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2026’s 50 Tickets to Brooklyn: Boys #5

mixcspeedratings

It’s baaack. A summertime tradition has returned, the 50 Tickets to Brooklyn. These lists celebrate the top 50 returners – based on a concoction of the ’25 XC season, projected improvements, the ’26 Track season, and a tiny bit of my own input.

Enjoy!

2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020

Many of these photos are sourced from either MLive or Miles Postema. Any others will find credit in the caption.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
11Luka Hammond15:19.4Grand Haven207.9MITCA8-Nov2025
11Luka Hammond15:20.0Grand Haven207.3D1 State Finals1-Nov2025
11Luka Hammond15:25.2Grand Haven206.6Region 125-Oct2025
11Luka Hammond15:28.8Grand Haven203.7OK Red Championship16-Oct2025
11Luka Hammond15:33.5Grand Haven211.5Portage4-Oct2025
11Luka Hammond15:38.5Grand Haven206.9Allendale Falcon27-Sep2025
11Luka Hammond15:39.3Grand Haven207.2OK Red 224-Sep2025
11Luka Hammond15:38.7Grand Haven217.4Spartan12-Sep2025
11Luka Hammond15:46.5Grand Haven207.8OK Red 19-Sep2025
11Luka Hammond15:42.4Grand Haven211.2Under the Lights v222-Aug2025
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Luka Hammond15:42.1Grand Haven200.6MITCA9-Nov2024
10Luka Hammond15:19.9Grand Haven207.4Division 1 State2-Nov2024
10Luka Hammond15:54.8Grand Haven195.7Region 126-Oct2024
10Luka Hammond15:55.6Grand Haven195.1OK Red Championship17-Oct2024
10Luka Hammond15:37.6Grand Haven205.5Portage5-Oct2024
10Luka Hammond15:43.1Grand Haven202.0Allendale Falcon28-Sep2024
10Luka Hammond16:36.8Grand Haven200.4OK Red 225-Sep2024
10Luka Hammond16:06.1Grand Haven206.6Spartan13-Sep2024
10Luka Hammond16:05.0Grand Haven206.7OK Red 110-Sep2024
10Luka Hammond16:01.5Grand Haven200.5Under the Lights v223-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Luka Hammond16:04.3Grand Haven191.6MITCA11-Nov2023
9Luka Hammond15:58.7Grand Haven194.8Division 1 State4-Nov2023
9Luka Hammond16:16.2Grand Haven188.3Region 128-Oct2023
9Luka Hammond16:08.2Grand Haven190.9OK Red Conference19-Oct2023
9Luka Hammond16:01.9Grand Haven196.4Portage7-Oct2023
9Luka Hammond16:16.4Grand Haven191.2Allendale Falcon30-Sep2023
9Luka Hammond16:20.1Grand Haven196.0Spartan15-Sep2023
9Luka Hammond16:39.2Grand Haven189.3Bredeweg9-Sep2023
9Luka Hammond16:29.9Grand Haven193.4Under the Lights v225-Aug2023

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:19
400m – 50.97
800m – 1:51
1600m – 4:07
3200m – 8:58

Accolades

XC

14th Place – Division 1 State
2x All-State
2nd Place – Region 1
3rd Place – OK Red Championship

Track

2025 & 2026 Division 1 State 1600m Champion
8th Place – Division 1 State 3200m
5x All-State
Region 2 1600m/3200m Champion
OK Red Conference 800m Champion

His Specialty

Savvy racing in the 1600m.

Yeah, that’s a reeeeal specific specialty, but when you’ve gone back-to-back with Division 1 wins, it’s worthy of a writeup.

The first example of his wisdom, quoted from last year’s 50 Tickets post:

“Then the best conclusion, a win in a drag race at State. Three west siders led at various points in the contest. Jackson Lam for the first kilometer, Caden Livermore and Hammond desperately trying to stay connected as Lam sped past 800m in 2:05. Luka gained and then held the lead from a kilometer to the bell, where Livermore made his bid. A gap opened and it was gut check time for Luka, be content with 2nd or hang until you can give one final surge. After choosing the latter, Hammond opened up his stride and gritted out a victory in the final meters.”

The second came at May 30th’s D1 Finals. Hammond once again let others do the work, trailing in second place for much of the first 1000 meters. He began to take on the lead at 600m to go, then gradually inched down the pace until he was in an all-out sprint for the final 300m. Caden Livermore right on his heels, ready to pounce on any weakness. Hammond somehow found another gear in the final 100m, closing in what appeared to be a sub-60. Another State Finals win, another variance of a deadly and decisive kick.

