Page 2 - June/July 2016 High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News www.highschoolsportsscence.com www.highschoolsportsscence.com High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News June/July 2016 Page 3

Vol. 7, Issue 79 • June/July 2016 Publisher’S NOTE It is usually not difficult to find happiness in sport; the easiest place to locate it normally is in those who are doing the winning. The celebrations, the emotion, the smiles. A sporting field, after a posi- CONTENTS tive result, is usually a happy place. A great example recently was witnessing the sheer elation on the faces 4 Addix Football All-Star Classic of players, coaching staff and their fans after Villanova University won the WE ARE PROFESSIONAL GRADE® 989-224-3900 5 Sacred Heart Track Builds Toward Future NCAA men’s basketball final against the University of North Carolina Tar Heels with a three-point shot at the buzzer. 6 Fowler Wins D4 Title Players dropped to their knees in jubilation, others danced around with EXIT 99 Off US-127 ST. JOhnS fOr SavIngS TAX & PLATES INCLUDED IN ALL PAYMENTS! Greenville’s Kemp Breaks Record their arms aloft, and joyful tears were shed, both on and off the court, as 7 the Wildcats won their first US college basketball title in 31 years. Lansing Waverly Wins D2 Title 2007 HuMMER H3 2013 CHEVY TRAVERSE 2007 SATuRn IOn 3 2007 CHEVY AVALAnCHE LT 2007 CHEVY IMPALA LS 555 E Downie St 8 Ryan Arcidiacono, Villanova’s senior guard, summed up his feelings in a lEAtHER lEAtHER Got Milk courtside interview: 4x4 9 SALE SALE SALE 4x4 SALE SALE Alma, MI 48801 “That’s just something that everyone dreams about.” 4x4 10 MP’s Perry Wins High Jump Title PRICE PRICE PRICE PRICE PRICE (517) 202-1808 Muhammad Ali had those dreams. He changed the world. 11 Meet St. Louis’s Evan Goodell Former Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summit had those $14,900 $25,900 $7,900 $15,500 $6,500 www.highschoolsportsscene.com 12 Ithaca Wins D3 Girls Track Title dreams. She changed the way women athletics are perceived. $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Legendary Chicago Bears coach Buddy Ryan along with the entire 249/DOWn 249/MOnTH 365/DOWn 365/MOnTH 185/DOWn 185/MOnTH 255/DOWn 255/MOnTH 159/DOWn 159/MOnTH 13 Merrill’s Kulhanek repeats in Pole Vault 1985 Super Bowl winning team had those dreams. Ryan changed the way TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT 14 TC St. Francis’s Holly Bullough defense is played in the NFL over the last 30 years. Publisher But in less than a month the symbols of our youth are no more as all Northville’s Chloe Abbott A Force Randy Miniard 15 three of those historic sports figures have passed away, leaving the sports 2015 FORD FLEX SEL 2010 JEEP PATRIOT 2013 FORD FuSIOn SE 2009 JEEP LIBERTY LIMITED 2008 DODgE AVEngER R/T lEAtHER lEAtHER [email protected] 16 Boys Track Wrap Up world empty while today’s youth search for legends among the present. AWD 4x4 AWD 517-202-1808 But sometimes that can be easier said than done. SALE SALE SALE SALE 17 Girls Track Wrap Up SALE PRICE Victory for a person or team has always been the easiest way to spot PRICE PRICE PRICE PRICE Go the Distance with Corunna’s Noah Jacobs Editor 18 happiness in the world of spot. Sport, as a rule, is a results-based industry. $28,900 $8,900 $15,300 $11,900 $9,900 Scott Keyes 19 Bandel Among Best Throwers in Country You have a competition. Be it between individuals or teams, there is a contest to see who will be the victor. The one who comes out on top wins, $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ [email protected] Frankenmuth’s Frahm Wins D3 Discus Title 399/DOWn 399/MOnTH 195/DOWn 195/MOnTH 249/DOWn 249/MOnTH 225/DOWn 225/MOnTH 199/DOWn 199/MOnTH 20 because, well, they are the best, and have every reason to be happy as it is TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT 989-890-4036 21 Chip Hills Wixson Caps Brillant Career job done. Mission accomplished. Winning can also prove to be vindication for an athlete or a coach. St. Johns’ Linton Wins 400m Title High School Liaison 22 There will never be another Ali, Summit or Ryan. Each had their own 2008 POnTIAC g6 2011 CADILLAC CTS 2009 gMC SIERRA CREW SLE 2013 CHEVY SILVERADO 2013 FORD TAuRuS SEL Paul Hornak 23 Eye on Lacrosse persona that made them unique. V6 lEAtHER REg. cAb, AWD 4x4 2WD [email protected] 24 Keagan Akin Drafted In Second Round By Orioles Summit claimed happiness came from winning so she could measure SALE SALE SALE 989-331-1168 herself favorably against her rivals and know that she, personally, was PRICE SALE PRICE PRICE SALE PRICE PRICE 26 Hartland’s Repeat Bid Falls Short meeting her own expectations of achievement. $ $ $ $ $ Northern Michigan Sales 27 DeWitt Baseball Loses in Semis “My happiness, first of all, is when I compare myself with the other 6,900 13,900 24,900 19,900 15,900 managers, I see just a few that are with me in terms of success,” she said. Scott Salowich Farmington Mercy Wins D1 Title $ /DOWn $ /MOnTH $ /DOWn $ /MOnTH $ /DOWn $ /MOnTH $ /DOWn $ /MOnTH $ /DOWn $ /MOnTH 28 Yet while sport is usually split into two categories - the winner and the 165 165 239 239 349 349 329 329 259 259 [email protected] TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT Swan Valley Loses In D3 Quarters loser - that does not automatically mean that there is no happiness for a 313-408-4410 29 30 Alma Puts Together Dream Season person or organization that does not triumph. Livingston/Oakland Winning may be the automatic way to generate a happy emotion in 2012 FORD F-150 STX 2007 FORD FOCuS SE 2013 CHEVY EquInOX LT 2001 CHEVY HHR LT 2012 CHEVY SuBuRBAn LTZ 31 Midland High Softball Has Big Season sport, but the feeling of accomplishment, of taking on and beating a County Sales 4 DooR 32 Willman Sisters Reunited At SVSU challenge and simply doing yourself justice should not be overlooked for 4x4 creating exhilaration and pleasure – there will always be more to it than SALE SALE SALE Mike Valvona 33 Eye on Soccer simply a result. SALE PRICE PRICE SALE PRICE PRICE PRICE [email protected] 34 Montrose Soccer Loses in D4 Finals Now, there was only one winner in each category, but that did not $ $ $ $ $ 248-937-0122 prevent many of the thousands of competitors, both young and old, from 16,900 5,900 16,900 7,500 39,900 35 Flint Powers Ousted in D3 Finals having grins on their faces as they left the facility after completing the race. $269/DOWn $269/MOnTH $149/DOWn $149/MOnTH $275/DOWn $275/MOnTH $179/DOWn $179/MOnTH $559/DOWn $559/MOnTH Editorial 36 Novi Soccer Keeps Winning Tradition Smiles are one thing, but currently remorse is on the faces of our heroes TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT Scott Keyes, John Raffel, David Cook, Mt. Pleasant Soccer Solid in sport. Losing such legends in a short period of time is hard to swallow. 37 It’s not going to be easy. We will survive, just like Ali when he took a right Butch Harmon, Jeff Chaney, 38 Eye on Golf hook to the jaw by Frazier. 2009 FORD FuSIOn SEL 2007 nISSAn VERSA 2007 BuICk REnDEZVOuS CXL 2013 DODgE DART 2009 DODgE CALIBER SXT Scott Salowich 39 St. Johns Wins D2 Golf Championship Time heals all wounds. V6, MAnuAl Thank You Moon Dan Strickrandt 40 Tawas Golfers Make History SALE SALE SALE SALE [email protected] So this issue marks the end of our seventh year. No one does it like SALE PRICE PRICE PRICE PRICE PRICE 41 Clarkston Collegiate Earn First-Ever Title Sports Scene, that’s for sure. Twitter: @LocalSportsFans $10,900 $ $ $ $ 42 Eye on Tennis Thank you to all of our loyal advertisers and supporters. Without you, 5,600 8,500 9,900 7,500 Photographers we wouldn’t be able to do what we do on a monthly basis. Thanks again $ /DOWn $ /MOnTH $ /DOWn $ /MOnTH $ /DOWn $ /MOnTH $ /DOWn $ /MOnTH $ /DOWn $ /MOnTH 43 Holly Tennis Continues Reputation as State Power and we look forward to seeing you in the fall. 215 215 145 145 189 189 199 199 179 179 Chuck Prikasky, Alan Holben, TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT Zip Widman, Mike Schutt, 44 Midland Dow Won’t Be Denied 45 Sanford Meridian Repeats in D3 Russ Pierce, Skip Traynor, Randy Miniard 2010 CHEVY COBALT 2003 CHEVY SuBuRBAn LT 2010 DODgE CHARgER SXT 2011 DODgE RAM 2012 FORD ESCAPE XTL Beaverton Baseball Bob Campbell, Gary Williams, 46 Publisher/Owner clotH HEMI Phil Niekerk, Don Goostrey 47 Coleman’s Softball Season Ends In Quarters 517-202-1808 SALE 4x4 SALE SALE 4x4 SALE SALE [email protected] PRICE PRICE PRICE PRICE PRICE $7,900 $6,900 $12,500 $15,900 $12,300 Lux-Moody-Wolfel Lux and Whiting In Your Hour of Darkness Let Us Be Your Light $185/DOWn $185/MOnTH $165/DOWn $165/MOnTH $229/DOWn $229/MOnTH $259/DOWn $259/MOnTH $229/DOWn $229/MOnTH Funeral Home Funeral Chapel TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT TAX & PLATE InCLuDED In PAYMEnT 531 N State St. 204 Second St. Lux Lux and Schnepp Alma, MI 48801 Breckenridge, MI 48615 Funeral Home Funeral Home New & Used Vehicles: Phone: 989-463-8970 Phone: 989-842-3547 All Payments are with approved credit, see 228 W. 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Sports Scene (sophomore) took seventh (11:41.16) and Cammie Sports Scene a close battle that saw team Stripes “I thought it was fantastic,” Dean McConnell (freshman) was ninth (11:44.62). defeat team Stars 17-9. said. “We had a fantastic crowd and Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart’s cross country team “Two have three of them in the top 10 is really Come the second Friday in everything went better than expected. won a state title last fall, and there were high hopes it impressive,” Slate said. September, the Lowell football team would also transfer into a strong 2016 track season. We had great support from Addix Jodi Houck cleared the bar 5’0” in the high jump. annually breaks out the pink jerseys and Fifth Third Bank and Davenport “We knew we had our distance running pretty for the annual Pink Arrow Game to University. It was just an awesome well locked up,” Coach Jamie Slate said. “It was “We were really happy that our high jumper raise funds and awareness in the fight experience. We will grow from this going to be how we put together our (other running ended up placing at the state meet,” Slate said. “She’s against cancer. and make it even better in the years events) and field events. It ended up being a well- qualified for state before, but that was the first time This June, Lowell football coach to come.” round team. There were some injuries and some she actually placed.” Noel Dean again helped lead the A total of seven graduated seniors unfortunate performances at that time that didn’t attack against with the founding of the from Lowell made this year’s roster, work out in our favor at the end of the season. If you The 2017 season for Sacred Heart looks extremely Addix Football All-Star Game. The including Alex Anschutz, Mitchell look at the whole team, we ended up being a pretty bright. game was played at the new Dav- well-rounded team. We were pretty happy about Davis, Max Dean, Zeth Dean, Karson “We are not losing a single girl on the entire team,” enport University football field and Murley, Ryan Stevens and Kenny t h at .” featured players from across Western Slate said. “We’re completely reloaded for next year Vanderwarf. Also on the rosters were At the state meet, the 3,200 meter relay team of and we’re even adding a fourth McConnell sister. and Central Michigan. Like the Pink Jackson Ammon, Quinn Nordin and Alexis McConnell Megan Nowak, Cammie McCon- Arrow Game, the Addix Football All- Having three sisters does wonders for the distance Cole Shuple from Rockford; Cameron nell and Scout Nelson was third (9:51.50) and Nelson team. We had other girls that did well.” Star Game was staged to raise funds Umphrey and Taylor VanDyke from placed seventh in the 400 meter dash (1:00.69). in the battle against cancer. The game Their dad, Rob McConnell, is an assistant coach. Cedar Springs; Kyler Simon and Jalon With the 3,200-meter relay, “we ended up having raised more than $20,000 for Gilda’s Simpson from Portland, Dillin Biella “We’re going to be strong next year. We had some Club of Grand Rapids, which provides a couple of girls on there we didn’t expect,” Slate said. from Ionia; Trent Braman from Cen- “They ended up doing a really nice job this year. girls that were freshmen throwers and did a nice job,” emotional health care for cancer pa- The game initial game was consid- tral-Montcalm; and Jeffrey Davenport Slate said. “Throwing is such a senior-dominated The Irish scored a lot of points in the 3,200-meter tients and their friends and families. ered a major success by Dean, who from Big Rapids. event. As they get older, I expect them to place as More than 2,200 spectators came created the game and intends to make run with the McConnell sisters. Alexis McConnell w e l l .”

Mt Pleasant Sacred Heart will return its entire team next Some of the area’s top players played in the first-ever season after finishing 12th at Football Addix All-Star Game on June 10, 2016. The the recent state meet. (Skip game was played at Farmer’s Insurance Athletic Game at Traynor, High School Sports Davenport University in Caledonia. (Butch Harmon, High Scene Photos) School Sports Scene Photos) Tomorrow’s Anywhere Adventure Tomorrow’s Anywhere Adventure

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It was like old times for the Fowler a time of 9:38.0. Sidney Horak, Madison In the field events, Ciera Weber took Eagles girls track team. Coach Jill Feld- Breaks State Record Koenigsknecht, McKenzie Koenigsknecht third in the pole vault (9’6”), Alyssa Van- hurdles.” pausch’s squad was holding the first-place and Thelen won the 4x200 relay (1:46.57). degriff took fifth in the high jump (5’0”) John Raffel trophy after the Division 4 track and field and Sidney Horak placed sixth in the long Sports Scene Belding’s Dynasty Continues state meet June 4 at Grand Rapids’ House- jump (15’11.5”). man Field. The Eagles were runners-up last Much was expected of Greenville’s Landon The dynasty continues for Belding’s girls season, as they were in 2009 and 2010. But “We were hoping for top two,” Feldpaus- Kemp when she entered three events in the track team, coached by John Carlson. Belding they were first place this year, as they were ch said. “Nothing is ever a given. We had Division I state finals at Hudsonville. has now won four OK Blue Conference titles, in 2011 and 2012. to work hard and put forth our best effort. She delivered, all three times. 22 OK Blue duals and 29 dual meets overall That’s what they did.” in a row. Top performers included juniors Feldpausch has been coach for nine Kemp placed in all three events, setting Seniors Julie Thelen and Madison Johanna McCully, Hallee Breimayer and seasons. a personal record in all three. She set a new Summer Eubank and sophomore Lauren Mc- Koenigsknecht were on three first-place state record by clearing 13’4” in the pole vault. “This is just as talented of a group as relay squads and also had individual third Dowell with a school record of 50.46 seconds I’ve ever had,” Feldpausch said. “They places. “Going in, I didn’t expect to PR in all three and were sixth in the state. broke four school records this year. They of my events,” she said. “Obviously it’s a goal “This unit got healthy at the end of the really came together as a team. I sat down “My seniors really came through for to PR, and at the state meet, that’s huge. The us,” Feldpausch said. “My other girls, the season,” Carlson said. “They really clicked on with them before the state meet and laid pole vault took so long. We started at 9 a.m. their handoffs.” it all out. We had 26 individual points all underclassmen, really stepped it up.” I didn’t wind up coming in until about 2 or 3 together. Every one of these girls came Fowler graduates several seniors. p.m. So I was able to get my hurdles and long There was senior Greta Wilker, who was fifth in the state in the shot put and threw it through for the team and knew we would Madison Koenigsknecht was third in the “But we have a great group of under- jump. I was then able to focus on pole vault, need their points.” 400-meter dash (59.43).Thelen took a third which was nice. It was a perfect day for all of 42’11” at the West Michigan Metro Health classmen,” Feldpausch said. “Our field Scholarship Meet, was regional champ in the The Eagles posted 56 points at this in the 800 meters (2:23.64). Becker was events scored 11 points, and those came t h o s e .” sixth in the 3,200 meters (11:41.09). The shot put and discus, the four-time regional year’s meet to finish ahead of Concord at from a sophomore and a freshman.” Kemp competed on June 19 in the New champ in the shot put; won the OK Blue shot Balance Outdoor Nationals and placed fifth put and is a four-time OK Blue Champ in the The Fowler girls tracked team scored 56 points to finish ahead of Concord at 13’3/4”. shot put. (44) to claim the recent Division 4 title. Fowler was runner-up a year ago and Her pole vault and long jump efforts at the went back-to-back in 2009 and 2010. (Submitted Photos) McCully was all-state in the 4x100 relay, state meet really put a smile on Kemp’s face. was OK Blue Champ in the long jump, 100 In the pole vault, “as the day went on, there meter dash, 4x100 meter relay, 100 meters was more of a head wind,” she said. “I was (12.99) and long jump (15-10 ¾). mentally prepared for this meet. I was visu- Lauren McDowell was all state in the 4x100 alizing what I wanted this vault to look like. I relay; OK Blue Champ in the 400-meter dash; imagine myself clearing like 13-1 and the state conference runner-up in long jump; Daily No Doc Fees Here! record and higher. That helped my mentality.” News Classic all star meet four first places Kemp placed second in the Division I state (4x1, 4x2, 4x4 and 200 dash); second place long finals at 18’5.5”. at MITCA Team State in the 4x200; had a “I was getting great height off the board season’s best long jump (16-10) and season’s and working on my technique for the land- best 200 meters (27.33 seconds). ing,” she said. Senior Emma Jakeway placed 14th in the state in the 4x200 relay, with a 26.8 split; had 2005 2004 Chevy 2002 2008 2010 2006 Pontiac 2006 Chevy She placed fifth in the 100 hurdles with a time of 14.87. the school record in the 300-meter hurdles Chevy Cobalt Trailblazer Chevy S-10 Jeep Patriot Chevy Impala Torrent Trailblazer with (47.04), to win the Metro Health Schol- #1028 #1053 #1082 #1084 #1052 #1043 #1044 “With the hurdles, there were a lot of girls arship Meet, was all conference in the OK who were struggling because there were girls $3,995 $4,995 $3,295 $9,995 $6,995 $5,995 $5,995 Blue; and was team captain. that had run faster times than what they had in the prelims and finals. There was a strong Breimayer was all-state in the 4x100 relay head wind and a lot of girls were getting (split 12.4 at finals), OK Blue Champ in the messed up with that,” Kemp said. “It felt good 4x1 relay and all-conference OK Blue. to run against faster girls. That’s what helped Eubank earned an all-state title in the m e P R .” 4x100 relay; OK Blue Conference champion 2006 2006 Chevy 2002 2007 Chevy 2008 GMC 2006 2006 She’ll be doing some other vaulting during 100-meter high hurdles and 4x1 relay; team Chevy Cobalt Uplander GMC Envoy HHR Yukon XL Pontiac G6 Honda Civic the summer. captain; team most dedicated, and started the #1086 #1051 #1089 #1058 #1091 #1062 #1092 6 a.m. workout club. Next year, “I want to break the pole vault $4,595 $4,995 $4,995 $3,495 $15,995 $6,495 $5,295 record again and make it as high as possible,” Sophomore Alyssa German was in the pole she said. “Hopefully, I can win long jump vault and sprints. She broke the school record next year and run the best race I can in the with a vault of 9’7” and took 18th in the state

Greenville’s Landon Kemp set a new state record during the recent Division 1 finals held in Hudsonville by clearing 13 feet, 4 inches in the 2003 2009 Dodge 2008 Hyundai 2005 Jeep 2002 pole vault. She also set personal records in the long jump and the 100m VW Passat Ram 1500 Tucson Grand Cherokee Ford Explorer hurdles. (Jamie McNich, High School Sports Scene Photos) #1093 #1096 #1072 #1073 #1075 $4,995 $8,295 $6,495 $3,995 $4,495 All vehicles plus tax, title and plate fee. Choose Wisely. Choose Sparrow. 611 E. Saginaw St. Making the right decision is important. Especially when it comes to your health. Sparrow is a leader in every major area of care. Choosing Sparrow means getting clinical expertise, exceptional nurses and breakthrough Lansing, MI 48906 517-253-0375 treatments, unavailable anywhere else in the region. Call 1.800.Sparrow to find your Sparrow Physician today.

