Two local runners cracked the top 10 at the MHSAA Division 1 State Finals on Saturday at Michigan International Speedway. Pioneer’s outstanding freshman Kamari Ronfeldt finished fourth in 15 minutes, 08.6 seconds and Dexter’s sensational senior Brandon Anderson crossed the finish line in seventh place in 15:19.9.
Grand Haven’s Seth Norder took first overall in 14:54.3 followed by New Baltimore Anchor Bay’s Thomas Westphal (14:57.9) and Northville’s Brendan Herger (15:05.6).
Northville ran to a D-1 State Title with 128 points, beating out Brighton (141) and Grand Haven (187). Pioneer crossed the finish line in sixth place with 265 points, just behind Canton (253) and ahead of Jenison (281).
Dexter returned to the state finals as a team and finished in 13th place out of 28 teams with 365 points. Saline, another SEC team, ran 15th with 385 points. Skyline’s roster included three freshmen and a sophomore and the young Eagles landed in 26th place with 541 points.
Pioneer’s Ronfeldt completed an amazing season especially for a first-year runner. The ninth-grader finished first in four races this past season including a win at both the SEC Championships and the Regional at Lake Erie Metropark. His state finals time was a PR as he saved his best for last in what promises to be a bright future.
Anderson, who qualified as an individual last year, also had a dominant 2023 season. He was first in two races and really peaked at the right time of the season. He was third in the SEC Championships and first at the Regionals hosted by Holly before his top-10 run on Saturday.
Pioneer also had a strong run from Vincent Peterson Sand. The senior capped off a strong career with his time of 15:29.7, which placed him in 14th place. Peterson Sand was third at the Lake Erie Regional and fourth at the SECs.
Also helping the Pioneers to their sixth-place finish were sophomore Beckett Crooks (53rd, 16:04.4), sophomore Theo Sacks-Thomas (113th, 16:30.4), senior Patrick Donoghue (176th, 16:52.5) and senior Joey Stevenson (215th, 17:13.5).
Dexter had two other runners finish among the top 100 with junior Caleb Snyder taking 86th in 16:22.4 and junior Julian Linebaugh running 97th in 16:26.6. Junior Elijah Smith was 148th (16:41.1), senior Sam Gibson was 168th (16:49.6), junior Scott Smith was 194th (17:00.6) and senior Jack McCalla was 223rd (17:20.6).
Skyline (above with girls team) had two seniors finish their high school careers with impressive races. Luke Suliman placed 29th with a time of 15:42.6 and Mason Jett landed 34th in 15:52.5. Sophomore Bruno Cifaldi was 216th in 17:14.7, freshman Enshu Kuan was 224th in 17:20.8, junior Jack Robichaud was 245th (17:42.9), freshman Matthew Guikema was 248th (17:50) and freshman Nicholas Yuan was 254th (18:02).
Huron had three runners qualify individually for the state finals after strong showings at Regionals. Junior Walker Brose was 117th (16:30.9), senior Lucas Weintraub was 127th (16:33.7) and senior Henry Beard was 200th (17:05.5).
