It’s baaack. A summertime tradition has returned, the 50 Tickets to Brooklyn. These lists celebrate the top 50 returners – based on a concoction of the ’25 XC season, projected improvements, the ’26 Track season, and a tiny bit of my own input.
Many of these photos are sourced from either MLive or Miles Postema. Any others will find credit in the caption.
Grade
Name
Time
Team
Rating
Meet
Date
Year
10
Rachel Smith
17:03.9
Okemos
173.4
MITCA
8-Nov
2025
10
Rachel Smith
17:04.7
Okemos
171.4
D1 State Finals
1-Nov
2025
10
Rachel Smith
16:59.1
Okemos
173.6
Region 4
24-Oct
2025
10
Rachel Smith
17:09.6
Okemos
174.1
CAAC Blue 2
16-Oct
2025
10
Rachel Smith
17:08.6
Okemos
171.8
Greater Lansing
11-Oct
2025
10
Rachel Smith
17:22.5
Okemos
175.8
Portage
4-Oct
2025
10
Rachel Smith
17:06.9
Okemos
179.4
Bluejay
27-Sep
2025
10
Rachel Smith
17:54.0
Okemos
168.3
CAAC Blue 1
18-Sep
2025
10
Rachel Smith
17:35.9
Okemos
180.0
Spartan
12-Sep
2025
10
Rachel Smith
17:43.7
Okemos
163.8
Bath
6-Sep
2025
Grade
Name
Time
Team
Rating
Meet
Date
Year
9
Rachel Smith
17:46.7
Okemos
158.1
Division 1 State
2-Nov
2024
9
Rachel Smith
17:50.8
Okemos
157.4
Region 2
25-Oct
2024
9
Rachel Smith
18:22.8
Okemos
152.7
CAAC Blue 2
17-Oct
2024
9
Rachel Smith
17:40.3
Okemos
163.6
Greater Lansing
12-Oct
2024
9
Rachel Smith
17:39.5
Okemos
166.5
Bluejay
28-Sep
2024
9
Rachel Smith
18:57.1
Okemos
137.3
CAAC Blue 1
19-Sep
2024
9
Rachel Smith
18:11.4
Okemos
166.5
Spartan
13-Sep
2024
9
Rachel Smith
18:50.6
Okemos
149.5
Bath
7-Sep
2024
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 16:59 1600m – 5:00 3200m – 10:32
Accolades
XC
2nd Place – Division 1 State 2x All-State 2x CAAC Blue Champion Region 4 Champion Greater Lansing Champion
Track
6th Place – 2025 Division 1 State 3200m 2025 CAAC Blue 1600m/3200m Champion 2025 Region 4 1600m/3200m Champion
You Know I Dig Improvement
When I think improvement, three factors come to mind.
The least important are these speed ratings. They don’t earn you a medal, trophy, and it’s not someone’s goal to run a certain number. But they’re a tool that controls for the invariantly variable courses. Rachel’s average rating as a freshman was a 156.5, the equivalent of a 18:15-18:20. Over a greater quantity of races during her sophomore season, she averaged 173.2, or around a 17:20. Nearly a minute drop.
This bore out in terms of actual time, where Smith began her ’24 season in the high-18’s, then found her way into the 17’s towards season’s end. She brought it in the big races too, 17:40ish efforts at Greater Lansing, Bluejay, Region 2, and MIS. Coming into the ’25 season, her PB was a 17:39 from Bluejay. A year later at Shepherd, she ripped a breakthrough – 17:06. In the final month of the fall, she bested that time on three separate occasions, the fastest of which being a 16:59 to win Region 4. A 40 second reduction.
Those three occasions were Regional, State, and MITCA. Her initial foray into that scene during her first year emitted a 3rd place Regional finish, 10th spot in D1, and 11th place closer at MITCA. Rachel then grew into a Regional Champion, State runner-up, and MITCA runner-up.
Ratings, times, and most importantly, accomplishments. All three took a step forward in ’25 and we hope for the same in ’26.
It’s baaack. A summertime tradition has returned, the 50 Tickets to Brooklyn. These lists celebrate the top 50 returners – based on a concoction of the ’25 XC season, projected improvements, the ’26 Track season, and a tiny bit of my own input.
