By BUTCH HARMON
DIVISION 1
Top teams statewide: East Kentwood, Oak Park, Saline, Jackson
Top local teams: Walled Lake Central, Clarkston, East Lansing, Grand Blanc, Grand Ledge
Walled Lake Central placed 10th in Division 1 last season and has a ton of talent back this year. Senior Nick Krumm is a standout hurdler, while Parker Krupic is a two-time state qualifier in the pole vault. A host of sprinters also return.
Clarkston has a solid squad full of talented athletes. Nolan Eriksen leads a strong group of sprinters, while Merrick Canada is a standout in the high jump and long jump. Grant Henley leads a strong corps of distance runners.
East Lansing placed ninth at state last season. The Trojans have a pair of talented sprinters in junior Josh Smith and sophomore Kentre Patterson. Senior Lawrence Davis is a standout in the 200-meter dash, while junior Heath Williams is a standout in the shot put.
Grand Blanc took fourth at state last season and always has a large and talented team. Josiah Smith is a standout sprinter, while senior Austen Manderrnach and sophomore Nathan Peterson lead a deep group of distance runners.
Grand Ledge returns plenty talent from a team that placed seventh at state. Junior Ba Blamo is a standout sprinter who placed fifth at state in the 100-meter dash last season. The Comets also have a large group of distance runners, led by senior Jack Twarozynski, junior Nathan Goschka, and sophomores Christian Hubaker and Tyler McCartney.
More local teams to watch:
Holt has a solid group of athletes, led by sprinter DeShaun Lowery. Senior Tyler Todd is a standout high jumper, while sophomore Nate Wilson is a long jumper to watch.
Lake Orion has won back-to-back regional titles and has a strong crew again this season, led by junior sprinter Sheldon Drake. It is also strong in the distance events, with Andrew Lorant leading the way.
Detroit Catholic Central has plenty of depth. Lance Yassay is a two-time state qualifier in the high jump.
Swartz Creek placed eighth in the state last season. The Dragons are strong in the field events, with junior Brett Pero in the high jump and long jump and junior Kevondre Williams in the throws.
Davison is poised for a big season. The Cardinals are deep in distance runners, led by seniors Joe Renner, Nick Schmidt, and Dillon Welliver. Corran Thornton is solid in the high jump.
Carman-Ainsworth is always strong in the field events, and that is no different this season. Senior Devonte Johnson placed fifth in the pole vault last year. Junior Caron Ruffin is back in the throws, and senior Tyler Minor is a returning long jumper to watch. The Cavaliers also return distance standout Tyler Pangerl and hurdler Cahlil Brownlee.
Waterford Mott is poised for a big year behind distance runner Ryan Robinson. Bogdan Grymut and Blake Borkowski lead the middle distance crew.
Lakeland has one of the top high jumpers in the state. Cody Stemple took second at state last year with a jump of 6’9″.
Novi has a deep team, led by sprinters Naoto Hikawa and Aahmaud Jenkins and middle distance runners Collin Thomas and Nathan Hall.
Midland Dow is paced by senior sprinter Nick Coon, who is one of the top sprinters in the Saginaw Valley League.
DIVISION 2
Top teams statewide: Zeeland West, Byron Center, Melvindale
Top local teams: Avondale, St. Mary’s Preparatory, Waverly
Avondale has one of the top sprinters in the state in senior Joshuwa Holloman, the two-time defending state champion in the 100-meter dash.
St. Mary’s Prep placed fourth at state last season and returns its usual talent-laden lineup. Sophomore Kahle Hamler is a top sprinter, while senior Collin Herrmann heads up the distance group.
Waverly has plenty of speed in the sprint corps, led by DaVarie Halliburton and Qadir Muhammad.
More area teams to watch:
Mason placed seventh at state last season and has another strong team this spring. Senior Derek Troxell is one of the top hurdlers in the area. Junior sprinter Joe Grundstrom, junior thrower Justin Scavarda, senior high jumper Nathan Hanis, and junior pole vaulter Jarrett VanHavel also lead the way.
Williamston also placed in the top ten last year. The Hornets have another solid group, led by senior sprinter Brady Bastien and senior middle distance runner Hunter Grischke.
Linden features solid throwers this year, seniors Kyle Korman and Andy Roberts.
DeWitt is also strong in the field, with senior thrower Jadante Brown and junior pole vaulter Matt Meagher.
Owosso has a solid all-around team this spring. The Trojans are led by senior hurdler Dylan Brooks, junior sprinter Nick Delaney, sophomore sprinter Jay Michels, freshman distance runner Andrew Dallas, and a strong group of throwers that includes seniors Tyler Waterman and Zach Roberts.
Corunna has an outstanding group of distance runners that includes senior Dylan Wilbert, juniors Blake Watson and Jacob Trowbridge, and sophomores Noah Jacobs and Kyle Mesh. Senior Marshall Walters is a strong hurdler, junior Spencer Mort heads up the sprints, and seniors Josh Hanifan and Cooper Clapp are strong throwers.
Swan Valley features one of the top sprinters in the area in senior Alex Grace.
Freeland features some solid field athletes, led by senior Jake Jankoska in the long jump and pole vault and junior Ben Whiting in the long jump and high jump. Senior Ryan Schauman is another talented long jumper, and Anthony Cook is a top thrower. Seniors Matt Denby and Gage Armstrong are strong hurdlers.
St. Johns has a solid group of athletes this season. Junior Steven Linton is a talented sprinter and is joined by senior distance runner Codey Cook and junior long jumper Jake Eaton.
