Last Year
SUMMER PREVIEW
MID-SEASON
FINAL PROJECTIONS
THE RESULT
Girls
- Hart (4th)
- Benzie Central (7th)
- Remus Chippewa Hills (20th)
Boys
- Hart (State Champions)
- Reed City (6th)
- Benzie Central (7th)
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
Hart (7th), Reed City (9th)
Boys
Hart (Top 5), Benzie Central (14th), Remus Chippewa Hills (23rd)
(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 | Hart | 40 |
| 2 | Benzie Central | 75 |
| 3 | Remus Chippewa Hills | 106 |
| 4 | McBain | 136 |
| 5 | Manistee | 165 |
| 6 | Mason County Central | 191 |
| 7 | Lakeview | 198 |
| 8 | Reed City | 208 |
| 9 | Lake City | 217 |
| 10 | Kingsley | 218 |
| 11 | Manton | 244 |
| 12 | Morley-Stanwood | 254 |
| Place | Boys Team | Score |
| 1 | Reed City | 51 |
| 2 | Hart | 52 |
| 3 | Manistee | 135 |
| 4 | Benzie Central | 149 |
| 5 | McBain | 158 |
| 6 | Lake City | 184 |
| 7 | Leroy Pine River | 198 |
| 8 | Remus Chippewa Hills | 200 |
| 9 | Hesperia | 222 |
| 10 | Kingsley | 229 |
| 11 | Manton | 264 |
| 12 | Morley-Stanwood | 283 |
| 13 | Mason County Central | 315 |
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.
Since there will be much writing about Jessica (and Alyson next) to come, I figured I’d recite some regional stats. In her young career thus far, she’s run two of them. Both wins, both in Region 20, once at Benzie and once here. Her 17:43 at Benzie was the first sub-18 of her career, a mark she hit 10+ times last year.
Just as Jessie, has been dominant at this regional scene. She was the 2020 winner and has been 2nd twice. Having one low stick is a blessing, two is bountiful. More to be written later…
I promise you that summer road racing plays no role in these previews, but if it did, Mylie’s 18:26 at the Running Bear Run would portend well to the upcoming season. 2nd overall female, right there with a girl who will be running varsity on a D1 squad this fall.
Miranda McNeil, Morley-Stanwood
Extremely accomplished in her three seasons thus far. Three All-States, three times top-10 here at Region 20. In terms of time, had her best close to the season yet, an 18:48 at Shepherd besting her previous record by 4 seconds.
Many accomplishments during her junior year – smashing through 20:00 for the first time (and then many more times), top-5 at Regionals, top-50 at State. Then in track, went on a late-season that nearly ended in a podium finish.
I mentioned earlier that he took the sophomore leap. That’s even more evident during track, where his 1:56, 4:21, and 9:50 were egregious PR’s. They all led to titles or honors of some sort – the 800m won the CSAA, the 3200m won Team State, and the 1600m nabbed an All-State.
His 4:34 running unattached this spring was really only matched by one middle school Michigander – Ben Romero.
I think the combination of the promise he showed in the early season (two 16:4x’s) plus the mile speed during later May will lead to a more fruitful championship season.
Has finished in the top-15 at Region 20 during all three of his high school seasons. The 8th spot last year was his best yet, followed up by a 31st at MIS, also his best.