2nd Place – Division 1 State 3x Division 1 State Team Champion 2x All-State Region 7 Champion
Track
Division 1 State 3200m Champion 3rd Place – Division 1 State 4×8 3x All-State 2nd Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 1600m MITS/MITCA Indoor State 4×8 Champion KLAA 1600m/3200m Champion Region 6 3200m Champion
His Specialty
Reaching an unforeseen level at the State Finals.
Brandon’s first instances of this were during the 2024-2025 season. During the fall, he had raced in the low-16’s for much of the year, finally breaking into the 15’s when late September rolled around. Entering MIS, he’d found a personal best of 15:40 at the quick Willow course. Brandon proceeded to leave the speedway after an afternoon of running even splits and closing hard, finishing in 15:29 and 10th place, helping his Mustangs earn a team title. A similar scenario then unfolded in the spring, where Cloud came into the State Finals with a 9:25 PB in the 3200m and dropped 12 seconds at East Kentwood, placing 6th in the event.
These championship exploits took on a new degree this past season. Rather than drop a mere 11 seconds at MIS, he proceeded to subtract over half a minute from his season best, finishing in 14:52. Brandon hung with the lead pack for as long as possible and nearly covered every move, coming up just short in the final kick (he covered the final tenth of a mile in 26.7 sec. or 4:09 pace).
This past spring, Brandon laid down an elite 3200m mid-season at Bluejay, a 9:01. His 9:02 to win the Division 1 3200m wasn’t quite as quick, a measly 9:02, but his tactics saw him reach into a world of pain and quickness that even his cross finish couldn’t match. After seven laps, Brandon once again put himself in excellent position, taking the lead right before the bell at ~8:03. He was passed early in that final lap, a gap opening up as Cloud hit the 300m mark at approximately 8:20. Down the backstretch and into the final turn, he aimed to match the move and muster anything he could for the final stages of the race. Covering the final 300m in approximately 41 seconds, an exasperated Cloud crossed the line in first.
Michigan is loaded with perhaps its best depth ever. With many championship races over the next year, having a penchant for clutch performances is a major bonus.
As with the 50 Tickets and the Top Teams (11-27 listed thus far), these are driven through a combination of last fall’s ratings, projected improvements (based on high school class and rating), and this past track season. They contain every cross returner and most of the 8th graders rising to the high school level (but not all, as not all middle schools feed to a specific high school).
In terms of feeder schools, Division Three is a bit more set in stone compared to Division Four. On the other hand, traditionally many of the top D3 schools are secular, which draw from a wider range than a public school. So I wouldn’t expect to be 100% accurate in terms of predicting which 8th grade athlete goes where.
You may notice that these are more condensed than in previous years. I cannot fathom how I used to write posts for every single region! I just don’t have the time these days. But the projections are still here, even in a less wordy and less time-consuming format.
Enjoy. Use as motivation, but always know, these are never personal. Just numbers.
Toughest Regions
Region 20 Girls
Well, Maple City Glen Lake had to come and mess things up. Region 20 was perfectly set before the Lakers arrived, with Hart and Benzie Central typically taking up two qualifier spots, then leaving a third slot to whomever was feelin’ good that year. This upending has been par for the course since the Drowns arrived Up North, in both the NWC and Division 4. With the Laker arrival in Region 20, three top-10 teams exist in this northwest region. The issue is #13 McBain lurking there right behind. Between the 4 teams, 17 girls return that were sub-21 or faster last year, each team having at least 4 of those. Hopefully 4 in the top-20 happens!
Region 23 Boys
With the same scenario as the girls in Region 20 – three top-10 teams. These boys of Hanover-Horton, Jonesville, and Jackson Lumen Christi seem a bit more separated from their competition further down the line. Though Centreville is locked in position to perhaps score an upset. Will Hulin is an almost guaranteed low-stick and the Bulldogs bring back two freshmen that were sub-11 in the 3200m, which gives Centreville potential for growth.
Intriguing Battles
Region 25 – Boys and Girls
I seem to recall this being a wild one last fall. Taking a peek at last October’s regional projections, that was definitely the case. The boys had 5 teams with a >10% chance of advancing, the girls had 6 with a >15% chance. Caro’s boys shut the door on any sort of upset, while 3 points separated the 3rd place girls team from the 5th, with Caro and Saginaw Valley Lutheran moving on.
Chippewa Hills moves outta here, onto Division 2 pastures, and incoming from D2 is Gladwin. The Flying G boys are one of three teams ranked from #20-22, the others being Pigeon-Laker and Midland Bullock Creek. P-L likely has the strongest first four, Gladwin the best overall depth, and Bullock Creek slightly behind Gladwin through five.
