Blog

Teams

Alanson-Littlefield
Alba
Bellaire
Boyne Falls
Central Lake
Ellsworth
Fairview
Gaylord St. Mary
Indian River Inland Lakes
Johannesburg-Lewiston
Lincoln-Alcona
Mackinaw City
Onaway
Pellston
Petoskey St. Michael
Rogers City
Wolverine

Boys

Team Projections

Individual Projections

Ranked Teams

Johannesburg-Lewiston (12), Petoskey St. Michael (16)

Highest Rated Seniors

• Carlos Gascho, Johannesburg-Lewiston

Carlos talent in this sport is undeniable.  Top-10 in the State for each of his three years.  Suffered a knee injury this winter, but is apparently back to his old form.  Also, his family lived in Breckenridge a few years ago.  Can you imagine how dominant that program would be?

• Tyler Gellis, Boyne Falls

Tyler has improved his regional finish in each of his four years (yes, 8^th grade) at this level.  In 2018, he narrowly missed out on a MIS trip by finishing 17^th.  This past season, he was able to nab a spot, sneaking in at 15^th.

• Hammond Law, Petoskey St. Michael

In his first race of the year, where most athletes are getting their feet wet and reacquainted, Hammond set a 1:00+ PR.  He continued that precipitous time drop into the 17:30s, resulting in a 10^th place regional finish. 

Career Achievement

• Samuel Paga, Petoskey St. Michael

The St. Michael kids in this preview are largely here because of their tremendous improvement from 2018 to 2019.  Part of the formula I use feels that if one improves from one season to the next, the work ethic will allow that to continue.  Samuel dropped his PR from 19:11 to 17:19 and finished 31^st in the State after finishing 29^th at his regional in 2018.

Anyone Else?

• Lars Huffman, Mackinaw City

With many Northern Michigan D4 schools, you’ll see them competing as 8^th graders.  Lars was one of those, and he competed admirably, finishing 18^th at the 2018 Regionals.  This past season, he was able to qualify (with room to spare) in 12^th.  He dropped his PR by 1:00 from his 8^th grade year as well.

• Macartan Moore, Petoskey St. Michael

Marcatan had a coming out party at Portage.  His 17:43 there was his second jaunt under 18:00.  He followed that up with equally impressive performances at Regionals and State.  All in all, about a 2:00 drop from his freshman year.

• Alex Hager, Fairview

Incoming freshman had a few performances in the high-12, low-13 range.  3^rd place in a competitive race at Central Lake Hot Dog.

Girls

Team Projections

Individual Projections

Ranked Teams

Johannesburg-Lewiston (3), Ellsworth (18), Gaylord St. Mary (25)

Highest Rated Seniors

• Sydney Townsend, Johannesburg-Lewiston

Although her best time from each year has been nearly identical (20:37.8 to 20:37.4), her State finish deserves mention.  32^nd at MIS when she had never been below 60^th.  Three-time qualifier from this region.

• Morgan Baller, Rogers City

Morgan won this regional in 2017 and 2018, then finished 6^th last season.  She’s been All-State twice and has run into the 20’s each and every season. 

• Nina Hansen, Rogers City

Last year was actually Nina’s first year running XC.  She finished it with an 11^th place finish at this race (21:23, PR).

Career Achievement

• Miriam Murrell, Gaylord St. Mary

Not often you’ll see a freshman in this spot, but Miriam’s 8^th grade year requires recognition.  A sub-20 race at Class D was her best time, but more importantly, she was conference champion, regional champion and 14^th in the state. 

Anyone Else?

• Natalie Zochowski, Johannesburg-Lewiston

Natalie had a solid freshman year at Chippewa Hills, learning leadership and consistency from their great program.  She takes that further north to Johannesburg-Lewiston and will be a major boon to their team.  She was a low-20 runner and finished 17^th in a competitive Benzie regional.

• Jessie Ross, Fairview

I’m not sure who’s been coaching the Fairview MS squad, but they’ve developed some talent that will be players very soon here.  Jessie finished last season in the 13:30’s with high finishes to match, 3^rd at John Bruder and 4^th at Hot Dog.