It ain’t just the four-lappers on the track, Luka is here because of his exploits on the grass. Sub-16 as a freshman, two straight state medals. His 3200m isn’t all that bad either, one of two Michiganders to move under 9:00 this past spring. The endurance and speed are two factors. The wisdom makes him extra special.

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2026’s 50 Tickets to Brooklyn: Girls #6

mixcspeedratings

It’s baaack. A summertime tradition has returned, the 50 Tickets to Brooklyn. These lists celebrate the top 50 returners – based on a concoction of the ’25 XC season, projected improvements, the ’26 Track season, and a tiny bit of my own input.

Enjoy!

2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020

Many of these photos are sourced from either MLive or Miles Postema. Any others will find credit in the caption.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
11Jaelyn Ray17:21.3Pinckney167.6MITCA8-Nov2025
11Jaelyn Ray17:53.0Pinckney155.7D2 State Finals1-Nov2025
11Jaelyn Ray18:37.3Pinckney151.2Region 1625-Oct2025
11Jaelyn Ray18:05.9Pinckney158.0SEC Championship16-Oct2025
11Jaelyn Ray17:36.7Pinckney158.8Gabriel Richard11-Oct2025
11Jaelyn Ray18:02.6Pinckney162.5Portage4-Oct2025
11Jaelyn Ray18:54.8Pinckney157.4Coaching Legends27-Sep2025
11Jaelyn Ray18:20.8Pinckney162.1SEC White 225-Sep2025
11Jaelyn Ray19:04.8Pinckney146.7Linden Classic20-Sep2025
11Jaelyn Ray18:17.5Pinckney161.2Holly13-Sep2025
11Jaelyn Ray17:57.1Pinckney157.6SEC 19-Sep2025
11Jaelyn Ray19:03.1Pinckney153.0Milford28-Aug2025
11Jaelyn Ray18:25.5Pinckney163.8Lamplighter15-Aug2025
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Jaelyn Ray18:23.7Pinckney145.8Division 2 State2-Nov2024
10Jaelyn Ray18:46.5Pinckney143.5Region 1626-Oct2024
10Jaelyn Ray18:40.6Pinckney144.8SEC Championship17-Oct2024
10Jaelyn Ray18:37.5Pinckney146.2Portage5-Oct2024
10Jaelyn Ray20:02.7Pinckney132.4Coaching Legends28-Sep2024
10Jaelyn Ray19:20.6Pinckney143.1Holly14-Sep2024
10Jaelyn Ray19:08.1Pinckney146.0SEC 110-Sep2024
10Jaelyn Ray19:52.4Pinckney149.5Milford29-Aug2024
10Jaelyn Ray18:45.4Pinckney151.5Lamplighter23-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Jaelyn Ray19:29.5Pinckney122.2MITCA11-Nov2023
9Jaelyn Ray19:27.5Pinckney125.2Division 2 State4-Nov2023
9Jaelyn Ray19:53.6Pinckney122.1Region 1628-Oct2023
9Jaelyn Ray20:19.3Pinckney117.2SEC Championship19-Oct2023
9Jaelyn Ray19:36.6Pinckney131.1Gabriel Richard14-Oct2023
9Jaelyn Ray19:36.6Pinckney125.8Portage7-Oct2023
9Jaelyn Ray20:10.0Pinckney126.3Coaching Legends30-Sep2023
9Jaelyn Ray20:11.4Pinckney133.5Milford31-Aug2023
9Jaelyn Ray19:09.5Pinckney147.5Lamplighter18-Aug2023

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 17:21
800m – 2:12
1600m – 4:49
3200m – 10:28

Accolades

XC

5th Place – Division 2 State
2x All-State
Region 16 Champion
2x SEC White Champion

Track

Division 2 State 3200m Champion
2nd Place – Division 2 State 1600m
5th Place – Division 2 State 4×8
5x All-State
2nd Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 3200m
4th Place – MITS/MITCA Indoor State 1600m

Her Championship Season

She had been building to the point, progressing forward through every season, leaving each track or cross campaign stronger than where she started. The closing stretch of this past track season was her best string of races yet.

Going into her junior spring season, the Pinckney Pirate had found success, especially in the 3200m. As a freshman, she broke through with a major personal best at State, then the following year, placed 3rd in Division 2. Ray was also coming off a cross season where she continued to prove that she was one of D2’s elite girls.

Her quick racing began in late April, where Jaelyn stayed right with the torrential pace set by Eliza Schwass and Natasza Dudek, hanging on for a massive 1600m PR, 4:49. Up in Shepherd the following week came another one, jumping from 10:45 to 10:32 in the 3200m. Fitness was proved, now time to win championships.