The Bullock Creek women seem a slightly comfortable favorite, Sanford-Meridian behind the Lancers. Then four teams projected to be logjammed for the third spot, separated by 13 points. I normally don’t mention any rankings beyond #27, but Caro comes in at #29 and Saginaw Valley Lutheran at #30, thus four teams are separated by five ranking slots. Caro’s got the strength up front, Saginaw Valley Lutheran too. Harbor Beach perhaps the best 4th girl and Pigeon-Laker with potential to have the best depth. This is August, however, and MUCH can change.
Region 21 Boys
With three teams that could vie for the win – The Potter’s House, Montague, and Grand Rapids Covenant Christian. They’re all ranked between #15 and #19 and separated here by less than 10 points. TPH won here in ’25, though the Pumas must replace three seniors from their top-7. Covenant Christian was way back in 5th, but bring back three Chargers that were 17:30 or faster. The Wildcats were qualifiers and have their top-four coming back. Early numbers seem to suggest that Potter’s House contains the best depth, Covenant the fastest 4th man, and Montague the best top-3.
A huge help to the Rayders’ state title. Closed his ’25 season on a high note, three of his final four efforts in the very low-16’s or faster. His 15:58 at State was a full 2 min. faster than what he’d run as a sophomore, earning Hopkins a 10th place finish.
Isaac Dionne, Boyne City
Boyne City senior had major gains this past track season, dropping into the 9’s for the 3200m. His sophomore best was a 10:34.
Grant Corlew, Harbor Springs
The Ram had a big spring in the 3200m, sprinting to a 9:41 at Distance Night and placing 12th in D3.
Proj. Place
Grade
Name
Team
1
12
Hunter Eaton
Charlevoix
2
12
Ryder Hopkins
Charlevoix
3
12
Isaac Dionne
Boyne City
4
11
Grant Corlew
Harbor Springs
5
12
Maxwell Drenth
Charlevoix
6
12
Evan Civinskas
Roscommon
7
12
William Ready
Traverse City St. Francis
8
11
Aurie Selph
Charlevoix
9
11
Liam Mahaffy
Grayling
10
10
Landon Baas
Harbor Springs
11
10
Louis Ready
Traverse City St. Francis
12
12
Thomas Janisse
Roscommon
13
12
Brayden Spears
Lake City
14
12
Finn Parish
Boyne City
15
11
Jacob Muladore
Charlevoix
16
11
Harper Mullet
Traverse City St. Francis
17
12
Nate Gorman
Traverse City St. Francis
18
11
Hayden Mohrhardt
Traverse City St. Francis
19
12
Eli Williamson
Standish-Sterling
20
10
Liam Piotrowski
Oscoda
Girls
Proj. Place
Team
Proj. Score
Div. Rank
1
Traverse City St. Francis
45
Top-10
2
Lake City
59
Top-10
3
Harbor Springs
94
18
4
Boyne City
151
5
Roscommon
151
6
Grayling
164
7
Kalkaska
181
8
Charlevoix
196
9
Cheboygan
208
10
Elk Rapids
233
11
Tawas
288
Isadora Shaw, Lake City
Undefeated as an 8th grader last fall, winning at illustrious races such as Bluejay, Northwood, Veterans Serving Veterans, and Zone 7. And for further proof that she can handle the 5k distance, ripped a 18:15 at Benzie’s PROM.
Alaina Civinskas, Roscommon
Otherworldly progression at the end of cross continued into track, where the Roscommon Buck ran a 5:11 for the full mile and placed 8th in D3 in the event.
Aubrey Doan, Lake City
Was runner-up to Shaw in many Lake City MS meets last year and also popped a 19:35 at Benzie’s PROM to close out the year.
