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50, 49, 48

47. Sarah Liederbach, Petoskey

• Again on the common theme of saving her best race for last, finishing as Petoskey’s 2^nd girl on their 2^nd place finish
• Will be an integral part of their team that looks to avenge that 2^nd place finish
• Steady improvement from year to year, improving more than 100 places from her State finish as a freshman
• Continued that peak into the MITCA open race, running 19:06 on a muddy track in Shepherd
• Set a 1600m PR indoors this winter, running 5:33

47. Brady Neumann, Saginaw Heritage

• In 2017, established himself as one of the top freshmen in the state, in 2019 we saw that potential come to fruition
• Many outstanding performances, that of which nearly running sub-16 at Regionals may be the most impressive
• Narrowly missed Saginaw County and Regional crowns, but has excellent shot at claiming either this fall

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48. Josh Oom, Caledonia

• Consistently been the top-15 in his class for his first two years in HS, with improvement along the way
• Saved his best races for last, although he didn’t have a subpar race (at an invite) all year
• Curiously no victories on his athleticnet scorecard, the crew over here believes that will change this year
• Along with a runner not yet named, leaders on a Caledonia team primed for a top-10 finish at MIS

48. Abigail Petr

• MS career predicted great success for her and she did not let down
• Remarkable consistency in terms of time, only one major, championship season race not within that 18:50-19:10 window
• Showed some improvement in indoor, sporting a 3 second PR in the 3200m, one that we know from EGR’s history that would drop in the spring
• As with Oom, saved her best for last, a major aid in EGR’s successful bid for a state title

No better time than to start a season preview.  There are a few weeks until regional sites and assignments are handed out.  Before that time and those previews are compiled, I want to notice and give celebration to the top 50 returners.

The rank of these top returners is based on a few factors.  Most importantly, the ratings from the 2019 season.  From then, projected improvement, based on age, speed, and past history.  Unfortunately, track has played a minor role, but for some, we saw some early progress. 

These are more of a celebration than a hierarchy.  For the upperclassmen, their mention is a testament to their drive, work ethic, and list of accomplishments.  The little freshmen, a show of their great potential.  There’s not an athlete on here that doesn’t put in the work needed to be a leader and accomplished runner. 

49. Audrianna Enns, Hart

• Top 10 finisher at MIS the past two years
• Finished her 2019 season with three of her best races, PR at Regionals, then best finish yet at State
• Hart is likely the favorite in Division 3, consistently rising performers like Audrianna are a main reason
• Improvement continuing this spring, having gone 5:18 in a Virtual 1600m

49. Jacob Harberts, Macomb Dakota

• Steady drops during his first three years at Dakota, at least 1:30+ over that time
• That improvement most exemplified by his regional performances, from 66^th as a freshman, to 43^rd as a sophomore, to 9^th in a blazing fast race
• That dedication also present this indoor season, with a consistent string of 4:40-4:45 performances
• Dakota has a real chance of pushing Romeo in the county this year, Harberts’ racing will be a major factor