Melling Has High Expectations for Cross Country Season

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

(September 11, 2022 8:00 AM) The first Saturday at Michigan International Speedway been kind for Hanover-Horton High School runner Rogan Melling.

The two-time all-state cross country runner in hoping that it will be special for the Comets in 2022.

Armed with a pack of runners who could all run times in the 16s, Melling believes the Comets could win another state cross country title. 

“We have been working hard with a lot of good guys (on the team),” Melling said. “Our top three for four could run in the 16s.

You never know what is going to happen at the state meet.”

The meet has been fruitful for Melling as he has placed in the top 30 twice and was 62nd in the state finals as a freshman

Melling placed seventh last year as a junior with a time of 16 minutes, 14 seconds. In 2020 he finished 13th with a time of 16:29. 

He ran a time of 17:17 as a freshman.

The senior could finish in the top two or three this fall.

“I am hoping for a top three finish,” Melling said. 

Melling said he is probably not going to get to the Hunter Jones zone. Jones is a three-time state cross country champion from Benzie Central High School in Division 3.

But one never knows what to expect at MIS the first Saturday of November.

“Usually the weather is not good and there is a lot of mud,” Melling said. “You expect the worst and go from there.”

The meet features nearly 300 runners who race to a narrow opening in the track the first half mile of the course.

“You have to get out hard, but comfortable, and settle in the first half mile,” Melling said. “I am working on my first mile to get near the 5:05 mark.

“That is where you need to be at the state meet.”

Melling recently won the Springport Invitational with a time of 17 flat. The Comets also easily won the team title scoring 29 points. Hanover-Horton placed all five runners in the top 11 in the race.

“The last mile was tough with a bunch of running hills,” Melling said of the Springport course. “It (his time) wasn’t too bad for the weather.”

Melling said he has trained this summer by running 55 to 60 miles per week – all in preparation for the first Saturday in November.

“Hopefully it pays off for the end of the season.”