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 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.
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.
2019’s Regional was Jared’s first individual qualifier. The previous year, he had finished 20th, missing out by 0:40. Quite impressive to close that gap in such a short time period.
Career Achievement
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, 5th and 20th. Shepherd must be his favorite course as well, setting his season record there twice.
Anyone Else?
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 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.
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
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 10th place finish, the highest at the Regional level.
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
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 18th in three consecutive years. Perhaps this will be the breakthrough.
Career Achievement
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 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 was a sensational 8th 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.
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.
