Pioneer's Ronfeldt Outpaces Fast Field Again, Jenison Claims Historic Win
By
Paul Costanzo
Special for MHSAA.com
November 7, 2026
BROOKLYN – Kamari Ronfeldt ran the second-fastest time in MHSAA Boys Cross Country Finals history Saturday to claim his second-straight Lower Peninsula Division 1 title.
The Ann Arbor Pioneer senior conquered the 5K course at Michigan International Speedway in 14 minutes, 45.9 seconds, winning a highly-competitive race that saw five runners finish under 15 minutes and best the previous year when four accomplished the impressive feat.
“I knew it was going to be like this,” Ronfeldt said. “Last year we had the most sub-15s ever in state history at this course. This year looked just as strong. Caden (Livermore of Grandville, who finished second) got me at Portage. He has an amazing kick, so I had to dig deep in that last 200.”
Livermore’s runner-up time of 14:48.6 was the fourth-fastest ever run at MIS, and Northville’s Brandon Cloud also made the top 10 in taking third at 14:51.2.
Kalamazoo Central’s Samuel Baker was fourth at 14:54, while Macomb L’Anse Creuse North’s Xavier Solgot was fifth at 14:59.4.
A massive pack ran at the front of the race through the first two miles, and it wasn’t until the final 200 meters that Ronfeldt took control.
“I know (Livermore) has a great kick,” Ronfeldt said. “I really didn’t think I had it in me until I started closing on him a little bit. He made a move early, like pretty much as soon as we entered (the final stretch in the stadium), so I knew I had to try to keep up with him.”
While history was being made at the front of the race, Jenison made some of its own, claiming the first team title in program history.
The Wildcats finished the day with 101 points, well ahead of second-place Ann Arbor Skyline at 168.
Both teams had strong packs, but Jenison’s was simply closer to the front, as Ethan Burks (15:30.9), Carter Cooke (15:31.5), Caleb Conner (15:32.2) and Chase Sherman (15:40.5) finished 19th, 20th, 21st and 30th overall, and 12th, 13th, 14th and 21st in the team standings.
“When I say we’re a family outside of this, we’re a family when we’re running,” said Burks, the lone senior in Jenison’s lineup. “We are always together in a group, and we are always working together. We are a team all through it. When I turned around and saw that we were all together, I was like, ‘What does this mean? What does this mean?’ We have been so consistent from the start. We have always been together.”
Hans Templeton finished 61st overall and 41st in the team standings to round out the scoring for Jenison with a time of 15:59.7.
The win for Wildcats also ended Northville’s dominance in the division, as the Mustangs had won the past four Division 1 Finals titles. Northville finished 13th.
PHOTOS (Top) Ann Arbor Pioneer’s Kamari Ronfeldt (6) and Grandville’s Caden Livermore sprint toward the finish line Saturday at MIS. (Middle) Jenison’s Ethan Burks (65), Carter Cooke (67) and Caleb Conner (far left) charge through the final stretch. (Click for more from Dave McCauley/RunMichigan.com.)
Preview: New Contenders Emerge
October 21, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Saturday’s Upper Peninsula Boys Cross Country Finals are guaranteed to crown three first-time individual champions, and one of last season’s team title-winners is expected to be replaced as well at Beauchamp Cross Country Course.
Two-time reigning Division 3 champion Chassell comes into this weekend tied for only the No. 2 ranking in its division, with Brimley and behind favorite Stephenson, which is seeking its first championship since winning Division 2 in 2012.
Races begin Saturday with the Division 1 boys at 11 a.m. and finish with the Division 3 girls at 2 p.m. Check back Saturday evening for coverage of all six Upper Peninsula Finals, and see below for more teams and individuals to watch. The MHSAA Cross Country Finals are sponsored by the Michigan National Guard.
DIVISION 1
Reigning champion: Negaunee
2015 runner-up: Sault Ste. Marie
2016 top three: 1. Negaunee, 2. Houghton, 3. Marquette.
Negaunee remains the favorite this weekend returning five of last season’s seven runners including four who finished among the top 14 – reigning runner-up and junior Colton Yesney, and seniors Ethan Wallner (seventh), Thomas Ziegler (ninth) and Mitchell La Belle (14th). Houghton is expected to move up from fourth last season also returning five of their seven runners – junior Seth Helman led the way coming in eighth individually a year ago. Marquette won in 2013 and 2014 but slipped to third last fall; the Redmen return only two from last fall’s line-up but won their fourth straight Great Northern Conference title on the strength of individual champion Luke Rambo, a junior, and junior runner-up Garrett Rudden.
Individuals: Total, nine of last season’s top 15 are back this weekend and looking to follow graduated Marquette champion Lance Rambo. In addition to those mentioned above, Calumet senior Mitchell Delong was 10th in 2015, and Sault Ste. Marie seniors Aaron Kinsella (12th), Andrew Farlow (13th) and Ryan Sanderson (15th) helped their team to a runner-up finish.
DIVISION 2
Reigning champion: Ishpeming
2015 runner-up: Gogebic
2016 top three: 1. Ishpeming, 2. Munising, 3. Newberry.
The Hematites return three from a lineup that placed all seven runners last season among the top 15 in Division 2. Sophomore Spencer Giroux came in second, seven seconds back, and was followed by now-junior Kyle Pruett (seventh) and Kadin Fox (13th). Munising was fourth in Division 3 last season and graduated that race’s individual champion, Brett Hannah, but brings back its next three finishers led by junior T.J. Wing (10th in Division 3 in 2015). Newberry also ran in Division 3 a year ago, finishing sixth, but brings back four of its seven from that race including sixth-place now-senior Kindred Griffis.
Individuals: This could be the day’s best individual race, with Giroux working to fend off Ironwood sophomore Nick Niemi, who came in third last year, and four more non-teammates who are back from the top 15. Gogebic sophomores Cade Mazzon and Devon Byers were 12th and 15th last season, respectively, while Powers North Central junior Connor Robinson and senior Seth Polfus came in ninth and 13th.
DIVISION 3
Reigning champion: Chassell
2015 runner-up: Dollar Bay
2016 top three: 1. Stephenson, T-2. Brimley, T-2. Chassell.
Chassell has won the last two Division 3 titles but could be chasing Stephenson, which finished fifth in 2015 but has back five of last season’s six runners including junior Ethan Brown (eighth) and senior Mark Cappaert (11th). Chassell does bring back five of last season’s top seven, however, led by senior Hunter Rautiola (fifth) and sophomore Ben Tuomi (seventh). Brimley didn’t run at the Final as a team last season but returns one of four individuals who raced.
Individuals: The individual title could be wide open with the top three from last season not in this race. The highest returning placer is Dollar Bay sophomore Brendan LeClaire, who came in fourth – and only five total of the top 15 are back.
PHOTO: Runners take off during the start of the 2014 Upper Peninsula Division 3 Final.