Category: Uncategorized

THE SUMMER PREVIEW

Accomplishments & Accolades

• 29^th Place – Division 2 State (2021 XC)
• 6^th Place – OK White (XC)
• 12^th Place – Division 2 State 3200m
• 2^nd Place – Region 13 3200m
• 3^rd Place – OK White 3200m
• 2^nd Place – Division 2 State 4x800m



Ratings Throughout the Years

Grade	Name	Time	Team	Rating	Meet	Date
11	Naomi Nelson	19:43.3	Grand Rapids Christian	129.2	Pete Moss	27-Aug
11	Naomi Nelson	19:36.6	Grand Rapids Christian	136.5	OK White 1	7-Sep
11	Naomi Nelson	20:18.6	Grand Rapids Christian	114.5	Christian Schools	10-Sep
11	Naomi Nelson	19:13.4	Grand Rapids Christian	133.5	Ottawa Hills	16-Sep
11	Naomi Nelson	19:42.5	Grand Rapids Christian	124.2	OK White 2	21-Sep
11	Naomi Nelson	19:24.3	Grand Rapids Christian	125.6	Cougar Falcon	24-Sep
11	Naomi Nelson	19:06.6	Grand Rapids Christian	133.8	Otsego Bulldog	1-Oct
11	Naomi Nelson	20:00.3	Grand Rapids Christian	135.2	OK White 3	5-Oct
11	Naomi Nelson	18:58.3	Grand Rapids Christian	136.9	Portage	8-Oct
11	Naomi Nelson	18:38.4	Grand Rapids Christian	138.9	Northview	19-Oct
11	Naomi Nelson	20:39.1	Grand Rapids Christian	105.3	Division 2 State	5-Nov
Grade	Name	Time	Team	Rating	Meet	Date
10	Naomi Nelson	20:51.1	Grand Rapids Christian	106.6	Pete Moss	28-Aug
10	Naomi Nelson	20:51.4	Grand Rapids Christian	105.9	OK White 1	8-Sep
10	Naomi Nelson	20:43.7	Grand Rapids Christian	103.1	Christian School	11-Sep
10	Naomi Nelson	20:43.8	Grand Rapids Christian	111.7	Ottawa Hills	17-Sep
10	Naomi Nelson	19:42.0	Grand Rapids Christian	120.0	OK White 2	22-Sep
10	Naomi Nelson	20:02.2	Grand Rapids Christian	120.6	Cougar Falcon	25-Sep
10	Naomi Nelson	19:40.1	Grand Rapids Christian	126.3	Otsego Bulldog	2-Oct
10	Naomi Nelson	19:27.0	Grand Rapids Christian	123.7	OK White 3	6-Oct
10	Naomi Nelson	19:40.2	Grand Rapids Christian	126.6	OK White 4	20-Oct
10	Naomi Nelson	20:12.9	Grand Rapids Christian	108.0	Region 11	30-Oct
10	Naomi Nelson	19:15.6	Grand Rapids Christian	131.5	Division 2 State	6-Nov
10	Naomi Nelson	19:14.2	Grand Rapids Christian	132.9	MITCA	13-Nov
Grade	Name		Team	Rating	Meet	Date
9	Naomi Nelson		Grand Rapids Christian	86.3	FHE GRC Dual	22-Aug
9	Naomi Nelson		Grand Rapids Christian	114.8	Pete Moss	29-Aug
9	Naomi Nelson		Grand Rapids Christian	109.2	OK White (GF)	16-Sep
9	Naomi Nelson		Grand Rapids Christian	113.1	OK White 2	23-Sep
9	Naomi Nelson		Grand Rapids Christian	100.7	Region 13	31-Oct
9	Naomi Nelson		Grand Rapids Christian	79.1	Division 2 State	6-Nov

The Rundown

Keeping the Nelson/Grand Rapids Christian connection alive, Naomi has been a valuable contributor to the Eagles over these past three years. Early on in her freshman year, she showed great potential, racing to a sub-20 at Pete Moss.  These past two years, she’s racked up numerous honors – whether that’s an All-State in 2021 or a top-10 in the OK White this past year. Her championship season this past fall was a bit stunted, as she was a scratch at the State Finals until the very last minute. Come Saturday, she courageously competed, but clearly not in her form from earlier in the year. But in doing so, she helped her GRC girls grab 3^rd place. They’ll likely be in another D2 battle in a few months here. With All-State experience plus a yearning to get back there, I can assure you Naomi will bring everything she’s got when she steps on the line.

Last Year

SUMMER PREVIEW
MID-SEASON
FINAL PROJECTIONS
THE RESULT

Girls

1. Traverse City St. Francis (State Champions)
2. Elk Rapids (8^th)
3. Charlevoix (22^nd)

Boys

1. Traverse City St. Francis (2^nd)
2. Clare (9^th)
3. Elk Rapids (20^th)

Top 27 Teams

Previous years had top-25 teams, but there’s 27 (and sometimes more) team qualifiers and what does it hurt to add another two?

