Blog

2020 Previews

An Early Look: Region 23-3

mixcspeedratings

Teams

Brooklyn Columbia Central
Dansville
Grass Lake
Hanover-Horton
Homer
Hudson
Jackson Lumen Christi
Jonesville
Leslie
Michigan Center
Napoleon
Onsted
Quincy
Springport
Union City

Boys

Team Projections

Individual Projections

Ranked Teams

Leslie (9), Dansville (17), Hanover-Horton (18), Napoleon (21)

Highest Rated Seniors

Dean narrowly missed the cut in the 50 Tickets to Brooklyn series. He set a new PR, 16:23, at Shepherd, then doubled that up with clutch performances at Cascades, Regionals, and States. He’s been top-5 in the region the past two years and this was his first All-State honor.

As with Dean, Alec turned it on late. His breakthrough was a little later, on an ideal day at Gabriel Richard. That 16:23 spurred more impressive performances, including a 4th place in the Regional and 16th place in the State.

In terms of time, Alex has taken a more steady path. In terms of achievements, much more dramatic. In 2017 and 2018, Alex’s regionals were a bit disappointing, running slower than he had previously in the season. For his junior year, he flipped that, with only his 3rd sub-17 finish and his first trip to MIS.

Career Achievement

Jalen’s improvement from 2018 to 2019 makes you wonder what his potential is here. As a freshman, he flirted with the 18:00 barrier, dipping under it at both Gabriel Richard and Regionals. As a sophomore, he was consistently under 17:00, taking that all the way to a 10th place finish at the Division 4 State Meet.

Anyone Else?

Last year, I pegged Joseph as being an impact for Dansville. It took awhile, but he was able to fill that role late into October. His 5th place regional finish, a 17:34, was able to help his team secure a Regional Championship, and with the move to Division 3, he’ll be counted on again.

That breakthrough race can happen at anytime, but it’s all the more special when it’s from someone young at an important event. Rhett was ranked 9th going into this regional last year, and his rating suggested a sub-17 performance. But it didn’t predict a 16:39 and 6th place finish. It’s often the case that the following race is a letdown, but Rhett didn’t let that occur, with an even more impressive 16:47 at MIS. This regional has so much young talent.

I did not peg Cameron as an key player on Leslie’s team last year, but taking a glance at his MS results, perhaps he was overlooked. As the season wore on, he showed his presence, with consistent mid-17 runs. That steadiness will be needed as Leslie relies on its depth to move up the D3 leaderboards.

Girls

Team Projections

Individual Projections

Ranked Teams

Jackson Lumen Christi (16)

Highest Rated Seniors

Three years for Renae have resulted in so many achievements.  Top-3 at Regionals three times, Top-2 in the I-8 twice, and All-State twice.  The 2019 season even saw a PR, a 19:12, 30+ seconds better than 2018.

After three years of hard work, Kailee put it together for a memorable finish at MIS.  She’s always been a quick one (with a 2:23 800m to her credit), but the endurance side has maybe taken a bit longer to develop.  In late October, she came through with multiple sub-20 times and an All-State finish.

Haley has the amazing ability of running her best when it matters, in late October.  The past three years, she’s either set a season record or personal best in a championship race.  She’s been top-10 in the region twice and this year could be her highest finish yet. 

Career Achievement

It’s been a constant cycle of growth for Faith.  Her freshman year of XC ended with an All-Region performance, but this past fall, her regional race was a winning performance at Regionals.  Along with that victory were some major time drops, with many finishes in the mid-19’s.  She placed 22nd at the State Meet and continued that momentum into indoor, where she set a new 3200m PR, 11:30.

Anyone Else?

Kaley is one of the leaders on a Hudson squad that’s been prominent at the Division 4 level.  The Tigers have finished in the top-10 at MIS in all three of her years there.  She’s been a major factor in that, placing in the top-50 individually on each occasion.

As her older sister (Reagan) graduates, Sydney moves in to fill her spot.  It might take awhile to reach Reagan’s level, but Sydney has definitely shown she’s capable, with a consistent string of mid-13:00 performances last year.

Madison should bolster Lumen Christi’s already formidable top two.  She really dropped some time to end last year, her final two races of the 12:30 variety. She won the I-8 Middle School and even entered in a little indoor track, running sub-13.