Proj. Place
Grade
Name
Team
1
9
Isadora Shaw
Lake City
2
10
Alaina Civinskas
Roscommon
3
9
Aubrey Doan
Lake City
4
12
Molly Kate Hollandsworth
Traverse City St. Francis
5
9
Hannah Muladore
Charlevoix
6
11
Emma Kerr
Traverse City St. Francis
7
12
Nico Triebold
Grayling
8
9
Maggie Mohrhardt
Traverse City St. Francis
9
11
Faith Helsel
Lake City
10
11
Aaliyah Hillier
Kalkaska
11
11
Harlow Hughes
Lake City
12
9
Kate Rowe
Traverse City St. Francis
13
11
Hailee Bertels
Boyne City
14
12
Stefi Reskevics
Harbor Springs
15
9
Kasia Rozanski
Traverse City St. Francis
16
11
Gabi Rempe
Harbor Springs
17
11
Betty Cordner
Traverse City St. Francis
18
10
Ruby Rhein
Traverse City St. Francis
19
9
Reese Woodham
Harbor Springs
20
12
Laura Janisse
Roscommon
REGION 20
Boys
Proj. Place
Team
Proj. Score
Div. Rank
1
Hart
43
Top-10
2
Maple City Glen Lake
52
Top-10
3
Benzie Central
119
4
McBain
156
5
Manistee
179
6
Manton
199
7
Mason County Central
207
8
Kingsley
224
9
Harrison
225
10
Hesperia
226
11
Leroy Pine River
228
12
Farwell
249
13
Shelby
294
Tristan Hernandez, Kingsley
Each year, he’s found a way to steadily move forward throughout the course of the season. Last year’s example began with a 17:10 opener here at Benzie and a 16:04 to win this Region 20.
Spencer McNitt, Maple City Glen Lake
Laker had a great intro to the HS level, running in the low-16’s during championship season and stepping onto the D4 medal stand.
Eli VanPoortfliet, Benzie Central
Benzie junior has run in the low-10’s for the 3200m each of the past two springs. But took an important step forward in ’26, qualifying for State in the event for the first time.
Abraham Feeney, Maple City Glen Lake
Glen Lake boy that is no stranger to this Benzie course, running in the 16:30’s for each of his three efforts here last fall.
Proj. Place
Grade
Name
Team
1
11
Tristan Hernandez
Kingsley
2
10
Spencer McNitt
Maple City Glen Lake
3
11
Eli VanPoortfliet
Benzie Central
4
12
Abraham Feeney
Maple City Glen Lake
5
11
Silas Ackley
Hart
6
10
Christian Feeney
Maple City Glen Lake
7
9
Agustin Hernandez
Hart
8
12
Logan Young
Harrison
9
12
Mason Opalewski
Hart
10
11
Trevor VanderKodde
Hart
11
11
Edison Huizinga
Manistee
12
11
Grant Ackley
Hart
13
11
Azrael Horvath
Manton
14
12
Lincoln Bailey
Maple City Glen Lake
15
12
Carson Ackley
Hart
16
11
Timothy Wolff
Hart
17
10
Liam Plainte
Houghton Lake
18
12
Braydn Winkel
McBain
19
12
Cage Edingfield
Benzie Central
20
11
Walter Armstrong
Benzie Central
Girls
Proj. Place
Team
Proj. Score
Div. Rank
1
Hart
68
Top-10
2
Maple City Glen Lake
76
Top-10
3
Benzie Central
78
Top-10
4
McBain
83
13
5
Leroy Pine River
143
6
Mason County Central
157
7
Manistee
186
8
Shelby
199
9
Manton
233
10
Kingsley
253
11
Hesperia
337
Caelyn Torry, McBain
Has had great success here at the regional level, placing 2nd here as a freshman and winning in 2025. It doesn’t end there, as the McBain junior owns two top-20 placings in D3.
Natalie Rosema, Hart
A Pirate with a very consistent career progression, dropping from 86th to 46th to 23rd at MIS over the past three seasons.
Avery Kelly, Benzie Central
Had a rough end to her cross season but emerged as a stronger runner on the other side of it, dropping PR’s in the 800m and 1600m during the spring.
Madisyn Wanstead, LeRoy Pine River
Through two years, the Buck has definitely loved competing here at Benzie, dropping significant season bests in her two regional races.
Merrick Tacktor, Mason County Central
WMC Rivers Middle School champ that also busted out a 19:46 here at PROM.
