By BUTCH HARMON
DIVISION 1
Top teams statewide: East Kentwood, Oak Park, Northville
Top local teams: Rockford, Birmingham Seaholm, Walled Lake Northern, Davison
Rockford placed fourth in the state last season and has an eye on a lofty finish this season. Senior Sammy Cuneo is one of the premier sprinters in the state. Sophomore Olivia Rademacher is an outstanding hurdler, while senior Maegan McCarthy is an outstanding thrower. The Rams also excel in the relays.
Seaholm has a dynamic pair of distance runners in Audrey Belf and Rachel DaDamio. Madison Merrideth is an outstanding sprinter for a team that placed fifth at state a year ago.
Walled Lake Northern has a deep and talented squad. Senior Riley Johnson is a strong thrower.
Davison returns plenty of talent from a squad that placed 12th at state last year. Sophomore Ara Wilson is a talented high jumper. Senior Nicole Martinbianco and junior Ciara Robinson are talented sprinters. Senior Amanda George leads the distance crew, while senior Courtney Gifford is a solid hurdler.
More local teams to watch:
Novi has plenty of depth and skill. Senior Hannah Lonergan is the leader of a strong distance crew, while senior Logan Flynn is a solid sprinter.
Brighton is a team with plenty of talented youngsters. Junior Erin Dowd is a strong hurdler, and sophomores Sam Fusik and Miranda Reynolds are standouts in the 800-meter run. Freshman Alexa Spaanstra is making a big impression in the 200- and 400- meter dashes.
Milford has a well-balanced and veteran squad. Senior Madison Paquette leads the distance crew. It is strong in the field events, with senior Dana Shove in the discus and senior Whitney Mergens in the jumps.
Farmington Hills Harrison is led by one of the premier sprinters and hurdlers in the state in senior Maya Roberts.
Waterford Mott is paced by sophomore middle distance runner Alexis Munley and freshman Katie Osika, a standout in the 800-meter run.
Clarkston is led by senior hurdler Taylor Mullins. The Wolves are strong in the field events, with junior high jumper Megan Nicholson. Junior Nicole Hanson leads the distance crew.
Flushing has one of the top high jumpers in the state in junior Bre Perry. Senior Addie May is a standout in the distance races.
Midland Dow sophomore Emily Wall is strong in the middle distance events.
Midland looks to make a move in the Saginaw Valley League. Sophomore Jayden Williams is a standout sprinter. Senior Rachel Levy is an outstanding distance runner, while junior Rebekah Walter is a top hurdler.
East Lansing features a strong group of relay teams. Sophomore Taylor Manson is a standout in the 200- and 400-meter dashes, with junior Brianna Wells a solid high jumper.
Grand Ledge has a solid group of field athletes, led by senior long jumper Hailey French. Junior Nicole Novak is a standout in the 200-meter dash, while sophomore Jenna Magness is a top distance runner.
Greenville has one of the most versatile and talented sophomore classes in the state. Landon Kemp is an outstanding hurdler, who also scores points in the long jump and pole vault. Haley Peters is also a solid hurdler.
DIVISION 2
Top teams statewide: Spring Lake, Divine Child Catholic, Forest Hills Eastern
Top local teams: Chippewa Hills, Waverly, Williamston, Flint Southwestern
Chippewa Hills captured the state title last season, and the Warriors have the talent to repeat. They are solid in the field, with senior jumper Emonee’ Anderson, junior high jumper Jennifer McNeal, and throwers Rachel Baldwin and Michaela Whipple. Freshman Hannah Todd is a speedy sprinter who joins junior Nicole Snyder in the sprint crew. Senior Kylie Schafer heads up the middle distances, junior Joelle Humpula is the top hurdler, and senior Emily Starck leads the distance crew.
Waverly has plenty of youth and speed. Freshman Maya Garrett is making an impact in the 200-meter dash, while sophomore Teaghan Thomas is a standout high jumper.
Williamston is poised for a big season this year, led by a strong senior class that includes Sarah Schultz, a top high jumper and middle distance runner, and Paige Dutcher, a long jumper. Sophomore Grace Lounsberry is a standout hurdler, and senior Jessica Lycos is a strong high jumper. Juniors Laura Nemeth, Julia Henderson, and Taylor Condit lead a strong corps of sprinters.
Flint Southwestern has plenty of talent, led by senior sprinter Mildrenae Young, senior hurdler Danielle Horton, and senior long jumper Miaisha Blair.
More local teams to watch:
Detroit Country Day has one of the top sophomore hurdlers in the state in Michaiah Thomas. Jackie Bredenberg is a standout distance runner.
Fowlerville is led by junior sprint standout Emma Roedell.
Powers Catholic is led on the track by junior hurdler Tyra Hunter and in the field by junior thrower Nikole Sargent.
Swan Valley is paced by standout junior Lauren Huebner, who is one of the top hurdlers in the state and who is also a standout long jumper.