• Maia Romeyn, Ellsworth

Maia began her career in 2018 as an 8^th grader.  She was a great help to Ellsworth, placing 7^th at Regionals and 2^nd  at the NLC Championships.  She continued that conference performance.  But she improved her regional finish and time, getting down into the 20’s and top-3 at this region.

Teams

Baldwin
Bear Lake-Onekama
Brethren
Buckley
Fife Lake Forest Area
Frankfort
Grand Traverse Academy
Leelanau St. Mary
Leland
Maple City Glen Lake
Mason County Eastern
Mesick
Pentwater
Suttons Bay
The Leelanau School
Walkerville

Boys

Team Projections

Individual Projections

Ranked Teams

Mason County Eastern (7), Bear Lake-Onekama (16), Frankfort (17), Grand Traverse Academy (20), Maple City Glen Lake (24)

Highest Rated Seniors

• Alex Sheehy, Walkerville

The past two seasons, Alex has been a force at this regional, finishing 3^rd both times.  He’s repeated those outstanding performances at State as well, nabbing All-State both seasons.  This year, he looks to break 17:00 for the first time, narrowly missing that mark each of the past two years.

• Grant Fleis, Mesick

Going into 2019, it was tough to tell if Grant’s 18:10 at the 2018 Manistee National was an anomaly or not.  Track offered little clue, but his October results spoke to his ability.  8^th at Regionals, 27^th at State.  That State time (17:19), rates out as his best performance by greater than a minute.

• Henry Hybza, Mason County Eastern

Henry has improved his running in both time and place throughout his three years.  Last season, he vaulted into the top 100 at State for the first time ever, a performance in line with his 17:40’s at Class D and Pete Moss.

Career Achievement

• Owen Roth, Frankfort

All-Region in both his sophomore and junior years, top-30 at Class D in both years as well.  Last season featured his first forays into the 17’s (after three years of trying) at Class D and a NWC Jamboree here at Benzie.

Anyone Else?

• Hunter Bentley, Bear Lake-Onekama

Hunter has snuck under 18:00 each of the past two years.  Twice All-Region and top-100 at State.

• Arthur Sieting, Grand Traverse Academy

Arthur had already been good as a 7^th grader (12:11 Northern Michigan), but jumped a level in 2019.  His 11:17 (3000m) at Leelanau St. Mary gapped the field by almost 30 seconds and was surely sub-12 if it were the full 2 miles.

• Nate Wing, Mason County Eastern

Nate’s freshman year ended in a fury, with a 2^nd place finish here.  That 17:08 was his best time, his 17:25 at Class D his best rating.  He notched a few wins as well, both at Pentwater Falcon and Evart.

Girls

Team Projections

Individual Projections

Ranked Teams

Leland (22), Grand Traverse Academy (23), Buckley (25)

Highest Rated Seniors

• Alexis Tracy, Brethren

Alexis was running mid-24’s through the heart of her freshman season.  She has come a great way from that, finally breaking into the 19’s at Class D.  She followed that up with a 3^rd place regional finish and a 15^th place at State, her first All-State honor.

• Shelby Cade, Buckley

Shelby has been a consistent presence on the medal stand at this Benzie Regional.  Top-5 in each of her three years at the high school level.  Also has been top-20 at Class D and top-100 at State in each season.

• Emma Waskiewicz, Leland

As with Shelby, Emma has also been a presence here, All-Region each year.  Last year featured her highest performance at State, where she finished 102^nd. 

Career Achievement

• Makenna Scott, Maple City Glen Lake

Two-time regional champ looks to make it three in a row (and she’ll have some competition).  If her performance in big races (4^th at 2019 XC State, 5^th in 2019 Track 3200m) is any indication, she’ll be up for the challenge. 

Anyone Else?

• Aiden Harrand, Buckley

Profile.

• Petra Foote, Grand Traverse Academy

Petra’s freshman year featured some tremendous improvement.  She began the season with a mid-24 race at Pete Moss (here at Benzie, normally a quicker course), then dropped 3:00+ to a 21:12 on these same grounds.  Even a week later, a 21:15 at State, which in normal conditions might be sub-21.

