Jack’s career at Marshall started as many might. Inconsistent, struggling on the adverse courses, yet still a good start for any 9th grader. What has transpired these past three years has been beyond anyone’s wildest expectations.
He’s surely reset expectations at Marshall and has left many wondering what his next step may be, because this progression is shocking.
By the end of that freshman year, Jack had turned into a youngster capable of running in the low-17’s (and a 16:27 at the typically fast Turkeyville), then handed in a track season that further cemented himself as one of the better young runners in this 2025 class, his 4:34 1600m ranking #5 amongst that year’s freshman.
A sophomore year saw more climbs forward. This past year is when Bidwell truly put it into overdrive. According to this very informative Battle Creek Enquirer article, Redhawk cross records were shattered seven times this fall. The track record board is also full of his surname, as he holds records from the 800m to the 3200m. Time-wise, he does his thing, though his true talent comes when challenged. We saw this in the D2 State 4×8, where Jack received the rock three seconds back of first, trailing Forest Hills Eastern, DeWitt, and Frankenmuth – all prominent and speedy D2 programs. 110.8 seconds later, he’d cross the line in first, winning by more than 2 seconds. When pressed, we get a glimpse of the places he can go.
I agree with Jack, you’re inspiring. To all Marshall athletes in a tough spot in a competition, to all future Redhawks shooting for records, and to all those 19 minute kids who should never give up hope.
The last time Helen completed a full season of cross country, she left MIS with a state title. Hard to be much better than that, but she is. In her own words, Helen describes it perfectly:
What I can tell you is that Helen was certainly better in 2024. Her track season consisted of faster times and higher accomplishments than she’s ever attained on the oval.
I’ve always considered her more of an endurance runner than a speedster. In 2022, she had one of the better freshman track campaigns you’ll see, especially in the longer distances. Two years later, she moved her 1600m best from 4:52 to 4:51 and her 3200m best from 10:26 to 10:20. The 800m had even more drops, from 2:19 to 2:16.
Victories were the real difference. Whereas her freshman version didn’t win a single individual race during championship season, her junior version hit the tape first in six of those races. Regionals, OK Red, and MITCA. Coming back to the 800m, her time drop was especially important at State, receiving the stick in first, holding off a Rachel Forsyth who was sure to be bearing down on her.
I wanted to change things up a bit regarding the Top Ten Teams. Over the past two summers, this has been a solid feature in the hype department, giving highlight to many kids on superb teams. One aspect I’ve felt that I’ve lacked is explaining how each team relates in comparison to others. I’ll attempt to do that here!
Included features are:
Strengths – characteristics making that team a contender. Question Marks – any person or team that I write about here, I’m 100% confident you’ll shore up this “weaker” spot by year’s end. But this is a section that’ll look into why a team could be beat. Looking Ahead – how the team might fare in their championship meets (conference, county, regional, state)
#1 Goodrich
Strengths
Solid options at every spot. From Kam Lauinger and Layla Jordan at the front to experienced seniors such as Avery Byrne (two seasons spent in the 19’s) or an outstanding sophomore class (Baylor Lauinger, Alivia Ottinger, Claire Brown).
Question Marks
Dealing with expectations. For years, Goodrich has been one of the top teams in the Flint area. Now they’re the hunted one in the entire state. As far as their lineup goes, I don’t see many question marks at this instant.
Looking Ahead
As the #4 team in the entire state, all divisions, the Martians look to be the favorites in every championship meet this year. Greater Flint, FML, Region 15, perhaps even in a few months, the State Finals.
#2 Holland Christian
Strengths
Youthful depth. The Maroon sophomore class makes up four of the projected varsity runners. Incoming freshmen take up two spots. Between the two, Holland Christian should be able to put five girls under 19:30. Or faster.
Question Marks
Compared to Goodrich, the non-scoring varsity spots. Whereas the Martians might be able to draw in from everyone on their varsity squad, HC appears locked in from their top-5. Though this spring, Mackenzie Huizenga was on the path towards cutting into that gap, running mid-12’s for much of the year and grabbing 6th place in the OK Blue 3200m.
Looking Ahead
As with the boys, a move from the OK Blue to the Black. If you’re winning any division named “Black”, you’re probably a hard-nosed, gritty team. This one has two top-5 teams in there, the young Maroon squad and the older Chix. Whoever comes out ahead will prosper.
#3 DeWitt
Strengths
A top-three that can run with most anyone in the division. Kayla Williams has had her ticket. Both Ayla Holben and Autumn Thompson embraced the longer races during track, respectively running 11:36 and 11:22. When that translates to cross, expect to see three Panthers in the 19’s or faster.
Question Marks
Big-time race experience. Whereas the Panthers were 12th in the division last fall, challenging for a spot on the podium is a whole new arena. In recent memory, one race they can look back to was the 4×8 at State, where DeWitt placed 3rd.
Looking Ahead
As of this current moment, the rankings have DeWitt as the best team in the Lansing area. That includes the CAAC Blue, Greater Lansing, and even extends into the wide-ranging Region 14.
#4 Grand Rapids Christian
Strengths
Championship experience and the hunger to recapture that. Lilah Poel, Ellie Scholma, and Lucy Waalkes all raced at MIS on that victorious occasion. Girls such as Annika TerBeek (sub-20 on five separate occasions) and Zoe Hoekstra (5:39/11:53) hope to move in and contribute to another championship.
