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Another regional that finishes on a track!

GIRLS

 

Spring Lake

• Rank: 9

Continuing with the theme of teams not graduating much, they lose one senior from their top 10.  Defending OK Blue champs, but finished 5^th in a tough region last year.

• Highest Rated: Julia Bajt

Senior has been a constant figure in the top 15 here.  Her best finish was 2^nd in 2017.  I have her heading a mean 4 girl pack that’s not separated by much.  She was able to set a major 800 PR in track.

• Career achievement/improvement: Anna Fedewa

Another senior, another girl that’s dropped time every year in the program.  She’s started each season as an improvement from the start of the previous season and ended each season with a PR at one point.  Like Bajt, she also set some serious PRs in track, including a 5:31 1600m.

• Darkhorse: Maggie Cooper

What the heck did Spring Lake change up this track season?  5:52 to 5:22 in the 1600m.  Indicates potential for a big drop in XC, maybe in the 18’s.

Allendale

• Rank: 14

Like Spring Lake, on the losing end of a super strong region.  Even more heartbreaking, they lost on the 6^th runner.  This year, hopefully able to extend the season another week.

• Highest Rated: Sophia DiPiazza

Sophia was 2^nd here last year in PR time of 18:29. Also had some impressive top 10 finishes, namely at Allendale Falcon, Portage, and States.  She’s rated as the top returner in the region.

• Career achievement/improvement: Kori Baumann

Kori has been a state qualifier her three years in Allendale’s system.  She had her best finish at MIS last year, coming in at 29^th.  Also the reigning OK Blue champion.

• Darkhorse: Riley Delore

As a freshman, was able to go sub-20 twice.  Ran 5:53 in track, about on par with what she ran early in XC.

Grand Rapids Christian

• Rank: 10

Team was able to finish 2^nd at Regionals and 5^th in the State last year.  Good follow on the Instagram too, love the creative ways they promote their summer practices.

• Highest Rated: Madelyn Frens

Reigning regional champ.  10:39 in track indicates that sub-18 is within reach.

• Career achievement/improvement: Matea Diekema

Was able to create a nice little comeback story.  Sophomore year was cut short in September, junior year was able to knock down her PR from her freshman year.  She was able to complete the season and run at States, her first appearance there.

• Darkhorse: Olivia Waalkes

Olivia ran track for the first time in HS.  I think those of us around the sport are aware of how beneficial year-round, consistent training can be.  Both her 5:47 and 12:14 indicate she’s capable of a little improvement.

Others to Watch

• Sophie Trudgeon, Grand Rapids Catholic Central

Sophie leads a GRCC trio that could all qualify for States.  As a team, they have a chance if they can develop a 4^th/5^th girl, because the front-runners are definitely there.  Sophie qualified last year as well.

• Maggie Duba, Grand Rapids West Catholic

Maggie showed some ability as a miler in track.  Low 5:30’s multiple times, can that carry over to XC?

• Chloe Lhamon, Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills

Not to be confused with Chloe Lohman, also in this race.  Has to be some relation, that is just too coincidental.  Chloe had some performances in the 20’s last year, another girl whose track times make you believe there’s more to come.  5:43 this spring, ran twice to finish the season.  Hopefully she carries that momentum into summer training.

BOYS

Grand Rapids Christian

• Rank: 7

The Eagles return 6 of their top 7 from last year.  Christian Voetberg will be missed, but I expect them to improve.  The team was 10^th at States and 3^rd in this region.  Other accomplishments include a 6^th place finish at Portage and 1^st place at Otsego Bulldog.

• Highest Rated: Jack Luymes

Jack has been up in front the past two years after a significant improvement from his freshman year.  Finished 13^th here and at Otsego Bulldog, where he set his PR of 16:32.  Set some PRs in track, most notably his 800m, a 4 second drop from his sophomore year.

• Career achievement/improvement: Ethan Wilstermann

Tough to decide between Ethan and Graham Kort, both of which have gradually dropped time throughout their career.  Ethan was the top performer at last year’s State Finals, finishing 66^th.  It appears he’s battled through some stunted seasons his first two years, good to see he finished strong last year.