Charlotte is paced by senior middle distance runner Tyler Davis, sophomore sprinter Justin Anderson, senior distance runner Miles Garn, and senior long jumper Jared Dewey.
Lakewood has one of the top young hurdlers in the area in sophomore Noah Caudy.
Cedar Springs has a promising team this spring, led by senior sprinter Mavrick Cotton, senior distance runner Austin Sargent, senior thrower Caden Burrows, and junior pole vaulter Reminton Sawade.
Central Montcalm is led by junior sprinter Logan Davis, along with senior distance runner Joe Baldwin and senior high jumper Mason Barnwell.
Chippewa Hills is paced by senior sprinter Eric Russell, junior hurdler John Wixson, and sophomore distance runner Andrew Ashbaugh.
Mt. Pleasant boasts plenty of skill this spring. Juniors Jack Mogg and Jack Kea lead the sprint corps, while sophomores Mac LaBelle and Tyler Funke lead the distance parade. Senior Gavin Thayer and sophomore Sloan Felton are talented hurdlers.
DIVISION 3
Top teams statewide: Mason County Central, Hillsdale, Standish-Sterling
Top area teams: Meridian, Lansing Catholic, Clare
Meridian brought home the Division 3 state title last year. While some key athletes graduated, the team has some skilled athletes back. Christian Petre heads up a strong group of sprinters that includes Jonas Leal, Adam Slavik, and Miles Leviere. Travis Webb is a talented hurdler.
Lansing Catholic placed fourth at the state meet a year ago. The Cougars have plenty of talent on hand this year, led by junior Tony Palmer and sophomore Konner Maloney in the sprints and seniors Keenan Rebera and Jeffery Lorencen in the distance runs. Senior Jack Peters is a solid long jumper.
Clare has a deep squad led by senior sprinters Will Boberg and Joe Huston. Senior Kevin Spicer-Torres heads up the middle distance. In the field, it is paced by junior pole vaulter Chase Field and throwers senior Tyler Gillespie and junior Levi Boynton.
More area teams to watch:
Frankenmuth is primed for a strong season, led by senior sprinter Denver Bonkowski, senior thrower Matt McGee, and sophomore high jumper Grant Bronner.
Valley Lutheran is led by senior sprinter Connor LeRoy.
Chesaning is loaded with talent this season. The sprint corps is stocked, led by senior Travis Young and junior Bryan Moore. Sophomore Zach McFarlan specializes in the 200-meter dash, while the 400-meter dash has a pair of blazers in senior Harrison Ervin and freshman Sam Forsyth. Chesaning also looks to score points in the field, with senior pole vaulter Kody Keys and freshman long jumper Brandon Keys.
Ovid-Elsie is paced by junior middle distance runner Dakota Pfeiffer and junior hurdler Isaiah Medina.
Pewamo-Westphalia has another solid team. Senior Matthew Schmitt heads up the sprints, with senior Zach Schafer leading the middle distances, senior Caleb Baker the distance runs, and sophomore Jared Smith the hurdles. In the field events, senior Stanley Fink and Dane Van Ells head up the throwers, while senior pole vaulter Kyle Spitzley is another standout.
Saranac features one of the top distance runners in senior Brendan Klynstra.
Carson City-Crystal is paced by senior thrower Joshua Coston and senior Kolton Kavanagh, who is strong in the high jump and the 400 meter-dash.
Lakeview features one of the premier long jumpers in mid Michigan in senior Drake Boomer. Boomer has already jumped 21’11” this spring.
Farwell returns talented senior hurdler Cameron Disbrow and has a strong long jumper in Brandon Buccilli.
DIVISION 4
Top teams statewide: Concord, Saugatuck, Kalamazoo Christian
Top area teams: Southfield Christian, Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Coleman, Breckenridge
Southfield Christian placed third at state last year. Senior Blake Washington heads up the sprinters, and the team is also solid in the relays.
Michigan Lutheran Seminary is paced by talented sophomore Casey Williams, who has already long jumped 22’8″ this season and is a top sprinter.
Coleman has some outstanding field athletes, with senior Jarid Walton in the high jump and junior Elliot Murray in the pole vault. Senior Levi Veltkamp is a skilled hurdler.
Breckenridge is poised for a big season. Junior Gavi Marr is a speedy middle distance runner, while senior Austin Brittain in an outstanding distance runner. Senior Kyle Smith is talented enough to win both the shot and discus at the state meet after placing in both last year.
More area teams to watch:
Crossroads Academy placed sixth at state last year. Senior Andy Duddles leads the team this year, as he is a standout in both the 400-meter dash and the long jump.
Beal City is paced by senior distance standout Nick Pung, along with junior thrower Nash Reeves.
Montabella features a standout in the pole vault in senior Zach Taubitz.
Fulton is led this spring by senior thrower Caleb Feldpaush and senior distance runner Bohdan Hartman.
Fowler is led by senior thrower Mitch Mills and freshman sprinter Brand Thelen.
Portland St. Patrick Catholic is led by junior Isaac Brown, who is a standout in the 800-meter and 1600-meter runs.
Lansing Christian is paced by senior Trace Henderson in the 800-meter run.
Morrice is primed for a strong season. The Orioles are led by senior sprinter Logan Palmer, junior middle distance runner Jake Rivers, and junior thrower Joe Wesley.
New Lothrop features senior hurdler Spencer Wendling and junior thrower Don Quaderer.
Saginaw Arts & Sciences has one of the top sprinters in junior Sean Beckom, who has already run the 100-yard dash in 10.94 seconds and the 200-yard dash in 23.05 seconds this spring.