Four of six teams, including an unanticipated, unexpected TWO upsets in the girls race. Sittin’ at 117 of 132 teams.
SOUTH CHRISTIAN SPEED CITY
I will highlight one kid from each race for a little writeup. With Regionals and their survive and advance attitude, I’ll try to shout out someone who extended their season another week when they weren’t expected to, or contributed to a team that came in with a clutch performance. Of course, that leaves out many athletes who gave a great effort, and all of the athletes that were winners for toeing the line this weekend. Congrats to all.
Ahna Wotjer, GR West Michigan Aviation
WMAA wasn’t even in the ballpark of teams I’d consider making it out of here, projected at less than 5% chance of advancing. When teams such as these do move on, it’s always a concerted effort from everyone, including a girl like Ahna, who stepped up in a major way. Of the 100+ girls that competed in the varsity race, and Ahna was one of them, breaking into the 20’s on her largest stage yet.
Grace Kooyer, Grand Rapids South Christian
Was one of the other ones to set a PR. But after two straight years of South Christian defying the expectations, one should come to expect it. Grace has gone through a bit of growth over the past year. Last fall, she wasn’t even on the Sailors’ varsity squad at Regionals, this year she was an integral member (and two minutes faster on this same course).
William O’Dell, Battle Creek Harper Creek
I guess three trips to MIS weren’t enough for William. He’s made it there all throughout his career. In 2020 and 2021, he qualified with his Harper Creek teammates, individually the past two years. Both of these final years were top-12 efforts and this Saturday, he looks to have his best State Finals finish yet.
15 of 18, which is about how it usually goes. Pine River’s boys and Benzie/Vestaburg’s girls… you got me. Currently sitting at 113/126.
CONQUERED THE REMUS HILLS
I will highlight one kid from each race for a little writeup. With Regionals and their survive and advance attitude, I’ll try to shout out someone who extended their season another week when they weren’t expected to, or contributed to a team that came in with a clutch performance. Of course, that leaves out many athletes who gave a great effort, and all of the athletes that were winners for toeing the line this weekend. Congrats to all.
Jessica Penrod, Vestaburg
The Wolverines came into the meet as slight underdogs to make it to MIS, a 32% chance of advancing. With a 20-point margin over 3rd place, there was nothing slight about their performance. Jessica in particular ran well, 2 minutes faster than her opener here and 15+ seconds faster than last week.
Nora Grossnickle, Benzie Central
Not often that you see Benzie Central not being a favorite to make it out of their region. The Huskies (and Nora) don’t take kindly to that sorta disrespect. Astounding consistency from her in this championship season. 20:0x’s in each of her last three efforts.
Kennedi Wood, Sparta
She’s run three regionals here on this Remus Hills track, each of them slightly better than the rest. 21:18 and 23rd as a sophomore, 21:01 and 18th as a junior, and continuing the trend, 13th here in 20:54. Projected 19th, she came in 13th, earning herself an automatic trip to Brooklyn.
Jordan Weber, Beal City
Of his eleven previous races, only two had been sub-19. Each of those courses are notoriously quick (Uncle John’s and Cadillac), nothing compared the speed bumps offered here. But that was no matter for Jordan, who ran a personal best of 18:28.
Brody Swanson, LeRoy Pine River
Early in the year, Brody had shown flashes of quick times (18:00 at Buckley, 18:04 at Sparta). They’ve come to fruition lately, with two sub-18’s in his past three meets. His 17:53 here in the rolling hills and woods couldn’t have come at a better time, helping lead the Bucks to their 2nd State Finals in the past 4 years.
Hayden Gould, Big Rapids
It wasn’t quite as quick as his Late Season Warrior effort, but I don’t think the ratings have captured the roll he’s been on. Sub-17 in four of his past seven races, remarkable progress from the freshman who was largely over 20 minutes.
Friday Girls Adjustment: 0 Friday Boys Adjustment: -3 Saturday Girls Adjustment: 0 Saturday Boys Adjustment: +5
17/18 (now 98 of 108), but I think by being present, that willed my projections into coming true. But I couldn’t predict that… (read below)
TASTED THAT SUGARY SHEPHERD SWEETNESS
Victoria Garces would come back and be a major boon for Midland Dow. As a rule and being as non-intrusive as possible, I never want to ask about injuries. But I had seen images of her in a boot and figured the season was over. To my astonished eyes at 400m, she was in the race. Could Dow now make it? Victoria patiently worked her way through the field, coming across the line in 2nd, with a time of 18:28. With three girls in the top-6, the Chargers had enough wiggle room and space to make it to State.
Kamryn Lauinger, Goodrich
Just a month ago, she was struggling across the line on this mid-Michigan course. Goodrich smartly took the trip up north in order to preview their regional course and learn any necessary lessons. Her first test couldn’t have gone any worse, how would she respond? Following that Bluejay race, she’s had the best stretch of her career and she just added to it with her third consecutive regional victory.
Pyper Braun, Pigeon-Laker
Her freshman year has been one of gradual progress. Opening in the 22’s-23’s, then moving to the 20’s in late September, and finally the 19’s last week. That 19:52 at Thumb Area was good enough for 6th there, a quality finish in a championship meet that was doubled up by a 7th spot on Friday.
Bay City Western’s Boys
There was a sea of yellow out there on the course. In what was anticipated to be a tight race for the title, the BCW boys set the tone early and shut the door on any comeback. I’m adding Bay City Western to my list of teams to never doubt in the summer and early season (Farmington, Milford, Pinckney, etc.) because it’s yet another year where Nesbitt’s squad has defied any expectation.
Vincent Pattison, Goodrich
With the exception of a few individuals, this boys race almost went exactly to expectation. Vincent was the main individual that ran to his fortune when it may not have been expected. Heading into Friday’s race, he was ranked 17th with a 37% chance of getting into the top-15, which ended up being what it took to qualify. His 16:18 was a full 33 seconds faster than his performance here in late September and just continues the momentum he showed from the FML Championship.
Jayden Fox, Saginaw Valley Lutheran
Small in stature, enormous in heart. The Charger sophomore has come a long way from the freshman with a 18:18 personal best. He’s found a home on this Shepherd course, navigating the many turns to three personal bests in four efforts. His 17:11 here on Friday was the latest of those three, moving up from his 20th projected place to 10th actual place.