Eastern Wayne Today

Wayne State University head cross country coach Grant Lofdahl has signed three incoming freshmen to complete his class of 2024 for the women's cross country program. Joining WSU next month will be Remi Flanz (Eastpointe, Mich. / Fraser), Paige McArdle (Davison, Mich.), and Sydney Smith (Davison, Mich.).

Remi Flanz, a 2024 graduate of Fraser High School and Macomb Mathematics Science Technology Center (MMSTC), earned six letters in cross country and track. She qualified for the MHSAA Division 1 state championship cross country meet in both 2022 and 2023. Her personal-best time was 19:41.6 at the 2023 Macomb County Championship. "Remi was part of a big resurgence in the cross country and track program at Fraser," said Coach Lofdahl.

Paige McArdle, also a 2024 graduate of Davison High School, earned ten letters across cross country, track, and soccer. She competed at the MHSAA Division 1 state meet in both 2021 and 2023, achieving a personal-best of 18:34.4 at the 2023 Michigan Meet of Champions. "Paige is someone who got onto our radar last spring," stated Coach Lofdahl.

Sydney Smith, another Davison High School graduate from the class of 2024, earned two varsity letters in cross country and advanced to the MHSAA Division 1 state cross country meet as a senior. She ran a personal-best time of 18:54.9 at the Saginaw Valley League championship meet in 2023. "With Sydney, we are getting a runner who is still relatively new to the sport and is improving rapidly," noted Coach Lofdahl.

These three athletes are expected to bring significant potential to Wayne State's women's cross country team as they transition from high school to collegiate competition.