We’re finally here.
*Top Invitational* – Portage Central Early Bird
Portage Central’s Early Bird features two heavyweights facing off, D2 newcomer and preseason favorite East Grand Rapids and Rockford. With Ericka VanderLende, Rockford team rating is heightened, but the East Grand Rapids pack might prevail here, especially with other loaded teams to place Rockford’s 4 and 5 runners back.
Allendale returns 5 of their top 7 times, 3 of their girls broke 20 minutes last year, and their 4th-6th runners are either sophomores or juniors. The DiPiazza girls and Kori Baumann should be state qualifiers, but they’ll need two more. Not much in terms of track results after those three, but if they can find 2 girls to consistently be around 20 minutes, they’ll likely be top 10 in Division 2.
East Grand Rapids’ Katie Hessler could make the leap. Currently, I have Hessler rated at 126 (equivalent to approximately 19:40 at a MIS equivalent course). Her track times (5:30, 11:36) indicate a level of improvement that may have her under 19 by the end of the year. That would further solidify East Grand Rapids as the top team in Division 2.
Ann Arbor Running Company Fall Preview
Ann Arbor Pioneer is the lone rated team coming here. They lose Forsyth and Kos but return much depth. As with Allendale, some runners will have to emerge from that depth.
Durand
Linden, Goodrich, Byron, and Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary all enter here ranked in their respective divisions. I’m looking for Goodrich to potentially move up from #13. There isn’t much separation between them and #6 Linden. Goodrich returns their top 9(!) girls, but will need a 5th runner to step up. Grace Ballmer is the main candidate, running 6:22 in track as a 9th grader.
Hemlock Classic
Saginaw Heritage is the lone team I have rated here. And for good reason, they’re consistently a power.
Under the Lights
According to athletic.net, this meet sadly isn’t at Uncle John’s. I will get to a meet there one day. You have cider Isome of the adult variety), an easy location, and cross country. Bring it back! Much vacillation occurred deciding whether to make this or Portage Central the invitational of the weekend.
The depth here is astounding for the first day of the season. St. Johns is likely the favorite with Grand Rapids Christian close behind. Beyond that, Holt, Forest Hills Eastern, Lansing Christian, and Hartland will all be close. Similar to Hessler, I’m expecting an improvement from St. Johns’ Lauren Lasceski. Once again, I have her rated as 125, but her track times speak to something different, another potential sub-19. I don’t think they can catch East Grand Rapids, but at least could put them ahead of Lansing Catholic and Divine Child.
Unity Christian Early Bird
Holland West Ottawa is the lone rated team here at 19 overall, 16 in Division 1. Wayland Union has a chance of sneaking into the Division 2 rankings. I’m always looking for track times that don’t match last year’s cross results, and Iris Swarthout fits the bill. 5:16 and it doesn’t appear she had the opportunity to run a fresh 3200. Another example of someone who could make the leap under 19 as the season progresses. Not here though, as I have Unity Christian’s course being the toughest course of the weekend.
Viking Stampede
Niles’ Kaylee Thompson had quite an improvement in track and I expect that might carry over. 5:20 1600 is very impressive. I have her just outside the All-State Watch List. Once again, another sub-19 candidate.
Lenawee County Preview
The battle of the D4 schools! Hudson, Adrian Lenawee Christian, and Sand Creek all enter the preview ranked, as does Blissfield in Division 3. All that said, Tecumseh is probably the best team here. Continuing with the sub-19 theme, Kaitlin Knape (5:43, 11:45) is the girl to look for.
Marshall
Since I don’t know who’s going where and both of your teams are ranked, you’re getting your own special section. Your boys are #22 in Division 2 and your girls are #16. I’m looking at Garrett Bailey and Brett Carlisle, both running under 10:20 in track to be consistently in the mid 16s, potentially faster come November. Another team that returns a whole lot, mostly juniors on this year’s squad. On the girls side, I’m looking for Abby St. John. Abby did not break 20 last year but she’s coming off a strong track season (5:44, 12:14) that equates to easily breaking that barrier.