• Olivia Wing, Mason County Eastern

Even our young middle schoolers can show that improvement.  Olivia had not broken 15:00 over the full 2 mile/3200m distance before last season.  In 2019, she did that at each of her five races at that distance, including a sub-14 performance at Buckley.

Teams

Beal City
Big Rapids Crossroads Academy
Breckenridge
Coleman
Hale
Marion
McBain Northern Michigan Christian
Merrill
Montabella
Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart
St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy
Vestaburg
White Cloud
Whittemore-Prescott

Boys

Team Projections

Individual Projections

Ranked Teams

Breckenridge (4), Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart (6), Beal City (10), Montabella (23)

Highest Rated Seniors

• Matthew Nowak, Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart

Matthew showed a glimpse of his talent in his sophomore track season, narrowly breaking 10:00 in the 3200m.  Last fall, it took a bit of time, but he was able to capitalize on that fitness, getting into the low 16’s.  Numerous honors were accumulated, including top-10 at Carson City, Portage, John Bruder, Class D, Regionals, and State. 

• Colttion Vine, Breckenridge

Following a sophomore campaign where he snuck into the 16’s, Colttion established himself at that level consistently throughout the season.  Even on tougher days at MIS or Portage, he was able to dig deep and give clutch performances.  As a result, Breckenridge came home victorious and Colttion came home with another podium finish.

• Jared Moore, Vestaburg

2019’s Regional was Jared’s first individual qualifier.  The previous year, he had finished 20^th, missing out by 0:40.  Quite impressive to close that gap in such a short time period.

Career Achievement

• Mason Sumner, Breckenridge

Profile.

• Brock Lynch, Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart

Brock has been able to accomplish the rare feat of finishing in the same places at Regional and State each of his first two years.  Great finishes too, 5^th and 20^th.  Shepherd must be his favorite course as well, setting his season record there twice.

Anyone Else?

• Alex Wanty, Hale

Incoming freshman was able to run sub-11:30 in middle school.  His two losses came to what many consider the better MSers in the state: March, Hansen, and Lewis. 

• Trent Carter, Breckenridge

Trent battled a hip issue last summer, but was still able to contribute to Breckenridge’s state title.  Going into his junior year, he’s been in Mason Sumner’s shadow, but if healthy, expect a breakout.

• Matthew Kolb, Beal City

Many a tale has been told of Dave King’s magic, and it appears he’s used it on Matthew.  Three years of improvement and a 20:00 guy as a freshman ended up breaking 18:00 late last year. 

Girls

Team Projections

Individual Projections

Ranked Teams

Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart (5), Beal City (13)

Highest Rated Seniors

• Naomi Thompson, White Cloud

Last year’s Shepherd regional produced Naomi’s best race to date.  Her 21:43 shaved nearly a minute off her personal best and her 10^th place finish, the highest at the Regional level.

• Helena Snyder, Montabella

2019 may not have been Helena’s greatest season ever, but she has a trophy case worth of success to fall back on.  Her freshman and sophomore years contained All-State finishes

• Makayla Hall, McBain Northern Michigan Christian

In each of the last three years, Makayla has shown up at Regionals with one of her better races of the year.  And she’s finished 18^th in three consecutive years.  Perhaps this will be the breakthrough.

Career Achievement

• Rachal Weber, Beal City

Rachal has twice been an All-Stater and twice top-5 at Regionals.  Last October featured her first jaunt into the 19’s, most impressively a 19:54 at MIS.

Anyone Else?

• Riley Hacker, Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart

Riley has definitely embraced the work ethic necessary to compete in this sport.  Over this spring and summer, she’s been putting in as many miles as any.  We see evidence of those miles in her time drop from her freshman to sophomore year.  She finished the season with a minute (if not more) improvement, a major impetus in her All-State finish.

• Tailor Onstott, Beal City

Tailor was a sensational 8^th grader who didn’t see as much success last year.  The talent is there, having run 19:20 at the 2018 PROM.  She has been keeping up with the top girls this summer, and if she’s able to touch that potential, Beal City enters a new dimension.

• Megan Goward, Breckenridge

Three years in Breckenridge’s MS program gives hope that she’ll adjust to the 5k distance.  Each year, she’s brought her best performance to the Scottie Classic, running in the 13:00’s in all years.