Around the Blue Water Area, runners of all ages and backgrounds are gearing up for the cross country season. There are a few common phrases in running culture you hear this time of year, such as "champions are made in the summer", or "summer miles equal fall smiles". Athletes commit to months of training and team building in June, July, and August as the season stretches from the heat and humidity of summer into the harsh winds and snow of late fall. Several Blue Water Area coaches have shared insight into their athletes, team chemistry, training, and goals for the upcoming 2023 season.
BLUE WATER AREA CONFERENCE
Algonac Muskrats
Since 1999, Algonac has gone to a YMCA camp near Jackson. Aside from running workouts, students swim, canoe, ride horses, climb the high ropes, and meet each night at a campfire to talk about cross country and individual/team goals. Coach Dan Shafer’s aim is for student-athletes to improve their performances and to have a positive, enjoyable experience. “As for team goals, the boys want to return to the state finals again this year while the girls want to improve on last year's results. Sophomores Julian and Jasmine Walker led the teams last year and both return to compete this year. We also have some new runners joining that could be very successful,” Shafer said. Julian dipped under 17 minutes last season and saw low to mid-17s several times. Jasmin saw a three-minute improvement over the course of her 2022 season.
Algonac hosts the Muskrat Classic Run again this year on September 9, the largest meet in the Blue Water Area. 62 middle and high schools bring over 100 teams to compete in nine races.
Armada Tigers
For a week in early August, the Armada Tigers base out of Interlochen State Park to run, strengthen, work on team building, and have fun around Traverse City and the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore areas. Coach Rob Blume has one primary goal: improvement. “Whether at the individual level or the team level, I'd like to see the athletes improve over last year if applicable, and as we progress through the season. The boys will be trying to qualify for the state finals for the sixth year in a row. The girls have not been to Brooklyn as a team since 2007, so it would be nice to put an end to that 16-year streak,” Blume said. Armada was squeezed out of a berth to the state finals with a fourth-place finish last fall and is looking for team qualification. “For the girls, Brooklyn Khon, Darrah Mackenzie, Ava Baltierra, Abigail Denoyer, Bree Feys, and Samantha Kook have the fastest times from last year, but others, including a freshman, have been training well over the summer and could certainly move into those spots. Khon should compete for top places at many of our races, but behind her, there are seven or eight girls who should form the closest pack we have probably ever had,” Blume predicted. Khon was last year’s BWAC MVP, regional runner-up, and fourth at the Macomb County Championships. Mackenzie, Baltierra, and Denoyer all earned BWAC All-Conference honors, too. “The girls have the potential to put more people on our Top-10 record board than any other team I have coached. They have to be competitive and they have to learn to get into that zone of discomfort a little more at the big races.”
On the boys’ side, the Tigers will need to fill some big shoes: they graduated their BWAC MVP and All-Stater Camden Khon and All-Conference runner Riley Andrews. Luke Nawrocki, Tyler Buckland, Anthony Alvarez, Robby Carrigan, and Austin Malburg are the top five returning runners for the boys and have experience at states, along with being on the second-place team at the BWAC championships in 2022. Of those five, Nawrocki and Buckland have run in the low 18s. “Buckland has been steadily and smartly progressing in his training through the summer,” Blume stated. “Success in cross country is far more about what you do in the off-season than what you do in the 12 weeks we are formally a team. We have had a lot of runners at summer running and can only hope it was enough to continue and end the previously mentioned streaks."
Croswell-Lexington Pioneers
As the defending BWAC and regional champions with many runners returning, Croswell-Lexington’s girls' team looks poised to be a Blue Water Area power: they took five of the top eight spots at the BWAC Championships in 2022. Junior Eva Thompson was last year's regional and Thumb Area champion; she finished in one of the top three spots in every regular season meet and invitational, dipping below the 19-minute mark. Teammate Morgan Newton (senior) will be a major factor as well: she also finished in the top four spots at every BWAC Jamboree, invitational meet, and at regionals.
The Pioneers have a camp each fall at the Bluewater Campground. According to coach Lisa Shaw, “It is a great way to help the team bond. Camp days include multiple runs and several team-building activities led by coaches and upperclassmen. We would like to defend our league championship and hopefully represent our school at the MHSAA state finals. We’d also like to constantly improve throughout the season.” Shaw concluded, “We have put in our base miles this summer and are excited to see where they take us!”
Boys' coach Rick Shaw similarly wants to see his young men improve and be competitive. “We will have some new faces on the team that will make an impact. Jack Kerrigan and Devon Chisholm have been running over the summer and have a season of cross country experience under their belts,” said Shaw.
Imlay City Spartans
Elliot Whitney led Imlay City with a BWAC All-Conference spot and a state-qualifying seventh-place finish at the regional meet last fall and looks to improve upon this accomplishment to finish out his senior year. The rest of the returning Spartan crew is young: all scorers from last season are either sophomores or juniors. On the girls' side, Charlotte O'Brien, Ang Ross, and Alice Johnson all ran within half a minute of each other by last season's end and stand to present a strong Spartan pack.