Denny Emmer Mark George Mike Pier LANSINGAUTOCONNECTION.COM Owner Owner Sales Manager Sparrow.org/SparrowCarson • 989.584.3131 Page 8 - June/July 2016 High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News www.highschoolsportsscence.com www.highschoolsportsscence.com High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News June/July 2016 Page 9 ended up with a smaller team than we had last year. But we a ton of quality Lansing Waverly Sneaks girls there working hard. They were stronger and faster. They were state champs in 4x100 last year and knew Out Division 2 Title this year, they could only get faster. Staying Balanced They had to work on handoffs.” John Raffel build up for immediate success in the Sports Scene beginning,” Wilkes said. “I started The state meet obviously featured a their exchange zones small, and I close finish. It was oh-so close in the Division 2 gradually moved them further and “I knew we had a chance of win- standings for the girls track and field further back; back to where we were ning it, but I don’t know if the girls in the Off Season state champions, but Lansing Waverly at the acceleration zones. did,” Wilkes said. “We were seeded School’s out for summer! This practice. If this doesn’t work for • Cheese stick + crackers prevailed with 42 points, edging first in the 4x1 and 4x2 and Roberts equals time in the sun, hanging you at least get a small snack in • Try kayaking or swimming; the “It set them off for breaking the • second place Flint Powers Catholic school record in the 4x1. I’ve been was seeded third in the 100, Smith out with friends and most impor- 30 minutes prior. Cottage cheese + grapes water adds resistance and trains with 40. trying to keep them grounded. I feels was seeded in top eight for discus and tantly, no homework. If you’re a different muscles that you may Waverly needed every point. like they’ve been under the radar. sixth in the shot put. I knew we could • Half of a peanut butter and jelly student athlete however, the sum- Pre-Practice Meal Ideas: not normally hit with your typical The Warriors got a first place from They are pretty young. There’s a bunch put up over 30 points. I told the girls sandwich Tra’chele Roberts in the 100 meter of Division I schools in the area, if we scored over 40 points we could mer is not all fun and games (well, training. dash (12.55). She was the anchor of teams like East Lansing and Grand win the state championship. I didn’t maybe some games). The student • Oatmeal made with low fat milk, During Practice • a first-place 4x200 relay team which Ledge, that kind of overshadow us know much Flint Powers and the athlete knows that this is the time add nuts and berries if you like Ensuring that you are hydrated Explore with mountain biking other teams would do. also included Teaghan Thomas, at times. It was kind of their coming to train for fall sports to get a leg throughout helps your perfor- or hiking. Not only is it a great out party at the state meet. That was Jazlynn Wilcox and Maya Garrett “Smith was sitting in sixth place • Cereal with low fat milk mance and prevents issues such adventure to see new sites, you (1:43.88). Roberts anchored the g re at .” going into her final throw. Her final up on the competition. Exercising as dehydration and cramping. The will be training muscles in a dif- first-place 4x100 meter relay (48.70) It was Waverly’s first state title. throw moved her to second place, and daily in the heat or sometimes • Scrambled eggs and toast that also included Teaghan Thomas, Teaghan Thomas is the only one on that put us over. There were so many twice daily can really take its toll. heat is no joke! If you don’t drink ferent way by going up and down Jazlynn Wilcox and Garrett. this year’s team who previously was small, different things that happened Making sure you are properly • Yogurt parfait with granola and water, you could get overheated hills. during the meet. Roberts edged out Malin Smith took second place in place finishers. fueled for training is key to suc- fruit and pass out. Water will work just the shot put (42’3.75”) and fifth place some pretty fast girls in the 100 to • Improve flexibility with a yoga “I knew I had a bunch of girls I cess in your future season. fine unless you are working out in the discus (132’1”). could insert into the relays,” Wilkes claim the 100 meter title by one- • class once or twice a week! 100ths of a second. If she doesn’t lean Waffles with peanut butter and a for over 45 minutes. If that is the The team is coached by Rex Wilkes. said. “I didn’t know how much depth glass of low fat milk we were going to have. We lost some over just enough, we would lose two Lansing Waverly won the Division 2 Girls Track and Field scoring The Building Blocks of Off case, you may want to drink one Rest “We were trying to gradually build points and wind up tied for first.” 42 points to edge Flint Powers by a mere two points to win its up throughout the season rather than stragglers during the season. We first-ever girls track championship title. (Submitted Photo) Season Training Snack Ideas Include: of your favorite sports drinks dur- Making sure you are getting 7-9 Before Practice ing the workout.may want to make hours of sleep per night also Ensuring that you are properly • Deli Rollups – turkey + cheese note of why a sports drink and has an important impact on your 100 (11.18), while Ben Geer was fourth in fueled before your workout is key. why it makes sense after 45 min- performance. While we sleep our the 800 (1:56.61). Try to time your meals so that you • Greek yogurt utes such as the important elec- body recovers from the exercise Mason High’s Track And Justin has a scholarship to Grand Valley will be eating two hours before trolytes. This could be a good lead we put it through. As we sleep, State University, where he intends to major • Dried fruit + almonds in criminal justice. He said he chose Grand into why CM makes sense after a growth hormone is naturally Field Team Is A Leader In Valley over offers from major universities - workout. released, improving muscular including Michigan State - because he values recovery and regeneration prepar- a “family atmosphere” of staying close to After Practice ing you for the next day’s workout. The ‘Field’ Portion home. punt squad. Fueling up after practice is just as The brain also recharges as you Scott Keyes He said his in-season workout routine - 15 Sports Scene Scavarda helped to lead Mason High’s to 20 daily throws in both the discus and the important as the work you just put sleep and a rested brain is a moti- track and field squad to a second place finish shot put - was aided by both the mobility in during practice. Fueling within vated and focused brain. Get bet- Mason High School’s graduating senior, at the state meet, only a narrow two points Justin Scavarda, won Division 2 state titles in and “explosiveness” that he gained from 30 minutes helps muscles recover, ter sleep by: behind Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, 46-44. Fel- playing football. the discus (182’6”) and the shot put (57’5’), low senior Jarrett VanHavel, Mason football’s decreases soreness and helps and there is a reason why competitors may star passing quarterback for four seasons, Justin was a main blocker for Jarrett fuel your body for the next work- • Turning off all screens, includ- have fallen back. VanHavel, who will move ahead on a foot- put both arms to use in winning the pole out. Chocolate milk is the perfect ing; cell phones, TV and other “It’s kind of a primal instinct of taking vault at 15’3”. ball scholarship to the University of Mount Mason’s Justin Scavarda won both the shot put Union in northeast Ohio after achieving a drink for recovery after an intense distractions heavy implements, and throwing them as Other points at the state meet came from and discus to help the Bulldogs to a second place far as you can,” said Scavarda, who was also Mason High School record in passing yards workout. It provides the perfect finish in the recent Division 2 finals. Scavarda will a pair of seniors in the running events. a two-way lineman on the Bulldogs’ football under his father and longtime coach, Jerry balance of carbohydrates and pro- • Keep the bedroom dark, cool continue his education at Grand Valley. Sprinter Joel Grundstrom placed fourth in VanHavel. (Alan Holben, High School Sports Scene Photo) team, and to boot was a long-snapper on the the 200 meter dash (22.49) and fifth in the tein to speed recovery, refuel and and quiet repair muscles and electrolytes to • Keep a bedtime routine; shower, replenish and rehydrate what has drink tea or whatever calms you M-F 9am-6pm, Sat. 10am-4pm been lost in sweat. Bone building calcium is just the cherry on top • Avoid heavy meals close to bed- We Can Transfer To DVD M-F 9am-6pm, Sat. 10am-4pm of this nutrient rich drink maintain- time Home Movies Including: We Can Transfer To DVD ing strong bones and preventing VHS Eating well and knowing when to 8mm, Super 8mm & 16mm Home Movies Including: stress fractures. 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Pleasant’s Perry Makes St. Louis Runner Evan Most Of Return To The Sport To Claim High Jump State Title Goodell Doesn’t Take Dan Stickradt didn’t have a very good state meet state title. Sports Scene as a sophomore and got all mad at Over in the long jump pit, Perry myself. I’m glad I came back this Vacation Days also leapt to an outstanding season Kalebb Perry made the most of season.” with eight victories, two runners-up Scott Keyes was out ahead after the first lap. his return to the sport of track and Perry qualified for the Division 2 and a fourth-place finish in the long field this spring. Sports Scene With no “rabbit,” he might force himself to state finals as both a freshman and jump in a career-best 22-8. imagine that a competitor is ahead of him. The Mt. Pleasant senior came sophomore in the high jump. He As a sprinter, he rotated time on St. Louis High School’s Evan Goodell gave back to the grand oval after a year claimed 12th at the state meet as a his all en route to achieving the Division 3 state “I prefer to have competition to race the Oilers’ three sprint relay units against,” Goodell said. “At the state meet, it off and claimed the Division 1 state freshman (6’2”) and sixth at state as while recording personal bests of championship in the 3200 meter run. He drove title in the high jump. Competing a sophomore (6’4”). himself to the limit in eight trips around the would have been more fun. But I can run by 11.54 in the 100 meter dash, 23.65 myself if need be.” in a wide-open field, Perry cleared As a senior, Perry finished the in the 200 and 55.17 in the 400. 400-meter track and finished with a time of 6’7” to become the last competitor season undefeated at invitationals 9:21, leaving the nearest competitor 100 meters The son of Stephen Goodell and Shada Bi- standing June 4 at Hudsonville High “I really wanted to come back behind in his rearview mirror. abani-Kanine modestly said he chose distance in the high jump, winning titles strong this season and try to win School. at the Gary Rathbun Invitational, So how did Evan cele- running because he “is not what the state championship,” said Perry, you would call an athlete” in the Perry, who had career-best of 6’8” Ithaca Blue and Gold Invite, Mason who will play football at Western brate the next morning? earlier in the season, went out at 6-9 Invitational, Cavaliers Classic True With a sleep-in and then a more popular sports. He started Michigan University. “I also thought by running cross country in sixth at the state finals after barely clip- Team Invitational, Davison Twilight that this would get me in shape for big breakfast? ping the bar on his second attempt. Classic, Davison regional, Saginaw grade at the St. Louis T.S. Nurn- football. I am so glad I came back. No. For more than the berger Middle School. “I played baseball as a junior,” Valley League conference meet and Winning the state title is a dream 1,000th consecutive day, said Perry. “But I was really good at Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun Meet come true.” he ventured outdoors and “You can go at your own pace,” track, so I came back as a senior. I of Champions to go along with his ran. But he did sort of take he said, “and runners are a part of a break. “Only” a mile or a great wider-ranging communi- Mount Pleasant’s Kalebb Perry captured the 2016 Division 1 state title in ty. I can push myself to see how the high jump after not competing in track and field last season. so, when a typical workout (Dan Stickradt, High School Sports Scene Photo) might be 10 times that much better I can become.” many. In cross country, he finished “Every day that I don’t 15th in the state as a sophomore train, the competition and sixth as a junior. His goal this is going to get a little bit fall is to notch a cross country Fenton’s Jacob Lee Lives better than me,” Goodell state crown to pair with the explained. distance title that he has achieved on the track. Maybe take a day off, Dream As A State Champ especially the day after He says cross country some- times offers a bigger challenge 21st last season. I knew I could do much teammate so he could run the 3,200 fresh winning the state champi- Dan Stickradt because coaches are less able to better. I trained so hard for this race and in the heat. onship? Sports Scene offer pre-planned distance inter- made my dream come true. It was really Lee also finished eighth in the 2-mile at “It’s just sort of automat- val times, similar to what they HUDSONVILLE — Jacob Lee set hot, but when I took the lead, hardly any- the New Balance Outdoor Nationals June ic at this point,” he said. some really high goals for himself this provide on a track. one went with me. I knew I had to finish 18 in 9:16.76 — an event that is 18 meters He defeated the season this season and the Fenton senior “You can’t get as much feed- strong because there are so many great longer than the 3,200. statewide competition to conclude his junior achieved them. distance runners in Michigan and I knew back,” he explained. Lee finished 19th at the D-1 cross season, after finishing eighth as a sophomore that they could catch me if I let up.” Regardless of whether it’s track or cross Not only did he want to reach the podi- country finals and 27th at the Foot- and 16th as a freshman, but his main competi- country, Evan joins Coach Jay Puffpaff in offer- um with a top-eight finish at the Division Lee finished three seconds ahead of locker Midwest meet. His career best in tor is himself. 1 state finals, but he wanted to break the ing basic advice to younger teammates. Rockford’s Isaac Harding in a race that cross-country is 15:29. His state title is a highlight, of course, tape at the finish line with a state title. saw all top-eight medalists dip under 9:15 “Never stop working,” Goodell said. “Never Now, Lee will depart for the University but in competing against himself, he gives and nine runners go under 9:20. get discouraged.” On June 4 at Hudsonville High School, of Michigan, where he will compete for equal significance to a midseason victory -- a he did just that. Lee pulled away from Lee was also undefeated in the 1,600 the Wolverines in both cross country and career-best 9:13 to capture the top prize at Apparently, “never stop working” means St. Louis’s Evan Goodell capped a the pack to win with a blistering 9:07.72 this season, posting a career-best of track & field. Shepherd High School’s Bluejay Invitational. exactly that - especially the morning after you strong junior season by winning the clocking. The effort ranks in the top 50 4:22.99 at the Brighton Invitational back Goodell is not someone to lay back in the win a state championship. 3200 meter run at the Division 3 all-time in Michigan history and shattered “I can’t wait to get to Michigan and finals held at Comstock Park High in May. He knew his meal ticket was the pack, waiting for a so-called “rabbit” runner Goodell is evaluating college scholarship the school record set by Chris Gilbert 39 train with all of those great runners and School. (Randy Miniard, High School 3,200, so he concentrated on that event at to set the pace with an early lead. He maps his offers and intends to pursue a career in bio- years ago. the state meet. see what I can do,” said Lee. “It’s been a Sports Scene Photo) dream of mine to run in the Big Ten. I am plans for pacing and does not hesitate to be the chemistry. “My goal with as to try to come here He also qualified in the 3,200-meter grateful to have that chance and see all of frontrunner. In his state championship run, he and win it,” admitted Lee. “I was only relay, but pulled out and was replaced by a the hard work has paid off.” PLUMBING • HEATING • AIR CONDITIONING • ELECTRICAL GI-TEC Students FREE ESTIMATES Fenton’s Jacob Lee surged ahead of the pack to Bring this coupon to win the Division 1 state title ijn the 3,200 meters. (Dan Stickradt, High School Sports Scene Photo) ICCU’s Student-Run Powell’s Service, Inc. Credit Union for a 760 East Monroe Road (M-46) St. Louis, Michigan 48880 free prize! Phone: (989) 681-5751 Fax: (989) 681-3583 Become a School 1-800-576-3555 DAN SHERWOOD Coach or Game Official ICCUonline.com *One prize per person Owner/Manager Your Health. Our Passion! Contact your local high school 1661 Ramblewood Dr. The Center For Women’s HealthCare http://cfwhc.com Your Health.The Center For Women’s HealthCare http://cfwhc.com athletic administrator or the East Lansing, MI 48823 The Center For Women’s HealthCare http://cfwhc.com Michigan High School 517-332-5046 Our Passion! Athletic Association www.mhsaa.com 989.584.3107 Page 12 - June/July 2016 High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News www.highschoolsportsscence.com www.highschoolsportsscence.com High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News June/July 2016 Page 13 Merrill High State ‘Jackets Pride... Champ Links Gymnastics Banner Season For Yellowjackets With Pole with senior team leader Erica Sheahan. of winning, the girls tell themselves, ‘Shoot, A fourth place in the 4x400 featured why not us as well?’ At the same time, they are Vaulting Ithaca Relay Teams Provide Showers, Kalisek, Allen and junior Amelia very talented and they want to cast their own Scott Keyes Freestone. shadow.” Sports Scene Merrill’s Jacob Kulhanek repeated as a It wasn’t all relays, of course. Individuals also Another link is rigorous weight training that Merrill High School’s Jacob Kulhanek, the state champion in the pole vault during Keys To Girls D3 State Crown is a football basic, but less common in girls’ did their share. back-to-back state Division 4 champion in the recent Division 4 state track finals. None of the three relay squads took a first sports. Scott Keyes Erica Sheahan capped an outstanding career the pole vault, has based his track and field Kulhanek will continue his track career place, but all ran to their top-notch potential. at Saginaw Valley State University. Sports Scene by defending her state crown in the long jump, “At 6:30 in the morning in the weight room, participation on regular four-day-per-week “The way that we prepare is, everybody the girls will be in there lifting, right alongside visits to Saginaw’s Gym Jesters Gymnastics (Submitted Photo) They employed a great passing game and stretching for 17’10.5”. She captured second in go out and do your job,” said Coach Lebron, the 200 dash (a school record 25.51) and third the guys,” Coach Lebron said. “For both cross Center in Carrollton Township. they won the championship. country and track, that gives us an edge, on top in his sixth season. “We don’t practice the in the 100 (12.59), accounting for 24 individual As he entered seventh grade, an uncle - discus. Coach Wiley praised Jacob for mak- We’re talking about the Ithaca High School of all the miles that we run (in practice).” handoffs all that often, except near the start of points to so with her sprint relay anchor leg. Al Osinski - viewed his graceful efforts in ing the extra effort to engage in additional girls track team, not the statewide-famous the season. The girls are so familiar with one In the 800, Courtney Allen was third (2:19) He also coaches the girls cross country team, gymnastics and suggested his skills would be training, and for practicing year-round in his football squads of recent years. another by now - they have been teammates and Blaire Showers tied for sixth (2:21), and in which won a state crown in 2014. Even track an ideal match for pole vaulting. specialty event. Coach Gene Lebron’s Lady Yellowjackets since elementary school - and they have all this sprinters such as Erica Shahean also participate the 300 hurdles, Emily Foster was fifth (46.87). He started with the bar set at a modest 6 To make the challenge even more difficult, passed the baton for a trio of top relay finishes experience together.” in cross county in order to build strength and Track athletes - neither girls nor boys - do feet. Was he scared? Merrill High lacks track and field facilities that paved the way to this spring’s Division 3 The 4x800 relay quartet took second in endurance. not block and tackle, but Coach Lebron still due to repeated voter defeats of millage championship. 9:30.07 with seniors Blaire Showers, Kurstin “Very,” he admitted, with a chuckle. finds a connection with Ithaca’s 69-wins-in-a- Team members are not resting on their proposals, which means Jacob has lacked Kalisek, and Alyssa Mankey, and junior Court- By the close of his senior season, he was Ithaca accumulated 57.5 points to nose row landmark football streak. laurels. Six of them recent took part at the the opportunity to practice on his own at his out Adrian Madison High with 54, Traverse ney Allen. Greensboro National Scholastic Meet in North clearing 13’9” to win the state finals. His win- “Instead of having jealousy (regarding atten- home school. City St. Francis High with 46 and Clare High Another runner-up finish netted key points Carolina - Sheahan, Showers, Kalisek, Mankey, ning height was 13’7” as a junior, the year he tion to football), the girls are motivated by it,” “When I was not able to train with Coach with 45. This is the first girls track title in the in the 4x100 (54.21) with juniors Mikayla Allen and Kindal. completed his big turnaround. His personal he said. “They’re friends with football players, Payne, my Uncle Al served as my coach at school’s history. Fairchild, Emily Foster and Kara Kindal, along best is 14 feet even, and he was undefeated who have created a winning culture. In terms during his junior and senior seasons. my meets, and as my trainer,” Jacob said. “He created many drills in his pole barn, includ- “During my freshman year, I cleared 11 ing a 20-foot rope to climb.” feet, then in my sophomore year, 11’10”, but I was not improving as much as other vault- Jacob also takes inspiration from his elder ers,” Jacob explained. “My parents (Troy and sister by six years, Sarah Kulhanek, a 2010 Noreen Kulhanek) reached out and found a Merrill High School graduate who ran track coach.” and cross country, and played volleyball, at Merrill. He played football through his The mentor is former Alma College vault- junior year, but then gave up the gridiron to er Kyle Payne, who coaches during spring focus on pole vaulting. seasons at Nouvel Catholic High and during The Ithaca girls track team made history winters tutors several indoor vaulters from This fall, he will enroll at Saginaw Valley in June, giving the Yellowjackets its third regional schools in skills that range from State University and try out for the track MHSAA title for the 2015-16 school year. faster approaches to improved planting of team as a walk-on. He will find himself far Ithaca also won championships in football more acquainted with the campus, and with and girls bowling, while losing in the girls their poles. the athletic facilities, than a typical freshman. basketball semifinals and boys basketball “Without Coach Payne, I would not be quarterfinals. Yellowjacket pride was at an where I am today,” Jacob said. After all, SVSU’s Ryder Center was the all-time high and teams are already looking location of those twice-a-week workouts to defend their respective titles. Meanwhile, Merrill Coach Christian Wiley is grateful with Coach Payne. If Jacob repeats his high girls track coach Gene Lebron is celebrating for Payne’s assistance. Like many high school school improvement, and maintains the ex- his second title in two years, as he led the track coaches, he is not experienced in pole tra workouts, he hopes to qualify for athletic Yellowjackets to a state cross country title in vaulting, the most unique of all track and scholarship aid. Regardless, he plans to study 2014. (Randy Miniard, High School Sports field events, along with the shot put and the Scene Photos) medical laboratory science.

