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‘We all cried’: Whitmore Lake’s state title goes beyond cross-country glory

• Greg Wickliffe |gwickliffe@mlive.com

WHITMORE LAKE – They cried. Then they laughed. Then they cried again.

The emotions ran high for Whitmore Lake’s girls cross country team during the Division 4 state finals this month – and for good reason.

Though they were picked as one of the favorites to win the championship for the first time in nearly 30 years, they were unsure until the final numbers flashed on the scoreboard at Michigan International Speedway.

Not only were they crowned state champions, but they were also now bonded forever.

“We all cried,” said Whitmore Lake sophomore Carina Burchi during an interview with MLive-The Ann Arbor News. “We knew either way we were going to cry because it was our last race together as a team.”

Even before the race began, the Trojan runners were emotional because of everything they had endured to get to the pinnacle of the sport with a chance to make history as a team.

“We all bonded so much this year,” Burchi said. “I’m super happy we won that many races and we all put in so much effort. What I’m taking away from the season is the friendships I made with the people on this team. It’s overwhelming, almost, for me.”

The championship victory was just the beginning of the celebration for the team.

They enjoyed a pep rally at school and had their championship pictures in the hallways. And there’s even a plan to have the team’s photo on a billboard in town.

“A lot of people have been excited about it,” said senior Natalie Meadows. “I’m proud because it’s like a small town and everyone knows we were able to have this championship and do it for our town.”

For freshman Kaylie Livingston, the dedication the team put forth made the reaction from the community even sweeter.

“One thing I appreciate is the hard work we all put in all season,” Kaylie said. “It’s been a big deal because our school hasn’t won anything in a while, so having the banner in the gym and the support is nice.”

Kaylie Livingston led the pack with a second-place finish, while Burchi placed sixth, sophomore Sofia Robertson took 20th, Meadows placed 30th and sophomore Elodie Weaver finished 49th.

Junior Isabella Nelson-Daniels took 149th and senior Ciara Parsons finished 178th.

Having four players earn all-state honors by finishing in the top 30 was impressive, and head coach Casey Livingston said he was especially pleased with Weaver’s performance, who ran 54 seconds faster than she did a week prior to the finals.

“They did a good job keeping the nerves down,” Casey Livingston said. “We went in with a plan and came out with a state championship.”

The Trojans restored the program to its glory days when it claimed three state titles in 1993, 1995 and 1996, with a state runner-up finish in 1994.

It had been a long time, but this year’s team had the right mix of talent and experience to etch its name among the best teams in school history.

“It was the journey watching them,” Casey Livingston said on what he would remember most. “They started in the summer. They met, they ran, and they got Starbucks. Last three weeks of October, we ran really well and that really set the tone.

“We’re going to miss the group. Each team has that unique aspect about it but like the girls said, they’re going to continue to grow, and their bond will get closer.”

Buckley's Harrand Repeats, Livingston Leads Whitmore Lake Run in MIS Debut

By MHSAA.com report

BROOKLYN — Whitmore Lake freshman Kaylie Livingston is the next great thing in MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 4 cross country, but those ranks still belong to Buckley senior Aiden Harrand.

Harrand parlayed her Michigan International Speedway racing experience and veteran savvy into a second straight individual championship Saturday, as well as a Division 4 course record.

Harrand and Livingston ran together most of the race before Harrand pulled away slightly down the stretch to win in 17:38.9. Livingston was second in 17:44.7, also eclipsing the previous Division 4 mark set by four-time champion Kirsten Olling of Breckenridge in 2013.

“It was a little nerve racking, because she’s a good athlete, but I have — I don’t want to say seniority — but I’ve been here longer. I have experience being here,” Harrand said. “I was freaking out, but I knew in the end I could probably hold my own.”

It was the fourth top-five finish for Harrand, who was fifth in 2020 and second in 2021 before winning the last two years.

Understanding the unique characteristics of the MIS course may have given her an edge against a runner who appears primed to take the next three Division 4 crowns.

“Definitely the finish, because I know the finish is longer than a normal finish,” Harrand said. “I feel like I had a little bit of an advantage in that aspect of when to kick it in and when to keep holding it.”

Livingston had a phenomenal freshman season, winning 10 of 13 races heading into MIS. Her three second-place finishes were to runners who placed high in Division 3.

“Running this course was great,” Livingston said. “I’ve been coming here since I was really little, watching everyone run. It was nice to run here for the first time and run against Aiden.”

