2004 Cayley Problem 23

A soccer ball rolls at 4 m/s towards Marcos in a direct line from Michael. The ball is 15 m ahead of Michael who is chasing it at 9 m/s. Marcos is 30 m away from the ball and is running towards it at 8 m/s. The distance between Michael and Marcos when the ball is touched for the first time by one of them is closest to

\textbf{(A)}\ 2.00 \text{ m}\quad \textbf{(B)}\ 2.25 \text{ m}\quad \textbf{(C)}\ 2.50 \text{ m}\quad \textbf{(D)}\ 2.75 \text{ m}\quad \textbf{(E)}\ 3.00 \text{ m}

If there are no answer choices shown, enter a numerical answer.

Full credit to this problem is given to the CEMC, you may view all Cayley contests here.