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50 Tickets to Brooklyn: Boys 40-31

mixcspeedratings

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: Lucas Ballard
School: Marquette
Grade: 11th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 16:03
400m – 51.70
800m – 1:56
1600m – 4:17

Accolades

XC

4th Place – 2023 & 2024 UP Division 1 State

Track

2025 UP Division 1 State 800m Champion
3rd Place – UP Division 1 State 1600m
4x All-State

His Specialty

From my eyes, mid-distance. At Romeo, Ballard was a revelation to me, winning the 3rd fastest section by a considerable 4 second margin. A few weeks later, he raced to a 3rd place finish in the UP’s Division 1. Better than that 3rd was a win in the 800m. For the entire season, Ballard never gave us a time north of 2-flat, spitting times as fast as 1:56.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Lucas Ballard16:03.2Marquette193.6MITCA9-Nov2024
10Lucas Ballard16:07.2Marquette187.6UP Division 1 State19-Oct2024
10Lucas Ballard17:27.4Marquette166.2Eskymos3-Oct2024
10Lucas Ballard16:41.0Marquette184.7Bluejay28-Sep2024
10Lucas Ballard17:12.2Marquette178.6Wildcat23-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Lucas Ballard16:41.4Marquette180.2Bluejay30-Sep2023
9Lucas Ballard17:49.6Marquette166.1Spartan15-Sep2023

Name: Ben Romero
School: Forest Hills Central
Grade: 11th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:44
800m – 1:53
1600m – 4:15
3200m – 9:08

Accolades

XC

4th Place – 2024 OK White Championship
11th Place – 2024 Region 3
47th Place – 2024 Division 1 State

Track

2nd Place – 2024 Division 1 State 4×8
7th Place – 2024 Division 1 State 3200m
2024 OK White 1600m & 3200m Champion

His Specialty

Long distances on the track. After all, that’s where his freshman state record lies. In May of ’24, Romero ran a 9:08 in the 3200m, pummeling the previous record of 9:20. By the end of that season, Ben had captured an OK White crown and placed 7th in all of Division 1 in that 3200m event. Come fall, that translated to the grass in the form of a few sub-16 efforts. He was absent from competition this spring, but trust me, he’ll be flashing that talent once more.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Ben Romero16:00.3Forest Hills Central193.9Division 1 State2-Nov2024
10Ben Romero16:16.5Forest Hills Central192.8Region 325-Oct2024
10Ben Romero15:44.8Forest Hills Central198.4OK White Championship16-Oct2024
10Ben Romero16:15.5Forest Hills Central197.8OK White 22-Oct2024
10Ben Romero15:44.5Forest Hills Central203.5Bluejay28-Sep2024
10Ben Romero15:55.3Forest Hills Central201.2OK White 118-Sep2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Ben Romero16:07.2Forest Hills Central191.9Division 1 State4-Nov2023
9Ben Romero16:12.3Forest Hills Central193.9Region 327-Oct2023
9Ben Romero16:18.7Forest Hills Central188.8OK White Championship18-Oct2023
9Ben Romero16:13.0Forest Hills Central192.7Portage7-Oct2023
9Ben Romero16:08.4Forest Hills Central194.2Ottawa Hills15-Sep2023
9Ben Romero17:16.2Forest Hills Central177.0Bredeweg9-Sep2023

Name: Vincent Pattison
School: Goodrich
Grade: 12th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:47
800m – 2:01
1600m – 4:29

Accolades

XC

28th Place – 2024 Division 2 State
2024 FML Champion
4th Place – 2024 Greater Flint
6th Place – 2024 Region 15

Track

3rd Place – 2025 MITS DMR
6th Place – 2025 MITS 4×8

His Specialty

Peaking at the right time each year. You go through Vince’s history and you see three years of personal bests at the end of the season. As a freshman, this occurred at the MITCA meet. In 2023, a 16:00.4 at State that I’m sure had him aching for a chance to get into the 15’s. The 15’s came early in his junior year, but most prominently occurred at the end, where Pattison rolled out two consecutive 15:47’s, the latter of which earned his first All-State.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
11Vincent Pattison16:10.9Goodrich191.0MITCA9-Nov2024
11Vincent Pattison15:47.8Goodrich198.1Division 2 State2-Nov2024
11Vincent Pattison15:47.5Goodrich199.8Region 1525-Oct2024
11Vincent Pattison16:17.3Goodrich197.2FML 316-Oct2024
11Vincent Pattison16:08.8Goodrich199.1Kayla O’Mara12-Oct2024
11Vincent Pattison16:00.3Goodrich193.9Greater Flint5-Oct2024
11Vincent Pattison16:19.6Goodrich191.8Bluejay28-Sep2024
11Vincent Pattison16:09.5Goodrich201.8FML 225-Sep2024
11Vincent Pattison16:22.7Goodrich201.1Spartan13-Sep2024
11Vincent Pattison16:03.7Goodrich199.4Northwood7-Sep2024
11Vincent Pattison16:07.6Goodrich201.8FML 14-Sep2024
11Vincent Pattison15:53.4Goodrich201.5Pete Moss24-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Vincent Pattison16:01.1Goodrich192.6MITCA11-Nov2023
10Vincent Pattison16:00.4Goodrich193.9Division 2 State4-Nov2023
10Vincent Pattison16:18.6Goodrich186.8Region 1527-Oct2023
10Vincent Pattison16:22.0Goodrich182.7FML Championship18-Oct2023
10Vincent Pattison16:51.7Goodrich176.8Bluejay30-Sep2023
10Vincent Pattison18:03.5Goodrich161.5Spartan15-Sep2023
10Vincent Pattison16:45.9Goodrich182.7Northwood9-Sep2023
10Vincent Pattison17:05.5Goodrich183.2Corunna Early Bird29-Aug2023
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Vincent Pattison16:39.7Goodrich179.4MITCA12-Nov2022
9Vincent Pattison17:45.0Goodrich166.0Region 1629-Oct2022
9Vincent Pattison17:01.5Goodrich175.8FML Championship19-Oct2022
9Vincent Pattison17:42.8Goodrich167.1Kayla O’Mara15-Oct2022
9Vincent Pattison17:01.7Goodrich170.8Greater Flint8-Oct2022
9Vincent Pattison17:28.6Goodrich165.5Bluejay1-Oct2022
9Vincent Pattison17:27.6Goodrich171.5FML 228-Sep2022
9Vincent Pattison18:01.9Goodrich163.7Holly17-Sep2022
9Vincent Pattison18:30.1Goodrich152.0Bath10-Sep2022
9Vincent Pattison18:16.1Goodrich158.0FML 17-Sep2022
9Vincent Pattison18:32.8Goodrich153.4Corunna Early Bird30-Aug2022

Name: Abenezer Cerone
School: Royal Oak Shrine
Grade: 12th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:40
200m – 22.96
400m – 50.18
800m – 1:53
1600m – 4:24

Accolades

XC

2nd Place – 2024 Division 4 State
2x All-State
2023 & 2024 Region 36 Champion
2024 CHSL Cardinal Champion

Track

2025 Division 4 State 800m Champion
2x All-State
2025 MITS 4×4 & SMR Champion
3rd Place – 2025 MITS 800m
2025 Oakland County 800m Champion

His Specialty

Sprints and mid-distance. Not often you see a kid running in the 15’s and the 22’s. Yes, the 22’s, as Cerone powered to a 22.96 200m in an early May meet. If you don’t trust the time, he came back two weeks later and won his league in a (still fast) 23.01. That sprinting prowess extended to the 400m, where Abenezer owned the 2nd quickest time in D4 and the 800m, where he became an Oakland County and State Champion.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
11Abenezer Cerone15:55.2Royal Oak Shrine196.3MITCA9-Nov2024
11Abenezer Cerone15:40.6Royal Oak Shrine198.8Division 4 State2-Nov2024
11Abenezer Cerone16:06.9Royal Oak Shrine196.0Region 3626-Oct2024
11Abenezer Cerone16:17.2Royal Oak Shrine194.6CHSL Cardinal Championship18-Oct2024
11Abenezer Cerone16:34.8Royal Oak Shrine197.7Oakland County5-Oct2024
11Abenezer Cerone15:43.1Royal Oak Shrine204.0Hansons28-Sep2024
11Abenezer Cerone15:49.4Royal Oak Shrine200.5Brooks Mid-Season Spectacular21-Sep2024
11Abenezer Cerone16:04.0Royal Oak Shrine209.0Holly14-Sep2024
11Abenezer Cerone16:40.0Royal Oak Shrine193.0OCS Small School5-Sep2024
11Abenezer Cerone16:11.8Royal Oak Shrine201.7Lamplighter23-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Abenezer Cerone16:12.6Royal Oak Shrine188.8MITCA11-Nov2023
10Abenezer Cerone16:06.4Royal Oak Shrine189.9Division 4 State4-Nov2023
10Abenezer Cerone16:47.3Royal Oak Shrine186.9Region 3627-Oct2023
10Abenezer Cerone16:09.1Royal Oak Shrine193.3CHSL C/D Championship20-Oct2023
10Abenezer Cerone16:39.8Royal Oak Shrine191.1Gabriel Richard14-Oct2023
10Abenezer Cerone17:00.5Royal Oak Shrine189.2NCA Small School10-Oct2023
10Abenezer Cerone17:01.6Royal Oak Shrine187.5Oakland County7-Oct2023
10Abenezer Cerone16:28.6Royal Oak Shrine196.1Holly16-Sep2023
10Abenezer Cerone17:01.3Royal Oak Shrine186.9OCS Small School7-Sep2023
10Abenezer Cerone16:57.6Royal Oak Shrine190.1Michigan Catholic26-Aug2023
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Abenezer Cerone17:46.6Royal Oak Shrine161.1D4 State5-Nov2022
9Abenezer Cerone17:27.6Royal Oak Shrine157.5Region 3628-Oct2022
9Abenezer Cerone18:05.2Royal Oak Shrine154.3CHSL CD Championship21-Oct2022
9Abenezer Cerone18:10.3Royal Oak Shrine147.6Gabriel Richard15-Oct2022
9Abenezer Cerone18:42.0Royal Oak Shrine157.0Novi Christian Small School11-Oct2022
9Abenezer Cerone19:30.3Royal Oak Shrine153.2CHSL Cardinal 36-Oct2022
9Abenezer Cerone17:46.9Royal Oak Shrine157.4Mid-Season Spectacular23-Sep2022
9Abenezer Cerone19:12.2Royal Oak Shrine148.3Soter-Crane21-Sep2022
9Abenezer Cerone17:46.7Royal Oak Shrine168.8Holly17-Sep2022
9Abenezer Cerone17:34.2Royal Oak Shrine162.9Muskrat Classic10-Sep2022
9Abenezer Cerone17:52.9Royal Oak Shrine156.0CHSL Cardinal 17-Sep2022

