Blog

2020 Previews

An Early Look: Region 33-4

Teams

Ann Arbor Rudolf Steiner
Ashley
Bellevue
Carson City-Crystal
East Jackson
Fowler
Frankel Jewish Academy
Fulton
Lansing Christian
Livingston Christian
Morrice
Novi Christian Academy
Portland St. Patrick
Webberville
Whitmore Lake

Boys

Top Three Last Year
Dansville
Morrice
Webberville

Team Projections

PlaceTeamScore
1Carson City-Crystal36
2Webberville44
3Morrice70
4Whitmore Lake108
5East Jackson128
6Fowler140
7Fulton187
8Lansing Christian205

Individual Projections

IndividualTeamGradeNameTeam
1111Nathan LottWebberville
2212Coleman ClarkCarson City-Crystal
3311Ashton KeifferCarson City-Crystal
4412Caleb RiversMorrice
5510Caleb HowardWebberville
6610Braylan MajeskyWhitmore Lake
7712Calvin ClarkCarson City-Crystal
8812Owen DoernerMorrice
9911Garrett GoodwinWebberville
101011Cole RinnaWhitmore Lake
111110Brayden ClarkCarson City-Crystal
121212Lucas BliesnerWebberville
131312Jared SheplerCarson City-Crystal
141411Donovan CookEast Jackson
151512Aiden CampbellMorrice
16169Michael AllenEast Jackson
17179Liam WilderWebberville
181811Wade HufnagelFowler
191911Jacob RadamacherFowler
202012Brendan PeckensWebberville

Ranked Teams

Carson City-Crystal (3), Webberville (5), Morrice (13)

Highest Rated Seniors

Coleman has been on the precipice of breaking 16:00 the past two years and I’m betting this is the year he breaks through.  Two-time regional champ at Shepherd, finished 5th and 2nd at State the past two years.

Has been top-10 at this regional all three years of HS.  Finished 2nd last year.  The 2019 season was full of improvements, including a 16:45 PR and first All-State honor.

Steady improvement has been the formula for Calvin.  Each year, he’s improved by 30-40 seconds on average.  This past season, that culminated in multiple high-17:00 efforts, including an 8th place regional finish.

Career Achievement

Pretty amazing how far Owen has come, even in the course of a season.  For his first two years in HS, Owen flirted with the 20 min. barrier, this past year he broke 18:00.  That regional race led to a 12th place and his first trip to MIS.

Anyone Else?

Profile.

Followed the same path many freshmen take, starting slow and kicking hard to finish the year.  Still notable, no matter which way you shake it.  Broke 18:00 on a fast day at Gabriel Richard, then repeated that effort in a 15th place regional finish.

One of the faster 8th graders last year, especially at bigger meets.  4th at both Carson City and Kayla O’Mara, both in sub-12 fashion.  Freshmen are hard to predict, he could bolt Webberville into the top-3 at State.

Girls

Top Three Last Year
Fowler
Saranac
Morrice

Team Projections

PlaceTeamScore
1Lansing Christian21
2Fowler57
3Whitmore Lake82
4Carson City-Crystal84
5Livingston Christian116
6Morrice126

Individual Projections

IndividualTeamGradeNameTeam
1112Madison VolzLansing Christian
2212Natalie TebbenLansing Christian
3310Ashlyn KephartLansing Christian
4410Brooke CravenWhitmore Lake
5510Rachel EpkeyFowler
610Cozette BrownPortland St. Patrick
7610Anna MeyerLansing Christian
8712Molly DaileyCarson City-Crystal
9811Lauren PriceWhitmore Lake
1099Hope TebbenLansing Christian
11109Natalie MeadowsWhitmore Lake
121111Olivia DatemaFowler
131212Leah WieberFowler
14139Grace O’HareFowler
151410Lillie CorbatMorrice
169Rebecca KlisiakBellevue
17159Mary Beth HyattCarson City-Crystal
181611Reva LanceFowler
1911Brynn MericleEast Jackson
20179Lillian StilesLivingston Christian

Ranked Teams

Lansing Christian (1), Fowler (11)

Highest Rated Seniors

Three straight top 5 finishes at MIS.  Two straight Regional Titles.  Three consecutive years breaking 19:00.  Madison is the best runner on the best team in Division 4 and has a great chance to repeat her already astounding success.