Question Marks
Depth going past five. The Eagle scorers can all be under 20-flat on most courses. It appears there will be a bit of a drop off after. This won’t affect GRC on a good day, but if one girl is to have a subpar race, their score will be negatively affected in the ultra-tough Grand Rapids D2 scene.
Looking Ahead
There’s a few reasons teams from the OK White tend to do well at State Final levels. Besides culture, atmosphere, and great coaching, there’s the fact that constant competition calluses you for big-time racing. This year’s version features 4 top-60 teams (all divisions), of which GR Christian comes in as the favorite. The conference season will be good preparation for a Region 12 that includes three other teams in the top-20.
#5 Zeeland East
Strengths
One of the better fast fours in the division. Emma Drnek comprises the top end. Ladies such as Taryn DiLaura, Meredith Cook, and Adalyn Raab could take up the other three spots. Cook slipped under 19:00 late last fall, DiLaura knocked 23 sec. off her 3200m best (now 11:27), and Raab finished 3rd in the Middle School Zone 6 race.
Question Marks
The all too common fifth spot. The Chix will likely be solid there, with experienced juniors CC Kuras and Megan Kuzma running in the mid-20’s for each of their two seasons for ZE. If one (or both) take a minor step forward, the team can challenge for a trophy.
Looking Ahead
Read the Holland Christian section then flip it for these Chix. The Maroons look good on paper, the Chix will be seeking to show them some reality. Those matchups will occur both in the OK Black and in Region 11.
#6 Otsego
Strengths
A very low-stick in Emma Hoffman. With Germain and Brazee moving on, Hoffman has taken it upon herself to reach new levels in training. The result, this Ready or Not 5k performance.
Question Marks
The Bulldogs have decent depth, brought forth by a team and coach that believes in their training plan. One small question mark be: can anyone cut into the gap between Hoffman and their pack? Taylor Mitchell is a definite candidate, with the All-State experience from her 10th grade year. Skylar Mejeur another, breaking into the 19’s twice during championship season.
Looking Ahead
Whereas the men will be constantly needled by Plainwell, these women likely will have it a little easier. Region 13 seems like it’ll be a Bulldog party, same as the Wolverine Conference. I’m never too worried about Otsego, Coach Long always has his team motivated and engaged.
#7 East Grand Rapids
Strengths
The experienced and reliable Sadey Seyferth up front. Rapidly improving Adeline Armstrong is close behind. Adeline was sub-20 in her final few races, then grabbed a podium spot in D2’s 800m and hit a 5:26 for the full mile.
Question Marks
Finding girls to supplement the first two. Rory Workman could be one, coming on strong during track with a 5:36 in the 1600m. Mady Baar hit her first ever sub-20 last fall, a good 50 sec. reduction from her freshman year.
Looking Ahead
The Pioneers are underdogs to GR Christian both in the OK White and in Region 12. They’ll likely be looking to open a little gap for the first two runners, then hold as tight as possible through 5. Even if both result in losses, they’ll be well-tested for what’s to come.
#8 Ludington
Strengths
Tremendous top-three. Annabelle Lowman has her ticket. Summer Brower has two All-States to her name, along with the capability of reaching into the low-18’s. Nadia Grierson made tremendous gains during track, moving from 5:32 to 5:14 in the 1600m.
Question Marks
The fourth and fifth spots. The aforementioned three will keep them out of trouble in smaller meets, but in larger ones, the Orioles could run into trouble. A girl such as Christina Theis has been in the 19’s before, potentially bolstering Ludington quite a bit.
Looking Ahead
Back last fall, the Orioles handily won the WMC Lakes and Region 10. The summer impression is the same, more dominance from the Lake Michigan shores.
#9 Linden
Strengths
Tantalizing potential. Last year’s freshman class had four girls under 21:00 in the fall, then three sub-6 in the 1600m in the spring. Add in a regional champion such as Chloe Josephson and you’ve got a mix of experience and possibilities.
Question Marks
The lack of a very low-stick means that in larger meets, the Eagles will be accumulating points from the jump. Though I shouldn’t sleep on Josephson, her 5:17 and subsequent state qualifier could represent a higher level for her.
Looking Ahead
Goodrich will certainly be the formidable foe in the FML and Greater Flint. Even a wild Hartland is running at Greater Flint. In spite of all the higher division teams, the Eagles have the potential to place 2nd in the FML and 3rd at Greater Flint. Both great tests before a Region 16 where they’ll likely be favorites.
#10 Freeland
Strengths
Clara Kaczor up front and experience in needed spots. Between Landrey Kuhn, Jada Prescott, and Karie Keefer, there have been 6 races at State and 6 top-20 regional finishes.
Question Marks
Depth. The Falcons need another girl to move into the mid-20’s. Perhaps that’s Isabel Reinke, who crossed the 21-min. mark in her final three races of 2023.
Looking Ahead
In the TVC and at Saginaw County, Frankenmuth will be right there. Don’t for one second think that a top-10 team is a guarantee to win either of those – Frankenmuth sits right behind at #11. With Goodrich taking the trip up north to the heartland, these two probably will be battling for 2nd/3rd, and hoping to hold off a hometown upset bid from the Bluejays.
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 