Proj. Place
Grade
Name
Team
1
11
Caelyn Torry
McBain
2
12
Natalie Rosema
Hart
3
11
Avery Kelly
Benzie Central
4
11
Madisyn Wanstead
Leroy Pine River
5
9
Merrick Tacktor
Mason County Central
6
11
Carmella Julian
Maple City Glen Lake
7
9
Avyrie Ottenbacher
Maple City Glen Lake
8
10
Lily Sisson
Leroy Pine River
9
12
Betsy Gooden
Manton
10
10
Emma Miller
Hart
11
11
Maggie McClellan
Benzie Central
12
11
Avalynne Allee
Leroy Pine River
13
11
Alaina Schaner
Hart
14
12
Madelyn Reinink
McBain
15
9
Bella Young
Harrison
16
10
Mya Bronkema
McBain
17
10
Alyse Cox
Maple City Glen Lake
18
11
Ingrid Molins Rallo
Benzie Central
19
11
Hattie Driver
Manistee
20
12
Maylan Sanders
Mason County Central
REGION 21
Boys
Proj. Place
Team
Proj. Score
Div. Rank
1
The Potter’s House
76
15
2
Montague
79
17
3
Grand Rapids Covenant Christian
85
19
4
Muskegon Western Mich. Christian
103
25
5
Lakeview
145
6
Delton-Kellogg
146
7
Stanton Central Montcalm
155
8
Kent City
219
9
Newaygo
222
10
Grandville Calvin Christian
252
11
Vermontville Maple Valley
299
12
Ravenna
315
13
North Muskegon
377
Nolan Kessler, Montague
Wildcat junior has spent the past two championship season with closes in the 16’s, including a 5th place finish here in ’25.
David Castrejon, Newaygo
The Newaygo Lion had another successful 1600m campaign, running in the 4:30’s again but this time qualifying for D3 State, where he placed 11th.
Cooper Tiffany, Lakeview
Made the most of his MIS opportunity a year ago, dropping a nearly 20 sec. PR to place 37th in D3.
Levi Schimmel, Grand Rapids Covenant Christian
Steady drops from this Charger senior, moving from the mid-17’s as a sophomore to a junior year that closed with consecutive 16:30ish races here and in Brooklyn.
Proj. Place
Grade
Name
Team
1
11
Nolan Kessler
Montague
2
12
David Castrejon
Newaygo
3
12
Cooper Tiffany
Lakeview
4
12
Levi Schimmel
Grand Rapids Covenant Christian
5
12
Owen Sytsema
Muskegon Western Mich. Christian
6
12
Evan Buteyn
Grandville Calvin Christian
7
12
Caleb Swiney
The Potter’s House
8
12
Micah Kuiper
Grand Rapids Covenant Christian
9
12
Gibson Smith
Montague
10
12
Landon Madden
Delton-Kellogg
11
10
Wesley Mair
Montague
12
12
Josiah Scholma
Muskegon Western Mich. Christian
13
12
Mattias Tuls
The Potter’s House
14
11
Logan Sicilia
The Potter’s House
15
11
Johnny Coston
Stanton Central Montcalm
16
10
Mason Bollinger
Stanton Central Montcalm
17
12
Eli Morse
Muskegon Western Mich. Christian
18
12
Nick Leonhard
The Potter’s House
19
12
Landon Kuperus
Grand Rapids Covenant Christian
20
10
Aiden Willett
Lakeview
Girls
Proj. Place
Team
Score
Div. Rank
1
Grand Rapids Covenant Christian
39
Top-10
2
Kent City
48
12
3
Grandville Calvin Christian
67
14
4
Muskegon Western Mich. Christian
130
5
Morley-Stanwood
163
6
Lakeview
171
7
Vermontville Maple Valley
206
8
Delton-Kellogg
220
9
Montague
230
10
Ravenna
265
11
North Muskegon
285
Elliana Max, Kent City
The defending regional champ who hasn’t stopped improving, dropping 13 sec. from her freshman best in the 1600m this past May.
Kamryn Salladay, Lakeview
Was on the path to a breakthrough track season when another unfortunate injury derailed her season. In spite of all the setbacks, has put together many accomplishments, including three All-States on the grass and a 5:08 in the 1600m this winter.
