Michigan XC Speed Ratings

In my mind, in terms of raw talent and upside, Brady is a top 10 runner in the state
We saw inklings of that potential in track, where he was able to run 1:58/4:16 (and in a fresh race late in the season, I wouldn’t be shocked if he went sub 9:20)
His 2020 cross season commenced with a breakout performance – 16:01 at Shepherd’s John Bruder Classic, a 30+ second PB
He matched that effort multiple times, with similar performances at Greater Flint, SVL South 1, and the Meet of Champions
He didn’t have the greatest track regional or cross country state meet, so he’s missing some of the accolades that others have
But aided by his stint of Flagstaff altitude training, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to prove himself on the big stage this year

Mary came to us as a middle schooler with Saginaw County titles and sub-12 times, and she’s 100% lived up to that potential thus far
The typical freshman in this sport takes a few races to get the hang of things, but Mary was up to speed in no time
Her initial effort was a 19:33 in a late August tri, but she was sub-19 the next time out at Pete Moss
By the end of the season, she had nearly broken 18:00 (18:05) and nabbed the Frankenmuth school record in the process
Times are one thing, but she’s consistently showed up in championship races as well
- She’s the defending regional champ in cross along with the 1600m/3200m in track
- She was victorious at TVC East and MITCA’s 1600m/3200m
- And All-State in cross and the 1600m/3200m
I always say this, but winners win, and I’m confident we’ll see Mary on plenty of medal stands in the future

Regional Previews: Division 2, Region 13

Where: Portage West MS. Another fair course. May run a little slow in the heat, but by late October, usually no adjustment needed.

2020 Boys: Otsego, Grand Rapids Christian, Allegan

2020 Girls: Grand Rapids Christian, Otsego, Grand Rapids South Christian

Top 25 Boys Teams: Mason (10), Battle Creek Harper Creek (20)

Top 25 Girls Teams: Mason (6), Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg (13), Grand Rapids South Christian (19)

Top 50 Boys (Division 2): Garrett Winter (25), Kyler Dean (33), Jacob Singleton (48)

Top 50 Girls (Division 2): Meghan Ford (1), Alyna Lewis (43), Ava Makowski (50)

Pioneer has finished in Division 1’s Top Ten for each of the past three years and in each of those years, Owen has competed for them at MIS
Individually, those races may not have gone the way he’s hoped, but his running has helped them with their immense team success
His past two years on the cross course have just been rife with superb times, four times he’s broken 16:00
And he’s finished top 5 at both Regionals and SEC Red those years
His outdoor season was cut short by injury, but he was able to nab a 4^th place finish at the MITS 3200m in March

Clara is here because of her sheer dominance and legendary training
- Seriously, head out to the beaches of Bridgman this summer and I guarantee you’ll find her running hill sprints on those sand dunes
Part of what gives a runner a high rating is what they run in relation to their competition, and Clara’s closest(!) race had a 37 second gap between her and 2^nd place
In terms of time, she’s got that, with that 8:53 effort at Berrien County and low-12 efforts at New Buffalo and Riverview Park
Historically, she stacks up as well, as my quick athleticnet research shows that no one has touched her times at:
- River Valley – her best 8:53, others best 9:28
- New Buffalo ES – her best 12:03, others best 13:32
- Riverview Park – her best 12:10, others best 12:37 (and this one goes back 8+ years)
Bridgman has a rich recent history and I’m excited to see how she performs for the Bees