North Branch Broncos
The North Branch coach, Jason Castle, has set his team's sights on success within the BWAC. “Our primary goals for the 2023 season are to go out and finish in the top three,” Castle stated. “These athletes work hard and put in the miles to be competitive. We should be around 15 boys on the team, which is a great number. Bryce Barkowska, Wyatt Opperman, Landan Pung, and Brent Castle all ran last year and should have a great season. We have some freshmen who I think will have an impact on the team: Hudson Budreau, Ben Card, and Carson Barker. On the girls' side. Isabelle Hunt, Rowan Conley, Tracy Ludescher, Emma Nichols, Aubrey Stewart, and Lily Osborn all ran last year and will greatly help the team this year.” It is worth noting the Broncos boys' team has a relatively young squad, as three of their top five returners will be juniors.
Richmond Blue Devils
The Blue Devils athletes have been training together all summer, according to coach Griffin Fraley. They began workouts around mid-June, and the kids have been on the roads together and hitting the weight room up to three days a week. On the boys' side, the top returning runner is junior Kaleb Manska, who earned a BWAC All-Conference spot in 2022. “He was a low 18s runner a year ago and just missed out on the state finals. He puts in so many miles each week and it will be exciting to see what kind of step forward he takes,” Fraley stated. “On the girls' side, senior Brianna Albers is our star. She’s committed to Spring Arbor University and is a three-time state qualifier, narrowly missing All-State status one of those years. We also have several promising runners on both teams who are growing every day.” Albers finished in the top four places at every BWAC jamboree and also at regionals. The Blue Devils’ goals are diverse: they want to finish near the top of the league standings and the top three spots in the region. Other goals would include personal records for individuals, team health, and establishing team culture for future seasons, according to Fraley.
Yale Bulldogs
The Yale Bulldogs have a camp in the first week of the season in northern Michigan, which they use for training and team building. Always a perennial BWAC and regional power, Yale graduated only one senior (2021 BWAC MVP Lukas Kriesch), so they return a seasoned team with Blake Fergason, the individual league runner-up last fall. Fergason finished third in last year’s regional as well, so the odds look favorable for him to place as one of the area’s top runners in 2023. Boys' coach Jared Shutko is working towards repeating as team BWAC league champions, along with the goal of a regional team championship (they were a close second to St. Clair last fall).
Alongside Fergason, Gio Pardo-Keegan and Acer Campbell create a senior triple threat: only several seconds separate these Bulldogs. Teddy Rutkofske, Nolan Korolden, Jack Nicol, Kale Kovach, and Wyatt Murtos round out the returning squad from last year’s team. Seven Yale runners were All-Conference in the BWAC for 2022, taking half of the 14 all-league spots, which clearly showed their dominant pack running. “We have a very big senior class this year that will provide a lot of leadership for our younger runners. I also believe that our team will be very deep this year, with varsity runners changing from race to race. All of these guys were contributors last year to our success and are back again this season,” Shutko confirmed.
Something new the Lady Bulldogs implemented this season was the Glow Run, where the cross country team met in the (well-lit) school parking lot to kick off the start of official practice and build excitement and camaraderie. Senior Brooklyn Shutko had the “bright” idea, and with the “glo-ahead” from their athletic director, first-year coach Erin Kovach is hoping to make this a new tradition at Yale. "It's a fun way to kick off the official start of the season while running at midnight and wearing glow-in-the-dark attire,” Shutko said. “Not only are we still enjoying the sport, but it's a great opportunity to team bond. Hopefully, this will encourage our new runners to continue the sport, by showing them there are many other things that our team partakes in, other than just traditional running. By doing these activities, our team grows closer, and that's what hopefully will lead us to a successful season. As a senior, I want to be a role model to teammates who will be in my spot one day and will be able to plan these activities that bring the team together."
Audrey Tolan and Shutko are expected to be Yale's front runners. According to Kovach, both have been working hard and have been consistent leaders on the team. “Izzy Goulding is another team member who will likely be competing in our front spots. Izzy had a great track season and is looking forward to continuing her success this fall,” Kovach predicted. “We have many other runners showing great effort and leadership, including Nora Marsh, Micayla McClelland, Kate Sutherland, Ava Childers, Amy Campbell, Padame Wadsworth, Sophie Mongelli, Lauren Fowler, and Lillian Bender.”
The Yale girls will also participate in a team camp Aug. 13-16. Kovach is prioritizing developing a competitive mindset as a primary team goal. Kovach feels confident they are on the right track. “The girls have the potential and are showing great effort. I can't wait to see what they can do!” Their team mantra this year? She believed she could, so she did.
Other Notable Teams and Runners
in the Blue Water Area
Anchor Bay Tars - MAC League (Red)
The big question out of New Baltimore is how fast will Thomas Westphal be this year? The senior returns as the MAC and Regional Champion and one of the top Division 2 runners in the state, also winning the MITCA Meet of Champions in 2022. He placed fourth last year at the state championships (even after losing a shoe with a kilometer to go) and is heavily regarded as the favorite to win the individual state championship this year. Anchor Bay held its team camp in Hale this year. According to boys’ coach Jeff Payne, the team has set their sights on qualifying for the Division 1 state finals and having a strong finish. “We are led by a very strong senior group that has trained hard and smart to get to the point they are at this season,” Payne said. In last year's regional, Aidan Leslie, Zachary Rubicz, and Gabe Rusch all finished within several seconds of each other.