At the State Finals, Jaelyn didn’t make it easy on herself, contributing to the Pirate 4×8, then doubling back in the 1600m/3200m. That Saturday in late May was a bit steamy as well, however, Pinckney harriers never lack toughness. After grabbing a runner-up finish in the 1600m, Jaelyn displayed that grit in the 3200m, taking the lead and extending it with each lap. Her first state title, run with the attitude that makes you believe more can come.

Uncategorized

2026’s 50 Tickets to Brooklyn: Boys #6

mixcspeedratings

It’s baaack. A summertime tradition has returned, the 50 Tickets to Brooklyn. These lists celebrate the top 50 returners – based on a concoction of the ’25 XC season, projected improvements, the ’26 Track season, and a tiny bit of my own input.

Enjoy!

2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020

Many of these photos are sourced from either MLive or Miles Postema. Any others will find credit in the caption.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
11Jack MacGregor15:06.0Howell212.0D1 State Finals1-Nov2025
11Jack MacGregor15:17.9Howell209.0Region 424-Oct2025
11Jack MacGregor15:04.1Howell214.3KLAA Championship16-Oct2025
11Jack MacGregor15:11.6Howell211.1Greater Lansing11-Oct2025
11Jack MacGregor15:37.7Howell208.4DeWitt27-Sep2025
11Jack MacGregor15:15.6Howell211.1Jackson20-Sep2025
11Jack MacGregor15:44.9Howell215.4Spartan12-Sep2025
11Jack MacGregor15:40.2Howell216.9Lamplighter15-Aug2025
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Jack MacGregor15:20.2Howell207.9MITCA9-Nov2024
10Jack MacGregor15:22.1Howell206.6Division 1 State2-Nov2024
10Jack MacGregor15:42.2Howell205.3Region 426-Oct2024
10Jack MacGregor15:34.5Howell207.5KLAA Championship17-Oct2024
10Jack MacGregor15:55.6Howell198.8Greater Lansing12-Oct2024
10Jack MacGregor15:24.8Howell209.7Jackson21-Sep2024
10Jack MacGregor15:41.2Howell216.6Holly14-Sep2024
10Jack MacGregor15:41.6Howell208.1Rambling Rock7-Sep2024
10Jack MacGregor15:44.0Howell211.0Lamplighter23-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Jack MacGregor16:19.4Howell186.5MITCA11-Nov2023
9Jack MacGregor15:54.8Howell196.1Division 1 State4-Nov2023
9Jack MacGregor16:15.1Howell195.6Region 428-Oct2023
9Jack MacGregor16:38.5Howell195.5KLAA Conference20-Oct2023
9Jack MacGregor16:16.0Howell199.3Greater Lansing14-Oct2023
9Jack MacGregor15:55.5Howell200.5DeWitt30-Sep2023
9Jack MacGregor15:37.5Howell204.5Jackson23-Sep2023
9Jack MacGregor16:05.6Howell203.8Holly16-Sep2023
9Jack MacGregor16:12.6Howell199.1Ramblin’ Rock9-Sep2023

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:04
800m – 1:57
1600m – 4:16
3200m – 9:02
5k (Track) – 14:48

Accolades

XC

6th Place – Division 1 State (2025 & 2026)
2x Region 4 Champion
Greater Lansing Champion
KLAA Champion

Track

MITS/MITCA Indoor State 3200m Champion
2nd Place – Division 1 State 3200m
2x All-State
Region 4 1600m/3200m Champion

His Specialty

The longer the race, the more Jack is at his best.

That said, it’s not as if MacGregor struggles at the mid-distance stuff. After all, he just closed the track season with a shiny new 800m PR (1:57). He even won the Region 4 1600m and blasted a 4:16 earlier in the spring at the Barnyard.

The 4:16 PR held up against his 9:02 in the 3200m shows his ability to redline, pushing the pace of what his body can handle, for many laps late in the race. With these abilities, MacGregor has found himself at the forefront of both XC races and eight-lappers.

In the fall, this has come to the tune of two consecutive regional titles and 6th place D1 finishes. This past winter and spring, he rose even further into Michigan’s elite ranks. At Aquinas for the MITS/MITCA Indoor State Championships 3200m, Jack let others do the work for the first half of the race, then took the lead with a mile to go. With each succeeding lap, he poured on the pace, closing in 35, 34, 33, and 31 to clinch the indoor state title. Outdoors, he found himself in a similar predicament, wisely letting others do the work, matching any move ahead of him. With a lap to go, MacGregor made another decisive move, aiming for another win. Unfortunately, he fell a little short in the final meters, but emerged with another personal best, a 9:02.

There will be more 3200m’s and more XC races in the coming year, with Jack’s excellence and savvy racing putting him in a great spot.