge from the cornstalks and have a race after these races. Honestly though, a cross country only facility on a farm. Pretty flat, a little gradual rise and descent here and there. Tends to run a little fast, but still a true test.
2021 Boys: Carson City-Crystal (17th), Whitmore Lake (8th), Dansville (15th)
2021 Girls: Whitmore Lake (9th), Fowler (20th), Lansing Christian (22nd)
Top 25 Boys Teams: Whitmore Lake (11th), Carson City-Crystal (12th), Novi Christian Academy (16th)
Top 25 Girls Teams: Whitmore Lake (Top 10), Clarkston Everest Collegiate (10th), Fowler (15th)
Listed below is anyone in the top-15 that’s not on one of the top-10 teams or a freshman. Just trying to spread a little more love, even if it’s just reciting times or accomplishments.
Caleb Howard, Webberville – Has qualified for MIS in each of his three seasons, finishing top-10 in this region and top-100 in the state in each of those opportunities. During track, explored a bit beyond the distance events and found a home in the jumps, where he was able to leap 5’8”.
Braylan Majesky, Whitmore Lake – Improvement from his sophomore to junior year was able to help Whitmore Lake secure a MIAC title and a state meet berth. Braylan knocked nearly a minute off his previous year’s best with his 17:31 here.
Logan Cooper, Potterville – Logan must have been inspired or pulled along by Carson Brunk, because wow, what a track season. A 4:50 1600m could easily lead to many efforts in the 17’s and below.
Brayden Clark, Carson City-Crystal – I bet Brayden thinks about the state meet every day. After all, he’s made three of them, his best finish a 45th place that helped the Eagles capture that 2020 state title.
Jobe Skaff, Novi Christian Academy – From his freshman to sophomore seasons, knocked more than 4 (!!!) minutes off his personal best.
Reily Henderson, Whitmore Lake – Multiple solid efforts in big meets, 18:10s at MIAC, Stockbridge, Regionals, led way to a sub-18 at State.
Josh Passow, Plymouth Christian Academy – Qualified for State wayyy back in 2019. Can he make his return voyage? If he returns to that low-18 form he displayed in both 2019 and 2021, he has a good shot.
Liam Wilder, Webberville – Liam’s performance here last year was out of this world, a 17:58 in a sea of 18:00+ efforts in 2021.
Deegan Bodell, Carson City-Crystal – Deegan has put in two consecutive solid track seasons, reaching down into the low-11’s in the 3200m. If he’s able to convert that to cross, Carson City might find themselves back in the top-10.
Jacob Skidmore, Novi Christian Academy – Jacob’s initial race in this sport was 32:28. His second 42:09. Now he’s running in the 18’s and finishing 2nd in the MIAC in the 3200m.
Trevor Feldpausch, Fowler – Placed top-8 in the CMAC in both the 1600m and 3200m.
Vincenzo Lewan, Plymouth Christian Academy – Vincenzo has finished 25th and 27th at Regionals his first two years, but now Plymouth Christian moves west. Region 36 was loaded on the boys side, will the difference be enough for him to get a qualifier?
Ashlyn Kephart, Lansing Christian – This girl just knows how to achieve great things. Three-time All-Stater and part of the Team State Champion squad in 2020. She’s been 2nd here twice and will contend for her first regional crown.
Kelcie Pung, Fowler – Freshman year included some notable accomplishments. 19th at Class D, being apart of a state qualifying team, and finishing 16th in the D4 1600m.
Mya Guillermo, Novi Christian Academy – Freshman track campaign foretold her sophomore cross accomplishments. Multiple sub-21’s including a 47th place finish at MIS.
Josie Dubuc, Novi Christian Academy – Fall of ’21 was one of gradual reductions in time. First sub-23 effort in early September, first sub-22 at Larry Steeb. Championship season produced tremendous drops, where she ended her season at 21:00.
Cozette Brown, Portland St. Patrick – Like clockwork, each year Cozette starts her season above 23:00, each year she gets in the low-21’s and qualifies.
Ellayna Meredith, Portland St. Patrick – Two consecutive fifth place finishes here.