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Page 14 - June/July 2016 High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News www.highschoolsportsscence.com www.highschoolsportsscence.com High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News June/July 2016 Page 15 TC St. Francis Runner Wraps Up Legendary Brighton Caps Season With School-Best Fifth-Place Finish At D1 Finals Dan Stickradt which is believed to be the KLAA West Division. meter relay (9:21.54). Career With Three More State Trophies school’s best finish to date in Sports Scene Erin Dowd led Brighton The Bulldogs competed in Emmalyne also took part in the 4x400 quar- Coach Duffing said competition against Holly’s cross country effort during fall 2015 the sport. at the state finals, earning five other events at the finals Scott Keyes Geri Gee knew what type tet, along with juniors Anna Clear and Emma the larger schools has proved to be a major - similar to track and field - also reflected her “We just have great collec- second in the 300 hurdles but did crack the top eight in Sports Scene of girls track and field team Fifarek. challenge, but that the outlook for next season team spirit. She led St. Francis High School to tion of girls that are talented (43.72) and third in the 100 those events. she had months ago. The After winning state championships in the is positive with Holly Bullough as the lone the team state title, with Katelyn Duffing plac- and hard-working,” said Gee. hurdles (14.76). Jenna Sica The winning 4x800 foursome included Brighton squad was reaping “We’ll lose some very good 800 and 1600 meters as a freshman and as a graduating senior. ing fourth, Emmalyne Tarsa in fifth and Jayana “I (knew we had) the talent to also crossed sixth in the 3,200 Fifarek, freshman Katelyn Duffing (the coach’s potential and had a plethora seniors, but we have some sophomore, Holly Bullough of Traverse City St. daughter) and sophomore Joyana Tarsa and In addition to her track and field accom- Tarsa at 11th. be a top 10 team. No doubt.” meters (10:48.25). good athletes coming up,” Francis High School was not happy about her of talented athletes capable of Bullough as the closer. plishments, Holly also is a two-time state Holly is the daughter of Shane and LeeAnn qualifying for the state meet. Brighton’s season saw Brighton also placed in two said Gee. “I know we’ll be pair of runner-up finishes as a junior. cross country champ and Division 3 state Bullough, and is well-known for her Michigan the Bulldogs win the KLAA relays at the D-1 finals. good in the distance races St. Francis’ third-place effort comes on the Some eight months after She redeemed herself at this spring’s Divi- record-holder (17:41.8 for 5,000 meters), win- State University connections. Shane was a Lakes Conference meet with because our cross country heels of a disappointing 10th place in 2015, the watching Brighton’s girls Dowd teamed up with sion 3 state meet - and then some - to close one ning as a senior by a whopping 37 seconds. As standout MSU linebacker during the middle 128 points. The Bulldogs program is so strong. We school’s first season of an enrollment move- cross-country team earn a Cassidy Newburg, Maddie of the most stellar careers in Michigan track a junior, in contrast, reflecting her career-long 1980s and three sons - Max, Riley, Byron - have were also second at the Saline hope to keep developing up to Division 3. In Division 4, the team had state runner-up finish at the Brown and Maggie Samanich and field annals. improvement, she needed a final sprinting kick followed in his footsteps. Holly is the youngest Golden Triangle Invitational, athletes in the future. We achieved a state championship and a pair of Division 1 state finals, Gee’s to place fourth in the 1,600 Holly returned to the winner’s circle in runnerup finishes. to win by a narrow two-tenths of a second. sibling. Brighton Invitational and meter relay (3:54.47). The unit are really looking forward to track team followed that Milford regional and sixth at developing some field events. the 800 (2:12.22) and the 1600 (a state record up with a fifth-place finish of Sica, Samanich, Brown and 4:52.63), but that wasn’t all. She also anchored the Dexter Spring Showers Sam Fusik recorded a fifth- That’s the one area where we the D-1 state meet June 4 at Invitational to go along with did not score much at the big a winning 4x800 relay effort (9:23.95) and ran Hudsonville High School — place showing in the 3,200 and anchored a runner-up finish in the 4x400 a 5-0 dual meet record in the meets.” (4:03.7), sparking St. Francis to a third-place overall team finish behind Ithaca High School and Adrian Madison High School. Brighton’s Jenna Sica ran a leg on the Bulldogs’ fifth place 3200 meter relay team and aided in her school’s fifth place finish in the More remarkably, Holly did it all through team standings. (Dan Stickradt, High School Sports Scene Photo) the pain of a stress fracture in one of her feet. For example, her state record time in the 1600 was five seconds above her personal career best. “Between every race, she put the boot back Northville’s Chloe Abbott Blazes on,” said Coach Julie Duffing, marveling at the effort. The coach explained that she “gave Holly Trail Of Glory At D1 Finals the option” to drop out of some of the events, Dan Stickradt Abbott, who ran with Morgan while anchoring Northville’s and that her star runner insisted that the relay Sports Scene Kloosterman, Yasmine Affes and 800-meter relay unit to a fourth- races were her top priority over the individual Lindsay Walters, received the place finish (1:41.31) to emerge events. Chloe Abbott is not shy by baton in 1,600 relay in fifth place as the top performer at the D-1 “She’s all about her teammates, more than any stretch: She can sing; she and quite a distance behind the state meet. herself,” Coach Duffing said. “That’s been the can act; she has great stage pres- leaders. The Purdue-bound Ab- In the 200, she dethroned case for all four years.” ence and has quite an outgoing bott chased down the front pack three-time state champ Sekayi personality. Other points came from junior Emmalyne to help her team win in a photo Bracey of East Kentwood. In the Tarsa with a fourth in the 400 (59.58) and a And boy can she run. finish with a 52.9-seconds split. 400, she surpassed defending sixth in the 100 hurdles (15.94). The Northville senior enjoyed The Mustangs clocked 3:50.581 state champ Taylor Mason of “the best day of (her) life” June to post an upset by three East Lansing during the final 4 when she claimed a pair of one-hundredths of a second. 100 meters of the race with individual state champion- Favored Oak Park, the another stellar performance. ships, anchored another state defending champs in the event, “I could have never imagined Traverse City St. Francis’ Holly Bullough clocked 3:50.584. capped her stellar high school career championship relay and placed this,” said Abbott. “I mean win- by winning three more trophies during on another relay to help her “It means so much, to be ning three events this way…it’s a the recently completed Division 3 Girls Mustangs finish third overall at able to do this for my team. I’ve special feeling.” Track Finals held at Comstock Park the Division 1 state finals with never done something like this Dalton said her state finals High School. Bullough won the 800m, 50 points at Hudsonville High before,” said Abbott, who owns a performance will be legendary. 1,600m and anchored a winning 4 X School. multitude of school records for 800 relay effort. She also helped St. “We told her that she’s not “She’s an amazing athlete,” Northville, including the 100, Francis to a runner-up finish in the 4 x 200, 400, 800 relay and 1,600 only one of the best in the state, 400 relay. (Randy Miniard, High School said Northville co-coach Tim relay. “I just knew I had to do it.” but one of the best sprinters Sports Scene Photo) Dalton. “You look at what she in the country,” he continued. did in the (1,600) relay. She’s a Abbott sang a championship “She’s going to the Big Ten for a Insured Nathan Schooley (989) 463-8321 born competitor to be able to tune in the 200 meter dash re a s on .” Free Estimates (989) 388-6924 CRIPPEN make up that much ground.” (24.03) and the 400 (53.10), A great place to join MANUFACTURING see how we can help you Northville’s Chloe Abbott captured the Division 1 state titles in the 200 COMPANY and 400 meter dash while anchoring the Mustangs’ state champion 1600 Providing Quality Grain Equipment Since 1924! meter relay unit. (Dan Stickradt, High School Sports Scene Photo)

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Page 16 - June/July 2016 High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News www.highschoolsportsscence.com www.highschoolsportsscence.com High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News June/July 2016 Page 17 Sam Forsyth; 2nd, long jump; 1600 meter run, 8th, 3200 meter run; rd th Brandon Keys; 5th, long jump; Area Teams Leave Lasting Impression On Finals; Ithaca, 3 , 4x200 relay; 6 , 4x400 relay Bryan Moore; 7th, 100 meter FARWELL Area Track Teams Find Success th dash; 7th, 200 meter dash; Zach Waverly, Fowler Walk Away State Champs Lillian Albaugh; 7 , shot put McFarlan, Brandon Keys, Sam FRANKENMUTH Olivia Rademacher; 6th, 300 hurdles; Tra’chele Roberts; 1st, 100 meter Keri Frahm; 1st, discus, 2nd, shot put; Forsyth, Bryan Moore; 2nd 4x200 Division 1 During Finals Bonanza Doofan Nyamor, Casey Lenon, dash; Malin Smith; 2nd, shot put, 5th, Kelsie Kujat; 7th, pole vault; Carissa Led by Erin Dowd, who placed in th relay; Paxton Ruddy, Hayden Tensey Gavalis, Jillian Roney; 4th, discus; Teaghan Thomas, Jazlynn Schurr; 8th 800 meter run Dave Cook 5 , high jump LAKE FENTON the top three in both hurdle races and Giesken, Sam Forsyth, Zach 4x100 relay; Jinny Fankhauser, Wilcox, Maya Garrett, Tra’chele OKEMOS Isaac Golson, Jacob Fletcher, Elijah th HEMLOCK Sports Scene McFarlan; 5 , 4x400 relay was part of one of two relay teams st th th th Molly Weir, Caleigh Dunn, Olivia Roberts; 1 , 4x100 relay; Teaghan Nora Fettinger; 8 , 300 hurdles Elliot Kadrofske; 8 , 1600 meter Bourdeau, Thomas Mueller; 7 , that earned all-state honors, the Division 1 CLARE Rademacher; 7th, 4x400 relay Thomas, Jazlynn Wilcox, Maya ITHACA run; Saano Murembya; 6th, 800 4x800 relay Brighton girls track team finished in Levi Boynton; 2nd, discus; 4th, shot WALLED LAKE CENTRAL Garrett, Tra’chele Roberts; 1st, 4x200 Courtney Allen; 3rd, 800 meter run; Paced by its relay teams, the meter run LAKEWOOD-LAKE ODESSA the top 10 in the state. CAAC Blue rd th th Jayla Wesley; 3 , high jump relay Emily Foster; 5th, 300 hurdles; Erica Rockford boys placed second to st th put; Chase Field; 5 , pole vault; 6 , teams Okemos and East Lansing ROCKFORD Noah Caudy; 1 , 110 hurdles; 4 , WALLED LAKE WESTERN LINDEN Sheahan; 1st, long jump; 2nd, 200m, Oak Park at the Division 1 finals. 4x200 relay both placed in the top ten as well. Logan Anderson; 7th shot put; 300 hurdles Alexandria Robinson; 4th, long jump, Alia Frederick; 6th, 300 hurdles 3rd, 100m; Blaire Showers; 6th, 800; Johnny DeHaan won the pole vault st FRANKENMUTH Greenville’s Landon Kemp also th Jonny De Haan; 1 , pole vault; LANSING SEXTON rd 6 , high jump MASON Mikayla Fairchild, Erica Sheahan, for the Rams while Cole Johnson Grant Bronner; 3 , high jump; earned all-state honors in three th Isaac Harding, 2nd, 3200 meter rd Dani Jones; 6 , long jump Emily Foster, Kara Kindel; 2nd, earned all-state honors in the 1600 Dariyon Gregory; 3 , 200 meter th nd events highlighted by her win in the Division 2 rd th 7 , 110 hurdles; Dan Stone; 2 , REMUS CHIPPEWA HILLS 4x100 relay; Blaire Showers, Kurstin run; Cole Johnson; 3 , 1600 meter dash; 6 , 100 meter dash; Devin th EDMORE-MONTABELLA and 3200 meter races. Walled Lake th shot put; 4 , discus; Jonathan pole vault. With sophomore Tra’chele Roberts th run, 5 , 800 meter run; Melvin th Rachel Baldwin; 4 , pole vault; Kalisek, Alyssa Mankey, Courtney rd Western also performed strong in Taylor, Dijimon Slaughter, Dariyon Worden; 5th, 300 hurdles. Jonathan Top 20 area teams: Brighton (5 , 26 leading the way, the Lansing Bri Carson; 3 , high jump; Mosely, Marcus Remtema, Josh st th Hannah Fiegel, Joelle Humpula, Allen; 2nd, 4x800 relay; Courtney st Gregory, Cody Blankenburg; 1 , points), Okemos (6 , 22), Greenville Waverly girls captured the Division th Kensington Garvey; 1 , 800 meter the relays at it placed eighth as a rd Worden, Grant Bronner, Stephen Nicole Snyder, Hannah Todd; 4 , Patterson, Tyler Brenner; 3 , 4x200 th th Allen, Blaire Showers, Amelia run team. 4x100 relay; Dijimon Slaughter, th (6 , 22), East Lansing (9 , 20), 2 state title. Roberts won the 100 th Messing, Alec Yagiela; 5 , 4x100 and Ruben Haggerty fifth in the th 4x200 relay Freestone, Kurstin Kalisek; 4 , nd relay; Grayson Harding, Isaac Cody Blankenburg, Devin Taylor Grand Blanc (16 , 10), Rockford meter dash and was also a member FOWLER Top 20 area teams: Rockford (2 , th relay; Micheal Crary, Jake Rummel, discus. th SAGINAW SWAN VALLEY 4x400 relay Harding, Cole Johnson, Matthew Dariyon Gregory; 4 , 4x200 relay th (16 , 10). of two relay teams that also claimed nd Kiah Becker; 6th, 3200 meter 46 points), Walled Lake Western st Alec Yagiela, Stephen Messing; 5 , Top 20 area teams: Saginaw Lauren Huebner; 2 , 100 hurdles, LAINGSBURG run; Sidney Horakl 6th, long th th MacGregor; 1 , 4x800 relay LANSING WAVERLY All-state individuals: state titles. Malin Smith added some nd th (8 , 18), Mt. Pleasant (12 , 15), 4x200 relay Nouvel (7th, 24 points); Merrill 2 , 300 hurdles; Kelsey Landra, Kelly Brown; 4 , high jump jump; Madison Koenigsknecht; th th SAGINAW HERITAGE th BAY CITY WESTERN key points in the field events as she East Lansing (14 , 13), Novi (18 , Keshaun Harris; 7 , 110 hurdles; HARRISON th th Madi Krieger, Emily Buska, Lauren PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA rd rd (11 , 20), Big Rapids Crossroads Morgan Witzgall; 8 , long jump placed in the top five in both the th th th 3 , 400 meter dash; Julie Thelen; Sean Beckom II; 3 , 100 meter Alex Owens, DaVarie Halliburton, th th Huebner; 5 , 4x400 relay; Chelsea Emma Schafer; 4 , 100 hurdles, 4 , rd 12.5). Jeremy Fillhard, 5 , pole vault; Academy (18 , 14) BRIGHTON discus and shot put. Flint Powers 3 , 800 meter run; Alyssa dash Tommy Herring, Wanya’ Sanders; th nd rd Temple, Kelsey Landra, Madi shot put; Brenna Wirth; 5th 400m, th All-state individuals: nd nd Tyler Head; 8 , 110 hurdles; Adam All state individuals: Erin Dowd: 2 , 300h; 3 , 100h; finished a close second and was Vandegriff; 5 , high jump; Ciera WALLED LAKE CENTRAL 2 , 4x100 relay; 2 , 4x200 relay th th Krieger, Lauren Huebner; 8th 4x200 8th 200m; Claudia Heckman, Brenna th BAY CITY WESTERN Scherrer; 7 , high jump BIG RAPIDS CROSSROADS Jenna Sica; 6 , 3200 meter run; paced by Nikole Sargent who won Weber; 5 , pole vault; Sidney Adetokunbo Ogundeji; 2nd, discus MASON relay Wirth, Kelly Thelen, Amelia Thelen; Horak, Madison Koenigsknecht, HEMLOCK Cassidy Newburg, Maddie Brown, both the discus and the shot put. st Evan Vorwerck, Loren Appold, th ACADEMY th ST. JOHNS 1 , 4x100 relay; Brooke Stump, WALLED LAKE NORTHERN Ben Geer; 4 , 800 meter run; th th Maggie Samanich, Erin Dowd: 4 , Top 20 area teams: Lansing McKenzie Koenigsknecht, Julie Matthew Billette, Brendan Nesbitt; th Kurt Sollner; 4 , 800 meter Tayo Fadayomi; 5 , 800 meter run; Lauren Lasceksi, Milah Montle, Emma Arens, Brooklyn Nurenberg, st th th 4x400 relay; Jenna Sica, Maggie Waverly (1st 42 points); Flint Thelen; 1 , 4x200 relay; Madison 5 , 4x800 relay. Joe Albright; 8 , pole vault. Joe Grundstrom; 4 , 200 meter run; Ryan Hilbrandt, Landon st Jennifer Eaton, Brecken Simon; Olivia Nurenberg; 6th, 4x800 relay; th Billy Wojnowski; 1 , 100 meter Samanich, Sam Fusik, Maddie Powers (2nd 40), Saginaw Swan Koenigsknecht, McKenzie WALLED LAKE WESTERN dash, 5 , 100 meter dash; Justin 3rd, 4x800 relay; Mariah Munro, Kelly Thelen, Brenna Wirth, Claudia BRIGHTON st st Honsinger, Kyler Salo, Kurt dash th Koenigsknecht, Julie Thelen, Taryn th Scavarda, 1 , shot put; 1 , discus; th Brown; 5 , 4x800 relay Valley (7th 21). th th Jackson Bleibtrey; 6 , 1600 meter Sollner; 7 , 4x800 relay Madison Maloney, Emily Wohlfert, Heckman, Emma Schafer; 8 , 4x200 st Evan Litch; 5 , shot put; Chip st CARSON CITY-CRYSTAL EAST LANSING All-state individuals: th Schafer; 1 , 4x400 relay; Kiah th th Jarrett VanHavel; 1 , pole vault Brecken Simon; 8 , 4x400 relay relay Osborne; 6 , 3200 meter race. run; Jack Dodge; 5 , 200 meter LAINGSBURG th Re’Anna Blair; 7th, 400 meter dash; Becker, Morgan George, Madison REMUS CHIPPEWA HILLS Zachary Pringle; 8 , long jump; BELDING WILLIAMSTON dash; Jesse Williams, Kyle Thomas, th th nd th SAGINAW VALLEY LUTHERAN Koenigsknecht, Julie Thelen; 1st, DAVISON nd rd Kevin Koenig; 5 , shot put Jacob Smith; 4 , discus Taylor Manson; 2 , 400 meter dash, Greta Wilker; 5 , shot put; Hallee rd th Jackson Bleibtrey, Jack Dodge; 3rd, John Wixson; 2 , 300 hurdles, 3 , th Hannah Jones; 3 , 800m; Grace Sarah Rezler; 7 , high jump Jacob DeBoer; 3rd, discus; Nick LANSING CATHOLIC FOWLER 5 , 200 meter dash; Re’Anna Blair, Breimayer, Johanna McCully, 4x800 relay 4x400 relay; John Saieg, Jackson 110 hurdles Lounsbury, Haleigh Hunt, Yei-Jee SANFORD-MERIDIAN FULTON-MIDDLETON CENTRAL Brianna Wells, Kayla Gibbs, Taylor Summer Eubank, Lauren McDowell; th st Sleeman, Zack Sleeman, Ethan Jason Schafer, Scott Simon, rd th Burkitt, Hannah Jones; 4 , 4x400 Hailey Stockford; 1 , 100 meter th Bleibtrey, Kyle Thomas, John ST. JOHNS Manson; 3 , 4x200 relay 6 , 4x100 relay st Teagan Batis, Jenna Wolfe, Destiny Onweller, Jacob Turgeon; 6 , 4x800 th Ryan Ruiter, Noah Alvarado, BJ relay dash, 1 , 200 meter dash th Petruno; 4 , 4x800 relay. st Nickolai Conner, Clayton Simon; GRAND BLANC BRIDGEPORT Johnston, Megan Struble; 5 , 4x200 relay. Steven Linton; 1 , 400 meter dash; th th Myrick, Nick Peters; 4 , 4x400 5 , 4x400 relay st th Division 3 SHEPHERD relay Division 2 Gabe McClain, Joren Ruhf, Jake Quiara Wheeler; 1 , discus Andriana Smith; 6 , 100 meter th EAST LANSING nd relay Katelyn Hutchinson; 5 , 800; FULTON-MIDDLETON GRAND LEDGE dash; Payten Williams; 6th, 200 Led by their outstanding relay teams, nd MT. PLEASANT SACRED st Eaton, Steven Linton; 2 , 4x400 Amber Gall; 2 , 3200; 3rd, 4x800 Kentre Patterson; 1 , 110 hurdles; Thanks to some dominating OVID-ELSIE Braydan Biddinger; 6th, high jump; Jenna Magness; 4th, 1600 meter run meter dash; Mar’Cedes Townsend, Ithaca claimed its first ever girls state HEART th relay. relay; Angie Yuncker, Rachel th 6 , 300 hurdles. performances in the field events, Isaiah Medina; 7th, 300 hurdles Christian Gundersen; 8th, 300 GREENVILLE Andriana Smith, Marissa Rockett, track championship. Ithaca placed Jodi Hauck; 7 , high jump; Alexis SOUTH LYON EAST Mathers, Kylie Hutchinson, Katelyn nd Mason took second place at the th st nd th McConnell; 2 , 3200 meter run; FENTON rd PERRY hurdles; Jayvin Wolfe; 8 , shot put Landon Kemp; 1 , pole vault; 2 , Payten Williams; 6 , 4x200 relay in three of the four relays, including th Josh Smith; 3 , 400 meter dash th Hutchinson; 8 , 4x400 relay th Jacob Lee; 1st, 3200m Division 2 state finals, just two long jump; 5 , 100 hurdles BULLOCK CREEK a pair of second-place finishes. Bailley McConnell; 7 , 3200 meter Charles Dunn, Jordan Miller, Max LANSING CHRISTIAN th th points behind Orchard Lake St. WILLIAMSTON th MIDLAND Stephanie Schumacher; 8 , discus Senior Erica Sheahan earned all-state Division 4 run; Scout Nelson; 7 , 400 meter GRAND BLANC Walasek, Bryce Weldon; 4 , 4x400 th Mary’s. Justin Scavarda won both th Andrew Carlock; 5 , 1600 meter Amy Smith; 8th, 800 meter run dash; Alexis McConnell, Megan th Dayton Munce; 4 , pole vault CORUNNA honors in three individual events After taking second place at last Carter Merrell; 8 , 200 meter dash relay run rd the discus and shot put while Division 3 MIDLAND DOW Myah Kelly; 3 , pole vault including first in the long jump year’s Division 4 state finals, the Nowak, Cammie McConnell, Scout LANSING EVERETT Jarrett VanHavel captured the pole SANFORD-MERIDIAN LIVINGSTON CHRISTIAN Amanda Kline; 5th, high jump; Maija DEWITT and was also part of a state-placing Fowler Eagles took home their Nelson; 3rd, 4x800 relay nd Marice Allen; 4th, 200 meter dash vault. Thanks to its talented group Christian Petre; 2 , 100 meter Paxton Titus, 1st, discus; 7th, shot Rettelle, Anastasia Tucker, Beth Ashley Shipps; 7th, 3200 meter run relay team. Clare, led by distance seventh state championship in NEW LOTHROP nd th nd MT. PLEASANT Top 20 area teams: Mason (2nd, 44 of sprinters, Sanford-Meridian dash; 2 , 200 meter dash; Monte put Hoffman, Emily Wall; 4 , 4x800 ESSEXVILLE-GARBER runners Jasmine Harper and Lainey program history. The title was a Caitlyn Bruff; 2 , 100 meter dash, th th 6th, 200 meter dash; Claudia Freed; st th th captured the D3 state title. Petre; 6 , 100 meter dash; MERRILL relay Cheyenne Williamson; 4 , 100 Veenkant, took fourth place. total-team effort as Fowler won three Kalebb Perry; 1 , high jump; 4 , points), Corunna (7 , 27), Lansing st th th th Sanford-Meridian won a pair Christian Petre, Miles LeViere, rd OKEMOS hurdles Top 20 area teams: Ithaca (1 , 57.5 relay events and had three all-state 7 , discus, 7 , shot put; Courtney long jump Sexton (10 , 24), Lansing Waverly st Levi Gross; 3 , high jump; Ruben nd th th th th th of relays while Christian Petre Monte Petre, Andre Smith; 1 , th Sophia Franklin; 2 , pole vault; 4 , FLINT POWERS points); Clare (4 , 45.5), Pewamo- efforts in field events. New Lothrop