In a standout performance at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 state finals held on March 15, 2024, at Michigan Speedway, Xavier Solgot from Macomb L’Anse Creuse North finished an impressive 11th overall. This achievement marks a significant turnaround for the sophomore, who previously did not place in the top 200 during his freshman year. Solgot clocked a remarkable time of 15:18.00, shattering his own school record by nearly 11 seconds and becoming the highest state-meet finisher in his school’s history.
The competition was fierce, with Northville taking the Division 1 state title with 125 points, narrowly surpassing Ann Arbor Pioneer at 134 points. Kalamazoo Central secured third place with 176 points, followed by Brighton at 202 points and Clarkston at 211 points in a field of 27 schools.
Romeo Improves in Team Performance
Romeo also showcased improvement, finishing 14th overall with 337 points, a significant leap from their 24th place finish in the previous year’s state finals. Coach Mike Buslepp expressed pride in the team’s performance, noting their dedication and hard work throughout the season. “I think as a group they trained harder this year and took it more seriously,” he said. “We still ended up top 15 in the state.”
Romeo’s top finisher was Owen Perry, who placed 73rd with a time of 16:06.70. Other notable finishes included James Brickel in 90th with 16:12.80, Rio Hrabovsky in 98th at 16:17.40, and Luke Allen in 109th with 16:20.40. Macomb Dakota and Utica Eisenhower also competed, finishing 21st and 27th, respectively.
Individual Highlights and Other Competitors
Pioneer’s Kamari Ronfeldt emerged as the individual state champion, clocking an impressive 14:50.60. He was one of four runners to break the 15-minute barrier. Northville’s Brandon Cloud followed closely in second, finishing with a time of 14:52.80.
In Division 2, Joshua Macri from Macomb Lutheran North stood out as the highest finisher from Macomb County, ending the race at 19th with a time of 15:53.70 and earning All-State honors. The Lutheran North team placed 24th overall with 508 points. Flint Powers Catholic claimed the team title with 98 points, just ahead of East Grand Rapids at 106 points.
Meanwhile, in Division 3, Maxwell Durham was the sole state qualifier from Macomb County, finishing 27th with a time of 16:15.50 and achieving All-State status. The state champion in this division was Hunter Eaton from Charlevoix, clocking in at 15:30.80.
This year’s state finals highlighted not just individual talents but also the collective strength of teams from the Macomb County area, showcasing their determination and skill on a prominent stage.