2020 Previews

An Early Look: Region 24-3

mixcspeedratings

Teams

Bath
Byron
Charyl Stockwell Academy
Chesaning
Durand
Ithaca
Laingsburg
Montrose
New Lothrop
Ovid-Elsie
Perry
Pewamo-Westphalia
Potterville
St. Charles
St. Louis
Vermontville Maple Valley

Boys

Despite their youth last year, St. Louis was able to string together TVC and Regional titles, then follow those accomplishments up with a top-10 finish in Brooklyn. Ithaca and New Lothrop were similarly youthful, but neither bring in a freshman such as Ben March. Pewamo-Westphalia always finds a way to throw themselves into the mix as well, New Lothrop’s key to holding them off may be Drew Kohlmann, who was able to put it together late last season.

Braxton Lamey and Carson Hersch should be a battle for the 1st place crown. Both are ranked in the top 50, both in the top 5 for Division 3. Lamey in particular has been putting in work, both over the winter and this summer. During our unofficial track season, he was able to run 4:26/9:40.

Team Projections

Individual Projections

Ranked Teams

St. Louis (4), Ithaca (8), New Lothrop (16), Pewamo-Westphalia (22)

Highest Rated Seniors

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Zach has been able to race for the achievements and the times while leading Potterville through their move up to Division 3. Although their team was unable to replicate their success in the lower division, Zach was able to slip under the 16:00 barrier for the first time ever and nab his 3rd straight All-State finish.

Drew’s championship season was the best stretch of his career. He kicked it off with a 16:59 at Greater Flint, a PR almost a year in the making. From there, a top-5 finish at Shiawassee County and his first State Meet qualifier.

In his three years competing for St. Louis, Joe has been Mr. Consistency. Every season, he’s been in the 17’s. But last year, he was able to knock a little time off, with multiple 17:1x efforts. He’ll be counted on as one of the better 3rd/4th runners in the State.

Career Achievement

After a freshman year where he managed to sneak under 18:00 at the end, Nate turned it up a notch this past fall. He managed several sub-17 efforts, including an All-Region performance here and an All-State performance the following week.

Anyone Else?

Parks follows in the footstep of the great Ransom Allen (who is bound to be one of the better runners in the GLIAC/Division 2). He had a solid freshman year, getting down to the low-17’s late, good enough for a 12th place finish here. But during the winter, he was able to show even more progress, running 4:39/10:09.

The rich get richer over at P-W. They’ve always had a strong tradition, and to have a strong tradition, you begin with young talent. Collin was one of the top-5 MS runners in the state last year. He had a few races under the 11:00 barrier, with wins at Marauder, St. Johns, and Williamston. During the 2019 track season, he was able to run 10:47 for 3200m.

Another preview, another example of a kid showing year to year growth. Liam ended his freshman year on a high note, with a 19:13 PR. He also ended his sophomore year on a high note, having broken 17:00 and qualified for MIS.

Girls

The girls team race is a battle of the vast improvement Ithaca’s girls have made vs. the freshmen St. Louis will gain. Jaiden Dickman and Monika Borie have potential to vault St. Louis onto the podium at MIS. On the other hand, Ithaca has a track record of progress, and it’s absolutely evident in girls such as Rachael Sierakowski and Josie Morrow. Ithaca’s girls should be able to pack up in whichever race they run, and their strength will definitely be shown at larger meets.

The question is: how much of Lani Bloom’s sensational track season will translate to XC? I’m as big of a fan of hers as any and I’m confident her grit will lead her to the success she desires. There’s some competition here that may push her, as Libby Munderloh and Clara Krupp both have sub-19 in them, it’s rare to have that top end talent at a Division 3 regional.

Team Projections

Individual Projections

Ranked Teams

St. Louis (3), Ithaca (6), Pewamo-Westphalia (8)

Highest Rated Seniors

Small, gradual gains have been the ticket as Amelia works her way up the Division 3 ranks. She began her career with some impressive times, but maybe a disappointing finish at Regionals. In 2018, she was able to grab that All-Region spot, and in 2019, give a great bid for All-State.

Abi made a commitment to consistency to begin 2019 and it paid off for her in the end. She’s always been a talented runner, but after sophomore season where she fell below expectations, she knew something had to change. It changed to the tune of a walk onto the All-State podium and her first sub-20 finish.

Grace’s talent is her work ethic. Her sophomore year (her first year running XC), she kept her times above 24:00. Her junior year, almost a whole new runner. Grace began the year in the 21’s, finished in the mid-20’s, all while contributing to Ithaca’s league title and top-10 finish. May be a dark horse candidate for really big honors this fall.