Krupp; 5 , 1600 meter run; Spencer NOVI (13 , 18), St. Johns (13 , 18), Haggerty; 5 , discus; Jacob th th th Malone; 6th, discus; Skye Nancarrow, th took second in both the 100 and 4x100 relay; Christian Petre, Matt st 100 hurdles; 5 , 300 hurdles; Daria Lyndsey Braman; 5 , 800 meter Westphalia (5 , 29), Shepherd had a pair of relay teams earn all- th Lakewood-Lake Odessa (16 , 15), Kulhanek; 1 , pole vault th st st th th Alex Bedrosian, Sydney Pope, Joost Plaetinck; 5 , 3200 meter th 200-meter dashes. Frankenmuth Hoffman, Miles LeViere, Monte Richards; 4 , high jump run; Nikole Sargent; 1 , discus, 1 , (9 , 21.5), Frankenmuth (11 , state honors including a state title th Remus Chippewa Hills (17 , 14). rd th st run; Scott Sawyer; 4 , pole vault; placed third thanks to some strong Petre; 1st, 4x200 relay MT. PLEASANT SACRED ROCKFORD shot put; Julia Vanitvelt; 3 , 1600 21), Sanford-Meridian (12 , 20), in the relays as it placed in the top Caitlyn Bruff; 1 , 4x100 relay; Skye All state individuals: HEART meter run; Lyndsey Braman, Olivia Montrose (19th, 10) three. Nancarrow, Alex Bedrosian, Sydney efforts in the field events and SARANAC rd st Pope, Caitlyn Bruff; 3 , 4x200 relay CEDAR SPRINGS relays. Chesaning also finished in st th Tony Perez, Casey Ervin, Logan Bennett, Libbie Gleason, Julia All-state individuals: Top 20 area teams: Fowler (1 , 56 Joe Conley; 1 , high jump; 8 , 100 th st rd Remington Sawade; 5th, pole vault the top five as a team led by its long Moyle, Sam Neyer; 7 , 4x800 relay Vanitvelt; 1 , 4x800 relay BATH points); New Lothrop (3 , 38), Beal PORTLAND ST. PATRICK meter dash th Leah Cook, Emma Gunderman, CORUNNA jumpers and sprinters. POTTERVILLE FREELAND Riley Ingram, Kelsey Billingsley, City (6 , 29), Mt. Pleasant Sacred th th Cammi Schneider, Annie th SHEPHERD Jenna Gregory; 5 , 400 meter dash; Tessa Hosford; 8 , 4x800 relay Heart (12th 20), Edmore-Montabella Ben Jacobs; 6 , 1600 meter run; Top 20 area teams: Sanford- Ross Schmiedeknecht, Kody Smith, th th Gunderman; 3rd, 4x400 relay st st Cole Fitzpatrick, Blake Opdyke, th Jackie Pruitt, Jenna Gregory, Mary BEAVERTON (15 , 16), Saginaw Nouvel (18 , 14). Noah Jacobs; 1 , 3200 meter run; Meridian (1 , 39 points), Tyler Vermillion, Sam Corbin; 5 , th th True Conroy, Jeremiah Salisbury; Hemgesberg, Abby Youngstrom; 7 , Donna Jean Eschenbacher; 8 , long All-state individuals: POTTERVILLE th rd th Jacob Trowbridge; 6 , 3200 meter Frankenmuth (3 , 33 points), th 4x800 relay 4x400 relay jump Kyleigh Booden; 6 , pole vault th 8 , 4x100 relay BEAL CITY run; Ethan Quinn, Corey Mort, Chesaning (4 , 28 points), Clare SAGINAW MICHIGAN GOODRICH BYRON Kayla Bierschbach; 2nd, 400m; SAGINAW ARTS & SCIENCES th th th ST. LOUIS Owen Walter, Spencer Mort; 6 , (12 , 19.50), Saranac (20 , 23). LUTHERAN th th th nd Courtney Hamilton, Alexis Amos, st Rachel Dolan; 4 , pole vault Jessica Marvin; 8 , shot put, 5 , Hannah Steffke; 2 , 1600 meter 4x200 relay; Jacob Trowbridge, All state individuals: Evan Goodell; 1 , 3200 meter run Daniel Gensmer; 7th, 800 meter run HASLETT discus run; Ashley Reihl, Natalie Gross, Courtney Houston, London Ross; th nd Blake Watson, Kyle Mesh, Noah BATH Division 4 SAGINAW NOUVEL Selah Rowe; 5 , high jump CARROLLTON Hannah Steffke, Kayla Bierschbach; 2 , 4x100 relay nd rd nd Jacobs; 2 , 4x800 relay nd th LAKE ODESSA-LAKEWOOD Yasmine Vail; 3 , high jump 2 , 4x400 relay; Kayla Bierschbach, SAGINAW NOUVEL Cole Trevino, Jakob Cain, Zack Led by Jacob Gray in the throws Jacob Gray; 2 , shot put; 7 , th th DEWITT th Samantha Morrison; 6 , 100 hurdles, CLARE Madeline Steffke, Ashley Reihl, Brianna Greene; 5 , 100 meter Blanchard, Elliott Lipe; 8 , 4x800 and a pair of relay teams, Saginaw th discus; Carlos Arroyo, Tyler th rd th dash, 5 , 200 meter dash; Charley Matt Meagher; 8th, 110 hurdles 6 , high jump Paige Gould; 3 , 300 hurdles; Hannah Steffke; 4 , 4x800 relay Nouvel finished in the top ten in Sprague, Sergio Molinar, Jason nd Hengesbach; 8th, shot put; Lauren th LANSING SEXTON Jasmine Harper; 2 , 1600 meter run, BRECKENRIDGE ESSEXVILLE-GARBER BYRON D4. Merrill placed 11th as a team. Russell; 4 , 4x200 relay; 6th 4x100 Erin Howard; 2nd, discus, 7th, shot put 3rd 3200 meter run; Kasey Staley; th Nowosatka; 4th, pole vault th Chloe Brittain; 4 , 800 meter run Josiah Morse; 8 , 400 meter dash Hunter Berecz; 8th, shot put Merrill was led by Jacob Kulhanek relay LANSING WAVERLY 1st, pole vault; Lainey Veenkant; 4th, who won the pole vault while Levi FREELAND CHESANING VESTABURG Gross took third in the high jump th Nathan Whitting; 3rd, high jump Zach Johnston; 4 , 400 meter dash 7480 West Polk Road, Alma, MI 48801 Local 989-466-2300| Proud Proudto support to support Or Toll free 866-507-2300 ourProud localProud ourto Proudathletes!localsupport to athletes!support to support Supporting Gratiot County’s Youth our localour localourathletes! localathletes! athletes! for Over 25 Years! Alma Ithaca Mt. Pleasant JIM NAVARRE St. Louis St. Johns DeWitt Central Michigan’s Fastest Growing Ford - Our Hard Working Sales Staff. Alma Ithaca Mt. 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Compiled by John Raffel, Individual Track Briefs Dan Stickradt iNDIVIDUAL Track Briefs & Scott Keyes Sponsored by: Oxford’s Connor Bandel Earns His Place As One Of Michigan’s Corunna’s Jacobs All-Time Best In The Throws Dan Stickradt in the discus ring, he is one of just a fistful of competitors to Sports Scene throw over 200 feet, and he did it twice this season. Goes The Distance “I started to see that I had potential and I needed to listen to Connor Bandel departs the prep scene at the top of the “This is to train him in different aspects, such Scott Keyes charts. my coaches more and start working harder as a sophomore,” Sports Scene as working on speed development,” the coach recalled Bandel. “I think I saw a big difference between my explained. “This also ensures that he doesn’t get The recent Oxford grad leaves the Great Lakes State as sophomore and junior year.” Any distance runner must possess a deep inner bored through the season.” one of the very best throwers in the shot put and discus in drive. But does Corunna High senior-to-be Noah Michigan history, with many accolades, accomplishments and While he did not qualify for the state finals as a freshman The next false impression is that Noah’s speed Jacobs, a state and national champion, possess records. — he placed third in the shot put and fifth in the discus at the something special? Just ask Coach Jason Beldyga in shorter races means that he flashes a lightning Ortonville Brandon regional that season — he was impressive fast kick on his closing laps. “I don’t think when I came in as a freshman I could have nevertheless in the weight events traditionally dominated by about motor travels to a national competition. really imagined this,” said Bandel, who will depart for 2016 “He has speed, but he’s not going to blaze past seniors and juniors. “So I stop for a few minutes to get gas, and NCAA champion University of Florida in August. “You dream anyone at the close of a race,” the coach noted. simply to take an overall short break,” the coach about one day being a state champion and being successful. His sophomore season, he racked up numerous top-flight “Because often a closing spring indicates that the said. “Noah slips on his shoes, runs a mile or two But like this … I don’t know if I could have really expected finishes and eventually placed fourth in the shot put and 18th runner held back too much energy during the (in whatever direction). He’s well into completing this.” in the discus at the D-1 state meet in 2014. bulk of the run. Noah finishes his races complete- 1,000 straight days of running. It’s a part of him Bandel accomplished a feat few do as a freshman: Win Today, Bandel is a muscular 6’4” and 230 pounds, and has ly exhausted.” Oxford’s Connor Bandel departs as the state’s all-time now, at this stage of his life.” conference meets in both shot put and discus. That was only nearly perfected the spin move in the ring. His national crown was achieved best in the shot put. (Dan Stickradt, High School At the state Division 2 meet the beginning. This season, Bandel set conference records in both events two weeks after the state meet, at a Sports Scene Photo) in the 3200 meters, Noah broke As a lanky, 6-foot-2 freshman, Bandel won the OAA Red (62’3” in the shot put and 196’5” in the discus) and became the state record and shattered National Scholastic Athletics Foun- a four-time league champ in both events — the first male to dation event sponsored by New Division meet in the shot put and discus, throwing 47’3” in the fourth in the shot put with a stellar throw of 68’10.75”, which the nine-minute barrier with a shot put and 138’2” in the discus back in 2013. accomplish that feat in the 22-year history of the OAA. broke his all-time Michigan record by over a foot. personal-best 8:55.57. He not only Balance footwear at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro. No- “We knew the potential was there,” recalled Oxford throws He won both events at the Oakland County Champion- Bandel is not your typical football lineman-turned-thrower. trounced the nearest competitor ships (67-2.5 and 192-0). His shot put mark broke the existing by 30 seconds, he also beat his ah’s winning time in the two-mile Coach George Schraut. “He was very raw back then. He used He is an agile soccer goalkeeper, starting for Oxford’s varsity -- a slightly slower distance than to throw it like a baseball. I used to tell him that it’s the ‘shot all-time state record by two inches — and Bandel went on to all four years while earning all-league and all-district honors sophomore championship time by break that mark three other times. 32 seconds. 3200 meters -- was 9:03.71, higher put’ not the ‘shot throw.’ He finally learned how to throw as a senior. He also played on one league championship and than the state title clocking, but correctly and he’s matured over the years. He’s come a really At the Division 1 state finals at Hudsonville, his 67’5.75” toss one district title-winning squads during his solid career on the This may feed the impression that Noah is a Coach Beldyga said the effort was at least equally long way. is now the Michigan all-division state-meet record, while the soccer pitch. young runner with loads of experience in the impressive. “We finally got him to start lifting weights more seriously 198’11” discus efforts ranks amongst the top five state-meet In basketball, Bandel played varsity ball as a sophomore and 3200 event. Actually, Coach Beldyga enters him efforts. only about a half-dozen times per season in track “Sometimes a race is more tactical in nature,” after his sophomore year,” continued Schraut. “He took the senior. Bandel continued to excel at the Midwest Meet of Champi- and field’s maximum distance, often opting for the coach said, “and Noah has the knowledge to basketball season off his junior year and he got a lot better. He is looking forward to the next chapter competing at the ons, where again he brought home both titles with a 67’4.25” 400 or 800 meters, either in relays or for individ- run with different strategies.” Now, he’s one of the state’s best.” NCAA level. throw in the shot put, a meet record, and 185’9” in the discus. ual events. He’s a team player. At the state meet, he joined That’s an understatement. “I’m really looking forward to it. The weight (of the shot put a runner-up 4x800 relay team - with seniors Jacob Bandel has been dominant, not losing to a single in-state Recording a career-best of 204-2 in the discus at the Oxford and discus) are different, heavier, and it will be an adjustment,” Trowbridge and Blake Watson, and junior Kyle competitor in the outdoor track and field season in two years. Invitational back in April under ideal conditions, Bandel said Bandel, who was heavily courted by several of the nation’s Mesh - that clocked a blazing 7:56.76. capped the season at the recent New Balance Outdoor Nation- premier collegiate programs. “I will go in there and listen to His resume has become quite impressive. He departs with als. He won the national title in the discus (202’7”) and placed “He ran something like a 1:53 split,” Coach the four furthest throws all-time in Michigan in shot put. Over what the coaches there, work hard, and see what I can do.” Beldyga said. “That’s still the record he’s most proud of.” Noah also is proud of his younger brother, freshman Ben Noah, who finished sixth in the state in the 100 (4:23.34) and 13th nationally in Lakewood Sophomore the mile run. Meanwhile, the Corunna team won a state crow in an event organized through the Michigan Wins by a Nose Interscholastic Track Coaches Association that Lakewood High School’s Noah sonal record 14.70. a gut feeling that I won it and I am measure team depth more highly than the tradi- Caudy was only a sophomore, but It took a photo finish to show very happy that that feeling was in future years, he may find it dif- t r u e .” tional MHSAA format. that Noah had beaten his three ficult to remember duplicating his “We had eight runners qualify (based mostly Coach Jim Hasselt said, “I’ve success from his 10th-grade track closest competitors by less than on competitive times) in the 3200,” Coach Beldy- been wrong before where it was and field season. one-tenth of a second. ga said. “This reflects the depth of our program.” so close, and when they actually In the Division 2 110-meter high “I had no idea (if I’d won),” Noah look at the camera you never know hurdles state finals, Noah crossed said afterward, looking forward his if they are going to say someone Corunna’s Noah Jacobs, one of the top the finish line in a school and per- junior and senior seasons. “I had leaned more than someone else.” distance runners in Michigan, capped his junior season by winning the 3,200m race during the recent Division 2 boys track finals. 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Compiled by Compiled by John Raffel, John Raffel, Dan Stickradt Dan Stickradt iNDIVIDUAL Track Briefs & Scott Keyes iNDIVIDUAL Track Briefs & Scott Keyes “They take a lot of power, but strength isn’t the only thing you need,” she explained. Not Her Favorite Sport, But “Especially in the discus, speed across the From Football ring is just as important.” Still, basketball will be her focus at Ferris She’s Best In The Discus State University. Her initial status is walk-on, to Track, East Scott Keyes time off. Throwing is not quite as hard on but she has already taken part in team work- Sports Scene your body. But we had such an awesome outs and has received a vote of confidence track team (including a state team title in from Coach Kendra Faustin. Lansing’s Star A young athlete is embracing the full 2014), I found myself feeling more compet- She played an inside position in high experience when she has the ability to win it i v e .” school, but as a small forward in college she a state championship in what was her fifth will find herself on the perimeter more often. Athlete Is a favorite childhood sport. Coach Mike Synder said Keri’s status as senior captain reflected her team spirit. She’s working on her mid-range game, but That’s the story of recent Frankenmuth “Keri is intelligent, a hard worker, a having “never made a three-pointer in my High grad Keri Frahm, who captured the career,” she doesn’t expect to start chucking Winner Division 3 discus crown with a career-best motivator in showing by doing, a natural from downtown. hurdles, clocking 14:03 hurl of 138’4”. She also was runner-up in the leader on the team, respected by everyone, a Scott Keyes friend to everyone,” Coach Snyder said. “She The daughter of Thomas and Gail Frahm Running the hurdles is a shot put with a toss of 40’1.25”. Montrose is following family tradition. Siblings Renee, Sports Scene High’s Brooklyn Klopf kept the shot put title is goal-oriented and never takes short cuts. “craft” that helps to build his Even though the team did not win a state Michael and Ashley preceded her through East Lansing High School’s “speed and flexibility” on the in the neighborhood, edging Keri for first the Frankenmuth High ranks, with Michael Kentre Patterson doesn’t need place by 2 inches. championship this season, we are winners football field, said Kentre, who simply because we have athletes on the team (Michigan Tech) and Ashley (Miami of to be concerned with being also placed sixth in the 300 While growing up in an athletic family, who are like Keri - they have character, Ohio) also participating on college track tackled during the spring. That’s meter hurdles to achieve all-state Keri’s main games were basketball, volley- attitude, and a strong work ethic.” teams. the season when the standout status. ball, soccer and softball. Track was a sort of “It’s not like I find huge differences be- wide receiver runs the hurdles keep-busy spring diversion. To add to Keri’s accomplishments, she was His senior season lies ahead, invited to join Team Michigan for a post- tween the sports anymore,” Keri said, looking in track. But Kentre makes a but he’s already thinking ahead Even then, sprints -- not the field events season meet in which top seniors compete ahead to her future at Ferris State, where she connection, and he concluded to college, with hopes of compet- -- were her main activities. She discovered against peers from Ohio and Indiana. She will major in hospitality management, “but his junior year with a Division ing both in football and track at the shot put in middle school, and then the placed fifth in the discus. I’ve been playing basketball for my whole 1 state title in the 110 meter the next level. discus as a Frankenmuth High freshman. As a strapping 6-footer, Keri has been life, and I’m excited to be able to continue.” “At first, it was like track was a season off,” told she does not fit the image of a squat and Keri said. “We would do all that running in powerful performer in the field events. volleyball and basketball, and needed some Frankenmuth’s Keri Frahm capped her high school career by winning the discus and finishing second in the shot put during the recent Division 3 track finals held at Wixson Caps Off Outstanding Comstock Park High School. (Scott Keyes, High School Sports Scene Photo) Season At Chippewa Hills John Raffel Wixson, a senior, earned all-state honors ard Bowens was first (38.42). saved his best for last. Sports Scene last season in the 110-meter hurdles and 300 Russell was expecting a lot from Wixson in hurdles. This was his fourth varsity track “I’m planning on winning it this year,” he Chippewa Hills’ John Wixson didn’t win the hurdles. Crossroads Sprinter said a week before the finals. “I’m seeded fourth season. He’s planning on continuing his track a state title in track and field, but he came career at Central Michigan University. “John is looking to improve and have a as of now.” awfully close while capping off an impressive stellar senior year,” Russell said going into the Wojnowski said prior to the meet that the career as a hurdler. “Last year was definitely a highlight,” Wix- season. Takes State Title son said coming into the season. “I’ve been to pressure and adrenaline from being at the state Wixson was also confident heading into the “Wojnowski was third with 10 meters left in Wixson placed second and third for Chip- individual states every year.” John Raffel meet would be a major advantage. pewa Hills at the Division 2 state finals on June season. the race. He had a great lean at the line.” He was in both hurdles events again. Sports Scene “Great competition really helps me,” Wo- 4 at Zeeland. “I’ve always been pretty consistent going In his last race at home the previous week, Billy Wojnowski of Big Rapids Crossroads jnowski said. “My acceleration after 25 meters “My goal is to be a state champion in both,” into the hurdles,” he said. “I’ve always been Wojnowski took first in the 100 at the Mitchell The 300 meter hurdles was won by Richard Charter Academy truly saved his best for last as is when I close in. My end of the race is my Wixson said. “I was real close last year and just a pretty fast kid, and I work hard in practice. Creek Meet of Champions (11.34). His best Bowens, of Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, in 37.46 a senior sprinter. strength.” to set a new record breaking the old mark missed out. I’ll be in a couple of relays with It helps to get in shape and stay in shape all time came in the Division 4 regionals at Sau- my teammates and want to help them get to Wojnowski ran the last race of his career This is his third season at CCA. He was at a from 2001 over 37.84. Wixson’s second place season.” gatuck (11.32). He was also the West Michigan state and help some younger guys get some ex- on June 4 at the 2016 Division 4 outdoor state Detroit-area school as a freshman. time was 37.86. D league champ in the meet on May 11 (11.34). perience. I need to work hard, listen to coach It was evident how talented Wixson would track and field finals at Grand Rapids’ House- “It’s been pretty successful,” he said of his be when he competed on March 23 at an in- Wojnowski also won the league title in the “He ran very clean and ran very well,” Chip- (Casey) Russell and have fun.” man Field, winning the 100 meter dash with tenure at CCA. “I’ve gotten better from my door meet at Saginaw Valley State University, 200 (23.94) with a personal record, and was pewa Hills coach Casey Russell said. “Even a time of 11.15 – a personal best, breaking his sophomore year on. It’s built on and I’ve ma- In the 100 state final in 2015, Wixson placed where he placed third in the 60 meter hurdles the anchor of the 4x100 that took first in the though he’s not a state champion, I’m very own school record. tured. Last year was my best year because I got ecstatic for his day.” third with a time of 14.77 seconds, finishing (8.25). regionals (46.42). behind Lakewood sophomore Noah Caudy “He had the best of them and took home the my personal best. But I’m planning on beating He took third place in the 110 meter (14.76) and Hamilton junior Kyle Dams “I was doing indoor track this winter so I championship. It was a great,” CCA Coach Ben At the 2015 state final last season, Wojnows- that at state this year.” hurdles at 14.65 seconds, trailing Noah Caudy, (14.76). In the 300 state final, he placed fifth think I’ve gotten my form a little better and Talsma said. ki was sixth in the 100 (11.21). But this year, he of Lake Odessa Lakewood, (14.21) and Zach (39.43), while Orchard Lake sophomore Rich- have improved some of the small things I want Stadnika of Macomb Lutheran North (14.32). to get better at,” Wixson said. YOUR GATEWAY TO THE NORTH SUPERSTORE! 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Washington, St., Owosso St. Louis Page 22 - June/July 2016 High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News www.highschoolsportsscence.com www.highschoolsportsscence.com High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News June/July 2016 Page 23

