This week we take a look at the Great Lakes region, home of the powerhouse Knights of Calvin.

Men’s Teams
Calvin is the class of the field and will be going for their 16th straight regional title after a eighth place finish at nationals last year. After Calvin were three more nationally-qualifying teams, and the region will likely get two or more at-large bids again this year, as most teams look much-improved.

5. Wabash
The region’s runners-up in 2010 only graduate two of their top seven, but appear to have little depth. The good news is that Kevin McCarthy appears ready to fill the void left by XC and track All-American Seth Einterz. Additionally, teammates Donavan White and Brian David are returning all-region runners who performed well at nationals. However, after that solid trio, the Little Giants might be hurting. If they can round out their top five, they could be dangerous come November, but I think they will have a tough time just getting back to nationals.

4. Hope
The top five all return from last year’s sixth place squad, including senior Nathan Love—the region’s eighth place finisher. Behind him comes a strong supporting cast of 15:30 guys, and though that likely won’t be enough to threaten for the win, it could be just enough to send the Flying Dutch to Oshkosh this November.

3. Ohio Wesleyan
The Battling Bishops and rival Albion will likely be contending for the last automatic bid to nationals. Ohio Wesleyan fell to their foe at regionals, but were rewarded with an at-large berth and redeemed themselves at nationals when Sharif Kronemer led them to a triple-digit victory over Albion. Kronemer headlines their returning six varsity members, but he will need some help from steeple specialist Kale Booher (9:16), miler Shan Brandt (3:51), and distance guy Evan Hitchcock (15:14, 32:07).  If they all are fit and healthy, Ohio Wesleyan should easily make nationals, but a significant lack of depth could hurt if one of those big four slips up.

2. Albion
As previously noted, the Britons went back and forth with Ohio Wesleyan in the postseason, and, like their regional rivals, they return six of their top seven.  Deion Pruitt and Paul Lewis are Albion’s only returning all-region runners, but they should provide a powerful one-two punch. If their three through five runners can keep pace with the duo up front, this could be a dangerous team—though they still have little chance of winning the region.

1. Calvin
Though the Knights will be going for the 16th consecutive regional title this November, they will likely be focused almost entirely on the next week. They are by far the favorite to win the region, and are the first squad I have previewed that is a legitimate title contender, albeit a bit of a dark horse. Calvin returns only four after last year's eighth place finish, but their track performances have many wondering if
this is the year the Knights will return to the top of the podium--they scored a record-low 37 points at the national meet in 2006. Led by title contender Nick Kramer (14:17), Calvin will be relying on 2010 varsity members Matt Vander Roest (9:16), Dan Kerr (30:29),and Rhett Morici (30:27) to break into the top 35 nationally. The key for them could be miler Greg Whittle (indoor runner-up) who has shown decent endurance (14:49) and looks ready for a strong cross country season. Though they don't have quite as much depth as the other title contenders, their top five is among the strongest in the nation.

Individuals
Nine of the top twelve from regionals return, including a fair share of national title contenders. There were only three All-Americans from the Great Lakes region last year, but finishing top five in this region this year makes you a likely All-American.

5. Vander Roest/Kerr/Morici/Whittle (Calvin)
Vander Roest was the number two runner for Calvin last year, but I could really see any of these guys finishing in the top five. Kerr has the best endurance of the bunch with a 30:29 showing outdoors, while Whittle is of the speedier variety (3:50).

4. Noah Droddy (DePauw)
After a ninth place finish last year, Droddy posted some decent track times (14:44, 8:36 3k) and should be prepared to mix it up with some of the top runners in the region. Though I don't think he can crack the top three, I would be surprised
to see him too far outside the top five as long as he stays healthy.

3. Kevin McCarthy (Wabash)
In my opinion, McCarthy could be an interesting dark horse pick for the national title. He just missed out on All-American honors last year, but put together a spectacular track season. His range (1:51, 3:50, 8:58) is unmatched and since the nationals course is said to favor speedier runners, let's just say I wouldn't count him out. That being said, I still think he is only the third best cross country runner in this region, at least until he proves that his success on the track translates to the cross country course.

2. Dee Salukombo (Denison)
Salukombo finished fourth at regionals last year, but came away with All-American honors at the national meet and proceeded to qualify for indoor nationals in the mile for the second year in a row. However, it's his one-minute personal best in the 5k this outdoor season that makes him so dangerous. His 14:18 clocking was good for third fastest in D3, and though he didn't perform up to expectations at nationals, he could definitely take home both the regional and national title this cross country season.