Natalie showed some incredible improvement in her junior year.  Greater than a minute drops at Greater Lansing and MIS, also her highest regional finish yet (3rd).

Although she’s ran at States with her team, last year was her first as an individual qualifier.  Her 21:25 PR at Scottie Classic was almost repeated by her 21:29 (6th place) regional finish.

Career Achievement

Fowler has been a consistent team at the D4 level and runners like Leah are undoubtedly a reason why.  Consistently been in the low 20’s over the 50 races she’s run in their uniform.  Two All-Region performances too.

Anyone Else?

As a freshman, progressed down to a 19:54 to end the year.  Dramatic improvement was seen even into late October, where she set a massive PR at the GLAC Championships, that sub-20 at Regionals (2nd place), and then an All-State performance the following week.

Brooke took almost the identical path to Ashlyn.  She broke into the 20’s at Stockbridge in late September, and put together identically impressive performances to close the season. 4th at this region and then 28th at State.

Could be the 5th runner that Lansing Christian needs.  Has been consistently in the 14’s at the middle school level, but always turns it up for Greater Lansing, running under 13:30 the past two years.

2020 Previews

An Early Look: Region 34-4

Teams

Addison
Adrian Lenawee Christian
Britton Deerfield
Camden-Frontier
Concord
Hillsdale Academy
Hillsdale Will Carleton
Jackson Christian
Jackson Preparatory
Litchfield
Morenci
Ottawa Lake

Boys

Top 3 Last Year
Concord
Hillsdale Academy
Sand Creek

Team Projections

PlaceTeamScore
1Concord44
2Petersburg-Summerfield96
3Hillsdale Academy107
4Jackson Preparatory126
5Reading142
6Pittsford144
7Ottawa Lake-Whiteford154
8Morenci167
9Addison167

Individual Projections

IndividualTeamGradeNameTeam
1111Jonathan MikovitsConcord
2210Brandon ThompsonPetersburg-Summerfield
3310Kade SpahrPittsford
4410Conner WeldenHillsdale Academy
5512Kody SmithPittsford
6612Daniel CaseyJackson Preparatory
79Joshua GreenAdrian Lenawee Christian
8710Tyler BaysReading
9811Joe BulkoConcord
1010Grant LongAdrian Lenawee Christian
11910Evan SuydamPetersburg-Summerfield
121010Adair ArtisConcord
131112Cole ThompsonConcord
1411Joe PaniaguaCamden-Frontier
151211Luke Murphy Ottawa Lake-Whiteford
161312Robbie MichalowskiAddison
1712Gabe GadwoodHillsdale Will Carleton
181412Cody HellardConcord
191512Logan BarrettConcord
201610Bryson BachelderMorenci

Ranked Teams

Concord (8)

Highest Rated Seniors

Kody showed glimpses of his potential in 2018, then fully expanded upon it in 2019.  Don’t let a slower State Meet take away from his awards (4th in Region, 1st in SCAA, 14th at Class D).  If he keeps up his trajectory, he’ll be in the 16’s this fall.

Steady racer throughout his career at Jackson Prep.  Each season he’s been in the 17’s, each season he’s been top-15 at Regional, but 2019 was his best finish yet (6th)

Hit two goals at this regional last year – first individual qualifier and first sub-18 performance. 

Career Achievement

Finished 4th in the State last year and will be in contention again.  Ran his best race of the year at MIS, exceeding expectations.

Anyone Else?

The talent is there, it’s just a question of when he puts it together.  Showed signs of it late, with a 2nd place regional finish and the equivalent of a sub-17 race at MIS, where he finished 21st.