Compiled by John Raffel, Dan Stickradt SPORTS SCENE’S iNDIVIDUAL track Briefs & Scott Keyes EYE ON LACROSSE

Unified (twice), Ann Arbor Pio- halftime lead. St. Johns Sprint Champ neer (once) and Detroit U-D Jesuit Both teams could only muster Catholic Central Can’t (three times) have come up short one goal apiece in a defensive in quests to dethrone the mighty fourth quarter, giving Brother Puts Team First Solve 12-Time State Warriors. Rice the upper hand. Scott Keyes progress in the difficult event. Linton started playing football in sixth The expansion and constant Morgan Macko scored what Sports Scene “There were times that I would go grade, and with his speed he made growth of lacrosse in Michigan proved to be the game-winner in a natural transition to track in ninth is apparent as teams are gaining the third period and added four Senior Steven Linton of St. Johns out too fast and then come back too Champ Brother Rice grade. Brother Rice has not lost a tour- ground on Brother Rice, which assists for the Warriors. Nick High finished his career by defending slow, and then other times go out too Dan Stickradt nament game since the MHSAA defeated CC by 16 goals two years Dudley scored four times for his Division 2 state championship in slow,” he said, explaining the challenge He has gained scholarship aid to Sports Scene adopted the sport in 2005, and ago, nine last year and only two Brother Rice. the 400 meter dash, but he said his of slightly pacing oneself for the long attend Olivet Nazarene University in Trying to solve the Rubix Cube has only regular season loss to an goals this year. biggest highlight was the regional meet sprint. the fall, 60 miles south of Chicago, Peter Thompson netted the hat has become a frustrating riddle for in-state foe over the past 12-plus “Catholic Central came into in Williamston. The son of Robert and Patricia majoring in nursing anesthetics. trick for Catholic Central. many for more than 30 years. seasons. the game inspired, well-prepared “Our team won our first regional “We need to go on a run in the Things are starting to play out The Warriors own several other and playing like a team that really since 1996,” he explained. third (quarter) and we were able the same way in prep boys lacrosse state and Midwest titles in boys wanted to beat us,” noted sec- ond-year Brother Rice coach Ajay to do that,” said Chawla. “I think Steven was a major reason, with four in Michigan. Teams simply cannot lacrosse through the coaches as- that was the difference. And we regional first places -- the 100 (11.1), solve Birmingham Brother Rice sociation-sponsored tournaments Chawla. “Dave Wilson has done a nice job with that team. He had played great defense (down the the 200 (22.40), his best event, the 400 in the sport, especially in the prior to 2005. stretch) allowing CC to score one (49.49) and the anchor leg in the 4x400 them ready. We expected a (great postseason. The win marked the third goal over the final (15) minutes. relay (3:27.66). His teammates on the match) from them.” The top-ranked Warriors cap- straight season that Rice (20-2) relay quartet were freshman Gabe “I am proud of our team for tured their 12th MHSAA Division downed Catholic Central in the Catholic Central (17-5) scored McLain and fellow seniors Joren Ruhf the way we played. There is pres- 1 state title June 11 at Howell state finals. Brother Rice has first and both teams traded off and Jake Eaton. Another top regional sure winning so many straight Parker Middle School with a 10-8 defeated CC six times in the state three goals each in the first period. contributor was Javin Ross, the discus titles,” continued Chawla. “We victory over second-ranked Novi finals overall, while Grand Rapids Brother Rice held a 2-1 advantage titlist (134-4) as St. Johns topped a 15- found a way to win in the end.” Detroit Catholic Central. Forest Hills Northern-Eastern in the second quarter for a 5-4 team field. At the state meet, Steven defended Detroit Catholic Central lost to Birmingham Brother his individual 400 crown with a career Rice 10-8 during the June 11 Division 1 finals held in best 48.26. The relay team improved its Brighton. (Submitted Photo) regional time by more than 5 seconds (3:22.36) to take second place. the entire state of Michigan the season, then came back Steven said he did not reach his in efforts to continue to grow and beat them 9-3 later in ultimate goal of circling the track in 47 Rockford Wins Fourth the sport, has pumped out the season. Our only other seconds flat, but that he is proud of his plenty of talent through its loss came against (Chicago) well-nourished pipeline in Loyola Academy (Illinois) Straight D-1 And Fifth recent years. This year’s unit and that game was 12-10 included two All-Americans, and was called due to bad four MHSGLCA All-State weather. We were really Saranac High Jump In Seven Years First Team honorees, one coming at them when the Dan Stickradt 2005, Rockford now has the All-State Second Team selec- game was called.” most D-1 state titles with Sports Scene tion and two more players Rockford saw six starters five, followed by four from that garnered All-State Hon- State Champ Started Rockford wasn’t always graduate in June, but there Birmingham United, two by orable Mention status. this good in girls lacrosse. It Grosse Pointe South and one is plenty of talent in the took a few years to reach the by Brighton. Brooklyn Newman (North program returning next year With A Front Flip pinnacle. Carolina) and Alex Vander- and no reason to believe that The lacrosse program is Molen (Ohio State) are the the Rams will fall away from Conley eventually became “Come meet day, I don’t Now, the Rams are firmly Scott Keyes less than 15 years old. two All-American selections the group of contenders in good enough to set the think too much about it,” planted on top. Sports Scene “We never really had a for Rockford, which finished 2017. school record with a leap of he said. Rockford captured its Saranac High School’s winning record before 2008 the campaign 20-2. “We started three fresh- 6-8, which he repeated for Proof of his consistency fourth straight Division 1 Joe Conley, Division 3 state when I took over,” said “I couldn’t be more proud men and three sophomores good measure. His state title came during his senior sea- state title June 11 at Brigh- high jump champion, always Coach Mike Emery. “There of this group. It is not easy in the championship, and we jump was 6-6. son, when he was undefeated ton High School, topping considered basketball as his was a club team for a few defending a state title, but have some other nice players The youngest of three sons in all of his competitions Birmingham United, 12-9. favorite sport. Then, in his years and a varsity for one they worked hard all season coming up,” noted Emery. “I of Sean and Lisa Conley, in under Eric Smith, the boys The win marked the Rams’ freshman year during track year before I took over. So I and had an outstanding truly believe that we will be fact, became a master of the coach, and spouse Diana fifth state title in seven team highlights, there was would say that we have come season,” said Emery, whose one of the top teams again style aspects. Smith, the girls coach. years, while the program has a shortage of high jump a long way as a program.” team finished the campaign next year. I’m excited for reached the Final Four seven candidates. His first attempt “The main goal is to keep He also achieved all-state Rockford, which will host ranked third in the Midwest. t h at .” everything the same, from in the 100 dash with an straight times. was an awkward front-flip a University of North Caroli- “We lost to East Grand The mark of a quality the run-up to the bend over eighth-place finish. Since the MHSAA adopt- cartwheel over the bar, but na satellite camp this July for Rapids by a goal early in program. eventually he learned the the bar,” Joe explained. Joe remains undecided ed the state tournament in standard back flip. Some high jumpers are on a college choice while slow and studious, similar considering several offers for Rockford won its fourth straight Division 1 lacrosse title after “My first two years, my defeating Birmingham United 12-9 in the finals. (Submitted Photo) technique was not very to various golfers or baseball scholarship aid. He intends good,” he admitted. pitchers, but Joe does his to study management infor- work with quick dispatch. mation systems. Over 100 uck Available Cars to rs! Good tLhe Come Shop Pan At Our New Choose From vans Location! W. M57 Greenville, MI ye www.Blakehollenbeckinc.com SEALS • TACIA CheCk Out Our InventOry Dr. Lawrence M. Evans enters OPHTHALMOLOGIST BARTZ •ZAINEA Hours: • WHITEMORE• Ph. (616) 754-5566 120 E. Warwick, Alma, MI. 48801 (989) 463-EYES (3937) Monday and Wednesday 9 to 8 1203 S. Mission, Mt Pleasant, MI. (989) 775-EYES (3937) Tuesday, Thursday Friday 9-6, Saturday 9-3 Toll Free (866) 358-7473 102 S. Third St, Carson City, MI. (989) 584-3111 Page 24 - June/July 2016 High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News www.highschoolsportsscence.com www.highschoolsportsscence.com High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News June/July 2016 Page 25

nings, with an earned run average of 1.82 Coach Gernon says Keegan is typically I’m concerned, and the bats came and an opposing batters’ average of .192. modest in his self-description: “He abso- Liggett Too Much For New Lothrop; alive. We hit the heck out of the ball. lutely dominated this season - 16 straight That’s a recipe for a win every single Keegan is 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, during time,” Cimini said. SPORTS SCENE’S an era when many pitchers are taller. He starts, 14 of them amazing and the other Hornets Shutout In D3 Finals New Lothrop coach Ben Almasy EYE ON BASEBALL said his professional outlook will hinge two simply really good. His fastball is cision to University-Liggett during electric with late life to it, and his second- Scott Keyes was impressed by the Liggett squad. on a “lively fastball and competing in the Sports Scene the Division 4 soccer finals. Then strike zone” with all his pitches. ary pitches just keep getting better and Liggett shutout New Lothrop 12-0 “I would say they’re a top five better. Plus he’s an extremely coachable “I realize that I’m undersized for an The Genesee Area Conference in the Division 3 baseball finals. team out of all divisions, and they’re kid, very humble. It’s impossible not to going to be just fine,” he said. “Can average pitcher,” he said, “I just try to find had a rough few days against Grosse New Lothrop (41-4) threw three like him.” we play D1? We’re a small school a way to get it done.” Pointe Woods University-Liggett different pitchers, but none of them and we do the best we can. We during the MHSAA finals weekend. could find the groove against the moved up this year (from Division First Montrose dropped a 1-0 de- potent Liggett bats. The Knights 4) and we made a nice run.” racked up 12 hits, drew six walks and every member The Knights, who were ranked Homegrown of the lineup reached base No. 1 throughout the season and at least once. finished 32-4, collected 12 hits in Ex-Bullock Creek Star Keegan Akin the game. The Hornets, who won Dan Cimini, who is in the Division 4 championship in his 13th year at Liggett 2014, finished 41-4. Shows Guts, Determination; Drafted In led the team to its fourth MHSAA baseball champi- Quentin Taylor, Cam Pope and onship since 2011. Carter Hamgesberg had two hits Second Round Of MLB Draft By Orioles each for New Lothrop. “We had our best pitch- Scott Keyes parents Kevin and Carrie, and younger sister er on the mound, we’re Liggett scored in every inning Sports Scene Karrigan. He was a two-time all-state athlete at probably the best fielding and its lead was 8-0 by the bottom Bullock Creek High, compiling a 19-0 career team in the state as far as of the third. The close of Keegan Akin’s college baseball record. career helped to open the door for the lefty His father was into sports, having wrestled at pitcher to play pro ball. Central Michigan University and later serving Keegan is a Bullock Creek High School prod- as Alma High School’s athletic director. Dad uct who finished his junior season at Western installed a batting cage in the back yard, and The New Lothrop baseball team made it all the way Michigan University as the most valuable player to the Division 3 championship game before losing Keegan’s traveling Little League ballgames be- to Grosse Pointe University-Liggett 12-0 in the finals. in the Mid-American Conference tournament. came family vacations across the Midwest. (Alan Holben, High School Sports Scene Photo) On only three days’ rest ­- two fewer than nor- “We spent lots of time in the vehicle and in mal - he hurled six gutsy shutout innings in a hotels,” he recalled. championship victory over Kent State. memories, and that’s what it’s all Shamrocks scored single runs in the solid and even mixed in the spectacu- At home, he would a b out .” first and fifth innings. lar,” he continued. “Dan Mackowiak at A few days later, the Balti- throw in a pole barn St. Patrick Claims Second Place second base made the defensive web more Orioles selected Keegan owned by Dean Kreiner, Parkway Christian had a big second Dan Mackowiak had an RBI gem of the year with a backhanded with their second-round pick, a Mount Pleasant In Baseball’s Division 4 inning with five runs for a 5-0 lead single in the first inning and Brandon diving snag, taking away a sure double 54th overall, in the major baseball enthusiast, and and cemented the deal with three runs Scheurer had an RBI single in the John Raffel the first time since 1993. But Sterling that would’ve given them runners on league draft. under the tutelage of Dar in the sixth. Travis Moyer, who had a fifth. Nathan Lehnert was the winning Heights Parkway Christian stole the second and third, with nobody out, “I believe [the MAC tour- Peska, who was the Alma Sports Scene sparkling season on the mound, went pitcher and Travis Moyer got the save. show with a 10-3 victory in the state early in the contest. It was a game nament performance] helped High School softball two full innings and took the loss. Portland St. Patrick found itself in title game on June 18 at Michigan State “Nathan Lehnert, a freshman, really changing play. Brandon Scheurer was to show that I was willing to coach. Catcher Brendan Schrauben led the St. the state title game for baseball for University. was a grinder,” Scheurer said. “He automatic at shortstop and handled go out and take the team on Patrick attack with two hits and two didn’t have his best command early. “It was year-round The Shamrocks ended their season some of the game’s most pressure filled my back,” he said. walks. I’m sure some of it was nerves, big baseball, a lot of work,” at 23-8. moments with ease.” Western Michigan Coach Keegan said. Scheurer was happy with the team’s stage, MSU and Kobs Field, but he Billy Gernon said Keegan’s “It was a great run through the hitting in the title game. was able to get out of two bases loaded A memorable win was in the quar- Despite all his playoffs and we ended up losing to terfinals on June 14 at Central Michi- effort was the pinnacle of his “Garrett Pline smoked the ball all jams in the second and third innings. preparation, his years at the best team we played with great gan over defending champs Muskegon three-year career as a “great day but only had a single to show for From the fourth through sixth innings Western Michigan did athletes, great lineup,” said Coach Catholic Central 3-2. teammates” with the Broncos. it,” Scheurer said. “Brendan Schrauben he settled down, worked ahead in the not begin smoothly. He Bryan Scheurer. “There’s no shame in had two singles and a couple of walks count and was himself. Travis Moyer “Clearly Travis Moyer was a stud,” “He wanted the baseball,” posted a solid freshman that. I couldn’t be more proud of our on the day. Travis Moyer had an RBI took the ball in the seventh to lock Scheurer said. “He was working ahead the coach said. “I wasn’t going season, but struggled team who maximized their potential single and missed a two-run homer by down his fourth save of the year. in the count, throwing all of his pitches to do it (on short rest), be- as a sophomore, in part as ballplayers, teammates with senior inches down the left field line.” “Offensively, we didn’t have our best for strikes and was very efficient. His cause we had never taxed him like that. But he because of a sore abdominal muscle on his leadership and quality individuals. It day but found a way to scratch a few demeanor and body language were top was amazing - nine strikeouts, only one hit, 78 throwing side. It wasn’t until his junior year energized our whole community. We St. Patrick had a 2-0 semifinal win runs. Defensively, we were yet again notch, the usual for Trav.” pitches. And throwing 92, 94 miles per hour.” that he came into his own, attributing his suc- made some unforgettable life-long over Gaylord St. Mary on June 17. The Keegan’s first assignment is in the Class A cess to improved command of off-speed pitches Former Bullock Creek and Western rookie league is with the Aberdeen IronBirds, in tandem with his always-jumping fastball. Portland St. Pats lost to Sterling Heights Parkway Christian 10-3 during Michigan University standout based in a small town 20 miles from Baltimore. In addition to winning the conference tour- the Division 4 baseballs finals held June 11 on the campus of Michigan pitcher Keagan Akin was recently The owner is Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., and nament MVP this season, he was a MAC first- State University. (Alan Holben, High School Sports Scene Photo) drafted in the second round of the the nickname derives in part from his “Iron Major League Baseball draft by the team athlete both overall and on defense, and Man” record of 2,632 consecutive games. a third-team All-American. His 133 strikeouts Bring this ad into Baltimore Orioles. 