1. Nick Kramer (Calvin)
Though only the ninth returner after his 16th place finish at nationals, Kramer is a trendy pick for national title. His track season has rightfully garnered him a lot of attention as he finished third in the steeplechase at nationals in 8:56 before doubling back to get fourth in the 5k--making him the top non-senior in that race. It's a bit too early to declare him the nationals favorite, in my opinion, but he is at least on the short list and is definitely the favorite to take home the regional crown.

Women's Teams
Last year the region qualified four teams to nationals and had one top ten squad and two additional top twenty squads. This year, the region again looks poised to get four teams to nationals, and though there are a lot of solid squads, it might be tough for any of them to crack the top ten.

5. Case Western
Despite a solid 18th place finish at nationals, the Spartans could be hard pressed to make a return trip. They graduate four of their top seven and might not have the depth to replace what they lost. Natalie Cabrera is their top returner, but they will be relying heavily on rising sophomore Brooke Simpson, as well. The key will be if Corin Bowen can continue to race like she did at nationals last year.

4. Oberlin
The final nationally-qualifying team in 2010 again looks to be in a precarious position this season. They return six of their top seven from last year, but their loss is definitely going to hurt—regional champ and multiple-time All-American Joanna Johnson graduates after a stellar career. However, the returning Yeoman form a solid core of runners, led by last year’s top regional freshman Molly Martorella, who has continued to show improvement with an 18:04 5k outdoors. Christina Moore, a 2008 varsity member, also could bolster Oberlin’s chances, as she was one of the region’s top 5k runners this spring (17:46). In addition, they have a sub-11 incoming freshman that could provide some needed depth.

3. Ohio Northern
After finishing a heartbreaking three points behind Oberlin (and a berth to nationals), the Polar Bears look poised to flip the script. They return all seven varsity members, and I could easily see them securing an automatic bid and threatening for the regional title after a solid track season for many of their stars. However, they will need cross country All-American and indoor 5k qualifier Allison Steinbrunner to be ready to go this fall after missing the outdoor season.

2. Hope
The regional runners-up return their top five from nationals, and though the pecking order of the returners is sometimes in doubt, the talent of this squad is not. Further complicating matters is the emergence of Meredith Busman and Sheri McCormick, the top 5k runners for the Flying Dutch this track season. It will almost be as interesting to see who emerges as top five runners as it will be to see how those five stack up against the rest of the nation.

1. Calvin
The regional champs and ninth place finishers at nationals lose three of their top seven from regionals but return one of the best top two in the nation: Jodi Hoekstra and Alyssa Penning. Both qualified for nationals in track, and look ready for All-American seasons. However, Calvin could struggle to repeat as regional champs if they can’t close the gap between their two frontrunners and the rest of the team, and even if they can come away with the victory, another top ten finish at nationals will prove even more difficult.

Individuals
Last year’s regional champ was Joanna Johnson of Oberlin, who has since graduated as has the region’s top finisher at nationals, Justine Jeroski of Case Western. A total of eight of the top twelve at regionals graduate, leaving the top places wide open this year.

5. Mary Pfeifer (Wittenburg)
After an eighth place finish at regionals, Pfeifer went on to set small personal bests in both the 5k and 10k. She finished in the top 100 nationally last year and will be hoping to secure an individual berth again this year.

4. Penning (Calvin)
The regions ninth place finisher is also an accomplished steeple specialist, posting a personal best of 10:43 that resulted in a berth to nationals.  At nationals in cross country she closed the gap between her and teammate Hoekstra, and I expect her to be close behind all year.

3. DeAngelis (Ohio Wesleyan)
The rising sophmore had a decent cross country campaign (20th at regionals), but it took her until track season to really find a groove. However, find it she did, evidenced by a 17:29 5k and a nationals-qualifying 4:37 1500. She looks prepared to fill the void left by the many graduating seniors in the upcoming cross country season and could come away with the upset.

2. Allison Steinbrunner (Ohio Northern)
After two spectacular seasons, highlighted by an All-American cross country finish and an appearance at indoor nationals, Steinbrunner disappeared during the outdoor season. If her lack of racing occurred due to injury, she could have a tough time meeting the expectations that come with being the region’s top returner. However, if her layoff was due to other reasons—travel abroad, perhaps—then she should be considered the favorite.

1. Jodi Hoekstra (Calvin)
Though not an overwhelming favorite, Hoekstra has certainly done enough to warrant the top spot on this list. She finished just out of All-American placing in cross country and then bounced back from a rough indoor season to qualify for nationals in the 5k. Her final race of the season wasn’t her best performance, but it should give her even more valuable experience as she attempts to lead her team to another regional title and top ten finish.

Check back in next Tuesday for a preview of the Central region!