• Darkhorse: Jack Peterson

Jack improved from a 18:55 as a freshman to 17:30 as a sophomore, winning the Otsego Bulldog JV race.  He had some subpar races after, but finished with a strong regional performance.  In track, he was able to go 4:44, dropping 18 seconds from his previous 1600m PR.

Allendale

• Rank: 12

Allendale was able to only send one boy to MIS last year.  They’ll benefit from East Grand Rapids moving out, but also growing a year older.

• Highest Rated: Hayden Rhodea

Hayden is coming off a track season where he was able to run 9:32, narrowly missing a spot on the podium at States.  This was really a revelation compared to cross, he’s always been good, but not at this level.  Still, he was 6^th here last year.

• Career achievement/improvement: Nathan Terbeek

Nathan was able to make some solid drops last year.  Some of his better ones came late, a PR at Allendale Falcon, and then almost a minute reduction at Regionals, which netted him a 43^rd place.

• Darkhorse: Dakota Riemersma

Dakota had some impressive 32’s in track, producing multiple sub 10:35’s.  He’s had some 17 min. performances in the past, but I’m betting they’re more consistent and more often this season.

Spring Lake

• Rank: N/R

Spring Lake is extremely young, many sophomores lining their top 7.  The Hylen brothers are a big loss, but as stated before, a slightly weaker regional should help in their quest back to MIS.

• Highest Rated: Callen Carrier

Callen’s a junior who’s showed some potential in his first two years.  Always a good sign when a freshman can break 18, he was able to do that.  Last year, he had multiple sub-17 performances, including a 21^st place finish here at Regionals.  In track this spring, his 10:14 shows continued progression.

• Career achievement/improvement: Adam Macleod

Adam could very well be Spring Lake’s 7^th runner this year.  As a freshman, he broke 20 a few times and started 2018 off on the same note.  By late September, he really began to roll, running 19:27 at Cougar Falcon, then improving all the way to 18:45.

• Darkhorse: Ian Hill

Ian probably is more of a known quantity, but the darkhorse question is: how good can he be?  He was able to run 4:40 in early May, but only ran one 1600m after that.  He may give Callen Carrier a pretty good run for first man on this team.

Others to Watch

• Jon Wildey, Fruitport

Jon really came on strong at the end of last year.  He set a PR at the OK Black Conference Meet, then went on to finish 11^th here and 67^th at MIS.

• Caleb Gaffner, Hudsonville Unity Christian

Last season was his first season of XC.  He was able to go 16:19 at Otsego Bulldog, 9^th here at Regionals, then 64^th at States.  He’s run track for a few years, his prowess seems to be in the 1600m, where he’s gone 4:35 and 4:32 the past two years.

 

 

 

               

 

 

Do any other regionals finish on tracks?  Or XC courses in general?  I know Mt. SAC used to for FootLocker West, but that’s it.

Experimenting with a new format for this preview.

GIRLS

Byron

• Rank: #14

Team had quite a bit of accomplishments last year.  MMAC League Champ, 2^nd at Shiawassee County, Regional Champ, and 13^th at State.  They return EVERYONE, but look for some freshman to make contributions.

• Highest Rated: Olivia Krejci

Senior was able to break 20 for the first time last year.  She was 2^nd in the region.  Major improvements in track, running 5:47/12:02

• Career achievement/improvement: Hunter Luke

Senior’s best times each year have all been in the 19’s.  Top 6 at Regionals all three years, All-State as a freshman and sophomore.

• Darkhorse: Allissa Ash

Another senior (quite a triumvirate here), that was able to attain some huge drops in track.  2:56 to 2:32, 5:59 to 5:27, 13:13 to 12:24.

University Liggett

• Rank: N/R

It seems like it’s been many years since Liggett has failed to qualify a team for States.  They’re in D4, they’re at Willow, they’re all over, but they keep making it.  It’s another team that returns everything and has some seniors ready to finish their career on a positive note.

• Highest Rated: Maggie Dunn

Last year was her first year at Liggett and running XC for that matter.  Soccer player, is an exceptionally tough and savvy racer.  7^th here last year.

• Career achievement/improvement: Margaret Hartigan

Another one that looks to make it 4 straight years of running at MIS.