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Big Ten schools, to and we have a double It marked the Holland Christian’s grinding save them for what the play but we dropped fifth time in the became Linden’s misfortune. Rockford Drops Rams hoped would the ball and a ball to Holland Christian Holds postseason that “We had a couple of bad innings. be appearances in the first base that’s dropped the Maroons had Holland Christian is a good team semifinals and finals and throw it away. In successfully en- and they took advantage of (the op- Heartbreaker In later in the week. the state tournament, Off Linden For First Title acted the squeeze portunity),” said Linden coach Steve the team that executes play. Keegan Kenney Dan Stickradt Buerkel. “We scored all of those runs threw 119 pitches on is the one that’s going to “We have been successful with that all sea- in the same inning, but we couldn’t Baseball Quarterfinals the previous Saturday win. Traverse City West Sports Scene son,” sad Caserta. “It seemed like right time to hold the momentum. Good teams but picked up the save executed, put pressure There is a first for everything. do it and it worked again.” will come back at you. They are a John Raffel on us and that’s what against Rockford. The Rams were trailing 5-3 Holland Christian and Linden had the grand Holland Christian scored three in the bot- very good team, well-coached, with Sports Scene at the top of the seventh and had the bases you have to do in some very good pitching. Our pitch- baseball.” opportunity to play for their respective com- tom half of the second and added another run Rockford had realistic hopes for its first state loaded. Grant Erbes walked to make it 5-4, but munities’ first baseball state title. in the third to take a 4-0 lead. ing was very good all season long, title since 2011 in Division 1 baseball, but one Kenny fanned Wyatt Huffaker to end the game. As for the season, “it too, especially in the tournament. Linden erupted for five runs on three hits bad inning against Traverse City West in the was great,” Vriesenga Third-ranked Holland Christian made the But again, we had a couple of bad “We had 10 hits, but it would have been and three errors in the top of the fourth to take quarterfinals on June 14 led to a 5-4 loss and said. “We had a great most of the opportunity, rallying past Linden, innings (in the finals) and it cost us. nice to put a few more runs on the board,” a 5-4 advantage. Only two of the five runs were the end of the Rams’ season. group of guys. We had 8-5 on June 18 at Michigan State University’s I’m not disappointed in our effort.” Rockford coach Matt Vriesenga said. “That’s Led by 12 seniors, the Rockford baseball team fell to Old College Field for the Division 2 state title. earned. Rockford, which won the state crown in how the game of baseball goes. We had our a great defense all year, Traverse City West 5-4 in a Division 1 quarterfinals game played Linden’s dominating run in the The Eagles (29-10-1) could not sustain the 2011, had a 31-8 record, was ranked No. 4 in opportunities. I thought we pitched well. We had 12 seniors and they’re June 14 at Central Michigan University. (Skip Traynor, High It marked Holland Christian’s first-ever trip postseason included a pair of shut- momentum and eventually succumbed to the the state, was 1.19 in team ERA prior to the did everything we needed to do. I can’t think going to be missed. I’m School Sports Scene Photo) to the Final Four and first title. Linden had outs in the district rounds (6-0 over Maroons. game, and had 12 seniors. of anything else other than we walked a couple super proud of our guys. reached the D-2 title game in 2004 only to fall Goodrich and 4-0 over Flint Powers We won conference and short. In the bottom of fourth, Holland Christian Linden finished the season 29-10-1 after losing to Rockford had a 3-0 lead going into the fifth. of guys and didn’t make a couple of plays and Catholic). In regionals, the Eagles competed like crazy.” knotted the score at 5-5 when Chris Mokma Holland Christian 8-5, June 18 at Michigan State Brock Weston started for Rockford and was that’s the game.” some young guys coming in, trying to play “We told them to focus on the little things,” twice ventured into extra innings to walked and later scored on an RBI Single to University’s Old College Field for the Division 2 state cruising along until he walked two batters to Key errors also impacted the Rams in the Khale Showers, Rockford’s third baseman positions. It will be fun. We may not have the offered Holland Christian coach Jim Caserta. down Frankenmuth (2-1) and Clio right by Riemersma. title. (Alan Holben, High School Sports Scene Photo) load the bases with no outs. An error and walk key fifth inning. and leading hitter as a sophomore, will be talent we had this year, but it’s also about work “Focus on the ball, catch and throw the ball, (4-0). returning. Logan Lee is among the hurlers make the plays and try not to think about it made it 3-2. Two more runs scored on an error “It’s just one of those innings,” Vriesenga ethic.” “When we got down, when a couple bad Finally in the quarterfinals, Linden returning. being the state final.” things happened, our guys didn’t panic, and and a fifth run came home on a single. said. “We had an inning like that against Hud- First team all-conference players were Nolan toppled Gaylord (2-0) for its third Fifth-ranked Linden yielded more runs that’s what it takes,” offered Caserta. “All year Rockford didn’t use its top two starters, Jack sonville, but we were up 8-0 at the time. This “I think our pitchers are going to be pretty Bryant, Nick Ignatoski, Kelly, Showers, Seth Holland Christian (36-6) scored three in the shutout of the postseason before outlasting in the finals than it had in its previous six long that’s what we’ve done — don’t panic Weisenburger and Bryce Kelly, both going to one was a hit, a couple of walks, bases loaded good next year,” Vriesenga said. “We’ll have Stevens and Weisenburger. sixth to break a 5-5 tie. Brandon Riemersma powerhouse Dearborn Divine Child in the tournament games. The Eagles outscored the perfectly laid down a suicide squeeze to plate and keep grinding and make something good state semifinals (5-2). opposition 23-3 entering the finals. Chris Mokma for the go-ahead run. happen.” ball, regardless of how much talent a Lakeland (11-1) and Milford (5-5) in “We had another nice run,” said program has within its ranks. the districts, then downed Livonia Morrison. “It’s so hard in baseball. won district and regional titles make a couple of plays we nor- three years in a row. That was mally would make. I thought Hartland Falls Short “It’s really, really difficult,” admit- Stevenson (11-0) and Novi Detroit (In a lot of years) the best teams Catholic Central (3-1). Hartland’s don’t always make the finals. There DeWitt Baseball Squad pretty special to them. They did our pitcher, Michael, did a ted Hartland coach Brian Morrison. want to win a state champion- great job of getting some weak “This is probably why it’s happened last victory was a 6-0 shutout over were a lot of ranked teams that didn’t Rochester in the D-1 quarterfinals. make it out of their districts.” ship, of course. We fell a little ground balls. That’s baseball, In Repeat Bid only once in Division 1.” Falls In State Semifinals short of that and felt we had a you’re going to get breaks. You Blissfield (D-3, 2002, 2003; and Morrison was not disappointed real shot at doing it. It feels like have to take advantage where Dan Stickradt with single runs in the sixth Class C, 1976, 1977), Beal City (D-4, in his players whatsoever. His Eagles John Raffel there’s more work to be done. I you can.” Sports Scene and seventh innings. 2009, 2010), Climax-Scotts (Class D, just lost to a quality program and Sports Scene guess it’s up to the next team to DeWitt had two Division 2 Unlike any other sport, repeating Catcher Cade Preston led 1976, 1977) and Cheboygan Catholic were not an upset victim. try to pick up that.” all-state players first team with as a state champion in prep baseball It was definitely a tough way Holland Christian with five (Class D, 1973, 1974). “I’ve never been disappointed in DeWitt won state titles in Styles, also a junior outfielder, has proved to be the most difficult. for DeWitt’s baseball team to hits and two RBI, and Tarn and That’s nine times combining all [the seniors in this program] in their end what was a banner season. 1983 and 1993 and was state and Tarn. In Class A/Division 1, it has only Koenigsknecht with two RBI tournaments. whole career,” said Morrison. “I’m The Panthers lost 4-3 to Hol- runner-up in 1996 and 1997. “We’ll lose Donovan who happened once since the MHSAA apiece. Hartland, which finally broke certainly not going to start doing land Christian in the Division This was DeWitt’s seventh is an outstanding player and began sponsoring the state tourna- Michael Stygles went seven through with its first state title in that now. I am very proud of them. 2 state semifinals at Michigan appearance in the Final Four. leader,” Shankel said. “Back in ment in 1972 — and that was recent strong innings for DeWitt, 2015, entered the 2016 postseason I thought they defended their [state State on June 16. Holland Christian went on 2014, we went to the semifi- with Bay City Western pulling the allowing one earned run on one of the state’s hottest teams. But championship] with class. It was very to win the title game 8-5 over nals and had 12 seniors and a rare feat in 2013 and 2014. DeWitt built a 2-0 lead five hits and two walks, while the Eagles were finally cooled by difficult just making it back.” in the bottom of the fourth Linden. lot of them started. We were In the lower divisions and classes, striking out four. DeWitt ended fellow state powerhouse Saline, Hartland finished the season 36-6. with Josh Robinson scored “We were able to get on their thinking ‘what are we going repeat performances has only hap- its season at 30-10-1 under falling June 16 by a 5-3 count to The Eagles began the season 1-3 then on a passed ball and Noah starter and were hitting the ball to do now?’ Donovan and pened in a fistful of occasions. Grand Coach Alan Shankel. the Hornets at Michigan State’s Old only lost two more games over the fi- Koenigsknecht rapped an RBI very well,” Shankel said of the Michael shows up. We’ve been Rapids Christian (D-2, 2012 and “We reached some goals we College Field. nal two months of the regular season single. Holland Christian tied it semifinal game. “I think the fortunate to have players pick 2013), Dearborn Divine Child (D-2, had set early on,” Shankel said. Hartland’s ousting again proved before losing in the semifinals. with two runs in the top of the biggest key was the pitching up where they left off. We lose 2004, 2005), Madison Heights Bish- “They wanted to win a district that repeating is not a lock in base- The Eagles defeated White fifth. Donovan Tarn had an RBI change that was made to bring three seniors and two starters. op Foley (D-3, 2011, 2012 and 2013), and regional. They were able to double for a 3-2 Panther lead in (Holland Christian’s reliever) We were young to begin with. DeWitt’s baseball team finished the season winning do that. It was the second time district and regional titles before losing to eventual in the bottom of the fifth. But and shut us down. We didn’t We had some sophomores who Hartland’s quest for a repeat in Division 1 came up short state champion Holland Christian 4-3 in the Division Holland Christian came back in our program’s history we played a lot.” losing to Saline in the semifinals June 16 at Michigan State 2 semifinals. The Panthers finished the year 30-10- GMC University. (Alan Holben, High School Sports Scene Photo) 1. (Kim Larner, High School Sports Scene Photo) Tim McCormick MIDSTATE SALES AND SERVICE Wittenbach Outdoor Power Equipment Downtown Auto Services Inc. Sales PRECISION MACHINE & MFG., INC. Scott Nevins 749 W. Main President Lowell, MI 49331 GMC Phone: (616) 421-7615 Insurance since 1915 Cell: (616) 717-3686 3251 W. M-21 Fax (616) 897-5007 Knowledgeable. Committed. Trusted. 203 Industrial Pkwy. 1102 Industrial Pkwy. St. Johns, MI 48879 110 W. 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64-14 margin. was my last game and I knew I had cheering them on What is your favorite thing about one another? Mercy Shuts Down “We played against to step up for my team.” as they accomplish Kelsi: We have grown up together. We have at least one team in As a unit, Mercy played flawless something great. played softball together since I was 8 years old, each of the (state) ball behind Elmore and had some Moving On Megan: I like the and we have been best friends for as long as I can Top-Ranked Dakota finals,” reminded timely hitting to win the title. intensity that softball remember. I think we have always pushed each Mercy coach Alec Mercy scored what proved to be Five Questions With can bring. When other to be better ball players and to make smart For First State Title Lesko. “Every year we the game-winning run in the top of there’s a full count on choices in life. I know that I can always depend on try to play as toughest the batter our team Megan to pick me up on a bad day, and give me Dan Stickradt the first when Anna Dixon walked schedule as we can to prepare for and scored when Sophia VanAcker Bullock Creek Grads Megan goes crazy in the truthful advice. Sports Scene runs like this. It paid off this year. We smacked an RBI triple to left. dugout or when we’re Megan: Kelsi and I’ve been best friends since I finally (captured) the state title. And on a hitting streak. To be the best, you have to beat Elmore finally gained three more Robinette, Kelsi Jacobs could remember. We are more like sisters. She’s the best. that’s the way it should be, playing Pitching allows me always got my back and can pick me up when I against the top teams this late in the insurance runs in the top of the sev- Scott Keyes to control the pace of the game. I enjoy the battle Farmington Hills Mercy proved enth to back her fine pitching effort. need it most. Most times we’re always laughing tournament, and to beat them at Sports Scene between the batter and me. and usually it’s about something that really isn’t that theory over the last three weeks. this stage. We had to beat three very The second baseman blasted a From Bullock Creek High School’s softball squad, What is your least favorite thing about softball? even funny. The Marlins’ journey ended Saturday good teams (in the) final week.” towering home run over the left field at Michigan State University when fence on the first pitch of the frame pitcher Megan Robinette and catcher Kelsi Jacobs Megan: All the cancelations we have due to the What is your least favorite thing about one Long-time friends and teammates, After yielding a combined 13 runs Megan Robinette and Kelsi Jacobs of second ranked Mercy blanked for a 2-0 cushion. Farmington Hills Mercy celebrates its first-ever Division 1 softball title both have achieved athletic scholarships to Cleary weather. Most times we try to fit in those games another? top-ranked Macomb Dakota, 4-0, in victories in the state quarterfinals after defeating Macomb Dakota 4-0 in the championship game June University in Howell. They aim to retain their in the beginning of the season and it can be cold Bullock Creek High School will continue and state semifinals earlier in the Elmore helped her own cause 18 on the campus of Michigan State University. (Alan Holben, High Megan: Kelsi always looks good wherever we go, their softball careers together at Cleary for its first MHSAA Division 1 state longtime friendship and their status as diamond and rainy but sometimes it gives us the energy especially her hair! week, senior Andrea Elmore put the with a double and pinch runner Julia School Sports Scene Photo) batterymates, but they not see much of one University in Howell in the fall. championship. we need. (Submitted Photo) Clamps down on the high-powered Kleismit later scored on a sac fly to another in the classroom because they are opting Kelsi: Megan is really depending on me to gain After beating honorable mention Kelsi: Softball is underrated as a sport. A lot of No. 1 Cougars. right by Megan Satawa. finals. through for us.” for separate majors - Megan in human resource that freshman 15 ... Every time I wear an outfit teams White Lake Lakeland (3-0) times people think softball is a sport where you softball) and Miguel Cabrera. They are both Shannon Gibbons, who singled, “I can’t say enough about this Leadoff hitter Corbin Hison had management and Kelsi in medical administration. she likes she says, “Can I have that when you’re and Walled Lake Northern (11-1) Facing 27 batters and firing 101 don’t have to work hard or run. They think it is a outstanding hitters who are very helpful additions eventually scored the final run on group of girls,” said Lesko. “Ever three hits for Dakota (38-3), while done with it?” I always tell her that I’m done in the regional round the previous pitches, Elmore scattered five hits, What is your favorite thing about softball? sport that is easy to pick up and playing it takes to their respective teams! struck out five and walked one in a throwing error to the plate, a play since last year when we lost (in the Kendahl Dunford and Julia Salisbury growing but I just get the sense that because she weekend, the Marlins toppled No. 6 Kelsi: It’s when you get the opportunity to play little effort. But they clearly have never played on helping Mercy finish a sterling 43-2. that saw Dunford injured and leav- semifinals), they have worked so had the other hits for the Cougars. knows that I eat a ton of junk food, she’s not Megan: Jennie Finch (Arizona, U.S. national Lake Orion (11-7) in the quarterfi- against a good team. I love playing in suspenseful a softball team run by Coach Kalina, or have been ing the game. hard to get back here and this time talking about my height! team), because she’s a pitcher and she’s achieved nals and No. 4 Mattawan (9-6) in the “I have the confidence in my Dunford pitched 6 2/3 innings games, and pushing myself to do the best I can parented by my dad, they have both pushed me the result was different. We played Who is your favorite athlete? so much. I think she is a great role model to girls semifinals before shutting the door teammates that we would do this,” Elmore pitched a 1-2-3 seventh before leaving with a foot injury at do and cheering on my teammates, whether it’s to be a better player since the beginning of my solid ball all season long and even who love the game. on Dakota. said Elmore. “I think when we gave inning to put the finishing touches the plate. She suffered the loss, giving picking them up from a bad at-bat or error, or softball career. Kelsi: A toss-up between Sierra Romero (U-M on Mercy’s state title. The Marlins in game ames where we faced some up four hits, three earned runs with Overall, Mercy outscored its seven up some runs the past couple of had previously lost in the 2002 state adversity, someone always came four strikeouts and one walk. postseason teams by a commanding games, it helped me focus more. This The Rams lost the game 8-1. All OK Red Conference players Rockford had seven hits but included Jenna Davis and Paige Rockford Softball Team committed four errors and left five Creasey. Davis is a sophomore and herd was the senior class led by and this year we hit 29 home runs. runners on base. The Rockford Creasey a junior. Shepherd’s Dream Season Haley Buckley, Ali Artecki, Bailey We also had seven different girls Enjoys Trip To Quarterfinals hitting attack was led by Jenna The future is especially bright Brown, Tessa Cline and McKayla hit home runs this year when you John Raffel land, the Rams lost 8-1 to end the Davis and Chelsea Chesebro, who for the Rams. Foster. usually just have two or three who season at 31-11. each had two hits while Whit- “We started this year three can pop it over the fence.” Sports Scene ney Card had a double as well. Ends In Heartbreaking Buckley provided the Bluejays “Midland did a very good job seniors, three juniors, two sopho- with an ace in the pitcher’s circle. While the seniors will be It’s a softball season Rockford of coming up and hitting the ball Chesebro collected the only RBI coach Brad Thomas and his play- for Rockford. mores and one freshman (Lauren Defeat In D3 Quarters Buckley totaled 243 strikeouts in missed next year, the Bluejays will well,” Thomas said. “They were Lamphear),” Thomas said. 243 innings pitched. Buckley fin- have a strong core of players to ers will remember for a long time. very aggressive on the base paths. Jenna Davis took the loss for The Rams hope to be back in Butch Harmon girls and the parents we had this ished the season with a 1.35 ERA build around. But future seasons could be just as Their pitcher did a good job of the Rams. the quarterfinals for another crack year it would’ve been a fantastic and opposing batters hit just .186 memorable. The Rams had a 31-11 hitting her spots and kept us off Sports Scene “We are losing five seniors, “I’m really proud of the girls next season. year even if we had a .500 record. I against her. team that went to the Division I stride the whole game. We didn’t Led by a talented core of se- and all five of them contributed this year,” Thomas said. “This is also want to mention my assistant state quarterfinals and graduate play the best defense in the world It’s only the second time in niors, the Shepherd softball team “Haley kept us in pretty much to our success,” Servoss. “We are very young team. They over- coach Terry Lynch. We couldn’t only five seniors from a team that today. Midland did a good job of Rockford’s history that a softball turned in a memorable season. every game,” Servoss said. “She just going to have to move on and achieved during the year. It was a have done it without him.” had four sophomores and nine putting the ball in play. I’ll give all team has gotten this far,” Thomas The Bluejays, who finished the was the heart and soul of our reload. You can’t worry about who Rockford lost to Midland High 8-1 during a freshmen. very good hitting team. Defensive- As it was, the Bluejays won the credit to Midland. They won said. “The first time was 2008. We year with a 34-7 overall record, t e am .” you don’t have back, you just have Division 1 quarterfinals game held on the campus ly, they got better throughout the more than 30 games and claimed In the quarterfinals at Central the game.” hope to make it a more regular went on a thrilling post-season Along with the pitching of to concentrate on who you have of Central Michigan University. (Skip Traynor, High year. We had a pitching staff that both a district and regional title. Michigan University against Mid- appearance.” run. Shepherd won a district title Buckley, Shepherd also featured a coming up. Hopefully we will have School Sports Scene Photo) battled for us every game.” and then avenged an early-season “I really didn’t expect us to win productive offense. Ashley Bryant, some players up from the junior loss to Reese by defeating the a regional,” Servoss said. “I was Adri Nelson and Bailey Brown all varsity that will pick up the slack.” a 5-2 win over the threw high and spinning. We had trouble Swan Valley cut into the lead when Rockets to win a regional title pretty confident we would get hit over .400 for the season while Vikings during against her rise ball. I don’t think we Madison McLeod’s double scored Bailey before dropping a 1-0 decision to through the district but we were Ali Artecki, Haley Buckley, Tessa Shepherd’s season Swan Valley Loses To a quarterfinal struck out more than six times in a game, Gosen. But with runners on second and Millington in the Division 3 state going up against a good Reese Cline, Ryanne McKenna and Car- ended with a 1-0 defeat contest at Saginaw and we had 11, 12 this game. third and two outs, Rathe got a strikeout team in the regional that be us quarterfinals. rie Smith all hit over .300. to Millington during the Valley State Uni- “We had girls who only struck out two to end the Vikings’ final threat. during the season 8-2 at the Bea- Division 3 quarterfinals Escanaba In D2 Quarters “It was a real good year with “Our team batting average was versity. or three times all season striking out,” he McLeod led the offense, going 1-for-1 verton tournament. It was a tall held at Saginaw Valley Scott Keyes a great group of kids and a great .382 this season,” Servoss said. “The team that played the best won,” continued. with a double, RBI and two walks. Callie task but we did it.” State University. (Kevin Sports Scene group of parents,” said Shepherd “Last year’s team broke the school Gregory, High School Swan Valley coach Tom Kennelly said. The Vikings scored first with a run Burgess suffered the loss on the mound Leading the way for Shep- Every year it seems that the Swan coach Bobb Servoss. “With the record with 17 or 18 home runs Sports Scene Photo) The Eskymos, ranked third in the in the first inning when Lauren Addy for the Vikings, allowing eight hits, five Valley softball team is snake-bit as it state, followed Ross on offense. The singled, stole her 89th base of the season runs and two walks, striking out five. advances further into the Division 2 junior designated hitter drove in three and scored on a single by Becca Curtis. The Vikings, who were ranked No. 1 in playoffs. This year was no different. ® COMMERCIAL runs and scored two, with one of her Escanaba answered in the bottom of the the state, lose just three seniors from the Northwestern Mutual Escanaba’s Kathleen Ross hit two homers hitting the SVSU scoreboard in first with a solo homer by Ross. softball team. Swan Valley finished 39-2. BANK homers and a double, giving the Eskymos straightaway center field. Swan Valley threatened again in the “We had a good season, played pretty “We haven’t K’d like second, putting runners on second and well against some pretty good teams,” Swan Valley’s season came to a close after losing that all season,” Kennelly third with nobody out. But Rathe struck Kennelly said. “But that’s a good team 114 E. Broadway Street to Escanaba 5-2 in a Division 2 quarterfinals Alma • Ithaca • St. Louis • Greenville Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 game held at Saginaw Valley State University. said. “We scouted her, out the next two batters, intentionally over there and a good pitcher.” 