DIVISION 1
Teams to watch statewide: East Kentwood, Grand Blanc, Lake Orion, Walled Lake Central, Oak Park, Saline
Top local teams: Davison, Swartz Creek, Bay City Central
Preview: East Kentwood has won four of the last five state titles. “I am hoping to have a strong season,” said coach David Emeott. “We have many returning state qualifiers from a year ago, who have worked very hard over the off-season.”
Lakeview is 45-1 in duals over the last eight seasons. The team “lost a great senior class to graduation, but I feel that our current squad is young, but has a ton of potential,” said coach Matt Miller.
Grand Blanc coach Edward Stanbury has some good talent to contend for a state title. “We should be top five again,” he said. “The past two years, we have been runners-up in Division 1. We hope to do the same or [take the] top spot.”
“The Ottawa Hills boys will be a legit threat to win the state title in the 100m and 200m dash individually and in the 4×200 and 4x100m relay,” said Ottawa Hills coach Antonio Shellman. “The boys’ team only have a handful of seniors, but our juniors and sophomores athletes have championship meet experience, finishing second last year at Division 2 state championships.”
Lowell coach Sarah Ellis commented, “We lost several key seniors last year, so this year will be a growing year; we have many young athletes.”
Top performers in the state: Grant Fisher, Grand Blanc; Drake Gauthier, Grand Blanc; Devin McKinney, East Kentwood; Antoine Lloyd, East Kentwood; Justin KipRotich, East Kentwood; Kevin Smith, East Kentwood; Ben Hester, East Kentwood; Jalen Evans, Lakeview; Sam Beal, Ottawa Hills; Shawn Kneeland, Ottawa Hills
Top local performers: Daniel Kroth, Okemos; Dietrich Hittner, East Lansing; Michael Buffin, Grand Ledge; Liam Kelly, Lowell
State finals prediction: East Kentwood will easily win another title.
DIVISION 2
Teams to watch statewide: Allendale, Chelsea, Ottawa Hills
Top local teams: Cedar Springs, Lansing Sexton, Williamston
Preview: Chelsea finished ahead of Ottawa Hills for the title last season.
Trevor Curtis in the 3,200-meter run will lead the Belding attack.
Alma plans on being a TVC Central contender. “Young athletes will need to step into major scoring roles, and we need to stay healthy,” said coach Chris Brown.
Top local performers: Austin Sargeant, Cedar Springs; Mason VanDyke, Mason; Blake Watson, Corunna; Alex McCormick, Haslett
State finals prediction: Chelsea will emerge again as state champion.
DIVISION 3
Teams to watch statewide: Kelloggsville, Mason County Central, Standish-Sterling Central
Top local teams: Frankenmuth, Lansing Catholic, Nouvel Catholic Central
Preview: Kelloggsville is the defending state champion.
Ithaca will be strong in the sprints. “This year will have to be a rebuilding year to develop the younger athletes,” said coach Jason Marcy. “I have a good group of seniors that will be invaluable to helping me develop the new talent.”
“I expect that we will be in the top five teams at the state finals,” said Lansing Catholic coach Tim Simpson. “We have been in the top 10 the last three years and won the championship in 2012.”
Top local performers: Jack Peters, Lansing Catholic; Nick Peters, Lansing Catholic; Keenan Rebera, Lansing Catholic; James Sira, Bullock Creek; Hunter Nivision, Clare
State finals prediction: Standish-Sterling Central will be the champion this season.
DIVISION 4
Teams to watch statewide: Albion, Concord, Evart, Saugatuck
Preview: Saugatuck is the defending state champion.
“I believe Concord will dominate the state finals,” said Reading coach Kurt Stump. “They have sprints through 3,200.”
Top local teams: Crossroads Charter Academy, Pewamo-Westphalia
Top performers in state: Max Hodges, Evart; Shannon Cummins, Reading; Mason Thomas, Reading
Top local performers: Cooper Terry, Sacred Heart Academy; Tanner Droste, Pewamo-Westphalia; Nick Pung, Beal City; Bruce Thelen, Fowler; Thomas Horak, Fowler; Nathaniel Feldpausch, Fowler; Zach Feldpausch, Fowler
State finals prediction: Evart has won two straight MITCA titles and will finally take an MHSAA crown this year.