Landry Gomez, St. Charles – Landry began to find her form in late May, racking up two consecutive sub-6:10 efforts in the 1600m, the latter of which good for 4th in the MSAC.
I tell this tale every time, but maybe there’s an 8th grader reading these things: Mylie was a good middle school runner, not outstanding by any stretch, but between her 8th grade fall and 9th grade season, she dedicated herself to the sport, turning a 14:00 2 miler to a 19:00 5k runner
As such, she had a freshman year full of accolades and surprises, going sub-19 a few times, finishing 8th in D3, running 11:09 at Bluejay Elite, medaling at both the 1600m and 3200m.
There’s been bumps along the way, but Mylie has proven that if you keep sticking with it and rely on your support system, you can come out a stronger girl
A 19:30 at Pete Moss could’ve wrecked her confidence, she finishes the season 6th at D3 State and breaks the school record
An 18th place in the Indoor State 3200m was well below expectations, at that point she might as well give up on the weekend, she came back the next day to help win the 4×8
Mediocre race after mediocre race may have made a mere mortal shut down her track season, she held on for 8th at D3 State
So yep, that perseverance inspires confidence that when she gets rolling again, she’ll really be rolling
And hey, if you’re up to date on your Fourth of July road races, you’d know Mylie’s on the right path
Grade
Name
Time
Rating
Meet
Course
Date
10
Mylie Kelly
19:30.1
133.6
Pete Moss
Benzie Central HS
28-Aug
10
Mylie Kelly
18:52.9
138.7
NWC 1
Buckley HS
14-Sep
10
Mylie Kelly
19:30.2
139.9
Spartan
Forest Akers
17-Sep
10
Mylie Kelly
18:19.4
148.5
Cadillac
Veterans Serving Veterans Park
25-Sep
10
Mylie Kelly
19:02.2
145.9
NWC 2
Kingsley HS
28-Sep
10
Mylie Kelly
18:13.9
154.4
Bluejay
Shepherd HS
2-Oct
10
Mylie Kelly
18:29.6
154.1
Portage
Portage West MS
9-Oct
10
Mylie Kelly
18:14.4
140.5
NWC Benzie
Benzie Central HS
12-Oct
10
Mylie Kelly
19:19.5
149.8
Freeland Falcon
Freeland
16-Oct
10
Mylie Kelly
18:09.1
142.3
20 Benzie
Benzie Central HS
30-Oct
10
Mylie Kelly
18:38.2
139.3
D3 State
MIS
6-Nov
10
Mylie Kelly
19:23.1
130.0
MMOC
Shepherd HS
13-Nov
Grade
Name
Rating
Meet
Course
Date
9
Mylie Kelly
124.0
Pete Moss
Benzie Central HS
29-Aug
9
Mylie Kelly
131.4
Benzie Tri
Benzie Central HS
12-Sep
9
Mylie Kelly
129.7
Ottawa Hills
Riverside Park
18-Sep
9
Mylie Kelly
132.7
Petoskey
Petoskey MS
26-Sep
9
Mylie Kelly
123.1
NWC Jamboree 2
Benzie Central HS
29-Sep
9
Mylie Kelly
140.8
Shepherd Bluejay
Shepherd HS
3-Oct
9
Mylie Kelly
125.9
D3 Reg 20
Buckley HS
31-Oct
9
Mylie Kelly
140.5
D3 State
MIS
7-Nov
On the contrary, Tyler came into high school as a stud, WITH expectations, and boy has he lived up to those
His times haven’t been eye-popping, but as a Bulldog team member, he’s been just what they need, progressing throughout the year and coming through in championship races when it matters
As a freshman, he ran his season best at State, helping Brighton secure a top-15 finish
As a sophomore, he went sub-16:20 at KLAA and State, both of which Brighton victories
Again, I just love this Brighton website, and Tyler’s bio on here sums up why I think he’ll be ready to handle the season’s challenges
“I can’t wait to see how our team can evolve and respond to meet new challenges. Most importantly, after winning a big state title, we must stay humble and hungry for the next season.”
Not resting on laurels, not coming into meets thinking they’re better than their competition, being aware of needed growth – with this correct mindset, he’s set up for success in 2022
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 