Name: Jacob Szalay
School: Saline
Grade: 11th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:38
1600m – 4:21
3200m – 9:27

Accolades

XC

16th Place – 2024 Division 1 State
3rd Place – 2024 SEC Red Championship & Region 5

Track

3rd Place – 2025 SEC Red 3200m
4th Place – 2025 SEC Red 1600m
19th Place – 2025 MITS 1600m

His Specialty

Transformation. Evident on the cross course, evident on the oval. From spring to spring, Szalay erased over 10 sec. in the 1600m and 30 sec. in the 3200m. But from fall to fall is where we saw the most significant change. Jacob was really good as a freshman, one of many strong runners in the 2027 class, a consistent mid-16 kid by season’s end. Hard to fathom that at his best, he dropped nearly a minute from his 9th to 10th grade years. His 15:38 at State was good for 16th and was the 5th best sophomore finish.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Jacob Szalay15:44.7Saline199.8MITCA9-Nov2024
10Jacob Szalay15:38.1Saline201.3Division 1 State2-Nov2024
10Jacob Szalay15:57.0Saline195.7Region 526-Oct2024
10Jacob Szalay15:58.8Saline200.1SEC Championship17-Oct2024
10Jacob Szalay16:06.2Saline199.6River Rat Open10-Oct2024
10Jacob Szalay16:12.4Saline193.9Portage5-Oct2024
10Jacob Szalay16:40.3Saline193.6SEC Red 224-Sep2024
10Jacob Szalay16:02.6Saline197.1Jackson21-Sep2024
10Jacob Szalay16:54.9Saline190.7SEC 110-Sep2024
10Jacob Szalay16:29.6Saline195.8Bath7-Sep2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Jacob Szalay16:31.2Saline183.9Division 1 State4-Nov2023
9Jacob Szalay16:20.4Saline184.5Region 528-Oct2023
9Jacob Szalay16:59.7Saline183.8SEC Championship19-Oct2023
9Jacob Szalay16:21.4Saline189.9Portage7-Oct2023
9Jacob Szalay16:09.0Saline185.0SEC Red 227-Sep2023
9Jacob Szalay16:45.6Saline181.8Jackson23-Sep2023
9Jacob Szalay16:48.5Saline184.5Bath9-Sep2023
9Jacob Szalay17:06.0Saline184.7Milan Puddle Jumper29-Aug2023

Name: Landen Styka
School: Ithaca
Grade: 12th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:48
1600m – 4:36
3200m – 9:35

Accolades

XC

6th Place – 2024 Division 3 State
2x All-State
2024 Region 25 & TVC Champion

Track

6th Place – 2025 Division 3 State 3200m
3rd Place – 2025 Division 3 State 4×8
4x All-State

His Specialty

The more needed enduring, the better. During the spring, that’s the 3200m, an event where Styka has nabbed two D3 podium finishes to go along with a few conference and regional titles. On grass, he’s blossomed into a kid that’ll always flirt with sub-16’s. In fact, 10 of his 13 races from 2024 were 16:20 or below. September, October, November, it don’t matter – Styka is consistently there.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
11Landen Styka16:05.4Ithaca192.9MITCA9-Nov2024
11Landen Styka15:48.3Ithaca196.6Division 3 State2-Nov2024
11Landen Styka15:49.3Ithaca196.6Region 2526-Oct2024
11Landen Styka16:04.5Ithaca197.2TVC 38-Oct2024
11Landen Styka16:02.8Ithaca193.7Birch Run Fall1-Oct2024
11Landen Styka15:48.2Ithaca202.3Bluejay28-Sep2024
11Landen Styka16:19.5Ithaca201.2TVC 225-Sep2024
11Landen Styka16:55.5Ithaca199.5TVC 117-Sep2024
11Landen Styka16:11.2Ithaca204.9Spartan13-Sep2024
11Landen Styka16:15.3Ithaca195.6Central Montcalm Hornet7-Sep2024
11Landen Styka15:54.0Ithaca205.7John Bruder Classic4-Sep2024
11Landen Styka16:39.8Ithaca199.7Yellowjacket28-Aug2024
11Landen Styka16:21.4Ithaca197.9Birch Run Early22-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Landen Styka16:30.7Ithaca182.8MITCA11-Nov2023
10Landen Styka16:10.7Ithaca189.1Division 3 State4-Nov2023
10Landen Styka16:20.1Ithaca186.3Region 2527-Oct2023
10Landen Styka16:11.2Ithaca186.6TVC Overall17-Oct2023
10Landen Styka17:05.1Ithaca179.3TVC Blue Championship10-Oct2023
10Landen Styka16:42.8Ithaca179.7Bluejay30-Sep2023
10Landen Styka17:02.9Ithaca181.7Spartan15-Sep2023
10Landen Styka17:08.4Ithaca181.5Central Montcalm Hornet9-Sep2023
10Landen Styka16:41.9Ithaca187.7John Bruder Classic7-Sep2023
10Landen Styka16:54.5Ithaca182.5Yellowjacket30-Aug2023
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Landen Styka17:15.9Ithaca167.4MITCA12-Nov2022
9Landen Styka17:20.7Ithaca171.4D3 State5-Nov2022
9Landen Styka17:12.8Ithaca168.7Region 2429-Oct2022
9Landen Styka17:20.4Ithaca167.2TVC Overall18-Oct2022
9Landen Styka17:37.3Ithaca169.6TVC 1011-Oct2022
9Landen Styka17:38.8Ithaca159.1Apples 2 Apples6-Oct2022
9Landen Styka17:37.3Ithaca162.6Bluejay1-Oct2022
9Landen Styka18:53.5Ithaca158.8TVC 10 227-Sep2022
9Landen Styka18:08.6Ithaca162.1Spartan16-Sep2022
9Landen Styka17:48.1Ithaca164.3TVC 1013-Sep2022
9Landen Styka17:48.1Ithaca167.3John Bruder Classic7-Sep2022
9Landen Styka18:25.9Ithaca164.0Yellowjacket31-Aug2022
9Landen Styka18:09.8Ithaca163.4Birch Run Early25-Aug2022

Name: Ryan Barnes
School: Clarkston
Grade: 12th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:41
800m – 2:02
1600m – 4:16
3200m – 9:30

Accolades

XC

3rd Place – 2024 Oakland County Championship
2x State Qualifier

Track

2025 MITS DMR Champion
12th Place – 2025 MITS 1600m

His Specialty

The 1600m. Don’t get me wrong, Ryan’s inclusion on this list is mainly based on his cross country career, hitting as low as 15:41, showing himself to be one of Oakland County’s best. But this spring, he displayed a wild ability to rapidly drop time in the 1600m. Early winter debuts showed him in mid-4:30 form. Merely a month or so later, he was dropping a 4:22 and placing 12th at indoor state. A stunted spring resulted in only four races run, but at the tail end of those four, Barnes was able to unleash a 4:16. Imagine the kid with a full fall season.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
11Ryan Barnes16:29.0Clarkston185.0MITCA9-Nov2024
11Ryan Barnes16:24.4Clarkston185.9Division 1 State2-Nov2024
11Ryan Barnes16:01.7Clarkston191.1Region 825-Oct2024
11Ryan Barnes15:41.9Clarkston197.7OAA Red 317-Oct2024
11Ryan Barnes16:20.7Clarkston202.4Oakland County5-Oct2024
11Ryan Barnes15:54.5Clarkston200.2Hansons28-Sep2024
11Ryan Barnes15:44.8Clarkston203.1Jackson21-Sep2024
11Ryan Barnes16:37.8Clarkston195.4OAA Red 111-Sep2024
11Ryan Barnes16:59.2Clarkston205.6Milford29-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Ryan Barnes16:20.6Clarkston187.5Division 1 State4-Nov2023
10Ryan Barnes16:20.2Clarkston191.3Region 827-Oct2023
10Ryan Barnes16:23.4Clarkston184.9OAA Red Championship19-Oct2023
10Ryan Barnes17:09.6Clarkston184.8Oakland County7-Oct2023
10Ryan Barnes16:43.3Clarkston186.9Hansons30-Sep2023
10Ryan Barnes16:36.5Clarkston184.8Jackson23-Sep2023
10Ryan Barnes17:12.7Clarkston191.4Milford31-Aug2023
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Ryan Barnes18:34.4Clarkston154.9Oakland County8-Oct2022
9Ryan Barnes18:07.2Clarkston152.6Hansons1-Oct2022
9Ryan Barnes18:45.7Clarkston140.4OAA Red 227-Sep2022
9Ryan Barnes18:27.4Clarkston146.2Autumn Classic17-Sep2022