Senior Lauren Thomas is a veteran leading the Lady Tars, winning the James Cleverley Friday Night Invite and running in the 19-minute range on multiple occasions in the previous season. Junior Raelyn Brady saw steady improvement last year as well.
Cardinal Mooney Cardinals - Catholic High School League
The Cardinals attend an annual running camp at Grand Valley State University. Their focus for this year includes goal setting and running their personal bests, according to Coach Matthew Zammit. He expects Tyler Lenn, Isaac Zammit, Max Procissi, and Evan Jacobs to be his top runners. Tyler Lenn finished seventh at regionals last year and punched his ticket to the Division 4 state meet: he’s dropped over two minutes off his personal best since his freshman year. On the girls' side, Maya Furguson dropped over two minutes over the 2022 season and will only be a sophomore. Cardinal Mooney’s team mantra is, “Work hard, believe in yourself, and God.”
Marine City Mariners - MAC League (Blue)
The Marine City Mariners are starting the season with only six girls on the team this year. Therefore, coach Angie Rossi has a primary goal in mind: keeping them injury-free so they have enough girls to compete as a team throughout the entire season. “They are all hard workers and have the potential to be good runners. I think the small size will bring them closer together and could help create more positive team spirit and support for each other,” Rossi said.
Casidhe Flesher has been the number-one runner for Marine City for the last four seasons. Rossi pointed out that she has been improving each year and is ranked in the top 15 in the area. “She has worked hard this summer and is hoping to run at the collegiate level. I expect her senior season will be her best and she'll return to the state meet in November,” Rossi affirmed. “I really look forward to seeing what this group of girls can do. They are such a positive, intelligent, and coachable group. I expect the season to be not only rewarding but a lot of fun. If I can instill in each of them a lifetime love of running, I'll consider it a success.”
For the Mariners boys' team, Alex Robertson ran a 2022 season-best to place 16th at the D2 regional and qualify for the state meet: he will be a senior this season.
Marysville Vikings - MAC League (Blue)
The Viking girls come into this season looking to defend their MAC Blue title and hope to build upon last season’s boy's finish with the goal of placing in the top three teams in the league. Coach Sarah St. Coeur's primary focus is for athletes to improve individually along with building their program. St. Coeur mentioned she wants to foster a welcoming community for all runners while having fun. Lillian Rutallie, who individually qualified for states in 2022 as a sophomore, looks to lead the Viking girls this fall. Rutallie won a MAC Jamboree and placed second in another, dipping below the 20-minute mark several times. On the boys' side, senior captain Trent Glass has been dedicated in the off-season, according to St. Coeur. “We have a great group of hardworking and kind athletes this season! I am excited to see our team continue to grow and improve.”
Memphis Yellowjackets - GTC League (East)
This year, a few Yellowjacket runners participated in Hanson’s Cross Country Camp. Coach Lori Sanborn also serves as the race coordinator for the Memphis Duck Dash during the Memphis Festival Days, where many local cross country athletes can race a pre-season tune-up 5k. As a smaller school in the Greater Thumb Conference, the team will match up against larger schools from around the area at several invitationals throughout the fall. Sanborn has set three main goals: to consistently improve performance, instill the joy of running, “And of course, to qualify for the state meet,” she confirmed.
Incoming freshman Kai Fisher looks to lead the Jackets in the fall. With a dominant middle school season, he won three meets and always finished in the top five spots. Senior Dylan Werner returns as a consistent leader. Noting Fisher and Werner’s natural talent, strong work ethic, and drive, Sanborn acknowledged, “We are in a building year as we graduated four of our five runners last June. I’m excited to see what some of the newbies bring to the table.”
Port Huron Northern Huskies - MAC League (White)
Port Huron Northern’s top runner Glen Davis heads to SC4, leaving the “Lukes” to duke it out for the team’s top honors. Luke Maher and Luke VanderHeuvel were four seconds apart at the regional meet and along with Grant Gonser and Brady Mayer, qualified as a team for the Division 1 state finals last fall.
St. Clair Saints - MAC League (Red)
Winning the Division 2 Regional Team Championship every year since 2020, St. Clair graduated four of their top seven runners, including Carter Boullard, the individual regional champion. Seniors Dylan Distlerath and Vinny Schweihofer, along with junior Korbyn Thornton, were state qualifiers. The Saints will look to continue their state record for the longest state finals qualifying streak (every year since 2000) under new head coach Paul Schneider.
The St. Clair girls placed second to Cros-Lex as a team at last year’s regional and return the bulk of their squad with state meet experience, including Allie Komarowski and Lilyana Bratt, who placed in the top 15 spots at regionals.
The 2023 cross-country season kicks off for many Blue Water Area teams on August 18 at the Mariner Invitational at Columbus Park, as well as August 24 at the Mike Jackson Invitational in Cros-Lex.
*This is a developing post and team information will be updated per any new submissions from coaches.