Proj. Place
Grade
Name
Team
1
11
Elliana Max
Kent City
2
12
Kamryn Salladay
Lakeview
3
12
Shelby Kuiper
Grand Rapids Covenant Christian
4
11
Shelby Zimmer
Kent City
5
12
Faith Jenkins
Grandville Calvin Christian
6
10
Joselyn Vogel
Kent City
7
10
Kate DeVries
Grand Rapids Covenant Christian
8
12
Andrea Rolston
Stanton Central Montcalm
9
12
Lydia Minderhoud
Grand Rapids Covenant Christian
10
12
Laura Castrejon
Newaygo
11
11
Abbie Koole
Grand Rapids Covenant Christian
12
11
Ellason Foster
Newaygo
13
12
Leah Sneller
Muskegon Western Mich. Christian
14
11
Lynnae Meengs
Grandville Calvin Christian
15
12
Anna DeVries
Grand Rapids Covenant Christian
16
9
Taylor Dornbos
Grandville Calvin Christian
17
10
Leah Elzinga
Grand Rapids Covenant Christian
18
11
Joellah Bouwman
Grandville Calvin Christian
19
9
Colbie Babbitt
Morley-Stanwood
20
9
Adelita Tobias
Vermontville Maple Valley
REGION 22
Boys
Proj. Place
Team
Proj. Score
Div. Rank
1
Saugatuck
33
Top-10
2
Holland Black River
68
11
3
Buchanan
94
23
4
Schoolcraft
122
26
5
Hartford
165
6
Fennville
180
7
Three Oaks River Valley
214
8
Watervliet
215
9
Bangor
220
10
Coloma
245
11
Parchment
252
12
Constantine
289
13
Bloomingdale
293
14
Kalamazoo Christian
328
Mason Rogers, Three Oaks River Valley
Mason’s freshman self handled a full cross season, commencing in the 16’s and ending with a 15:59 PR at MITCA. Along the way, found a 6th place finish in D4. Progression in track, including a 9:30 in the 3200m, showed he can finish in the same manner when moving up a division.
Jonas Ballard, Holland Black River
Has improved mightily under the tutelage of Coach Martens. Over a 40 sec. PR drop as a junior, his 15:44 at State being a 7th place D3 finish.
Marcus Silva, Saugatuck
The past two seasons have seen Silva run his absolute best at MIS. 2025’s example was a 15:56 and top-10 spot.
John Keser, Buchanan
Immaculate improvement from 2023 to 2025. Started as a freshman that began his career in the 21’s and has subtracted over 5 min. from that point, ending his junior season with a 16:11 personal best.
Grant Rehkopf, Saugatuck
Silva wasn’t the only Saugatuck boy with a standout day in Brooklyn, as Rehkopf struck down his previous PR by 13 seconds, hitting a 16:05 and coming across the line in 14th.
Proj. Place
Grade
Name
Team
1
10
Mason Rogers
Three Oaks River Valley
2
12
Jonas Ballard
Holland Black River
3
12
Marcus Silva
Saugatuck
4
12
John Keser
Buchanan
5
12
Grant Rehkopf
Saugatuck
6
10
Reese Devisser
Schoolcraft
7
11
Jackson Bowman
Saugatuck
8
12
Sawyer Monroe
Saugatuck
9
10
Sam Casiano
Watervliet
10
11
Ira Brown
Saugatuck
11
12
Sebastian Zylstra
Holland Black River
12
11
Avery Carlson
Holland Black River
13
12
Aiden Mcdonald
Hartford
14
12
Xavier Pompey
Coloma
15
11
Casper Banner
Holland Black River
16
12
Colin Bauer
Schoolcraft
17
11
Josiah Passig
Buchanan
18
9
Isaac Mulder
Schoolcraft
19
10
Bentley Molitor
Buchanan
20
11
Carter Brouwer
Bangor
Girls
Proj. Place
Team
Proj. Score
Div. Rank
1
Saugatuck
58
16
2
Buchanan
83
23
3
Schoolcraft
119
4
Watervliet
137
5
Holland Black River
143
6
Lawton
154
7
Constantine
171
8
Fennville
223
9
Hartford
244
10
Three Oaks River Valley
253
11
Kalamazoo Christian
258
12
Niles Brandywine
259
13
Bloomingdale
284
14
Coloma
397
15
Bangor
430
Isabelle Sliter, Fennville
TWICE the Region 22 Champion. The Fennville senior has two All-States in her trophy case, the highest finish being a 14th place last November.
Kamryn Sixberry, Saugatuck
Excelled at a wide range of events this spring, running 2:26/5:37/11:48 and aiding her Trailblazers to a 3rd place in the 4×8.
Tala Carlin, Buchanan
9th grade year saw Carlin keep getting better and better and better. The end result was a runner-up here and an 18th place in D3.
Serious moves made in the change from his 9th to 10th grade years. Will transformed from a freshman that slipped under 17:00 late to a sophomore that was sub-16 here and 12th in D3.