Name: Justin Johnson
School: East Kentwood
Grade: 11th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:41
800m – 1:59
1600m – 4:27
3200m – 9:24

Accolades

XC

24th Place – 2024 Division 1 State
7th Place – 2024 OK Red Championship
8th Place – 2024 Region 3
2x State Qualifier

Track

11th Place – 2025 Division 1 State 3200m
10th Place – 2025 Division 1 State 4×8
3rd Place – 2025 OK Red & Region 3 3200m

His Specialty

Transforming into a new athlete each season. Johnson came into this sport already running at a high level and he’s only gotten faster each season, track or cross. In 2023, Johnson laid low early before popping a sub-17 at State. A year later, it was the same tale – 16’s throughout the fall and consecutive 15:4x’s to close it at MITCA and State. It ain’t only in the fall, as Johnson smashed through the 10-min. barrier during the spring, subtracting nearly 40 sec. from his freshman 3200m best. There’s gotta be more to come this fall.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Justin Johnson15:42.6East Kentwood200.5MITCA9-Nov2024
10Justin Johnson15:41.7East Kentwood200.1Division 1 State2-Nov2024
10Justin Johnson16:09.8East Kentwood195.1Region 325-Oct2024
10Justin Johnson16:07.5East Kentwood191.2OK Red Championship17-Oct2024
10Justin Johnson16:13.5East Kentwood193.5Portage5-Oct2024
10Justin Johnson16:45.6East Kentwood197.5OK Red 225-Sep2024
10Justin Johnson16:13.7East Kentwood193.4Jackson21-Sep2024
10Justin Johnson16:20.4East Kentwood193.2Ottawa Hills13-Sep2024
10Justin Johnson16:51.8East Kentwood191.1OK Red 110-Sep2024
10Justin Johnson17:01.3East Kentwood190.9Queen City30-Aug2024
10Justin Johnson16:33.3East Kentwood189.9Under the Lights v223-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Justin Johnson16:54.7East Kentwood176.1Division 1 State4-Nov2023
9Justin Johnson17:32.2East Kentwood167.3Region 327-Oct2023
9Justin Johnson17:07.4East Kentwood171.2OK Red Conference19-Oct2023
9Justin Johnson17:33.5East Kentwood167.9Kent Ottawa13-Oct2023
9Justin Johnson17:39.4East Kentwood163.9Portage7-Oct2023
9Justin Johnson17:57.7East Kentwood157.8Jackson23-Sep2023
9Justin Johnson17:52.7East Kentwood159.4Ottawa Hills15-Sep2023
9Justin Johnson18:42.4East Kentwood157.5Averill9-Sep2023
9Justin Johnson18:28.0East Kentwood154.0Under the Lights v225-Aug2023

Name: Gavin Katic
School: Fenton
Grade: 10th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:49
1600m – 4:20
3200m – 9:25

Accolades

XC

2025 Greater Flint Champion
32nd Place – 2025 Division 1 State (top freshman!)
4th Place – 2025 FML & Region 4

Track

13th Place – 2025 Division 1 State 3200m
2nd Place – 2025 FML 1600m
3rd Place – 2025 Region 3 3200m

His Specialty

Handling pressure at a young age. We have two seasons of evidence that Katic spits out his best material when races matter most. At the beginning of his fall championship season, Katic was undaunted by an experienced field at Greater Flint, the then freshman winning his first major title. A month later at MIS, he narrowly missed a podium finish, yet still threw out a lifetime best. The other major piece of evidence was this past May, where Katic put out personal bests at his conference meet and regionals, then doubled back on his 3200m effort at State. In the future, we have a good bet that he’ll be reliable when all the chips are in the middle.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Gavin Katic16:15.0Fenton189.7MITCA9-Nov2024
9Gavin Katic15:49.0Fenton197.7Division 1 State2-Nov2024
9Gavin Katic16:05.8Fenton197.4Region 426-Oct2024
9Gavin Katic16:43.8Fenton188.4FML 316-Oct2024
9Gavin Katic15:54.4Fenton195.9Greater Flint5-Oct2024
9Gavin Katic16:34.8Fenton193.4FML 225-Sep2024
9Gavin Katic16:36.1Fenton193.0Linden Classic21-Sep2024
9Gavin Katic16:42.9Fenton196.0Holly14-Sep2024
9Gavin Katic16:37.1Fenton193.3Bath7-Sep2024
9Gavin Katic16:50.9Fenton187.4FML 14-Sep2024
9Gavin Katic17:01.5Fenton190.5Early Bird Open29-Aug2024

Name: Liam Wierzba
School: Traverse City West
Grade: 11th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:46
800m – 1:59
1600m – 4:19
3200m – 9:34

Accolades

XC

3rd Place – 2025 Big North Conference

Track

8th Place – 2025 Division 1 State 1600m
22nd Place – 2025 Division 1 State 3200m
7th Place – 2025 MITS 4×8
2025 Big North Conference 1600m Champion

His Specialty

Similar to Barnes, the 1600m. Once again, cross country results are the main resume builder and backdrop of his inclusion here – multiple low-16’s and a personal best of 15:46. Enhancing Liam’s portfolio was his spring season of four lappers. April commenced with a 4:28 at Freeland and by early May, that had turned into wins at Ken Bell and in the Big North, the latter a 4:19 personal best. By season’s end, Liam had accrued a state qualifier in the event and not just satisfied with that, he turned that into an 8th place finish.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Liam Wierzba16:14.5Traverse City West189.9MITCA9-Nov2024
10Liam Wierzba16:53.6Traverse City West177.8Region 225-Oct2024
10Liam Wierzba16:10.5Traverse City West190.5BNC Championship15-Oct2024
10Liam Wierzba16:24.0Traverse City West190.0Portage5-Oct2024
10Liam Wierzba16:06.8Traverse City West196.1Bluejay28-Sep2024
10Liam Wierzba15:51.3Traverse City West198.9VSV21-Sep2024
10Liam Wierzba16:16.7Traverse City West194.4Ottawa Hills13-Sep2024
10Liam Wierzba16:13.9Traverse City West197.0Titan Takeoff7-Sep2024
10Liam Wierzba15:46.6Traverse City West203.8Pete Moss24-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Liam Wierzba16:37.8Traverse City West181.7Division 1 State4-Nov2023
9Liam Wierzba16:41.1Traverse City West179.3Region 227-Oct2023
9Liam Wierzba16:09.7Traverse City West187.1Northern Mich. MOC21-Oct2023
9Liam Wierzba17:07.0Traverse City West170.7BNC Championship17-Oct2023
9Liam Wierzba16:18.4Traverse City West190.9Portage7-Oct2023
9Liam Wierzba16:12.9Traverse City West189.7Bluejay30-Sep2023
9Liam Wierzba16:26.3Traverse City West186.2Cadillac23-Sep2023
9Liam Wierzba16:52.9Traverse City West180.4Northwood9-Sep2023
9Liam Wierzba16:45.6Traverse City West188.8Pete Moss26-Aug2023
Uncategorized

50 Tickets to Brooklyn: Girls 40-31

mixcspeedratings

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: Talya Schreiber
School: Pickford
Grade: 12th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 18:03
1600m – 5:09
3200m – 11:05

Accolades

XC

2023 & 2024 UP Division 3 State Champion
2x EUP Champion

Track

2024 & 2025 UP Division 2 1600m & 3200m Champion
2025 UP Division 2 800m & 4×8 Champion
12x All-State

Her Championship Season

Went by in very similar fashion to 2023’s version. Victory after victory after victory. Early October saw one of Schreiber’s first attempts at running with the best from the Lower Peninsula, an 18:36 personal best at Portage. By the end of the season, she had taken that speed and found another level with a 18:03 at MITCA. In between the 30+ sec. drop were wins within her conference and a 2nd UP Division 3 State Title.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
11Talya Schreiber18:03.9Pickford152.7MITCA9-Nov2024
11Talya Schreiber18:48.8Pickford133.4UP Division 3 State19-Oct2024
11Talya Schreiber18:44.2Pickford130.6EUP 27-Oct2024
11Talya Schreiber18:36.3Pickford146.6Portage5-Oct2024
11Talya Schreiber19:32.1Pickford134.6SSM Elks28-Sep2024
11Talya Schreiber19:23Pickford127.3Mackinaw Club26-Sep2024
11Talya Schreiber19:07.9Pickford134.7Tiffany Thorp16-Sep2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Talya Schreiber18:25.4Pickford143.5MITCA11-Nov2023
10Talya Schreiber19:05Pickford129.7Mackinaw Club28-Sep2023

Name: Mia May
School: Sparta
Grade: 11th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 18:06
1600m – 5:12
3200m – 11:04

Accolades

XC

15th Place – 2024 Division 2 State
2024 River Cities Champion
3rd Place – Region 10
2x State Qualifier