Girls

Elk Rapids (Top 5), Traverse City St. Francis (Top 5), Clare (8^th), Charlevoix (24^th)

Boys

Traverse City St. Francis (Top 5), Clare (Top 5), Elk Rapids (17^th)

(If your team isn’t listed in the images above or the scores below, you probably don’t have five returners, at least on ol’ athletic.net. I’m sure many of these teams will fill out their rosters by late October)

Projected Scores

Place	Girls Team	Score
1	Elk Rapids	45
2	Traverse City St. Francis	55
3	Clare	68
4	Charlevoix	115
5	Boyne City	182
6	Kalkaska	190
7	Farwell	199
8	Standish-Sterling	204
9	Grayling	238
10	Tawas	256
11	Mancelona	266

Place	Boys Team	Score
1	Traverse City St. Francis	37
2	Clare	56
3	Elk Rapids	93
4	Kalkaska	114
5	Charlevoix	120
6	Grayling	143
7	Boyne City	189
8	Roscommon	204
9	Tawas	272
10	Harrison	315
11	Mancelona	316
12	Standish-Sterling	320
13	Charlton Heston Academy	370

Top Runners

Thought I’d give a review of some of the top returners in each region. Returners means no incoming freshman (you’ll get your days in the sun). If you’re on a top team or in the 50 Tickets and you’re projected highly here, you hit the jackpot! Yes, I’m writing a bit less than previous years, but I think I’ve learned my lesson in that I need to conserve energy and brainpower for all divisions and regions. Typically by August, I’m rushing to get these done. This time around, hopefully all regions get the same amount of coverage.

Betsy Skendzel, Traverse City St. Francis

Was the regional champ last year and is a runner meant for the State Finals. She’s placed in the top-8 in each appearance, negative splitting her way high onto the podium.

Brynne Schulte, Elk Rapids

Freshman year contained wins at Taco Tuesday, Kalkaska, and Mancelona. Great finishes in many other spots, including 3^rd here and 27^th at D3 State.

Laina Sladics, Charlevoix

Two years separate her two high school seasons, but even that doesn’t explain the considerable reduction in time. Laina moved up from 35^th to 7^th over here in Region 19 and knocked almost 2.5 minutes off her time.

Brad White, Clare

Coming off a regional title and his first All-State, he’s still found room to improve. Dropped well into the 1:50’s in the 800m and ended the year ranked #6 in D3.

Josh Slocum, Traverse City St. Francis

Entered high school with many expectations and has lived up to many of them. Competed only from October 1^st on last year, but no warmup period was needed. All races in the 16’s, his 2^nd top-10 at Regionals, and first All-State were all accomplished.

Drew Moore, Grayling

Dramatic late-season rise surprised many. Race in, race out, outperformed expectations on the way to a 17^th place finish at State.

Gavin Guggemos, Kalkaska

Big track season, especially in the 3200m. Placed 2^nd in the LMC and 17^th in Division 3.

Tucker Krumm, Traverse City St. Francis

I know East Jordan is a quick track for many. For Tucker, it’s personal bests all the time. Each of the past three years, he’s run the best time of his career and placed in the top-15.

Nic Porter, Clare

Solid his first two years, running mid-17’s, then took a step forward as a junior. Sub-17 three times, with a significant personal best here in 16:26.

THE SUMMER PREVIEW

2022 Results

Meet	Division	Place
Milford		7th of 18
Holly	D2	2nd of 17
Mott Fall Classic		1st of 21
Portage	D2	1st of 43
Gabriel Richard	Medium	1st of 16
SEC White		1st of 5
Region 16		1st of 12
Division 2 State		3rd of 27

Top Returners

Evan Loughridge

Established himself as one of D2’s better runners last fall. Evan brought his personal best down from the mid-16’s to 15:20 and was a consistent sub-16 figure after spending much of his sophomore year in the 17’s. The year ended with a Region 16 crown and 10^th place (his first All-State) at Division 2 State.

Paul Moore

Established himself as one of D2’s bett.. wait am I writing the same thing? Found a similar trajectory to Evan, his late season containing many heroics. Gargantuan PR at MITCA and an 11^th place at State. More to come on these two athletes…

Ethan Sandula

Comparing year to year, Ethan underwent powerful change in a few track events. His 800m decreased from 2:19 to 2:05, his 3200m from 9:53 to 9:35.

Zach Newman

If you take a 17-flat kid and ask him how his track season went, I guarantee Zach will have one of the better answers. His 4:32 in the 1600m ranked 13^th amongst Division 2 sophomores.

Gabe Maciag

Four freaking minute jump from his freshman to sophomore year. If time isn’t enough, consider this: at the 2021 SEC Reserve race, he placed 151^st. The 2022 version? 14^th.

Wyatt Larson

In the heat at Possum Hollow, managed a 20:08 opener. Seven weeks later, in the cool conditions at the SEC Championship, completed the season with an ending effort more than 2 minutes faster.

Kyle Osborne

One sub-18 on his cross resume, but perhaps more in store with his 11:08 at the tail end of his track season?