A summer tradition returns.
Hard to fathom that I’ve been penning these Summer Previews for now, 7 years. Just as in the past, I’ll have the 50 best returners, then as time rolls on, the Regional Previews and Top Ten Teams.
Differing from the past is the format. Individual posts for each region and ticket are a TON OF WORK. Instead, I’ll be knocking off the 50 Tickets with sets of 10 and Regional Previews by their division and gender. Hopefully with these methods, I’ll be finishing on time and actually spending effort detailing what could be some great regional battles.
Anyhow, starting with the girls (they run first this year), your 50 Tickets to Brooklyn. These celebrate our top-50 returners – based on the 2024 XC season, 2025 track season, projected improvement, and a tiny bit of my own opinions.
Enjoy!
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
(Also, first time ever that I’ve included Upper Peninsula folks in these! I know they’re not running at MIS, but they’re still representatives of Michigan)
Name: Kamari Ronfeldt
School: Ann Arbor Pioneer
Grade: 11th
Personal Records
5k (XC) – 14:59
1600m – 4:16
2 Mile – 9:04
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 10 | Kamari Ronfeldt | 14:59.6 | Ann Arbor Pioneer | 214.8 | MITCA | 9-Nov | 2024 |
| 10 | Kamari Ronfeldt | 15:53.3 | Ann Arbor Pioneer | 196.9 | Region 5 | 26-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Kamari Ronfeldt | 15:15.0 | Ann Arbor Pioneer | 214.7 | SEC Championship | 17-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Kamari Ronfeldt | 15:02.3 | Ann Arbor Pioneer | 217.2 | Portage | 5-Oct | 2024 |
| 10 | Kamari Ronfeldt | 15:46.7 | Ann Arbor Pioneer | 211.4 | SEC Red 2 | 24-Sep | 2024 |
| Grade | Name | Time | Team | Rating | Meet | Date | Year |
| 9 | Kamari Ronfeldt | 15:09.8 | Ann Arbor Pioneer | 209.7 | MITCA | 11-Nov | 2023 |
| 9 | Kamari Ronfeldt | 15:08.6 | Ann Arbor Pioneer | 211.5 | Division 1 State | 4-Nov | 2023 |
| 9 | Kamari Ronfeldt | 15:20.0 | Ann Arbor Pioneer | 204.7 | Region 5 | 28-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Kamari Ronfeldt | 15:29.9 | Ann Arbor Pioneer | 213.7 | SEC Championship | 19-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Kamari Ronfeldt | 15:59.1 | Ann Arbor Pioneer | 204.6 | Gabriel Richard | 14-Oct | 2023 |
| 9 | Kamari Ronfeldt | 15:11.2 | Ann Arbor Pioneer | 204.3 | SEC Red 2 | 27-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Kamari Ronfeldt | 15:13.9 | Ann Arbor Pioneer | 212.4 | Jackson | 23-Sep | 2023 |
| 9 | Kamari Ronfeldt | 16:11.2 | Ann Arbor Pioneer | 205.6 | Mustang | 29-Aug | 2023 |
Accolades
XC
4th Place – 2023 Division 1 State
2023 & 2024 SEC Red Champion
2023 Region 5 Champion
Track
3rd Place – 2025 Division 1 State 3200m
4th Place – 2025 Division 1 State 4×8
4th Place – 2024 Division 1 State 3200m
His Specialty
Picking up the pieces when things don’t go his way.
Injury and sickness did their best to derail Ronfeldt’s sophomore season, but he came out on the other side a better runner. Following a freshman year where he shot into the forefront of Michigan XC, he began his sophomore season a bit late, kicking it off in late-September. He traversed the tough Pioneer course to a significant SEC Red victory, then made his appearance on the gigantic Portage stage, racing to a 15:02, lowering his personal best, establishing himself as the main D1 favorite.
Back to school and training at a high level, sickness seems to be a part of everyone’s season. Most hope it to happen early, others have to deal with its adversity late. Kamari’s unfortunately occurred late and hindered his State Finals bid. After that point – what’s the decision? Hang it up and hope for better times in the fall, that seems to be the easy and safe way out. Ronfeldt chose otherwise, redeeming himself with a sub-15 win at MITCA.
Track saw a continuation of his freshman spring and where cross was headed, as Ronfeldt improved his 3200m finish and made the most of a New Balance opportunity in 9:04 over the full 2 mile distance.
Casting aside adversity is a trait we all must learn, Kamari is fortunate to learn that early in life.
Michigan XC Speed Ratings 