Track

6th Place – 2025 Division 2 State 3200m
2025 River Cities 3200m Champion
2nd Place – 2025 Region 13 & River Cities 1600m
3rd Place – Region 13 3200m

Her Championship Season

Was when her initial foray into the 18’s began and never stopped. Early in the 2024 season, May had shown she was a different runner than her freshman version. The same invites from year to year emitted faster times – Cedar Springs, Muskegon CC, Sparta, Central Montcalm. As the calendar flipped to October, those faster times turned in the 18 min. variety, with a top-10 Portage finish, the first ever girls River Cities champion, multiple low-18 efforts, and an All-State honor.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Mia May18:12.1Sparta150.0MITCA9-Nov2024
10Mia May18:26.2Sparta144.9Division 2 State2-Nov2024
10Mia May18:06.8Sparta144.1Region 1025-Oct2024
10Mia May18:35.6Sparta142.1RCA Conference19-Oct2024
10Mia May19:35.3Sparta141.6River Cities 29-Oct2024
10Mia May18:39.6Sparta145.5Portage5-Oct2024
10Mia May19:08.8Sparta133.1Allendale Falcon28-Sep2024
10Mia May19:04.2Sparta140.3Cedar Springs21-Sep2024
10Mia May19:36.4Sparta137.2RCA 118-Sep2024
10Mia May19:17.8Sparta135.4Sparta14-Sep2024
10Mia May19:36.1Sparta131.0Central Montcalm Hornet7-Sep2024
10Mia May19:13.4Sparta136.9Under the Lights v223-Aug2024
10Mia May19:52.8Sparta129.4Muskegon Catholic Central17-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Mia May19:15.8Sparta126.7MITCA11-Nov2023
9Mia May19:25.7Sparta125.8Division 2 State4-Nov2023
9Mia May20:01.0Sparta119.7Region 1027-Oct2023
9Mia May19:47.2Sparta119.6Christian Comet21-Oct2023
9Mia May19:07.3Sparta121.6OK Silver Championship18-Oct2023
9Mia May19:55.6Sparta115.1Olivet Pink7-Oct2023
9Mia May19:53.9Sparta120.4Allendale Falcon30-Sep2023
9Mia May20:28.9Sparta107.4Cedar Springs23-Sep2023
9Mia May19:40.9Sparta122.0Sparta16-Sep2023
9Mia May20:19.6Sparta116.8Central Montcalm Hornet9-Sep2023
9Mia May20:10.0Sparta115.0Oiler1-Sep2023
9Mia May20:10.3Sparta122.6Muskegon CC19-Aug2023

Name: Alyssa Kramer
School: Pewamo-Westphalia
Grade: 11th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 18:25
1600m – 5:18
3200m – 11:05

Accolades

XC

14th Place – 2024 Division 3 State
3rd Place – 2024 Region 24
4th Place – 2024 Greater Lansing
2x State Qualifier

Track

2nd Place – 2025 Division 3 State 4×8
4th Place – 2025 Division 3 State 3200m
2025 CMAC 3200m Champion
2nd Place – 2025 Greater Lansing & Region 30 3200m

Her Championship Season

In the past two years is where she’s shined bright. A pure example of that was her freshman jaunt into the 19’s at MIS. Alyssa’s 19:37 was nearly a 30 sec. personal best that almost got her on the podium. A year later and almost a minute faster, she did get there in 2024. Hard to believe, but the 18:39 found in Brooklyn wasn’t her best time of the year – as Kramer ran faster at Greater Lansing, Portage, and Region 24.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Alyssa Kramer19:10.7Pewamo-Westphalia130.4MITCA9-Nov2024
10Alyssa Kramer18:39.3Pewamo-Westphalia139.2Division 3 State2-Nov2024
10Alyssa Kramer18:33.8Pewamo-Westphalia143.4Region 2425-Oct2024
10Alyssa Kramer19:00.2Pewamo-Westphalia134.6CMAC 316-Oct2024
10Alyssa Kramer18:25.7Pewamo-Westphalia148.4Greater Lansing12-Oct2024
10Alyssa Kramer18:31.6Pewamo-Westphalia148.1Portage5-Oct2024
10Alyssa Kramer18:30.0Pewamo-Westphalia149.7Bluejay28-Sep2024
10Alyssa Kramer18:55.9Pewamo-Westphalia142.7Sparta14-Sep2024
10Alyssa Kramer19:10.2Pewamo-Westphalia139.3Marauder4-Sep2024
10Alyssa Kramer19:33.9Pewamo-Westphalia139.7Yellowjacket28-Aug2024
10Alyssa Kramer19:40.3Pewamo-Westphalia133.6Happy Acres24-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Alyssa Kramer19:59.3Pewamo-Westphalia112.2MITCA11-Nov2023
9Alyssa Kramer19:37.7Pewamo-Westphalia120.1Division 3 State4-Nov2023
9Alyssa Kramer20:44.3Pewamo-Westphalia108.9Region 2427-Oct2023
9Alyssa Kramer20:05.0Pewamo-Westphalia109.7CMAC 318-Oct2023
9Alyssa Kramer20:52.6Pewamo-Westphalia105.8Greater Lansing14-Oct2023
9Alyssa Kramer20:31.9Pewamo-Westphalia107.4Portage7-Oct2023
9Alyssa Kramer21:06.2Pewamo-Westphalia93.3Bluejay30-Sep2023
9Alyssa Kramer20:42.5Pewamo-Westphalia102.2Pewamo-Westphalia27-Sep2023
9Alyssa Kramer20:17.8Pewamo-Westphalia109.7Sparta16-Sep2023
9Alyssa Kramer20:39.0Pewamo-Westphalia106.7Marauder6-Sep2023
9Alyssa Kramer20:55.1Pewamo-Westphalia103.3Yellowjacket30-Aug2023

Name: Georgia Babcock
School: Edwardsburg
Grade: 12th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 18:03
800m – 2:17
1600m – 5:05
3200m – 11:08

Accolades

XC

18th Place – 2023 South Carolina 5A Championship

Track

16th Place – 2025 Division 2 State 800m
2025 Wolverine Conference 800m Champion
5th Place – 2023 South Carolina 5A 3200m
8th Place – 2024 South Carolina 5A 3200m

Her Championship Season

This spring contained her first experiences within the Michigan scene. Georgia picked up tons of points for her Eddies at Team State, grabbing 8th place finishes in the 1600m and 3200m to go along with two top-10 relay placings. Individually, she was able to qualify in what may be her signature event, the 800m. A 2:17 from early May got Babcock in, then a month later, she placed 16th in D2. A good lil’ intro to our competitive arena.

Name: Clara Kaczor
School: Freeland
Grade: 11th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 18:08
400m – 62.18
800m – 2:22
1600m – 5:01
3200m – 11:05

Accolades

XC

6th Place – 2024 Division 2 State
2x All-State
2024 Region 15 Champion
2024 TVC Champion
2nd Place – 2024 Saginaw County

Track

5th Place – 2025 Division 2 State 4×8
8th Place – 2025 Division 2 State 1600m
8th Place – 2025 Division 2 State 4×4
6x All-State

Her Championship Season

Sticking to the track, ‘cause Clara dispensed greatness individually and as a fellow Falcon. The Freeland 4×4 and 4×8 squads attained early qualifiers, and thus were teams capable of contending for a medal. Capable is one thing, getting it done is another, and both placed within the top-8. Even with a race under her belt, Clara found a hit a season’s best in the D2 State 1600m, good enough for 8th in the division. Speaking to her mental toughness is the fact that she didn’t come within reach of her lifetime best all year, but still found the motivation to compete.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Clara Kaczor18:22.0Freeland146.7MITCA9-Nov2024
10Clara Kaczor18:18.7Freeland147.4Division 2 State2-Nov2024
10Clara Kaczor18:08.0Freeland151.7Region 1525-Oct2024
10Clara Kaczor18:26.4Freeland141.5Saginaw County19-Oct2024
10Clara Kaczor19:18.7Freeland153.1TVC Overall15-Oct2024
10Clara Kaczor18:36.4Freeland142.2Freeland12-Oct2024
10Clara Kaczor18:24.8Freeland150.1TVC 38-Oct2024
10Clara Kaczor18:14.1Freeland155.0Bluejay28-Sep2024
10Clara Kaczor19:10.0Freeland144.7TVC 225-Sep2024
10Clara Kaczor18:33.9Freeland150.4Cedar Springs21-Sep2024
10Clara Kaczor19:25.8Freeland152.1TVC 117-Sep2024
10Clara Kaczor18:46.1Freeland154.6Holly14-Sep2024
10Clara Kaczor18:15.9Freeland155.0Northwood7-Sep2024
10Clara Kaczor19:12.6Freeland140.8John Bruder Classic4-Sep2024
10Clara Kaczor19:12.8Freeland142.7Under the Lights23-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Clara Kaczor18:36.6Freeland142.1Division 2 State4-Nov2023
9Clara Kaczor19:08.5Freeland131.2Region 1527-Oct2023
9Clara Kaczor18:42.3Freeland136.9Saginaw County21-Oct2023
9Clara Kaczor19:16.1Freeland125.3TVC Overall17-Oct2023
9Clara Kaczor19:32.0Freeland130.3Freeland Falcon14-Oct2023
9Clara Kaczor18:35.0Freeland141.0TVC Red Championship10-Oct2023
9Clara Kaczor18:58.7Freeland135.8Bluejay30-Sep2023
9Clara Kaczor18:53.2Freeland136.3Cadillac23-Sep2023
9Clara Kaczor19:19.5Freeland139.2Holly16-Sep2023
9Clara Kaczor19:05.5Freeland140.5John Bruder Classic7-Sep2023
9Clara Kaczor19:23.5Freeland138.2Under the Lights18-Aug2023