Clint Couchman, Brooklyn Columbia Central
Clint is a prime example of just how loaded this Region 23 was in 2025. He placed 9th here and then 16th down the road in Brooklyn.
Chad Tyson, Hanover-Horton
Striking development in his junior season. After two years spent north of 17:00, didn’t just run in the 16’s, sped to the very low-16’s during his 11th grade year. Capper was a 16:02 at MITCA.
Track season saw the freshman continue to establish herself as one of the better runners in her class. Ranked in the top-30 in the ’29 class in all events from 800m to 3200m.
Maisey Toteff, Hanover-Horton
Was robbed of a chance to close her sophomore fall season, which undoubtedly propelled her in her track campaign. Maisey’s spring consisted of personal bests from the 800m to 3200m, most notably a 5:25 in the 1600m.
Avery Haynes, Brooklyn Columbia Central
Freshman season ended too early, as Haynes ripped a 30+ second PR at MITCA, racing to a 19:26.
Proj. Place
Grade
Name
Team
1
11
Tiya Feldpausch
Olivet
2
12
Samantha Schroeder
Jackson Lumen Christi
3
10
Lily Britton
Olivet
4
11
Maisey Toteff
Hanover-Horton
5
10
Avery Haynes
Brooklyn Columbia Central
6
10
Madelynn Patterson
Olivet
7
12
Brynlee Swihart
Hanover-Horton
8
12
Alonna Goodsell
Bronson
9
10
Mila Scheele
Jackson Lumen Christi
10
12
Joleane Gulledge
Jonesville
11
12
Miriam Sanchez
Bronson
12
9
Ellie Swihart
Hanover-Horton
13
10
Ella Worthing
Jackson Lumen Christi
14
9
Marie Swager
Jackson Lumen Christi
15
12
Keira Knight
Jonesville
16
12
Rachel DeVries
Jackson Lumen Christi
17
12
Allison Gautsche
Union City
18
9
Klaire Scanlon
Jackson Lumen Christi
19
9
Savannah Nye
Jonesville
20
9
Emily Falkenstein
Centreville
REGION 24
Boys
Proj. Place
Team
Proj. Score
Div. Rank
1
Pewamo-Westphalia
47
Top-10
2
Montrose
112
3
Belding
121
4
Saranac
127
5
Laingsburg
146
6
Ithaca
149
7
Chesaning
159
8
Ovid-Elsie
164
9
New Lothrop
205
10
Bath
207
11
Perry
266
12
St. Louis
342
Owen Poppema, Bath
Didn’t settle after having one of the better freshman seasons. Lowered his personal best by nearly 30 sec. and moved up 20 places in Brooklyn, finishing 8th.
John Kowatch, Pewamo-Westphalia
Showed progression in his hallmark track events – the mid-distance variety. Sub-2 in many instances, including moving up 2 spots to step on the podium in Kent City.
Proj. Place
Grade
Name
Team
1
11
Owen Poppema
Bath
2
12
John Kowatch
Pewamo-Westphalia
3
12
Evan MacLaren
Ithaca
4
12
Charlie George
Pewamo-Westphalia
5
12
Wyatt Werner
Pewamo-Westphalia
6
11
Eli Hobson
Montrose
7
11
Christopher Shemes
Ithaca
8
9
Krue Short
Belding
9
11
Michael Allen
Montrose
10
12
Jaxon Hemgesberg
Chesaning
11
12
Jobriel Octubre
Chesaning
12
11
Brady Oosterhouse
Saranac
13
11
Logan Gregory
Saranac
14
12
Nolan Mitchell
Pewamo-Westphalia
15
9
Lucas Demeter
New Lothrop
16
10
Will Baese
Ovid-Elsie
17
11
Austin Hodges
Laingsburg
18
11
Logan Ingraham
Belding
19
9
Jace Devereaux
Laingsburg
20
10
Joel Oosterhouse
Saranac
Girls
Proj. Place
Team
Score
Div. Rank
1
Pewamo-Westphalia
26
Top-10
2
Ithaca
50
Top-10
3
Chesaning
99
19
4
Saranac
169
5
Belding
178
6
Laingsburg
185
7
St. Louis
191
8
New Lothrop
205
9
Bath
214
10
Perry
226
11
Ovid-Elsie
271
12
Montrose
275
Alyssa Kramer, Pewamo-Westphalia
Your defending Region 24 Champion. When it mattered in 2025, Alyssa raced at another level, the prime example being her 18:27 and 4th place D3 finish.
