First-Time Champs Reign in Boys D3
November 7, 2015
By Bill Khan
Special for Second Half
BROOKLYN — It would've made things easier for Abe Visser had James McCann not improved so much this year.
But Visser isn't interested in taking the easy path to success.
Visser, a senior at Grandville Calvin Christian, became the school's first MHSAA cross country champion by posting a time of 15:34.8 on Saturday in the Lower Peninsula Division 3 Final at Michigan International Speedway.
He won a duel with McCann, a senior at Holland Black River, who took second in 15:48.4. The two battled it out until Visser pulled away late in the race.
Visser has always finished considerably higher than McCann at the MHSAA Finals. In 2013, Visser was 15th and McCann was 104th. Last year, Visser was third and McCann was 26th.
"I raced McCann four times this season," said Visser, who won all four matchups. "Each time, he's given me quite a run. He really came out of nowhere this year. It was unexpected, but I'm glad he made that jump, because it pushes me. It helps me run well."
Visser also lamented the absence of Zac Wright-Fisher of Scottville Mason County Central. Wright-Fisher is a three-time all-stater who was second last year, but an uncharacteristic third in the Regional last Saturday in 16:33.27.
"My main competitor, who would've been here this year, I think is injured," Visser said. "That's not good. That would've been fun to race him really hard."
Winning the title is the culmination of a dream Visser didn't believe was possible when he finished 51st as a freshman.
"A couple years ago, I never thought this would happen," he said. "But after last year at state, I realized I might be able to do it. You never expect to win state, at least not that young. That's just insane."
Despite lacking the star power of its most recent teams, Lansing Catholic won an MHSAA championship for the first time in 13 trips to the Finals, edging two-time defending champion Benzie Central by a 124-127 score. Holland Black River was third with 149 points.
Lansing Catholic had individual champions in Zachary Zingsheim (2011) and Keenan Rebera (2013 and 2014) in recent years, finishing second twice and third once in the last five seasons. The Cougars finally got to the top, despite not having a runner finish among the top 19.
Junior Ethan Markey, running in his third MHSAA Finals, placed 20th in 16:25.1 to lead Lansing Catholic. Also scoring for the Cougars were freshman Will Peters (26th, 16:32.1), sophomore Ryan Schroeder (28th, 16:33.5), freshman Erin Warriner (46th, 16:59.1) and sophomore Sammy Migaldi (72nd, 17:10.0).
Benzie Central had two runners cross before Markey in third-place Brayden Huddleston (15:55.3) and 15th-place Jake Williams (16:16.2), but didn't have Lansing Catholic's depth.
Benzie Central was trying to match the three-peat of its teams from 1984-86. The Huskies have eight MHSAA championships.
The MHSAA Cross Country Finals are sponsored by the Michigan National Guard.
PHOTOS: (Top) Grandville Calvin Christian’s Abe Visser makes his way toward the finish and the school’s first individual cross country championship. (Middle) Lansing Catholic’s Will Peters came in 26th to help the Cougars to their first MHSAA team title.
Pinckney's Jarema, Otsego Celebrate 1st Finals Victories
November 6, 2021
BROOKLYN — When Caleb Jarema crossed the finish line at Michigan International Speedway a year ago, a bull’s eye was painted on his back.
Having placed second in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 cross country race behind Fremont senior Nathan Walker, Jarema automatically became the man to beat in 2021 as the only non-senior in the top four.
Jarema fulfilled the promise he showed at MIS as a junior, winning the Division 2 race Saturday with a time of 15:22.22.
He won by 6.63 seconds over Fremont’s latest senior standout, Conor Somers.
“I feel like I’ve had somewhat of a target on my back,” Jarema said. “I was more worried about the team. Obviously, I think a little bit about, ‘I want to be individual champion,’ but my focus this year is just trying to get the team to win.”
Pinckney, it turned out, finished fifth for the second year in a row.
The Pirates have a rich cross country tradition, having won three consecutive Division 1 championships from 2005-07. During that time, David Emery (2006) and Brian Hankins (2007) led Pinckney by winning individual championships.
Now Jarema has added his name to that legacy.
“We have this wall at Pinckney of people who have been all-state,” Jarema said. “It’s in our athletic hall, so every day I walk by and see Brian Hankins and David Emery, who were state champs. It’s a little thing that reminds me every day what I’m working for.”
Pinckney was still in Division 1 during Jarema’s first two years of high school. He didn’t qualify for the state meet as a freshman, placing 38th at Regionals in 17:18.2. As a sophomore, while also playing varsity soccer, Jarema qualified for the Division 1 Final by taking 11th at Regionals. He showed potential by taking 38th in the MHSAA Final in 16:12.8.
Like former Grand Blanc star Grant Fisher, he gave up soccer his junior year, in Jarema’s case because of the toll playing both sports was taking on his body.
“I definitely miss soccer,” Jarema said. “(Cross country) has kind of just become my home. I love the people.”
After five top-five finishes in Division 2 over the last six seasons, Otsego won its first MHSAA team championship by a 135-147 score over Chelsea.
Senior Nick Cockerel was ninth in 15:53.86, senior Tristin Canales was 15th in 15:59.58, senior Mason Kolhoff was 17th in 16:01.35, senior Chase Brown was 36th in 16:29.17 and junior Colin Wesseldyk was 95th in 17:05.04 for Otsego.
Chelsea could be primed to be crowned champion next season, as the Bulldogs were led by sophomore standout Connell Alford’s fourth-place time of 15:42.64 and had three juniors take places two through four in their lineup.
PHOTOS (Top) Pinckney’s Caleb Jarema closes in on his first MHSAA Finals championship Saturday afternoon. (Middle) Otsego’s Nick Cockerel (1284) and Grand Rapids Christian’s Tinsae Nelson (1234) and Ben Zwart (1238) make their push toward the finish. (Click for more from RunMichigan.com.)