Name: Lydia LaMarra
School: Brighton
Grade: 12th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 18:14
1600m – 5:18
3200m – 11:20

Accolades

XC

27th Place – 2024 Division 1 State
2x All-State
2023 & 2024 Region 4 Champion
2nd Place – 2024 KLAA Championship

Track

10th Place – 2025 Division 1 State 4×8
2nd Place – 2025 KLAA Championship 3200m
3rd Place – 2025 Region 4 3200m

Her Championship Season

Over the course of her career, LaMarra has notched two All-States, a KLAA crown, and a Regional crown. I guess that goes to show you how her late season turned out. 2024’s iteration contained her first regional win, a nearly 10 sec. victory and personal best on the always tough Holly course. Her 18:19 there was just a precursor to another lifetime best, an 18:14 at MIS, good for 27th place.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
11Lydia LaMarra18:14.3Brighton148.9Division 1 State2-Nov2024
11Lydia LaMarra18:19.1Brighton152.6Region 426-Oct2024
11Lydia LaMarra18:33.4Brighton146.9KLAA Championship17-Oct2024
11Lydia Lamarra18:46.0Brighton143.3Portage5-Oct2024
11Lydia LaMarra18:45.6Brighton142.5Jackson21-Sep2024
11Lydia LaMarra18:52.5Brighton152.8Spartan13-Sep2024
11Lydia LaMarra19:27.2Brighton140.3Tri of the Year10-Sep2024
11Lydia LaMarra19:11.3Brighton150.2Averill7-Sep2024
11Lydia LaMarra19:06.5Brighton154.2Mustang27-Aug2024
11Lydia LaMarra18:46.2Brighton151.3Lamplighter23-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Lydia LaMarra18:28.7Brighton145.1Division 1 State4-Nov2023
10Lydia LaMarra18:37.9Brighton147.4Region 428-Oct2023
10Lydia LaMarra18:49.6Brighton150.5KLAA Conference20-Oct2023
10Lydia LaMarra18:35.5Brighton146.2Portage7-Oct2023
10Lydia LaMarra19:00.6Brighton135.8Jackson23-Sep2023
10Lydia LaMarra19:13.5Brighton139.5Spartan15-Sep2023
10Lydia LaMarra20:06.6Brighton131.5Averill9-Sep2023
10Lydia LaMarra19:50.3Brighton134.2Mustang29-Aug2023
10Lydia LaMarra19:15.8Brighton145.4Lamplighter18-Aug2023
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Lydia LaMarra19:15.4Brighton133.9D1 State5-Nov2022
9Lydia LaMarra18:50.4Brighton140.2Region 428-Oct2022
9Lydia LaMarra19:15.9Brighton136.4KLAA22-Oct2022
9Lydia LaMarra19:04.2Brighton134.9Portage8-Oct2022
9Lydia LaMarra19:46.1Brighton131.0Spartan16-Sep2022
9Lydia LaMarra20:52.6Brighton121.5Averill10-Sep2022
9Lydia LaMarra20:40.6Brighton127.1Mustang30-Aug2022
9Lydia LaMarra20:33.5Brighton120.2Lamplighter19-Aug2022

Name: Avery Engbers
School: Holland Christian
Grade: 10th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 18:10
1600m – 5:05
3200m – 11:07

Accolades

XC

4th Place – 2024 Division 2 State
2nd Place – 2024 OK Black Championship & Region 11

Track

7th Place – 2025 Division 2 State 1600m & 3200m
2025 Region 12 1600m & 3200m Champion
2025 OK Black 3200m Champion

Her Championship Season

Was the spot where Avery popped some big drops. A hint of that greatness was seen at late September’s Otsego Bulldog. That was her first time under 19:00, a barrier that was no longer a barrier for the rest of the fall. With all those 18-min. efforts, Avery accrued runner-up finishes in the OK Black and at Region 11, then beat even those with a personal best at MIS, good for 4th in all of Division 2.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Avery Engbers18:26.4Holland Christian145.2MITCA9-Nov2024
9Avery Engbers18:10.3Holland Christian150.2Division 2 State2-Nov2024
9Avery Engbers18:17.2Holland Christian147.6Region 1126-Oct2024
9Avery Engbers18:11.7Holland Christian148.8OK Black Conference16-Oct2024
9Avery Engbers18:56.2Holland Christian139.9Portage5-Oct2024
9Avery Engbers18:53.9Holland Christian142.4OK Black 22-Oct2024
9Avery Engbers18:59.7Holland Christian135.5Otsego Bulldog28-Sep2024
9Avery Engbers19:27.0Holland Christian134.3Cougar Falcon21-Sep2024
9Avery Engbers19:27.9Holland Christian146.0OK Black 118-Sep2024
9Avery Engbers19:25.9Holland Christian132.0Ottawa Hills13-Sep2024
9Avery Engbers20:05.1Holland Christian120.3Bredeweg7-Sep2024
9Avery Engbers19:30.9Holland Christian131.0Under the Lights v223-Aug2024

Name: Avery Scott
School: Portage Central
Grade: 10th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 18:21
400m – 61.27
800m – 2:20
1600m – 5:06
3200m – 11:05

Accolades

XC

2nd Place – 2024 Region 3
2nd Place – 2024 SMAC Championship

Track

18th Place – 2025 Division 1 State 4×8
3rd Place – 2025 SMAC Championship 1600m
4th Place – 2025 Region 3 800m
4th Place – 2025 SMAC Championship 3200m

Her Championship Season

Over the next three years, she’ll have plenty of races on her home, Portage course. And the evidence from the past year seems to indicate that Avery will be bringing her best material. Lingering around the 19-min. mark for much of September, Scott busted out a magnificent personal best at her home invite, a 18:21. Finishing top-10 in D1 there, she used the confidence and speed to attain back-to-back runner-up finishes at the SMAC Championship and at Region 3.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Avery Scott18:29.1Portage Central144.3MITCA9-Nov2024
9Avery Scott18:27.3Portage Central147.6Region 325-Oct2024
9Avery Scott18:30.6Portage Central144.8SMAC Championship19-Oct2024
9Avery Scott18:21.8Portage Central151.4Portage5-Oct2024
9Avery Scott19:04.1Portage Central134.0Otsego Bulldog28-Sep2024
9Avery Scott19:04.6Portage Central142.5SMAC West 118-Sep2024
9Avery Scott18:53.3Portage Central142.9Ottawa Hills13-Sep2024
9Avery Scott19:27.0Portage Central124.0Lakeview7-Sep2024

Name: Kayla Shellenbarger
School: Goodrich
Grade: 10th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 18:24
800m – 2:11
1600m – 4:56
3200m – 10:55

Accolades

XC

4th Place – 2025 Greater Flint
6th Place – 2025 Region 15
47th Place – 2025 Division 2 State
Contributor to Division 2 Team State Champion

Track

2025 Division 2 State 4×8 Champion
4th Place – 2025 Division 2 State 800m & 1600m
20th Place – 2025 Division 2 State 3200m
NBON Freshman 800m Champion

Her Championship Season

Kayla may have had the greatest gap from track’s regular season to its postseason. Donning the Martian blue and yellow, Shellenbarger finished her freshman year with personal bests of 2:16, 5:00, and 11:21. All impressive and good enough to give us a girl that won her regional 3200m, then placed 4th in D2 in the 800m and 1600m. But they’re a far cry from her bests a few weeks later – 2:11, 4:56, and 10:55. The 800m is easily the most impressive, ranking #13 amongst all the nation’s freshman and giving Kayla a win in the New Balance freshman race.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Kayla Shellenbarger18:24.2Goodrich145.9MITCA9-Nov2024
9Kayla Shellenbarger19:10.6Goodrich130.1Division 2 State2-Nov2024
9Kayla Shellenbarger18:41.1Goodrich140.6Region 1525-Oct2024
9Kayla Shellenbarger19:47.6Goodrich126.5FML 316-Oct2024
9Kayla Shellenbarger19:20.3Goodrich135.2Kayla O’Mara12-Oct2024
9Kayla Shellenbarger18:58.7Goodrich133.1Greater Flint5-Oct2024
9Kayla Shellenbarger19:04.4Goodrich138.2Bluejay28-Sep2024
9Kayla Shellenbarger21:29.0Goodrich92.7FML 225-Sep2024
9Kayla Shellenbarger20:26.3Goodrich121.6Spartan13-Sep2024
9Kayla Shellenbarger19:42.8Goodrich126.1Northwood7-Sep2024
9Kayla Shellenbarger20:01.5Goodrich122.2FML 14-Sep2024
9Kayla Shellenbarger19:44.7Goodrich123.4Pete Moss24-Aug2024

Name: Charley McKay
Team: Brownstown Woodhaven
Grade: 10th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 18:17
800m – 2:19
1600m – 5:02

Accolades

XC

29th Place – 2024 Division 1 State
2024 Downriver League Champion
4th Place – 2024 Region 5

Track

16th Place – 2025 Division 1 State 1600m
2025 Downriver League 800m Champion
2nd Place – 2025 Region 5 1600m