Kade came on strong at the end of his freshman year.  Broke into the 17’s at Stockbridge and didn’t look back, finishing 3rd in the region and 15th at Class D.

Rising freshman with times and accomplishments to boot.  2nd at Lenawee County, SCAA Champion, and multiple sub-12 performances.

Girls

Top 3 Last Year
Hillsdale Academy
Adrian Lenawee Christian
Hudson

Team Projections

PlaceTeamScore
1Hillsdale Academy69
2Morenci71
3Concord90
4Adrian Lenawee Christian93
5Pittsford102
6Jackson Preparatory147
7Britton Deerfield160
8Addison181
9Petersburg-Summerfield221
10Vandercook Lake265

Individual Projections

IndividualTeamGradeNameTeam
119Brooke SmithPittsford
2212Skylar ThompsonConcord
3310Megan RobertsHillsdale Academy
4412Alexandria AusmusPetersburg-Summerfield
5511Libby RorickMorenci
6611Trinity KaufmanMorenci
7711Elizabeth ScharerAdrian Lenawee Christian
8810Zoey BreznikAdrian Lenawee Christian
999Neili PikeMorenci
101011Sara BowerBritton Deerfield
111112Brooke HildebrandtAdrian Lenawee Christian
12129Angela AlvarezHillsdale Academy
131312Sofia Matsukova-KrattHillsdale Academy
141412Karrie BelcherPittsford
15159Kariana CarpenterJackson Preparatory
161612Gabby RichardsPittsford
17179Gwen BulkoConcord
181812Claire WaltonHillsdale Academy
1912Margaret SteeleReading
20199Sayra HernandezAddison

Ranked Teams

Hillsdale Academy (7), Morenci (10), Concord (12), Adrian Lenawee Christian (15), Pittsford (18)

Highest Rated Seniors

Three time All-State with her highest finish (5th) last year.  Has shaved off time every year, getting down to 19:11 at Portage.  Finished 3rd in the 3200m in 2019 as well.

After two years knocking on the door of sub-21, finally broke through at the Jefferson Invite.  Continued that with multiple mid-20 performances, including a 3rd place regional finish.

Three time All-Region, top-15 in Lenawee County the past two years.  Her senior leadership will be needed in this tough regional battle.

Career Achievement

Libby has just narrowly missed out on All-State honors in her first two years (31st and 35th).  Will this be the year she breaks through?

Anyone Else?

One of the more accomplished incoming freshmen.  Only suffered one defeat in MS last season and racked up multiple low-12:00 races.

Came onto the scene as an 8th grader, helping Hillsdale field a full team.  All-Region and All-State twice.

Showed progress in late October with a 10th place finish at Class D and 8th place finish in the region.  Capable of All-State status, but didn’t come to fruition at MIS.

2020 Previews

An Early Look: Region 35-4

Teams

Carsonville-Port Sanilac
Deckerville
Dryden
Genesee
Genesee Christian
Harbor Beach
Kimball Landmark
Kinde-North Huron
Kingston
Marlette
Mayville
New Life Christian Academy
Owendale-Gagetown
Peck
Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary
Saginaw Nouvel
Ubly
Unionville-Sebewaing

Boys

Top 3 Last Year
Breckenridge
Unionville-Sebewaing
Deckerville

Team Projections

PlaceTeamScore
1Unionville-Sebewaing33
2Mayville60
3Deckerville63
4Kingston124
5Ubly156
6Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary169
7Saginaw Nouvel173
8Harbor Beach175
9Genesee Christian Academy234

Individual Projections

IndividualTeamGradeNameTeam
1112Wyatt EmmonsMayville
2212Bryce LangmaidUnionville-Sebewaing
3311Ty PavlichekUnionville-Sebewaing
4412Bentley AldersonUnionville-Sebewaing
5511Jacob VanhoveUnionville-Sebewaing
6612Matthew HalifaxHarbor Beach
7712Sam KorthalsSaginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary
8812Trevor BarkerDeckerville
9912Brett DumawDeckerville
101012Colton CramptonMayville
111112Chase SimkissDeckerville
12129Utah GusaUbly
131311Charlie MoroMayville
141411Joseph TunneySaginaw Nouvel
15159Christopher GonzalesMayville
161612Morgan GreenKingston
171711Benjamin MoellerDeckerville
181810Kendall DumawDeckerville
191912Tyler AleksinkUnionville-Sebewaing
202010Ethan GreenKingston

