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PETOSKEY – October 29, 2025 – St. Michael High School (SMHS), the only Classical high school in Northern Michigan, announced today that both of its Cross Country (XC) teams were victorious at last Saturday’s Division-4 Regional at Mancelona. It was the third Regional title in the last six years for the Gentlemen, while the Ladies earned their first Regional title in program history.
Both teams now head to the State Finals at Michigan International Speedway. The Ladies are off to Brooklyn ranked 13th, their first-ever appearance in the D-4 coaches poll, and likely to achieve their best-ever finish. The 6th-ranked Gents seek a ‘top ten’ landing (and more) for the seventh straight season.
“What a blessed day for our program and our school!” exclaimed Guardians Head Coach Larry Rudnicki. “While the Gents were expected to win big, the Ladies had a challenge on their hands and battled to pull off a minor upset.”
Coach Rudnicki continued, “The main theme of our impressive performances – and of the upward trend of our entire season – is patience. Unfailingly, the more patient we are, the better we place, individually and as full teams. The ability to advance efficiently through a long distance race is a trait of mature, confident runners. We’ve come a long way this season. I look forward to the State Finals and like our odds of outperforming expectations one more time.”
In the Ladies race, the then-unranked Guardians claimed the title with 62 points, eight points ahead of previously 12th-ranked Bellaire at 70. Rogers City punched the final ticket to State, taking third with 81 points, just ahead of East Jordan at 85. (Lower is better in Cross Country scoring.)
Individually, Veronica Paga became the first-ever Guardian lady to win a Regional title, handily claiming first in 20:19, a 25-second personal best. After a measured start, she opened up a sizable lead by the mile and wasn’t challenged the rest of the way. Mea Wesley was next in fifth place at 20:42, a 47-second personal best and more than three-minutes faster than her Regional time a year ago.
They were followed by Ella Nolan (15th in 21:39), Sofia Cadarette (18th in 22:10), and Helena Ramsey (26th in 23:54), all of whom also set new personal bests, led by a massive 69-second jump from Nolan. Nora Weed and Isabelle Steed also competed for the Guardians.
The Guardian gents dominated their race, finishing with just 23 points, well ahead of Mackinaw City, Ellsworth, and Fairview at 78, 80, and 82 points, respectively. The win marked the seventh straight season that St. Michael has finished first or second at its XC Regional.
Individually, the team was led by Cody Bradley, who placed second in 16:37, his third straight finish as Regional champion or runner-up. He was followed by Atticus Cadarette and Caleb Chamberlin in fourth and fifth, both of whom ran exceptional races, storming their way up the field after a patient opening mile. They were followed by Cole Wesley (11th in 17:41) and Cooper Feagan (14th in 18:12).
Chamberlin, of Harbor Light, continued his incredible rookie season, leading the ‘most improved’ category with a 53-second personal best. (St. Michael XC is a Co-op with Harbor Light Christian.)
All five St. Michael scorers medaled and would have earned their way to State individually, had they not comprised a qualifying team. Thomas Steed and Carl Nolan also competed for the Guardians.
Full results of Regional 28-4 are available HERE.
St. Michael High School is High School with a Higher Purpose and a proud member of the Chesterton Schools Network. Established in 2013, the St. Michael mission is to nurture and elevate a new generation of joyful leaders educated in the Classical tradition and truth of the Catholic faith. For more information, please visit the SMHS website at stmichaelchesterton.org.