Her Championship Season

Precipitously downward went those times. Even extending into mid-October, Charley was hanging around the mid-19’s. Very satisfactory for any freshman, as she obtained wins in all of the Downriver League jamborees and an invitational win at Huron. But apparently McKay wasn’t gonna settle for mid-19’s. The Lake Erie course typically runs a little fast, but surely didn’t predict the 19:01 she’d drop in order to qualify for State. And just getting to State wasn’t nearly enough, as she blasted another 44 sec. off her best to finish at 18:17, 29th in all of Division 1, the #7 freshman girl.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Charley McKay18:17.9Woodhaven Brownstown147.7Division 1 State2-Nov2024
9Charley McKay19:01.0Woodhaven Brownstown135.0Region 526-Oct2024
9Charley Mckay19:31.8Woodhaven Brownstown129.7Downriver League Championship17-Oct2024
9Charley McKay19:56.4Woodhaven Brownstown122.2River Rat Open11-Oct2024
9Charley McKay19:37.9Woodhaven Brownstown126.0Portage5-Oct2024
9Charley McKay19:36.5Woodhaven Brownstown131.8Downriver League 21-Oct2024
9Charley McKay18:55.1Woodhaven Brownstown146.6Huron14-Sep2024
9Charley McKay19:35.0Woodhaven Brownstown131.3Warrior Classic6-Sep2024
9Charley McKay19:11.6Woodhaven Brownstown142.8Lamplighter23-Aug2024
Uncategorized

50 Tickets to Brooklyn: Boys 50-41

mixcspeedratings

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

Name: Lucas LaPointe
School: Plymouth
Grade: 12th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 16:05
800m – 2:02
1600m – 4:29
3200m – 9:32

Accolades

XC

8th Place – Wayne County
13th Place – KLAA Championship
2x State Qualifier

Track

16th Place – Division 1 State 3200m
5th Place – Region 6 3200m
6th Place – KLAA 3200m
Relay member of 2025 All-State 4×8

You Know I Dig Improvement

And in Lucas’s case, I’d point to the drastic reduction from where he started, an 18:48 debut at Huron Meadows to a 16:05 personal best at this past year’s KLAA Championship. The quickening is also noticeable in the races he’s run, being on the varsity squad on Plymouth’s state team these past two years and not making it as a freshman. He’s realized some drastic jumps on the track, too, hitting sub-10 in all but two of his 3200m’s from this spring. 2024’s version was the complete opposite, above 10:00 in all but two races.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
11Lucas LaPointe16:21.4Plymouth186.9Division 1 State2-Nov2024
11Lucas LaPointe16:20.2Plymouth190.3Region 626-Oct2024
11Lucas LaPointe16:05.5Plymouth197.2KLAA Championship17-Oct2024
11Lucas LaPointe16:06.3Plymouth192.6Gabriel Richard12-Oct2024
11Lucas LaPointe16:11.2Plymouth194.9Wayne County5-Oct2024
11Lucas LaPointe16:08.9Plymouth195.0Jackson21-Sep2024
11Lucas LaPointe16:29.9Plymouth200.4Holly14-Sep2024
11Lucas LaPointe16:51.8Plymouth193.7Early Bird Open29-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Lucas LaPointe16:51.3Plymouth177.2Division 1 State4-Nov2023
10Lucas LaPointe16:35.4Plymouth181.9Region 628-Oct2023
10Lucas LaPointe17:35.0Plymouth176.7KLAA Conference20-Oct2023
10Lucas LaPointe18:12.9Plymouth160.0Gabriel Richard14-Oct2023
10Lucas LaPointe16:58.4Plymouth177.2Wayne County7-Oct2023
10Lucas LaPointe16:53.4Plymouth179.2Jackson23-Sep2023
10Lucas LaPointe16:59.5Plymouth185.8Holly16-Sep2023
10Lucas LaPointe17:16.9Plymouth178.7Early Bird Open31-Aug2023
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Lucas LaPointe17:36.7Plymouth167.1KLAA22-Oct2022
9Lucas LaPointe17:09.2Plymouth167.9Gabriel Richard15-Oct2022
9Lucas LaPointe17:12.7Plymouth167.8Wayne County8-Oct2022
9Lucas LaPointe18:01.2Plymouth163.9Holly17-Sep2022
9Lucas LaPointe18:32.5Plymouth157.8Tommy Titan10-Sep2022
9Lucas LaPointe18:48.5Plymouth151.2Early Bird Open1-Sep2022

Name: Grayson Rorick
School: Hillsdale Academy
Grade: 12th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:57
800m – 1:55
1600m – 4:20
3200m – 9:28

Accolades

XC

4th Place – Division 4 State
2x State Champion
3x All-State
4x State Qualifier
Region 34 & SCAA Champion

Track

2nd Place – Division 4 State 1600m, 3200m & 4×8
5x All-State
Hillsdale County 800m Champion

You Know I Dig Improvement

And for Grayson, that was very evident on the track. Huge jumps in everything – 7 seconds in the 800m, 13 in the 1600m, then over 30 sec. in the 3200m. Whereas Rorick didn’t crack even the top-15 in the single event he qualified for in 2024, he got podium stances in the two individual events he competed in this past spring.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
11Grayson Rorick15:57.1Hillsdale Academy193.3Division 4 State2-Nov2024
11Grayson Rorick16:13.6Hillsdale Academy187.8Region 3425-Oct2024
11Grayson Rorick16:32.8Hillsdale Academy185.1Class D Championship19-Oct2024
11Grayson Rorick16:53.5Hillsdale Academy184.2SCAA Championship12-Oct2024
11Grayson Rorick16:23.7Hillsdale Academy190.1Portage5-Oct2024
11Grayson Rorick16:42.6Hillsdale Academy183.8Jackson21-Sep2024
11Grayson Rorick16:25.2Hillsdale Academy201.9Holly14-Sep2024
11Grayson Rorick16:51.1Hillsdale Academy175.6Hillsdale Academy6-Sep2024
11Grayson Rorick16:55.7Hillsdale Academy178.1Hillsdale28-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Grayson Rorick16:42.2Hillsdale Academy177.9Division 4 State4-Nov2023
10Grayson Rorick16:50.6Hillsdale Academy179.5Region 3427-Oct2023
10Grayson Rorick16:28.3Hillsdale Academy182.6Class D Championship21-Oct2023
10Grayson Rorick17:15.4Hillsdale Academy175.9SCAA Championship14-Oct2023
10Grayson Rorick16:34.6Hillsdale Academy185.5Portage7-Oct2023
10Grayson Rorick16:46.4Hillsdale Academy181.5Jackson23-Sep2023
10Grayson Rorick17:13.5Hillsdale Academy181.2Holly16-Sep2023
10Grayson Rorick17:24.3Hillsdale Academy181.9Hillsdale30-Aug2023
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Grayson Rorick17:16.0Hillsdale Academy171.3D4 State5-Nov2022
9Grayson Rorick17:14.6Hillsdale Academy167.5Region 3428-Oct2022
9Grayson Rorick17:35.5Hillsdale Academy163.2Class D22-Oct2022
9Grayson Rorick17:21.2Hillsdale Academy168.9Portage8-Oct2022
9Grayson Rorick18:05.9Hillsdale Academy160.7SCAA28-Sep2022
9Grayson Rorick17:52.5Hillsdale Academy158.2Jackson24-Sep2022
9Grayson Rorick18:22.5Hillsdale Academy156.8Holly17-Sep2022
9Grayson Rorick18:38.0Hillsdale Academy151.0Hillsdale31-Aug2022

Name: Brody Karg
School: Harbor Beach
Grade: 12th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:55
800m – 2:02
1600m – 4:25
3200m – 9:26

Accolades

XC

16th Place – Division 4 State
2x All-State
3x State Qualifier
2x Region 35 Champion
Thumb Area Champion

Track

3rd Place – Division 4 State 3200m
7th Place – Division 4 State 4×8
5th Place – Indoor State 3200m
4x All-State
Region 38 1600m & 3200m Champion
Big Thumb 800m, 1600m, & 3200m Champion