Ranked Teams

Unionville-Sebewaing (2), Deckerville (9), Mayville (11)

Highest Rated Seniors

Wyatt began rounding into form late last year, with his first jaunts into the 16’s.  Has finished All-State twice, but searching for that first Regional title.

Major time drops from year to year for Bryce.  After not breaking 18:00 as a sophomore, consistently ran in the 17’s last year.

Will be right there with Bryce (along with VanHove and Pavlichek).  Has been a top performer for USA for years, 3-time All-Region, 2-time All-State.

Career Achievement

Lead runner on a Deckerville squad that had a bit of a renaissance last year.  Had a breakthrough race here at Regionals, hopefully he can build on that.

Anyone Else?

Travis has regained his love for running this summer.  As Mayville’s 5th runner, holds the key to their return to MIS and the potential for a top-10 finish. 

According to the USA boys, he’s had a bit of a breakthrough in training, competing with the top guys on the team this summer.  I have him as their 7th runner…

It appears we’ll have four more years of that Gusa name in the Ubly cross country books.  Utah broke 12:00 at Thumb Area, a sure mark of a freshman that has the potential to make an immediate impact.

Girls

Top 3 Last Year
Harbor Beach
Owendale-Gagetown
Deckerville

Team Projections

PlaceTeamScore
1Owendale-Gagetown72
2Ubly78
3Harbor Beach114
4Kingston115
5Unionville-Sebewaing122
6Deckerville123
7Mayville138
8Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary187
9Marlette190
10Genesee198

Individual Projections

Individual TeamGradeNameTeam
1111Paige AndersonHarbor Beach
2210Sophia SanfordDeckerville
3312Haley RowbothamMayville
4412Makara KramerHarbor Beach
5512Libby OndrajkaOwendale-Gagetown
6612Abigail SanfordDeckerville
779Gracy WalkerKingston
8810Autumn WakefieldSaginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary
911Karis RoszczewskiKimball Landmark
10911Madelyn HaldaneOwendale-Gagetown
111010Abigail GuzaUbly
121110Maze GusaUbly
131210Allison HaldaneOwendale-Gagetown
1412Ella KageDryden
1511Ellie BenderNorth Huron
161310Lauren GreenUnionville-Sebewaing
1712Grace BallmerGenesee Christian Academy
18149Ashlyn WalkerKingston
191512Emma AlbertsonMarlette
20169Emily GreyerbiehlUbly

Ranked Teams

Owendale-Gagetown (16), Ubly (20)

Highest Rated Seniors

Sub-20 the last three years.  3-time All-State, 3-time Top 5 finish in the Region.  Very accomplished mid-distance runner as well, finishing 7th in the 1600m in 2019.

Three-time state qualifier and All-State the past two years.  Ran particularly well to end the 2019 season, PRing at the State meet, not always an easy task.

Substantial improvement from 2018 to 2019.  Finished 18th at the 2018 Regional here, finished 8th in 2019, with more than an 80 second drop. 

Career Achievement

Three straight top-10 finishes at this regional.  Broke into the top-50 at State for the first time since her freshman year and had her highest finish at Thumb Area. 

Anyone Else?

Paige had a string of 20:00 performances to close last season, culminating in a 23rd place finish at State.

In her first year of XC, Sophia showed her potential late, finishing 2nd here and 16th at MIS.

One of the few Thumb area girls to break into Caro’s dominance at the middle school level.  Kingston may be very good in a few years here with Gracy leading the charge. 

Genesee Christian moves over from Region 33.  Grace ran 21:32 there to qualify for State, can she shake things up here?