Michigan's Girls Are On Another Level
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A few important things happened in Michigan this weekend.
1. The first is that Lansing Catholic continues to be led by a Theis. Only it's not Olivia. This year, it's Jaden. This isn't really surprising. While Olivia Theis had a stellar run in 2017, helping Lansing Catholic to a Division 2 state XC title, an individual championship and a big finish at Foot Locker Nationals, her sister, Jaden, was a solid No. 2. But in 2018, there are no training wheels. Jaden, who finished sixth at the state meet last year, will step in her sister's shoes and look to lead Lansing Catholic. In her first race of 2018, she was six seconds off a PR and finished in a US No. 4 mark of 17:25.20 at the Michigan Catholic Invitational, which was a 50-second improvement year-over-year.
2. Benzie Moss, once again, was a fast course. The 5K in Benzonia, Michigan, drew three of the top times in the country last year, with Anne Forsyth (16:50.30), Adelyn Ackley (16:54.50) and Sielle Kearney (16:54.80) all breaking the tape in under 17 minutes. But maybe the lines were drawn a little better in 2018, because no one broke 17 minutes this weekend. Still, Hart (MI) High School senior Adelyn Ackley, ranked No. 17 on the preseason MileSplit50, was back to the grindstone and offered a US No. 3 effort of 17:03.80 to take the win. Her sister, Savannah, was fourth overall in 18:09.60. Anne Forysth's younger sister, Sarah, meanwhile was fifth in 18:09.60. Another development to be aware of, too, is the emergence of Hart within Michigan and beyond. Led by the Ackley's, the team won Benzie Moss with 72 points--Ann Arbor Pioneer was a close second with 76--and averaged 18:39 thoguh with a 2:37 compression.
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