You Know I Dig Improvement

And Brody qualifies in many ways. One from his debut, a 19:35 way back at 2022’s Mike Jackson Memorial Invite. Fast forward two years and he was starting his season in the 16’s, then finishing in the 15’s. A week prior to his 15:55 PR, Karg attained a 16th place finish at MIS, more than 60 places better than two years prior.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
11Brody Karg15:55.3Harbor Beach196.3MITCA9-Nov2024
11Brody Karg16:30.4Harbor Beach182.2Division 4 State2-Nov2024
11Brody Karg16:29.3Harbor Beach174.2Region 3526-Oct2024
11Brody Karg16:19.3Harbor Beach185.6Thumb Area19-Oct2024
11Brody Karg16:17.4Harbor Beach179.5Ubly9-Oct2024
11Brody Karg15:57.1Harbor Beach199.0Portage5-Oct2024
11Brody Karg16:25.5Harbor Beach181.5Wagener Park28-Sep2024
11Brody Karg16:32.4Harbor Beach173.2Laker21-Sep2024
11Brody Karg16:36.7Harbor Beach196.4Spartan13-Sep2024
11Brody Karg17:01.3Harbor Beach182.2Hatchet7-Sep2024
11Brody Karg16:54.2Harbor Beach180.9Cass City28-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Brody Karg16:37.5Harbor Beach180.5MITCA11-Nov2023
10Brody Karg16:34.8Harbor Beach180.4Division 4 State4-Nov2023
10Brody Karg16:21.8Harbor Beach176.1Region 3528-Oct2023
10Brody Karg16:46.8Harbor Beach176.1Thumb Area21-Oct2023
10Brody Karg17:08.0Harbor Beach175.0GTC League17-Oct2023
10Brody Karg16:50.4Harbor Beach168.9Ubly11-Oct2023
10Brody Karg16:42.3Harbor Beach174.9Wagener Park30-Sep2023
10Brody Karg16:49.9Harbor Beach175.0Laker23-Sep2023
10Brody Karg17:07.1Harbor Beach183.3Holly16-Sep2023
10Brody Karg17:17.0Harbor Beach170.7Hatchet9-Sep2023
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Brody Karg18:01.6Harbor Beach156.1D4 State5-Nov2022
9Brody Karg17:24.7Harbor Beach157.4Region 3529-Oct2022
9Brody Karg17:29.6Harbor Beach170.5Thumb Area22-Oct2022
9Brody Karg17:20.9Harbor Beach166.0Ubly12-Oct2022
9Brody Karg17:33.6Harbor Beach167.8North Park8-Oct2022
9Brody Karg17:37.4Harbor Beach167.5Wagener Park1-Oct2022
9Brody Karg18:27.4Harbor Beach155.2Holly17-Sep2022
9Brody Karg18:29.4Harbor Beach142.9Hatchet10-Sep2022
9Brody Karg19:37.6Harbor Beach139.5Brown City31-Aug2022
9Brody Karg19:35.0Harbor Beach142.7Mike Jackson Memorial25-Aug2022

Name: Ryan Stojov
School: Northville
Grade: 12th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 16:22
800m – 1:52
1600m – 4:17
3200m – 9:40

Accolades

XC

2024 Team State Champion
2024 State Qualifier

Track

Division 1 State Champion – 4×8
5th Place – Division 1 State 1600m
8th Place – Division 1 State 800m
KLAA 800m & 1600m Champion
Region 6 800m Champion

You Know I Dig Improvement

And Ryan’s timeline is as good as any. Stojov was running above the 18 min. mark through a chunk of his sophomore year, then the avalanche occurred. Baaarely above 17 to close that season. 4:24 for four laps that following spring. Contributor to another Northville state title last fall. A few months back, top-20 Michigan marks in the 800m and 1600m. Northville has a great talent pool, but they’re also home to a hard-working kids looking to develop.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
11Ryan Stojov16:48.3Northville177.9Division 1 State2-Nov2024
11Ryan Stojov17:17.3Northville171.2Region 626-Oct2024
11Ryan Stojov16:46.5Northville183.5KLAA Championship17-Oct2024
11Ryan Stojov16:43.8Northville183.4Portage5-Oct2024
11Ryan Stojov17:31.2Northville178.3Spartan13-Sep2024
11Ryan Stojov16:25.4Northville197.9Tri of the Year10-Sep2024
11Ryan Stojov16:46.3Northville190.2Bath7-Sep2024
11Ryan Stojov16:59.1Northville194.0Mustang27-Aug2024
11Ryan Stojov16:26.6Northville196.8Lamplighter23-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Ryan Stojov17:03.1Northville172.0MITCA11-Nov2023
10Ryan Stojov17:58.5Northville168.8KLAA Conference20-Oct2023
10Ryan Stojov17:08.1Northville172.0River Rat Open13-Oct2023
10Ryan Stojov17:43.4Northville162.2Wayne County7-Oct2023
10Ryan Stojov18:31.9Northville155.0Holly16-Sep2023
10Ryan Stojov18:13.2Northville156.3Bath9-Sep2023
10Ryan Stojov19:03.1Northville148.3Mustang29-Aug2023
10Ryan Stojov18:28.3Northville159.6Lamplighter18-Aug2023
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Ryan Stojov17:33.7Northville168.1KLAA22-Oct2022
9Ryan Stojov17:46.7Northville156.4Wayne County8-Oct2022
9Ryan Stojov18:19.8Northville155.4Bath10-Sep2022
9Ryan Stojov20:18.2Northville130.6Mustang30-Aug2022
9Ryan Stojov18:59.5Northville150.2Lamplighter19-Aug2022

Name: Brennan LaRusso
School: Saline
Grade: 12th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:50
800m – 2:01
1600m – 4:24
3200m – 9:43

Accolades

XC

4th Place – Region 5
11th Place – SEC Red
33rd Place – Division 1 State
Member of State Runner-Up team

Track

3rd Place – Region 5 1600m & 3200m
6th Place – SEC Red 1600m
16th Place – Indoor State 1600m

You Know I Dig Improvement

And Coach Spina’s been turnin’ Hornets into speedsters for decades. LaRusso began his Saline career at a quick level, hitting 4:30’s in the 1600m, a mark that’s turned into a bunch of 4:20’s. But his improvement over eight laps are what might prove very useful for this upcoming season. Prior to this spring, Brennan had only competed in the 3200m once in his career. He made a habit of it this past year, running five of ‘em. Three of those were sub-10, the best a 9:43, nearly 90 seconds better than the lone occasion of his sophomore year.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
11Brennan LaRusso15:52.0Saline197.3MITCA9-Nov2024
11Brennan LaRusso15:50.1Saline197.3Division 1 State2-Nov2024
11Brennan LaRusso16:03.1Saline193.6Region 526-Oct2024
11Brennan LaRusso16:35.4Saline187.9SEC Championship17-Oct2024
11Brennan LaRusso16:21.7Saline194.4River Rat Open10-Oct2024
11Brennan LaRusso16:02.6Saline197.1Portage5-Oct2024
11Brennan LaRusso16:36.3Saline194.9SEC Red 224-Sep2024
11Brennan LaRusso16:15.9Saline192.7Jackson21-Sep2024
11Brennan LaRusso16:30.2Saline198.9SEC 110-Sep2024
11Brennan LaRusso16:51.4Saline188.5Bath7-Sep2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Brennan LaRusso16:21.1Saline187.3Division 1 State4-Nov2023
10Brennan LaRusso16:53.4Saline173.5Region 528-Oct2023
10Brennan LaRusso16:56.0Saline185.0SEC Championship19-Oct2023
10Brennan LaRusso16:22.1Saline187.3River Rat Open13-Oct2023
10Brennan LaRusso16:47.5Saline181.2Portage7-Oct2023
10Brennan LaRusso16:21.0Saline181.0SEC Red 227-Sep2023
10Brennan LaRusso17:04.6Saline175.5Jackson23-Sep2023
10Brennan LaRusso16:41.6Saline186.8Bath9-Sep2023
10Brennan LaRusso16:50.2Saline189.9Milan Puddle Jumper29-Aug2023
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Brennan LaRusso17:20.7Saline167.1River Rat Open14-Oct2022
9Brennan LaRusso17:10.7Saline172.4Portage8-Oct2022
9Brennan LaRusso17:15.4Saline166.9Marauder1-Oct2022
9Brennan LaRusso18:05.5Saline157.2SEC Red 228-Sep2022
9Brennan LaRusso17:59.2Saline157.9SEC 114-Sep2022
9Brennan LaRusso17:56.6Saline163.1Bath10-Sep2022
9Brennan LaRusso18:10.7Saline162.8Milan Puddle Jumper30-Aug2022
9Brennan LaRusso18:35.8Saline157.8EoSFP25-Aug2022

Name: Marshall Huhn
School: Lowell
Grade: 11th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 16:10
800m – 2:01
1600m – 4:21
3200m – 9:38

Accolades

XC

7th Place – River Cities Alliance

Track

24th Place – Division 1 State 1600m
River Cities 3200m Champion
2nd Place – River Cities 1600m
3rd Place – Region 3 1600m

You Know I Dig Improvement

And I’ll tell you that 12 months ago, I had never heard of Marshall Huhn. 10 months ago, he was firmly on my radar. That’s what happens when you grow from a freshman running in the mid-17’s to a sophomore debuting with 16:19 at Portage Central. That opener was no fluke, as Huhn backed up that up with quite a few 16:1x efforts.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Marshall Huhn17:00.7Lowell174.4MITCA9-Nov2024
10Marshall Huhn16:29.0Lowell188.7Region 325-Oct2024
10Marshall Huhn16:10.0Lowell191.3RCA Conference19-Oct2024
10Marshall Huhn18:20.7Lowell166.1River Cities 29-Oct2024
10Marshall Huhn16:14.7Lowell191.4Allendale Falcon28-Sep2024
10Marshall Huhn16:15.7Lowell194.8Ottawa Hills13-Sep2024
10Marshall Huhn16:27.6Lowell194.1Bredeweg7-Sep2024
10Marshall Huhn16:10.9Lowell197.4Under the Lights v223-Aug2024
10Marshall Huhn16:19.7Lowell201.4PC Early Bird16-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Marshall Huhn17:25.5Lowell169.5Region 327-Oct2023
9Marshall Huhn17:19.4Lowell168.5OK White Championship18-Oct2023
9Marshall Huhn17:19.1Lowell172.6Kent Ottawa13-Oct2023
9Marshall Huhn17:03.5Lowell167.2Chargers Autumn Sunrise23-Sep2023
9Marshall Huhn17:42.0Lowell163.0Ottawa Hills15-Sep2023
9Marshall Huhn17:57.4Lowell163.2Bredeweg9-Sep2023
9Marshall Huhn18:21.9Lowell156.0Under the Lights v225-Aug2023
9Marshall Huhn19:10.3Lowell145.6Portage Early Bird18-Aug2023