989 773 6433 office Mt. Pleasant • Middleton • Hastings • Lake Odessa (Scott Keyes, High School Sports Scene Photo) and we were expecting walked Addy and got a grounder to first 989 621 4990 cell high and hard. She to get out of the inning. 989 773 6477 fax Ryan D. Hohlbein [email protected] Financial Representative www.nm.com/ryanhohlbein Good Carman’s Tree Service & Stump Removal Lindsay Soft Water Co. Luck Gary Carman 1209 Michigan Ave. P.O. Box 401 Owner/Operator St. Louis, MI 48880 Gladwin, MI 48624 All Since 1925. 8426 N. Wheeler (989) 681•5436 (989) 426•4220 Area Wheeler, MI 48662 1•800•244•3464 Cell (989) 429•6576 (989) 330-9782 cell www.ecowater.com Sports 25yrs. 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spot and recorded 58 RBIs along with 62 runs scored, while Tara rapped out a .408 Panther Pride... Core Of Team Will Return average and stole 33 bases. Meanwhile, sears elder stateswoman Zoe Manary held her Hard Work... Dedication.. Commitment... own with a .395 batting mark and 45 runs of Alma For This Year’s Midland High batted in. Meet Alma's Peak Performers Other cores of the team were sopho- State Semifinalists more Nicole Miller at catcher and speedy simply for a hobby and the social activity. Scott Keyes Allison Gray in centerfield. Sports Scene Nowadays, they aim to achieve their top potential. The Lady Chemics showcased their offensive punch in many of their contests, Alma Softball Bounces Back With Midland High School’s softball team The Lady Chemics’ offense had a rare including an 8-1 quarterfinal route of enjoyed its best season in 28 years, reach- tough time in the semifinal game. Coach Rockford High, and regional victories ing the state Division 1 semifinals before Allen said his hitters managed to make of 8-6 over Davison High and 7-1 over falling 4-2 to Macomb Dakota High. some solid contact, but their foes from Marquetee High. A District Title -- And Then A Bonus Expectations will be high in spring Macomb Delta made some outstanding Scott Keyes youth to come back,” he explained. “Now the “Ladywood is a team that we want to strive 2017 with veteran third baseman Zoe defensive plays. Midland High finished A unique advantage is that a pair of kids are enjoying themselves again.” to be as good as they are,” the coach said. “We Manary as the lone departing senior, the season at 36-8. Coach Allen’s Midland city men’s fastpitch Sports Scene teammates, Rick Engle and Peter Finn, lost to a team that we hope to emulate. The heading nearby to play for Delta College. Three of the runs surrendered by pitch- A first step was to bring in a pair of assistant volunteer to hurl batting practice to the Alma High School’s Division 2 softball girls know that they have to get better.” “This season’s junior class was to er Maya Kipfmiller were unearned, and coaches who are experts in their specialties girls. (Footnote: mid-Michigan fans many district crown signaled a breakout from nearly heavily talented,” said Coach Robin Allen, she finished the year with a 25-5 record. - Fred Efaw for pitching (rise balls, drops, HONORARY CAPTAIN remember Finn’s epic 34-inning perfor- a decade of frustration. A stunning regional fastballs, changeups) and Ken Shunk for hitting referring to a group that made the state Maya is an early recruit to continue her Alma’s magical spring season was dedicated mance for Midland Valley Mechanical championship was gravy. (practice squaring up by hitting off of a tee and quarterfinals as sophomores. “Our focus career at Boston University, and one key to junior Evelyn VanDeMark, who was out Contracting against Wisconsin’s Peter Alma softball went through a deep slump get the hands in front more quickly). next spring will be to play hard but to to her success is that she doesn’t have of action during chemotherapy to treat a rare have fun,” he said, “to let the wins and Meredieth. during the 1981 International near the beginning of the decade, including a In the district finals, heavily-favored Port- to pitch to herself. She was the team’s bone cancer. losses take care of themselves, not think Softball Congress World Tournament at one-win season in 2013. Coach Phil Block took land pushed across a pair of runs in the top leading hitter last spring at a remarkable Evelyn was diagnosed last winter during a of championships all the time, just allow Saginaw’s former Veteran’s Stadium. Finn the helm in 2014, and the program regained of the first inning, creating a situation in the school-record .664, playing an occasional routine physical exam, shortly after she had things to take care of themselves.” fanned 64 hitters in a 2-1 marathon win.) some respectability at 8-20. Last season’s mark past in which the Lady Panthers would have first base or outfield so that she could get was 18-13, and the 2016 regular season record won the state swimming championship in the Midland High’s standards are higher her licks while she wasn’t hurling. “The girls see 70 mile-per-hour rise fallen apart. But Efaw’s daughter, sophomore balls in practice, balls moving 6 or 7 inch- again was slightly over .500 until the unexpect- 500 meters. than when Coach Allen - a district teach- Up the middle, twins Julia Gross at Amanda Efaw, and the Alma defense blanked es,” he says, “so when we get to the games, ed tournament run pushed it to 24-17. She had been the softball team’s starting er since 2002 - took the helm six seasons shortstop and Tara Gross at second base Portland the remainder of the way, and the they’ve seen it all.” The climax was an 8-6 regional title victory team rallied for four runs in the bottom of the third baseman, and she mustered the strength ago. Back then, many of the girls played kept pace. Julie hit .486 in the cleanup over Lansing Catholic High, following a 4-2 fourth inning to rally for the win. to attend about half of this spring’s games, serving as an honorary captain. The Alma Midland junior Maya Kipfmiller led the Chemics all nail-biter over No. 8-ranked Portland High for The district crown was a sign of progress, community conducted a May fundraiser to the way to the Division 1 semifinals before losing to the district crown. but Coach Block pointed to another bench- assist the family with medical expenses. Macomb Dakota 4-2. Midland will return the majority +The Alma community had a tradition of mark late in the regular season that onlookers of its team next season. (Skip Traynor, High School producing good elementary-age players, said may find odd - a doubleheader defeat, 6-0 and “We pray that Evelyn will be back on the Alma put together a memorable Sports Scene Photo) season by winning district and Coach Block, but during the deep-dark losing 5-0, at the hands of Swan Valley High. field with us in the future,” Coach Block said, years, the girls started to give up and quit when “but right now, her overall health comes first. regional championships before losing “Swan Valley is such a powerhouse,” he said, to Livonia Ladywood in the Division Her strength is an inspiration to all of us.” they reached high school. The school’s most “that to hold them down like that, we knew our 3 quarterfinals at the University of a lot of confidence about them. We talk recent district title was achieved in 2008, and kids were coming together.” Michigan. (Chuck Prikasky, High about not being cocky but having quiet the last regional crown goes back to 2002. School Sports Scene Photo) Midlands Win Over Rockford confidence and knowing we can win In the regional victory over Lansing Catho- every game we’re in. “The biggest thing has been getting the lic, also an underdog upstart, the Lady Panthers took a 5-0 lead and then “We’ll be in every game. Up and down held on in the clutch. Gave Chemics First Semifinal the line, I have confidence in all of our girls.” Among team standouts, along with Amanda Efaw, are junior catcher Despite the seven-run victory, Allen Emmy VanBlarcum, sophomore Berth Since 1988 was impressed with Rockford. all the way, striking out 10 and walking centerfielder and leadoff hitter Olivia John Raffel “They’re very good hitters,” he said. none. She had two hits and improved Apple, freshman outfielder Hailey Sports Scene “We had to switch up our game plan a her record to 25-4. Leister and freshman pitcher Danielle A major highlight for Midland’s soft- little bit because they’re a good riseball Maya Kipfmiller pitched a complete Shaw. Senior first baseman Taylor ball team was defeating Rockford 8-1 in hitting team. You could tell that off the game, racking up 10 strikeouts and Kinnunen, has signed on to play for the Division 1 quarterfinals on June 7 at get-go. We adjusted to the umpire’s walking none. She added two hits, and Muskegon Community College. Central Michigan University. strike zone. It was a little different zone improved to 25-4 on the mound. today. But that’s OK. You have to expect “We had seven sophomores and The win put Midland in the semifinals Zoe Manary, Allison Gray and Julia that. That’s part of the game. They’re five freshmen,” Coach Block noted. for the first time since 1988. “We were like a jayvee team playing Gross each had two hits for the Chemics. not going to change for us. We have to against varsity competition.” The Chemics scored five runs and Manary and Gray had two RBI apiece. change for them.” sent eight batters to the plate in the “I thought the kids played really well,” Allen realized it wasn’t going to get That factor made the eventual second inning. Maya Kipfmiller went quarterfinals defeat - 11-0 at the Midland coach Robin Allen said after easier. hands of Livonia Ladywood High - Midland defeated Rockford in the the game. “I thought they were extreme- “They’re ready,” he said. “I want these easier to swallow. Division 1 quarterfinals 8-1 in a game ly focused and prepared. We’re being girls to understand it doesn’t happen played at Central Michigan University. aggressive on the bases, we’re getting every year. We have to enjoy the heck (Skip Traynor, High School Sports pitching and timely hits. Our team has out of it.” • Square & Round Spouting & Accessories • Truss Kits 3984 W. Monroe (M-46) Alma, MI 48801 Scene Photo) YOUR #1 •Screw Conveyors & Parts • Power Transmission Components SOURCE FOR • Belting, Buckets & Fasteners • Drag Conveyors & Accessories Ph.: (989) 463-4532 Medium Pizza Fax: (989) 463-4560 300 BOWL THE STORE Special! MILL ACCESSORIES • Level Controls • Bin Sweeps and Unloading Equipment Toll Free: 1-877-681-3064 Up To 3 Items All You Can Bowl! BEER GAS LOTTERY $ + Tax www.premier-com.com Regular 10 $ Available 7 Days A Week! Or Laser 5.00 RE•GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION! 5% Instant Mary Anderson Elm Hall • 989-833-7311 Great Food, Great Fun! 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Page 32 - June/July 2016 High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News www.highschoolsportsscence.com www.highschoolsportsscence.com High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News June/July 2016 Page 33 Breckenridge Sisters SPORTS SCENE’S EYE ON SOCCER Reunite On The Softball Diamond At SVSU Area Soccer Scott Keyes softball remained her favorite. At Breckenridge High Sports Scene School, she helped the Lady Huskies reach the Divi- Teams Quest For sion 4 state semifinals as a junior, and then achieved Breckenridge High School athletes Samantha Will- all-state status as a senior. man and her younger sister, Alison, will join forces She sat out her freshman year at SVSU with a pair Titles Fall Short next spring on the Saginaw Valley State University of shoulder injuries, which means that in 2017 she softball team, but the hookup was not inevitable. Butch Harmon Seniors Chloe Allen and Katrina Koomen will be a fifth-year “redshirt” senior. Her recent- Sports Scene earned first-team, all-state honors for Novi “I didn’t want to try to persuade her to play sports ly-completed junior season was her college career with senior Jessie Halmaghi and Mmegan Riley in college, because it is best, with an 8-3 win-loss record For the third consecutive year, the Freeland earning honorable-mention, honors. such a high commitment,” and a sub-2.00 earned run girls soccer team reached the state semifinals. Brighton’s season ended in the regional finals said Sam, Alison’s elder by average. The right-hander hurled Unfortunately for Freeland, it again ran into the four years. “A main part is, where it fell to Novi. Senior Kasey Codd earned a trio of one-hit games, and her Hudsonville Unity Christian buzz saw. third-team, all-state honors for Brighton with she also wants to go into favorite took place in the Great Unity Christian defeated Freeland 3-0 in the education (as a career), and sophomore Alexis Shaturu earning honor- Lakes Conference tournament. Division 3 state semifinals and then went on to able-mention honors. Saginaw Valley is a good “Against Hillsdale College, I win its 10th state title in the past 12 years. school for that.” Division 2 was five outs from a perfect game I’m proud of our girls,” said Freeland coach Sam and Alison are the and down to two outs from a Lauren DeRoo. “It was a great season for us to DeWitt was ranked among the top two teams part of an athletically in- no-hitter, but then I guess I blew get back to the final four, and that’s what we in the state for most of the season. The Panthers clined family. Argil Willman it,” Sam said with maximum worked for.” won a district title before dropping a 2-1 deci- is a longtime mens fastpitch modesty. sion to eventual state champion Notre Dame Freeland ended the season with an 18-3-1 softball player, while the Alison selected a different Prep in the regional semifinals. former Amanda Paul was a record. The Falcons were paced by junior Mi- softball path than Sam, even chelle Herring, who earned first-team, all-state Junior Danielle Stephan earned first-team, letter-winner in track and while following her older sister all-state honor for DeWitt while juniors volleyball at Alma College. honors. Junior Jessica Piper and sophomore to the same college with the same Mackenzie Stroebel earned third-team, all-state Mackenzie Dawest and Jessah McManus both Both attended St. Louis field of career study. Alison opted earned second-team honors. Junior goalkeeper High School. Middle broth- honors while freshman Autumn Kloha was to play multiple positions, instead honorable-mention, all-state. Brooklyn Holley earned third-team, all-state er Gabe (basketball and of focusing so much on pitching. while senior Brianna Bishop and junior Maddie golf at Breckenridge High, She also enjoys the challenges Flint Powers also fell to Unity Christian in Dickens were honorable-mention. now attending Northwest- of catching or playing first base, its final game of the season as it dropped a 2-0 ern Michigan College in decision to Unity in the D3 state title match. It Mount Pleasant won a district title before and her career highlight isn’t a falling to eventual state runner-up Grand Traverse City) and youngest near-perfect game, but rather her was the fifth time that Powers met Unity in a sister Sydney, entering her state title match with Unity winning four of the Rapids Forest Hills Northern in the regional first high school home run, as semifinals. Senior Hannah Kahn earned sec- sophomore year at Brecken- a sophomore against Saginaw’s five meetings. ridge (volleyball, basketball, ond-team, all-state honors while senior Maddie Valley Lutheran High. Her SVSU Junior Rachel Phillpotts and freshman Brown earned honorable mention. softball), round out the role likely will be as an all-pur- Rachel Rasins both earned first-team, all-state family. pose utility player. Awards for her honors for Powers while sophomore Sophie Division 4 Alison notes that she high school senior year were not Bubnar and senior Erin Emmert earned Montrose enjoyed its finest season in school gave some thought regard- yet announced when this news- second-team honors. Junior Sydney Wilhoite history as it won its first ever regional title and ing whether she wanted to paper went to the printer, but as a earned third-team honors while seniors reached the D4 state finals before dropping a make the special effort of following her sister’s path junior she achieved all-Tri Valley Conference honors. Marissa Lyon and Jenna Moonan and juniors 1-0 decision to Grosse Pointe University-Lig- Abbey Clothier and Sophia Dubiel were honor toward the extra effort of playing college softball, but Growing up, Alison caught some of Sam’s practice - gett. Seniors Paige Renshaw and Alexis Rush decided, “I love the game a lot. With our Dad, it’s pitches. She recalls the ball coming in mighty fast able-mention. both earned first-team, all-state honors. Senior something we always have done.” when they first started, but as she became older she Williamston reached the D3 regional title Hailey Sadler earned third-team, all-state hon- Sam started to practice her pitching around first was able to adjust. match where it dropped a 1-0 decision to ors while sophomores Remington Hobson and Amber Wing were honorable-mention. grade, hand-in-hand with her T-ball debut. Her dad They are far enough apart in age that there are no Grosse Ile. Seniors Leah Davis and Grace Kraft was her first coach, and then some of his friends start- stories of sibling rivalries. and junior Kloe Hitchcok earned first-team, Lansing Christian also had its season ed to help with tips and advice on how to fling various all-state honors while senior Renee Sturm and stopped by University-Liggett when it fell 1-0 in pitches, including her favorite, a rise ball. She took up “My parents never really compared any of us,” Sam junior Paige Lonier were honorable-mention. the state semifinals. Juniors Juliana Figueiredo said, summing things up. the widest array of other sports - soccer, gymnastics, Division 1 and Abby Krueger, sophomore Kasey Jamieson basketball, volleyball, “even pom pon for a year” - but and freshman Kealeigh Usiak were named Novi defeated Grand Blanc and Brighton by first-team, all-state while junior Lydia Sprague, Breckenridge sisters Sam and Allison Willman will be reunited identical 3-2 scores in overtime as it captured sophomore Alex Hanks and freshman Eliza on the softball diamond as Allison announced she will a D1 regional title. Novi lost to eventual D1 Lewis were honorable-mention. continue her education at Saginaw Valley State University and state champ Rochester Stoney Creek 2-1 in an will also play softball. Sam has one year of eligibility remaining overtime shootout in the state semifinals. as a Cardinal. (Submitted Photos) Pontiac Notre Dame capped a dream season by defeating Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern 2-1 in the Division 2 finals held June 18 at DeMartin Stadium on the campus of Michigan State University. With more than (Alan Holben, High School Sports Scene Photos) twenty companies to choose from, we can Serving Mid-Michigan • Fully Insured connect you to the right policy for your Doug Belles specific needs. Give Manager our team a call for a DAN SEELEY Office: (989) 842-1185 8263 N. Ransom Rd. proposal today! Lawn Mowing and Trimming • Trees and Shrub Care PO Box 157 Spring and Fall Clean-Ups • Fertilizing www.cpsagu.com Breckenridge, MI 48615 Page 34 - June/July 2016 High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News www.highschoolsportsscence.com www.highschoolsportsscence.com High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News June/July 2016 Page 35 the district finals. I knew once we did that, played with a lot of character and a lot of heart. we were capable of making a run.” It was a really good team and a good chemistry Montrose Falls Short In the finals, University-Liggett (19-2-1) Freeland Soccer Team Again between the players. You keep working toward held a 4-2 edge on the penalty kicks to a goal. The girls wanted to get back to this prevail. During the shootout, Montrose point. They wanted to be here. It sucks we fell To Liggett In First Finals (23-4-1) misfired wide on their first two Falls Short In State Semifinals short. But we worked hard all season.” attempts, while Liggett’s Kelly Solak, Mad- John Raffel it’s not our worse. We’re going to learn from it Top players for the Falcons included Mi- die Wu, Alexis Wagner and Kate Birgbauer Sports Scene and grow from it.” chelle Herring, Autumn Kloha and Makenzie Appearance converted their PKs in succession to seal The Falcons had early control but Unity Stroebel. All are returning next season. season by winning just its second district in the deal. It was another extremely successful season Christian took over with a quick goal. “They’re great players, all the girls are great Dan Stickradt for Freeland’s girls soccer team. But once again Sports Scene school history. The Rams added some addi- It was a case of missed opportunity for “I wish we could have kept up that momen- players,” DeRoo said. “The chemistry this year tional hardware in 2016, making a surprise Montrose. it didn’t quite end the way the Falcons would was great. (This game) shows the competi- In the girls soccer state rankings over the have preferred. Freeland fell to Hudsonville tum with the kids that we have,” DeRoo said. run to the Division 4 state title game. While both teams attempted eight shots tion level and the speed of the play and how years, Montrose has rarely been a blip on Unity Christian 3-0 in the Division 3 girls “We kept trying. All you can do is keep taking Montrose, ranked eighth, eventually fell through 100 minutes of play, the Rams chances and not give up that’s for sure. mistakes can be capitalized on so easily. You the radar. soccer state semifinals on June 15 at Cedar get a taste of what the competition is like when to fourth-ranked Grosse Pointe Woods Uni- came within inches of earning the win. Springs. Unity Christian went on to defeat Flint The Rams have not enjoyed statewide “We definitely held them off in the second you get to the Final Four. We worked hard to versity-Liggett, 1-0, in a shootout on June The aggressor against Liggett, Montrose Powers 2-0 and take the state title for the third notoriety since starting its program in the half. We couldn’t be prouder. They didn’t get get there.” 