Career Achievement

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I’m not sure how she does it, but Libby always brings her best effort to the Scottie Classic. Two years there, two sub-19 efforts. She’s brought it in many other meets as well, finishing 3rd both years at Regionals (once at Shepherd, once at Uncle John’s), and top-10 in the State as well.

Anyone Else?

Clara showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman, then put the whole package together last fall.  She ended up finishing 1st in her league (MMAC), along with victories at Carrollton and Genesee.  But most importantly, came through late, with an 11th place finish at MIS.

Hayden has shown a rare steadiness for a young runner.  Over her middle school career, she’s gotten gradually faster, capping it off with a 12:31 at Greater Lansing.

Jaiden may be the girl that puts St. Louis over the top.  She’s had the results to back it up, multiple sub-12:30 efforts.  She has even reached up to the 5k level, running 20:11 at last fall’s MITCA meet.  Not to mention that she showed some mid-distance ability this winter, running 5:38 indoors.

2020 Previews

An Early Look: Region 25-3

mixcspeedratings

Teams

Bad Axe
Beaverton
Bentley
Burton-Bendle
Caro
Carrollton
Cass City
Clare
Hemlock
Millington
Mt. Morris
Otisville-LakeVille
Pigeon-Laker
Pinconning
Reese
Saginaw Valley Lutheran
Sandusky
Sanford-Meridian
Vassar

Boys

Team Projections

Individual Projections

Ranked Teams

Caro (6)

Highest Rated Seniors

To quote fan of the site and future Dalton State star Riley Ford, “I remember him as a freshman working harder than most trying to prove himself. He’s shown vast improvement every season and now has experience racing from the front of the pack.” Nick has much experience at the front of the pack, being the returning champion here. He’s knocked on the door of All-State and given that vast improvement, should be in that discussion this year.

When you have the depth that Caro does, along with a group of fast runners, it’s only natural that those on the team rise to another level at some point. For Cole, it was his junior year, one that featured a 45+ second PR, first All-Region, and first All-State finish.

Kevin was a major reason that Caro was able to upset Shepherd last year. He entered the race ranked 9th and finished 4th, with a 35 second PR as a result. The following week, he showed that was no fluke, running 17:03 on a tough day at MIS.

Career Achievement

Logan had quite a sophomore year that showed his potential in this sport. That 2018 season featured an All-State finish, top-10 finish at Thumb Area, and multiple sub-17 efforts.

Anyone Else?

Caro has a number of freshmen, both boys and girls, that should be in the mix on the course this fall. Matthew is probably the safest bet to be at the front, with multiple sub-11:30 performances, including wins at Heritage, Holly, USA, Linden, and Thumb Area.

Sam has shown some dramatic improvement since his freshman year. In 2017, all of his races were in the 20+ minute variety. This past year, he started off in that range, but finished with a 9th place finish here, running 17:18.

Brad should give Matt Patullo a run for best freshman. His overall average is a bit slower, but in major races, he was able to run up at the front. He was 2nd at Allendale Falcon and 10th at Northern Michigan, both sub-11:30.

Girls

Team Projections

Individual Projections

Ranked Teams

Reese (4), Clare (10)

Highest Rated Seniors

Riley was one of many in this area to go through a late season renaissance (a nod to the strong coaching out this way).  She first snuck under 21:00 at Wagener Park, then continued on that hot streak to great performances at GTC, Ubly, Thumb Area, and this regional.  The latter two races earned her top-15 finishes.

Thought I’d mention these two in tandem.  During their reign at Clare, their team has qualified for States every year, winning the regional once, and twice finishing top-5 in the state.  They’ve both broken 20:00 early in their careers and are poised for another successful season.

Career Achievement

Ellymae pulled off a minor upset last year, knocking off the Shepherd girls and Jelena Prescott enroute to claiming 1st place.  What makes her accomplishment all the more impressive was a month earlier, she ran 1:25 slower on the same course. 

Anyone Else?

In 2019’s Regional, Allison experienced a major awakening in terms of running.  She had a solid freshman year, even getting down to the mid-20’s.  At Shepherd last fall, she smashed that 20:00 barrier, all the way to a 19:14 and 2nd place finish. 

Kinsie is one of a number of freshmen that should be impactful here.  She had a few quick results this past year, going sub-13 at Lancer and placing in the top-10 at Al Kayner.

Sandusky, Sanford-Meridian, and Caro should all battle for that 3rd spot.  A girl such as Karli, with her consistent progress throughout the year, could be beneficial for Sandusky.  Each year she’s shown growth both in the offseason and during the season, this past fall getting down to sub-21.