Corunna has a strong group of seniors, led by Rylie Martin, a standout in the pole vault, along with freshman Myah Kelly. Martin is also a sprinter. Senior Hannah Dean is a standout in the throws, while sophomore Meredith Norris is a talented high jumper. Senior Emily Mesh leads the distance crew, with sophomore Avery Lovejoy a middle distance talent and sophomore Baylee Balcom a strong hurdler.
Owosso has one of the premier middle distance runners in the state in senior Dillon McClintock. Senior Anna Schultabers and junior Erin Konopacke are strong hurdlers, while Alyssa Lopez is a standout in the throws.
Haslett has a pair of solid sprinters in seniors Kikel Sekoni and Kezie DeCook.
St. Johns is led by one of the premier distance runners in the state in senior Karrigan Smith. Smith set a new state final record enroute to winning the 1600-meter run last spring.
DeWitt is in a bit of a rebuilding phase after taking third at state last spring. The Panthers do return standout senior hurdler Amber Koenigsknecht and senior Madsion Slater in the middle distances.
Eaton Rapids features senior Mary Hecksel, who is a standout in the discus.
Charlotte has a solid squad led by senior high jumper Emily Helfrich and junior Allly Goeman in the sprints.
Ionia is paced by senior high jumper Anna VanSyckle.
Belding has a strong team, led by senior middle distance runner Monica Baylis and junior thrower Greta Wilker.
Cedar Springs is paced by senior distance standout Kenzie Weiler, a premier miler and two-miler in the state. Junior Allyson Marvel is a standout in the pole vault.
Mt. Pleasant is led by talented senior sprinter Lindsey DeFrain. Sophomore Whitney Taylor is a standout in the middle distances.
DIVISION 3
Top teams statewide: Napoleon, Manistee, Charlevoix
Top area teams: Frankenmuth, Pewamo-Westphalia, Ithaca
Frankenmuth won the Division 3 state title last spring and is primed to repeat this season. Senior Sarah Beulla is the premier sprinter in the state in the division. Senior Sydney Bronner is the top hurdler in the state and also a standout in the jumps. Senior Stephanie Lambeth is a premier pole vaulter, while junior Keri Frahm leads in the throws.
Pewamo-Westphalia took second at state last year and will be among the leaders again this season. Sophomore Brenna Wirth is a standout sprinter. The field events are strong again, led by junior Emma Schafer in the throws and senior pole vaulter Abby Wirth.
Ithaca is loaded with talent this season and on track for a lofty finish at state. The Yellowjackets have an abundance of sprinters, led by junior Erica Sheahan, who is also a strong long jumper. They also have plenty of distance runners, led by senior Hannah Thayer and sophomore Courtney Allen. Blaire Showers and Kurstin Kalisek are standouts in the middle distances. Sophomore Emily Foster is a strong hurdler.
More area teams to watch:
Farwell is poised for a strong season. Sophomore Kasey Staley is one of the top pole vaulters in the area. Freshman Lillian Albaugh is one to watch in the throws, with junior Contessa Hammond a top distance runner.
Clare has a solid group of athletes, led by sophomore distance runner Jasmine Harper and junior hurdler Paige Gould.
Shepherd has a strong squad this season, paced by sophomore Rachel Mathers in the 400-meter dash. The Blue Jays are strong in field events, with senior thrower Sarah Roethlisberger and junior pole vaulter Sarah Bellinger.
St. Louis is paced by senior Mallory Munderloh in the middle distances.
Carson City-Crystal has a strong group of distance runners in senior Kaitlin Beyer and Laerke Roos and Taylor Ward.
Laingsburg is led by senior hurdler Erica Halick and senior thrower Nicky McAvoy.
Bath is led by senior distance runner Annie Fanta and sophomore middle distance runner Tessa Hosford.
DIVISION 4
Top teams statewide: Reading, Traverse City St. Francis, Pittsford
Top area teams: Fowler, Beal City
Fowler placed third at the state meet last season and has another deep and athletic team. Junior Madison Koenigsknecht is a solid middle distance runner, while junior Julie Thelen is an outstanding long jumper. Freshman Sidney Horak is making a big impact in the sprints and in the long jump.
Beal City took fifth at state last year and is poised for another strong season. Senior Emily Steffke is a standout distance runner. Senior Jaclyn Woodbury leads the way in the throws, and freshman Ashley Reihl is making an impact in the hurdles.
More area teams to watch:
Defending Mid-State Athletic Conference champion Montabella has another strong team. Brynn Lobert heads up the sprint crew, while junior Kensington Garvey is a strong middle distance runner. Junior Katrina Buskirk is a solid thrower.
Breckenridge freshman Chloe Brittain is off to a solid start in the distance events.
Sacred Heart Academy is led by sophomore distance standout Alexis McConnell and by senior thrower Bainy Scully.
Fulton is paced by talented freshman Megan Struble in the hurdles and long jump.
Vestaburg senior Micki Drumm is a standout in the discus.
Morrice is led by sophomore sprinter Taylor Hewitt .
New Lothrop features sophomore thrower Claudia Freed.