Although the individual victory eluded her grasp, Livingston got a championship as the top runner for a Whitmore Lake team that scored 78 points to win the team title by 34 points over Johannesburg-Lewiston.

The Trojans put five runners in the top 49, with sophomore Carina Burchi taking sixth, sophomore Sofia Robertson 20th, senior Natalie Meadows 30th and sophomore Elodie Weaver 49th.

Ranked third in Division 4 before the meet, Whitmore Lake won its first team championship since 1996. The Trojans have won four MHSAA titles.

“It was great,” Livingston said. “We worked really hard all season. All the girls put in all the work. I’m just happy to see it pay off.”

We are looking forward to having all of our student-athletes all back on campus (HS - August 7th, MS- August 21st)!   Please read the following practice information for our fall teams.  

ONLINE REGISTRATION - NO MORE PAPER FORMS

This year, we will be offering Student Central for online registration. This digital platform will allow you, and your student(s), to complete and access athletic forms via computer, tablet,or mobile phone. It is HIPAA, COPPA and FERPA compliant. 

ALL STUDENT-ATHLETES MUST HAVE AN UPDATED PHYSICAL ON FILE DATED APRIL 15TH, 2022 OR LATER IN ORDER TO START PRACTICING.   WLPS IS WORKING WITH U OF M AND NORTHFIELD HUMAN SERVICES TO PROVIDE FREE, ON-SITE PHYSICALS ON JULY 26TH, AUGUST 1ST AND 2ND.  

High School Cross Country:

Head Coach - Casey Livingston (casey.livingstonn@wlps.net)

Asst. Coach - Kevin LaMont

Practice schedule for the week of August 7th-11th:

Monday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Thursday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM 

Friday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Click HERE for the 2023 Boys schedule

Click HERE for the 2023 Girls schedule

• Please note all schedules are subject to change

High School Football:

Head Coach: Brian Boron (bboron@ameritech.net)

Asst. Coaches: Steve Ewald, Jamie Ogden, Alex Graff

Practice schedule for the week of August 7th-11th:

Monday: 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Tuesday: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Wednesday: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Thursday: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM 

Friday: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Click HERE for the 2023 Varsity schedule

High School Volleyball:

Head Coach -  Megan Ormerod (megan.ormerod@wlps.net)

Asst. Coach - Kali Roth

Practice schedule for the week of August 7th-11th:

Monday: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Thursday: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Friday: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Click HERE for the 2023 Varsity schedule

Click HERE for the 2023 JV schedule

• Please note all schedules are subject to change

High School Girls Swimming:

Head Coach: Alicia Webber (alicia.webber@wlps.net)

Practice schedule for the week of August 7th-11th:

Monday: 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Tuesday: 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Wednesday: 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Thursday: 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Friday: 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Click HERE for the 2023 schedule. 

High School Sideline Cheer:

Head Coach: Macayla Komor

Practice schedule for the week of August 7th-11th:

Monday: 6:45 PM - 8:45 PM

Tuesday: No Practice

Wednesday: 6:30 PM - 8:45 PM

Thursday: 6:45 PM - 9:00 PM

Friday: No Practice

Middle School Football: 

Head Coach: Joe O’Connell (joseph.poconnell@gmail.com)

Asst. Coaches: Blake Vershum, Derrick Fair, and Rob Wonnacott

- Practice schedule for the week of August 21st-25th:

Note: The middle school team will practice at the Jennings Athletic Complex football field. 

Monday: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM 

Tuesday: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM 

Wednesday: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM 

Thursday: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM 

Friday: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM 

3-way scrimmage - August 29th @ 5:30 (WLPS football field)

Click HERE for the 2023 schedule 

• Please note all schedules are subject to change

Middle School Cross Country:

Head Coach - Casey Livingston (casey.livingstonn@wlps.net)

Asst. Coach - Kevin LaMont

Practice schedule for the week of August 21st-25th

Monday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Thursday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM 

Friday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Click HERE for the 2023 schedule. 

• Please note all schedules are subject to change

Middle School Volleyball: 

Coach: Mike LaNew (Mike.LaNew@wlps.net)

Practice schedule for the week of August 21st-25th:

Monday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Thursday: No Practice

Friday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Click HERE for the 2023 schedule. 

• Please note all schedules are subject to change

Middle School Sideline Cheer:

Head Coach: Sh’Knyia Rogers (shkniyarogers0222@gmail.com) 

Practice schedule for the week of August 21st-25th is still TBD.