Calista George, Pewamo-Westphalia
Sophomore that learned by fire last year. Podium finisher in the fall, then anchored a D3 Champion Pirate 4×8 on the oval.
Makinna Foglesong, Ithaca
Poor Ithaca has to move all over the map for their regionals. Makinna is steady through it all, placing in the top-10 all three years, whether that be on the Lake Huron shoreline or down the road in Shepherd. Ithaca travels south this time, but she’ll be ready.
Grace Jordan, Chesaning
8th grade track season contained MMAC titles from the 800m to 3200m.
Got a glimpse of the 16’s during his sophomore season. Fully embraced it as a junior, reaching as far down as 16:13 to hit 21st in D3.
Everett Beach, Lansing Catholic
A consistent 16 min. figure, especially when it mattered. Closed his Michigan fall with a massive PB, a 16:09 at MITCA.
Owen Windgaston, Clawson
Clawson Trojan underwent a drastic transformation over the past year. Evident in his eight-lappers, where he moved from a 10:37 to 9:44, which was 6th in Oakland County.
James Tennes, Lansing Catholic
Another LC to spin his best material in championship season. Two sub-16:30’s at season’s close, including a 6th place finish here.
Grady Richey, Lansing Catholic
Momentum from the wowing Lansing Catholic state finish definitely spurred his spring, where Richey dropped 50 seconds in the 3200m to slip under 10:00.
Freshman spring saw Drauer quickly acquit herself to the 1600m. Began her season with a 5:43 and capped it off with a 5:09 1600m at State (5th place) and 5:11 full mile in Philly.
Lindsey Ludwig, Lansing Catholic
Concentrated on the mid-distances in the spring and to good result, erasing 6 sec. from her freshman 800m best and qualifying for State in the event.
Isabelle Currie, Lansing Catholic
Runs all the sprints, all the hurdles, and most of the relays. In total, she contributed to 24 Cougar points in Kent City.
A year apart, ran a minute (to the second!) faster at MIS, moving from a 117th to 26th place finish.
Naveen Kulkarni, Ann Arbor Greenhills
Solid improvements in the spring (4:37 to 4:26 and 10:23 to 10:00) should lend him a successful cross season.
Isaac Cox, Plymouth Christian Academy
9th grade fall was a rousing success. Hit 16:15 twice, first at Gabriel Richard, then again at MIS (29th in D3!).
Proj. Place
Grade
Name
Team
1
11
Christian Craanen
Monroe St. Mary CC
2
11
Michael Weidmayer
Blissfield
3
12
Naveen Kulkarni
Ann Arbor Greenhills
4
10
Isaac Cox
Plymouth Christian Academy
5
11
Simon Reed
Plymouth Christian Academy
6
11
Noah Sills
Blissfield
7
12
Joseph Colaluca
Erie Mason
8
10
Henry Cooper
Ann Arbor Greenhills
9
11
Caleb Healey
Erie Mason
10
11
Chris Durfey
Onsted
11
11
Jarel Adams
Plymouth Christian Academy
12
10
Haiden Bennett
Clinton
13
12
Connor Boteler
Grass Lake
14
10
Grant Rasor
Ottawa Lake-Whiteford
15
12
Nicklas Holmes
Onsted
16
12
Porter Ravary
Erie Mason
17
12
David Mills
Erie Mason
18
11
Phineas Totten
Monroe St. Mary CC
19
9
Owen Claus
Clinton
20
11
Weston Albright
Erie Mason
Girls
Proj. Place
Team
Proj. Score
Div. Rank
1
Blissfield
24
Top-10
2
Plymouth Christian Academy
92
3
Grass Lake
108
4
Ann Arbor Greenhills
126
5
Clinton
126
6
Onsted
138
7
Erie Mason
161
8
Ottawa Lake-Whiteford
194
9
Adrian Madison
214
10
Monroe St. Mary CC
245
11
Dearborn Heights Robichaud
264
Anna Hallett, Blissfield
The chasm between her regular season and championship season was facemelting. Mid-20 girl into October that in her final three races, went 19:43, 19:10, 19:24. 20th place in D3 when projected to finish 54th.
Annamaria Brazdau, Plymouth Christian Academy
Dropped time, time after time. By season’s end, she’d run 19:30, right on the cusp of an All-State finish.
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 