No. 21: Connell Alford
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School: Chelsea (MI)
Year: 2024
2022 Notable Finishes: 14th at Champs Sports Nationals in 15:25.90; 8th at Champs Sports Midwest in 15:14.70; Sixth at NXR Midwest in 14:57.60; 1st at MHSAA Division 2 Finals in 15:12.61; 1st at MHSAA Region 18-2 in 14:53.05.
Analysis: Athletes from Michigan tend to run a lot over the fall.
But for individuals like Alford, others take it in stride. The senior from Chelsea won nine of 13 competitions last year, including the Michigan Division 2 Finals, a race where Alford covered the 5K course in 15:12 to win.
His success continued at Champs Sports Midwest, where he qualified for nationals in 15:14, and then his season finale saw him score an All-American finish at Balboa Park in 15:25.90.
At the same time, racing often can bring toughness, and that is something Alford has in spades.
His outdoor season saw him clock PRs of 4:15 in the 1,600m and 9:13.48 in the 3,200m. The latter performance won him a Michigan Outdoor title.
THE MILESPLIT50 PRESEASON BOYS INDIVIDUAL
NATIONAL RANKINGS COUNTDOWN
RANK | DATE-TEAM |
|---|---|
| 25 | Aug. 21 -- Aden Bandukwala |
| 24 | Aug. 21 -- Anthony Provenzano |
| 23 | Aug. 21 -- Andrew Hauser |
| 22 | Aug. 21 -- Jack Meier |
| 21 | Aug. 21 -- Connell Alford |
| 20 | Aug. 22 -- Ryan Pajak |
| 19 | Aug. 23 -- Brayden Marshall |
| 18 | Aug. 24 -- Jason Parra |
| 17 | Aug. 25 -- Sage Wilde |
| 16 | Aug. 26 -- Joe Barrett |
| 15 | Aug. 27 -- JoJo Jourdon |
| 14 | Aug. 28 -- Marcelo Parra |
| 13 | Aug. 29 -- Seth Norder |
| 12 | Aug. 30 -- Ty Steorts |
| 11 | Aug. 31 -- Josiah Tostenson |
| 10 | Sept. 1 -- Adam Burlison |
| 9 | Sept. 2 -- Byron Grevious |
| 8 | Sept. 3 -- Paul Bergeron |
| 7 | Sept. 4 -- Jake Liebert |
| 6 | Sept. 5 |
| 5 | Sept. 6 |
| 4 | Sept. 6 |
| 3 | Sept. 6 |
| 2 | Sept. 6 |
| 1 | Sept. 6 |