Name: Donovan Ryan
School: Plainwell
Grade: 12th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:49
800m – 2:05
1600m – 4:21
3200m – 10:00

Accolades

XC

Allegan County & Wolverine Conference Champion
9th Place – Region 12
3x State Qualifier

Track

8th Place – Division 2 State 1600m
2nd Place – Wolverine Conference 1600m & 3200m
2nd Place – Region 14 1600m

You Know I Dig Improvement

And Donovan’s came with increased strength. It may have been gained in cross, where Donovan won conference and county titles that he’d never won before, going along with dropping 30 sec. from his freshman best. Could’ve been this past winter. Whatever it may be, it was shown on the track. A 1600m personal best of 4:56 was absolutely shattered, as Ryan turned into a Trojan that produced multiple 4:2x’s, including a D2 All-State place.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
11Donovan Ryan16:22.5Plainwell186.5Division 2 State2-Nov2024
11Donovan Ryan16:08.4Plainwell191.2Region 1226-Oct2024
11Donovan Ryan16:27.4Plainwell187.9Allegan County18-Oct2024
11Donovan Ryan15:49.3Plainwell196.9Wolverine Conference15-Oct2024
11Donovan Ryan16:09.1Plainwell195.0Portage5-Oct2024
11Donovan Ryan16:11.6Plainwell190.5Otsego Bulldog28-Sep2024
11Donovan Ryan16:38.1Plainwell186.0Bangor21-Sep2024
11Donovan Ryan16:57.8Plainwell189.1SW Rustbuster28-Aug2024
11Donovan Ryan16:31.3Plainwell190.6Under the Lights v223-Aug2024
11Donovan Ryan16:36.1Plainwell189.3Viking Stampede16-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Donovan Ryan16:23.6Plainwell186.1Division 2 State4-Nov2023
10Donovan Ryan16:37.7Plainwell182.1Region 1328-Oct2023
10Donovan Ryan17:10.6Plainwell177.1Allegan County20-Oct2023
10Donovan Ryan16:20.3Plainwell178.9Wolverine Conference17-Oct2023
10Donovan Ryan17:15.1Plainwell171.6Allegan7-Oct2023
10Donovan Ryan16:35.5Plainwell181.8Otsego Bulldog30-Sep2023
10Donovan Ryan17:12.6Plainwell177.1Bangor23-Sep2023
10Donovan Ryan17:03.8Plainwell175.7Ottawa Hills15-Sep2023
10Donovan Ryan17:40.6Plainwell173.8Delton Kellogg7-Sep2023
10Donovan Ryan17:11.7Plainwell171.1SW Rustbuster30-Aug2023
10Donovan Ryan18:09.0Plainwell180.3Big Hill22-Aug2023

Name: Zach Wyderko
School: Brighton
Grade: 12th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 16:02
800m – 1:57
1600m – 4:22
3200m – 9:42

Accolades

XC

14th Place – KLAA & Region 4

Track

3rd Place – Division 1 State 4×8
22nd Place – Division 1 State 1600m
Region 4 1600m Champion
5th Place – KLAA 1600m
8th Place – KLAA 3200m

You Know I Dig Improvement

Drastic is an apt word. Later in his freshman campaign, Zach proved he had the quality of what may be a great contributor. Early though, that didn’t appear to this watchful eye. Above 20:00 for his first three races, above 22:00 for the debut. But similar to many on this list, he lessened his times quite rapidly. More than four minutes were subtracted by the end of his first year, greater than six have fallen since August of ’22. More drastic drops to come as well?

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
11Zach Wyderko16:04.2Brighton192.6Division 1 State2-Nov2024
11Zach Wyderko16:33.8Brighton188.1Region 426-Oct2024
11Zach Wyderko16:06.1Brighton197.0KLAA Championship17-Oct2024
11Zach Wyderko16:02.2Brighton193.9Gabriel Richard12-Oct2024
11Zach Wyderko16:14.9Brighton193.0Portage5-Oct2024
11Zach Wyderko17:35.6Brighton177.1Mott Fall Classic20-Sep2024
11Zach Wyderko16:35.1Brighton197.0Spartan13-Sep2024
11Zach Wyderko16:47.8Brighton190.4Tri of the Year10-Sep2024
11Zach Wyderko16:49.2Brighton197.3Mustang27-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Zach Wyderko17:33.7Brighton173.1Gabriel Richard14-Oct2023
10Zach Wyderko16:44.3Brighton182.2Portage7-Oct2023
10Zach Wyderko17:33.4Brighton176.6Mott Fall Classic22-Sep2023
10Zach Wyderko17:25.6Brighton174.1Spartan15-Sep2023
10Zach Wyderko18:37.2Brighton156.9Mustang29-Aug2023
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Zach Wyderko18:35.7Brighton147.4KLAA22-Oct2022
9Zach Wyderko18:05.6Brighton149.1Gabriel Richard15-Oct2022
9Zach Wyderko18:29.0Brighton146.3Portage8-Oct2022
9Zach Wyderko19:11.4Brighton128.5Huron17-Sep2022
9Zach Wyderko20:46.8Brighton119.1Averill10-Sep2022
9Zach Wyderko21:00.6Brighton116.5Mustang30-Aug2022
FRZach Wyderko22:17.3Brighton80.9Highlander26-Aug2022

Name: Hunter Eaton
School: Charlevoix
Grade: 10th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:51
400m – 52.16
800m – 1:58
1600m – 4:20
3200m – 9:28

Accolades

XC

9th Place – Division 3 State
2x State Qualifier
Northern Shores Champion
2nd Place – Region 19

Track

Division 3 State 3200m Champion
2nd Place – Division 3 State 1600m
Northern Shores & Region 21 800m, 1600m, & 3200m Champion

You Know I Dig Improvement

Any time there’s a sophomore winning a track title, some rapid jumps had to occur. For Eaton, 2025’s Division 3 3200m champion, the event was sort of an afterthought as a freshman. He raced it only twice, both north of 10:00. Concentration was on the shorter distances, and rightfully so, as Eaton ascended to one of Michigan’s top 9th graders. A year in the future, Hunter debuted with a sub-10, then a few weeks later, dropped a shiny new 9:28 personal best. He kept racking up 9:xx’s before winning the first of what may be many state titles.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Hunter Eaton16:09.9Charlevoix191.4MITCA9-Nov2024
10Hunter Eaton15:51.2Charlevoix195.6Division 3 State2-Nov2024
10Hunter Eaton15:52.7Charlevoix186.4Region 1926-Oct2024
10Hunter Eaton16:41.3Charlevoix183.2Northern Shores Championship12-Oct2024
10Hunter Eaton16:07.4Charlevoix195.9Bluejay28-Sep2024
10Hunter Eaton16:39.7Charlevoix191.1Petoskey21-Sep2024
10Hunter Eaton16:19.2Charlevoix193.6Party in the Park28-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Hunter Eaton16:57.5Charlevoix173.8MITCA11-Nov2023
9Hunter Eaton16:45.3Charlevoix177.6Division 3 State4-Nov2023
9Hunter Eaton16:34.1Charlevoix174.6Region 1928-Oct2023
9Hunter Eaton17:10.6Charlevoix177.5LMC Championship10-Oct2023
9Hunter Eaton16:40.7Charlevoix180.4Bluejay30-Sep2023
9Hunter Eaton17:13.2Charlevoix176.6Petoskey23-Sep2023
9Hunter Eaton17:18.0Charlevoix167.7Red Devil30-Aug2023

Name: Mason Hill
School: Allendale
Grade: 11th

Personal Records

5k (XC) – 15:24
400m – 52.98
800m – 1:58
1600m – 4:32
3200m – 9:39

Accolades

XC

9th Place – Division 2 State
Region 11 Champion
Division 2 Team State Champion
4th Place – River Cities Alliance

Track

Division 2 State 4×8 Champion
5th Place – Region 12 1600m
6th Place – Region 12 800m
6th Place – River Cities 800m & 1600m

You Know I Dig Improvement

What about in the course of a season? Conference meets are always a solid point of comparison. The same athletes are competing, usually 2-3 weeks apart. During the first two River Cities jamborees, Hill placed 9th. Come late October, that became a 4th place finish. A better piece of evidence may be time, where Mason’s transformation over the course of the 2024 season was readily apparent. 17’s to 16’s to his final resting place, a 15:24 that cemented Allendale’s state title.

GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
10Mason Hill15:43.8Allendale200.1MITCA9-Nov2024
10Mason Hill15:24.0Allendale206.0Division 2 State2-Nov2024
10Mason Hill15:26.2Allendale205.3Region 1126-Oct2024
10Mason Hill15:58.2Allendale195.3RCA Conference19-Oct2024
10Mason Hill17:17.0Allendale187.3River Cities 29-Oct2024
10Mason Hill16:26.4Allendale189.2Portage5-Oct2024
10Mason Hill16:18.9Allendale190.0Allendale Falcon28-Sep2024
10Mason Hill16:51.0Allendale191.7Spartan13-Sep2024
10Mason Hill17:24.7Allendale172.8Under the Lights v223-Aug2024
GradeNameTimeTeamRatingMeetDateYear
9Mason Hill16:26.4Allendale185.2Division 2 State4-Nov2023
9Mason Hill16:30.8Allendale183.4Region 1128-Oct2023
9Mason Hill16:51.7Allendale181.4OK Blue Conference18-Oct2023
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