• Darkhorse: Gracie Govier-Laparl

In her first race ever last year, she ran over 30:00.  In her second to last race, at a tough regional course, she ran 22:12.  This year, the starting point will definitely be much lower.

Madison Heights Bishop Foley

• Rank: N/R

Another young team, these girls return 6 of their top 7.  If they do qualify, it’ll be a huge bump from last year.  The thing that helps them here is depth.  My records have them with at least 7 runners, while other girls teams in this region struggle to field a full squad.

• Highest Rated: Kathryn Podolan

As a freshman, was able to break 21.  Was able to finish top 10 at Regionals and break the top 100 at States.

• Career achievement/improvement: Rachel Belf

Third year in the program for this girl.  Didn’t run as fast in 2018 as she did in 2017, but track times indicate that on the right course, she could return to that form.

• Darkhorse: Elizabeth Powers

Senior has dropped almost a minute or more every year, looks to do the same this year.  I have her projected 12^th, which would be a vast improvement over her past two regionals.

Other Runners to Watch

• Courtney Carlson, Memphis

Can only assume she’s in some way related to Tyler Carlson.  As a middle schooler, she was in the 14’s in XC.  Going with genetics here.

• Lilly Rodriguez, Capac

Senior had her best showing in the 1600 this spring.  5:46 improves on a lifetime best of 5:58. I’m not sure if 2018’s cross season went the way she wanted, but she has something she can build upon.

• Avery McNally, Academy of the Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart moves up from D4 to D3 this year.  Avery was 4^th in Region 36 the past two years, can she maintain that place against a stronger field?

BOYS

Madison Heights Bishop Foley

• Rank: 22

Last year, finished 3^rd in D3D4 CHSL, 2^nd at Regionals, and 27^th at States.  Return their top 13(!) runners, with some potential in those freshmen.

• Highest Rated: Jack Decker

Double pneumonia (infected in both lungs?) sunk his regional performance last year, he was a 17-min. guy beforehand.  Recovered by track to run a PR in the 1600m, 4:39.

• Career Achievement/Improvement: Jacob Rusch

Has run at 3 straight State Finals.  Has broken 18 the past two years after running 19:37 as a freshman.  Will likely be 2/3 with Mitch Mandziuk.

• Darkhorse: Jay Maynard

Ran 20:51 as a freshman last fall, nothing special, but turned in a track season that was much more spectacular.  5:19/11:14, the 3200m is a little better rated, so maybe he’s more of a distance type?  A track time like that can easily lead to a top-10 finish here.

Memphis

• Rank: N/R

Narrowly missed out on a spot in the State Finals last year, finishing 4^th here.  Return 5 of their top 7 and add a good freshman to the mix.

• Highest Rated: Tyler Carlson

Was the regional champ last year as a sophomore, 16^th in Macomb County, 1^st in his league, and 40^th at State Finals.  Set PRs in both the 1600 and 3200 in track.

• Career Achievement/Improvement: Jake Thomas

Spent much of 2017 in the 21’s, dropped that down to the 18’s and a 10^th place finish here.

• Darkhorse: Camden Khon

He’s an incoming freshman.  As a middle schooler, he was able to break 12 in XC and then do the same, multiple times, in track.

Capac

• Rank: N/R
• Highest Rated: Hank Barker

Finished 9^th here and 7^th in the Greater Thumb Conference.  Consistently in the 18’s last year, should be in that same range this year.  Track season was a success, first time ever qualifying for states in the 110h/PV.

• Career achievement/improvement: Logan Swantek

Individual qualifier the last two years, finishing 12^th here last year.

• Darkhorse: Ben Rodriguez

His 11:09 at Regionals was a 17 second PR and a 47 second drop from last year.  If that form continues, he’ll definitely be in the 18’s.

Other Runners to Watch

• Hubert Ash, Byron

Made some big jumps during track, 5:56 to 5:11, 12:35 to 11:01

• Elisha Huggins, Byron

Another case of odd event combos, 800/1600/Long Jump.  First year with distance results in track, 800m ability seems present, 2:03.

• Ashton Pongratz, University Liggett

Great sophomore year but stagnated a little as a junior.  From what I hear, he’s been more focused this summer and should be able to replicate or improve upon that sophomore form.