Category: Uncategorized

For the top 10, I’ve decided to rank runners in order.  Enjoy!

10. Jack Spamer, Brighton

• Forms a formidable top two with unnamed Brighton runner
• A great race at a tough course at Averill early, but no bad races, especially late into the season
• Lowered XC PR by 30 seconds last year
• Set track PRs in everything between 400-3200m
• Regional champ in both 1600 and 3200

9. Jack Wilson, Romeo

• Exceptional raw talent, has been a top 15 performer at State the past two years.
• Defending Regional champ
• Impressive speed ratings early, some of the better individual performances of anyone returning
• PRed in everything in track
• Regional champ in 1600, where he ran 4:17.9

8. Peter Baracco, Farmington

• In my ratings, top freshman in XC last year (it’s very close between him and Hough)
• Peter’s 208 at Oakland County is the highest individual freshman rating and his 15:56 at MIS was the best freshman time of the day
• Impressive finishes include 5^th at Oakland County and 17^th at State
• Ran 9:40 in track before his season was cut short, thankfully he’s back to running as of now

7. Patrick Byrnes, Plymouth

• Plymouth another team with a formidable duo (heck, trio)
• Two outstanding races at Holly and Coaching Legends, still consistent at the end of the year (like Spamer)
• Obtained a 31 second PR last season
• Exceptional speed on the track in races between 400-1600
• 2^nd in both the 800 and 1600 at State, Regional champ in both

6. Anthony Hancock, Dearborn Divine Child

• Dominated the Catholic ranks in XC, winning both at Michigan Catholic and CHSL
• Following a mid-season swoon, came on strong at the end of the year with the last three races above 207.
• Lowered his XC PR by 33 seconds from 2017
• PRed in all three distance events in track
• Division 2 State champ in the 3200 with a 9:06

Lauren Kiley was one of the top freshman in the state last season.  Walked away with the Wayne County championship, nearly won her region, but still went sub-18 in the process.  Carried over to track where she showed herself to be a little more of a miler, running 5:03.

Kendall Schopieray showed some dramatic improvements over the course of two months.  She really started to hit her stride around the time of Northern Michigan Champs, placing 5^th there.  That continued onto States, where she knocked out another top-5 finish.  She may be more of a 400/800 track girl, but showed solid times across the board.

Taryn Chapko’s hit list included many invitationals, Corunna and Apples to Apples most notably.  Also placed high in the MHSAA events, outperforming her season average in both.  Really shines on the track, her 800 times are elite, and she was undefeated in that event this spring.

Yasmine Mansi was able to break 18 for the second consecutive season and was at the forefront of many of Northville’s races.  In track, she was able to go sub-5 for the first time, at State Finals no less.  That time was good for a 6^th place finish.

Maryam Sheena had quite the track season, PRing at all three distance events.  The biggest jump came in the 3200, where she crushed the 11 minute barrier in a 10:52 at Regionals.  She had a similar peak in XC, where she was able to tie her best rating of the season in a 19^th place performance at States.

Sarah Forsyth had a very consistent freshman campaign, with 8 ratings of over 150.  Her best rating and best time came at Jackson, where she beat a certain girl ranked in the top 5.  She’s another one that has shown exceptional 800 quality, where she ran 2:15 on a relay.

Look, a freshman!  Arianne Olson’s track record at the middle school level speaks for itself.  You would have to go back to October 2016 to find a race she didn’t finish 1^st on the XC course. That dominance continued to the track, where she only lost once all year, and broke 11 for the second consecutive year.

Emma Squires led a Petoskey team to a top 3 finish last year, they should be up there again this year.  Her best performances came at Northern Michigan (PR) and Regionals (1^st place).  In track, she nabbed All-State honors in the 16/32, while also PRing in the 800.

Allison Chmielewski had about as impressive a start to her XC season as you’ll see.  Unfortunately it was cut short, but that doesn’t diminish her accomplishments.  It looks like she recaptured that form in track, where she finished 4^th in both the 16/32 at States.

I like examples of kids who come up big in big meets.  Julia Flynn did just that in her first time at MIS.  Her 16 second PR there netted her a Top 10 finish.  She showed great ability in the 1600 as well with a 4:56 and 8^th place finish at States.

 

Drew Seabase has always played second or third fiddle to the Smiths, but has broke out in some instances.  Really made a jump in October, highlighted by that 3rd at the Northern Michigan Champs and 14th at States.  Concentrated on the 800/1600 in track, best performance was in the 800, placing 2nd at Regionals.

Riley Hough may have not had the best individual performances of any freshman, but he did have the best sustained success.  One of the few track meets I attended, New Balance, I was impressed with his tactics.  In XC, he was consistent all year, finally breaking 16:00 at Coaching Legends and following that up with a 19 second improvement a month later.

Andrew Nolan is sort of a lone wolf (or dragon?) in a region with Clarkston, Romeo, and Stoney Creek.  Great range, being able to run under 4:20 a few times in track, but also under 15:30.  Most impressive races were in sloppy conditions at Holly and Oakland County.

Owen Huard made tremendous strides both in XC and track.  XC, he lowered his PR by over a minute.  Track, I have it as his first season, that 4:15.9 1600 was good for 2nd at Golden Triangle.  Somewhat of an unknown quantity, will that spring training pay off?

Alex Penski is another one who ran well in less than ideal conditions at Holly.  He then followed that up with a great peak, 2nd in his region, 7th in the state.  He also possesses the same range as a Nolan or Huard, placing 3rd in the 1600 a few days ago.

Nathan Larson is probably a little more distance-oriented than his Dexter counterpart.  Very consistent performances, running within 5 points in September/October.  Track saw him set PRs in the 1600 and 3200, most notably the 9:23 at regionals.

Luke Perelli turned in his best performance on a fast day at Willow.  A little less consistent than some others, but the potential is there.  Was able to set PRs in all three distance events, though he concentrated on the 1600, where he dropped 2 seconds from 2018.

Personally, I loved Joey Tavalieri’s win at Macomb County.  Jack Wilson’s has and will be the top dog in the county, it’s good to see a little rivalry.  He continued that peak to a near regional win and a top-10 finish at MIS.

As with Divine Child, Dexter, and others, it must be demoralizing to see two Holt kids at the front of every race.  Adugna Moritz may not have the speed of Penski, but he can put down similar times at the 5k.  Was able to PR at everything this spring.

 

Michael Hancock might not be as fast as his brother, but he possesses the same ability in clutch situations.  I believe he was seeded 16th in the 1600 at State Finals, he finished 2nd.  Also doubled back with a 9:20.