17 at Michigan State University’s DeMartin had 11 corner kicks in the finals, including straight season. anymore points on us. They got a couple of late 1990s, especially in the postseason. Stadium. Freeland lost to Unity Christian in the 2015 sophomore Zoee Robbins’ header follow- “I thought the girls played well,” Freeland quick goals on us in a 20-minute mark. For the Montrose made some headway this It was by far the school’s ing a corner kick that was cleared off the second half, the girls played well.” semifinals, but DeRoo indicated that “this year, coach Lauren DeRoo said. “We had our strong a majority of my girls have a lot more heart. deepest postseason run — the goal line by Liggett’s Teagan Cornell in the points and weak points and they were able to Freeland was 7-0 in the Tri-Valley Confer- school had never been be- second half. They have so much love of the game. It makes capitalize on our weak plays. This was a great ence Central Division and 19-3-1 overall. so much difference. My girls just kept going Freeland’s Denica Miller (18) fights Unity yond the regional semifinals Christian’s Deanna Brouwer for the ball in “I thought it was two very even teams season for us to get back to the final four. That’s “It was teamwork,” DeRoo said. “The girls t o d ay.” before this year — and the that played a great game,” sighed Perrin. what we worked for. It’s not our best game but a D3 quarterfinals game. (John Raffel, High Rams became just a play away “We had our chances and so did they. We School Sports Scene Photo) from joining the state’s elite. just couldn’t get one to go in. I don’t know Liggett captured its first how many shots we had, but I think 11 crown since 2005, while corners and didn’t get very many shots Montrose was left hungry for off those corners. That’s a credit to their Flint Powers Becomes Hudsonville Unity the future. defense.” “I think it was back in Still, as an unranked team in the presea- 2009 that we really started son, Montrose climbed into the top 10 this Christian’s 10Th State Finals Victim to turn the corner,” recalled year and made plenty of noise. The Rams Dan Stickradt Catholic slipped to 1-6 in state title way this season and ended it today with Montrose coach Jason Perrin. should be a ranked team next year with a Sports Scene matches dating back to 2000, in luring another state championship.” “We’ve been averaging lot of returning talent — and a program 1-4 against Unity Christian in the finals. Unity Christian scored on its first shot (double-digit) for wins the that has finally garnered some respect from Call it luck; call it skill; call it determi- Unity Christian owns state finals wins on frame with 11:55 remaining in the first past few years and have done other state powers. nation, but Hudsonville Unity Christian over Powers in 2016, 2012, 2009 and half on a goal by Alaina VanZalen. well in our league. But in the “We have come a long way in my (13) took Flint Powers Catholic’s best shot in 2007, while the Chargers defeated Unity postseason, in either D-3 or the Division 3 state finals and still came Unity Christian tacked on an insur- years here,” said Perrin. “We have a lot of Christian in the 2011 finals. ance tally on their only shot attempt of D-4, we could not get past our girls playing club soccer now and we’re away with its MHSAA record 10th state (Saginaw) Nouvel or (Flint) Warren University Liggett used a 4-2 title. “It never gets old,” said Unity Christian the second half when Alexis Ponstein playing a tougher schedule. I think all of advantage in the shootout to 1-0 over coach Randy Heethuis. “They are all spe- took the ball from just inside midfield, Powers. They both have that has paid off and the reason why we had Flint Powers, ranked No. 1 entering the strong programs. This year Montrose in the Division 4 championship cial in their own way. This win was a little beat two defenders and dribbled nearly such a great season. I don’t know how many game June 17 at DeMartin Stadium on the postseason, outplayed Unity Christian we had one of our best years different because we won with defense 50 yards before slipping a breakaway shot people out there thought we’d be a goal campus of Michigan State University. (Scott in nearly every facet, yet still came up while some of the others we were really into the goal. ever and we beat Nouvel in away from a state title.” Keyes, High School Sports Scene Photos) empty-handed against the Crusaders. offensive minded. We started the year “Hats off to Unity, because their Second-ranked Unity Christian still 3-2 and I don’t know how many people goalkeeper and defense was very good posted a 2-0 victory over Powers at Mich- thought we’d been back.” in this game. (Ponstein) played amazing. to Grosse Point University Liggett such as beating top-rated igan State University’s DeMartin Soccer Powers outshot Unity Christian by a You would think that if you had (15) total Complex on June 18. only on penalty kicks, 4-2. This Elk Rapids High in the region- communing 15-3 margin in the contest, shots that we would be able to slip one Underdog Montrose was the first time in school history als on penalty kicks without a “I thought we dominated play for including 8-2 with shots directly on in,” said Moody. “Soccer is funny. The that the girls had even made it single shot on goal during regular most of the game,” said Powers coach frame, and even held a 4-1 differential on team that scores the most goals obviously past the regionals. time or the overtime. Coach Per- Art Moody. “We had tons of chances, we corner kicks. wins, not always the team that controls Makes It To The Finals Coach Jason Perrin reflected rin praised sophomore goalie Alex possessed the ball really well and we pres- Still, the Chargers could not solve Uni- play and has the most shots. I thought the anti-win-at-all-costs outlook. Rush, who recorded 21 shutout sured them really well. I’m disappointed ty’s backfield and stellar goaltending. we had a team that worked their (tails) for the girls because they played a great off the whole season and we had a great He described his girls, at turns, as victories, while the team allowed Ponstein recorded eight saves for In Girls Soccer “Hard-working, funny, deter- only nine goals for the season game. Unity just found a way to win.” effort today. If we scored one earlier, her 15th clean sheet of the campaign. it would have change the (flow) of the sion 4. Their highest ranking had mined.” while scoring 113. Being outplayed by Powers Catholic Scott Keyes Ponstein and the Crusaders’ backfield, game. been eighth place. Indeed, Montrose had some For senior co-captains Paige for virtually the entire 80 minutes, Unity anchored by the stalwart VanDyke, Sports Scene Christian scored a pair of counterattack “I feel bad for the (seven) seniors be- This is why the achievement of fantastic tourney victories, such Renshaw, Hailey Sadler, and Ellory yielded only seven goals in 25 games — a Montrose High School’s girls goals, and the Crusaders’ defense, led cause they dedicated so much to this and reaching the state championship as 3-0 over Muskegon Western Barnette, Coach Perrin said: paltry 0.28 goals-against-average. soccer, during the regular season, Christian. But some of the wins “Montrose soccer was their lives by Michigan State-bound center back we played really well all season,” contin- game was so remarkable. Maddie VanDyke and junior goalkeeper “We had some great teams and players was not a top-rated team in Divi- may have seemed lucky or shaky, for four years.” ued Moody. “But we hope to be back. We Despite being outplayed all game, Hudsonville Montrose fell in the title contest Emily Ponstein, shut the door on Powers. over the years, like former Miss Soccer only lose seven players and bring back (Laura) Hayboer and teams that scored Unity Christian still was able to walk away with its Montrose outshot Grosse Pointe University-Liggett in the seven starters. Our junior varsity team SundanceThe title was the third straight Summer and a lot of goals,” said VanDyke. “We knew 10th girls soccer championship with a 2-0 victory Division 4 state championship game, but wound up losing 10th overall for the Crusaders (22-2-1), had a great season and we have some over Flint Powers at Michigan State University’s the contest 1-0 after being outscored 4-2 in a shootout. at the beginning of the season we were talented players coming up.” DeMartin Soccer Complex on June 18. who made their 13th appearance in the rebuilding ourselves. But we came a long (Scott Keyes, High School Sports Scene Photo) Fuelstate finals Saver in the past 15 years. PackagePowers (Alan Holben, High School Sports Scene Photo) SAVE $25.00 Mid-Michigan 306 North State Street WE ARE PROFESSIONAL GRADE® Alma, MI 48801 Off Any Service 1205 N. 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Oilers Have Another Contact: Scott Capen Cell/Text: 989-620-7527 1-877-857-4567 • www.trilakesllc.com [email protected] Gasoline • Diesel Fuels Kerosene • Heating Oils Solid Soccer Season 2007, 2010, 2011), recorded two more all aspects of the game.” state semifinals appearances (2013 John Raffel Novi Keeps Up Tradition and 2016) and won 10 total district Sports Scene Julia Pung had strong offensive and defensive talent for the team. championships in a 15-year span. The Coach John Bunting and his Mount Pleasant Wildcats also advanced to regional play girls soccer team put together another solid “She would be able to move around the pitch With Seventh Final Four in 2009, 2008 and 2003. season this spring. The Oilers were 16-5-1 overall to different positions depending on the need of Dan Stickradt those years under Brian O’Leary and In the five years of this successful and 4-1-0 in the Saginaw Valley League to take the match,” Bunting noted. Sports Scene nothing has changed now. We always stretch where the program did not second behind the Midland Chemics. Bunting added that he was pleased with the try to field a very competitive team and escape the district rounds, Novi was Mount Pleasant won 3-1 in the district title team’s post-season performance. Over the past 15 school years, which hopefully can win a district and make ousted by powerhouses Northville or game over Cadillac, avenging a 1-0 loss to the “We were very proud of our post-season play, girls soccer program is the most suc- a run.” Brighton, two more programs with Vikings earlier in the season. It was the school’s although it ended earlier than we would have cessful in Division 1? Like in past years, fourth-ranked storied pasts. fourth district title in the past six years and fourth liked, like how a lot of teams feel. We felt our If you picked any schools from Troy, Novi advanced to the Final Four this “Looking at the schools in our in program history. most confidence ever heading into our district Livonia, Rochester, Plymouth, Canton, season, falling to eventual D-1 state area, it’s never easy to win a district “I feel that this and even when we Portage, Ann Arbor, Grosse Pointe, champion Rochester Stoney Creek 2-1 or regional. This year all four of the season was one of went into our final, Northville or Okemos, you would be in a shootout. The Wildcats came up schools in our regional were ranked,” our best overall in the we felt we had a lot of incorrect. That honor belongs to Novi. short on the PKs in a 4-1 margin. said Pheiffer. “I think all of this is a way that we played things that we were The Wildcats again posted another “This was just two great teams going testament to all of the hard-working more cohesively as a doing well that helped fine season in 2016 to bring its stellar at one another and unfortunately one girls we’ve had here over the years, the full roster,” Bunting us edge out that win. numbers over the past 1.5 decades to team has to lose,” said Pheiffer of the parents, the coaches and the adminis- said. “We had a wide Our regional match seven Final Four appearances. semifinals loss. “That’s soccer. We have tration— everyone involved. It takes a range of age levels and went how we had “We always have high expectations nothing to be ashamed of losing to a lot to build a successful program. Brian positioning was chal- planned for it, a close at Novi,” noted second-year Novi coach quality program like Stoney Creek on O’Leary did an incredible job building Novi’s Chloe Allen (on ground) and the Wildcats lenging at first trying match that was fairly Todd Pheiffer, who personally coached their home field.” this program. I thought the girls did reached the Division 1 Final Four in 2016 for the to figure out where even throughout the a great job keeping our tradition alive seventh time in 12 seasons. duration of it.” Ann Arbor Huron to a state champi- Novi has captured five state titles the best spots for each this season.” (Dan Stickradt, High School Sports Scene Photo) onship in 2008. “It was the same all of in this recent period (2005, 2006, player to play in while The Oilers got out also figuring out their to a good start against roles as individuals Forest Hills Northern. this season with her ability to curl the ball that would best serve “We knew it was into the penalty box or get a shot on net the team. The players going to be the long Novi’s Katrina Koomen Returns with her accuracy. responded well to it and close match we She finished with 11 goals and 15 and accepted their had prepared for,” Bun- To High School Game For Stellar assists in 2016 with several game-tying or roles and responsibili- ting said. “We played game-winning goals and game-winning ties making our games really well and had just assists along with her duties as a lock-down more cohesive, yet still a couple simple but Encore Campaign defender. dynamic in the way unfortunately, costly that the individual tal- Dan Stickradt Novi’s second-year head coach. “With the The Wildcats, ranked fourth entering the mistakes. When they ents could be used. As boys U.S. Soccer Academy and the girls postseason, lost in the Division 1 state semi- tied it in the second Sports Scene far as our results, we ECNL Hawks, not all of the top kids can finals to eventual state champion Rochester half on a set piece that played a strong sched- Like many of the state’s top soccer pros- play high school ball anymore. The kids are Stoney Creek, 2-1, in a game that reached a went through our wall, ule and had some pects, there are choices to be made. Before forced into tough decisions. We lost Katrina shootout. we felt we could still her junior season, Katrina Koomen was for her junior season, but we were glad that close matches but still get one back. When we Koomen earned All-KLAA Central Divi- dangled a temptation in front of her and she she came back as a senior. She has made a put up a pretty impressive season record with our didn’t and when overtime started, we knew we sion, All-District, All-Region and Division decided to attend showcase tournaments huge difference for us.” last loss, besides our regional one in early May.” had a long 20 minutes ahead of us.” 1 All-State First Team honors as a senior with her Michigan Hawks club team. The Oilers had two strong seniors with Han- This season, the left-footed Koomen this season. Additionally, Koomen, along But FHN had a 1-0 scoring advantage in the nah Kahn and Maddie Brown. There was one drawback: Part of the returned to Novi’s program and enjoyed a with teammate Chloe Allen, was named to first overtime. Michigan Hawks’ schedule overlapped with stellar campaign, both as an individual and the 11-member All-State Dream Team by “Hannah Kahn led our team with points this “We walked away from that game without the high school season in the spring months, as a team. She led Novi to its seventh Final the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches season with goals and assists,” Bunting said. “She regret but an understanding and hunger for our meaning she would be ineligible for the high Four in 12 seasons — more than any other Association. was a captain of our team for the past two seasons young team. Our seniors were proud of them- school competition if she suited up with the D-1 program in that time period. and did a terrific job of demonstrating hard Koomen also starred on her school’s club selves and their teammates and we feel that this Hawks from mid-March through early June. and determined play to her teammates. Maddie She was also a freshman member of field hockey squad. was one of best teams Mount Pleasant has ever Then a junior at Novi, Koomen gave it a Novi’s 2013 squad that reached the state Brown was our leading scorer this season with had,” Bunting said. “With 20 of our 22 returning, As a sophomore in 2014, Koomen played shot, left her Novi jersey hanging up in the semifinals as well. goals. She was also a captain for our team and led the girls are ready to expand that reputation and for Novi and earned All-KLAA and All-Dis- by example of great play and how to be a great closet, and toured with the Hawks, like a “Playing for your community, your even grow upon it.” trict honors the same year that her older example to her younger peers of how to respect couple dozen other of the state’s top players school, is such a special thing. I missed it,” and was quite successful. She earned numer- sister, Karissa Koomen earned D-1 All-State said Koomen following her team’s regional Third Team status. ous accolades on the club circuit. title victory over Brighton, 3-2 double-over- Now, the youngest Koomen joins some of A towering 6-foot stalwart marking back time affair in which Koomen registered a the school’s all-time greats with her Dream who has added some offensive prowess to goal and an assist. “I knew we would have a The Mt. Pleasant girls soccer team finished the year 16-5-1 and Team status. her game as well, Koomen was torn by the really good team this year. I am glad I was finished second in the Saginaw Valley League only behind Midland High School. (Submitted Photos) decision. She opted to come back to Novi’s able to come back and be a part of this.” “There’s a lot that you miss when you Novi’s Katrina Koomen returned to high school don’t play for your high school,” said program as a senior. Koomen, who signed earlier this year sports this season to lead Novi to the Final Four Koomen. “I just (wanted to) help my team “We’re glad she was able to work it out with NCAA Division I College of Charles- and earn All-State Dream Team honors. go as far as I can.” Pat’s Auto, Inc. and come back this year,” said Todd Pfeiffer, ton, took a great deal of her team’s restarts (Dan Stickradt, High School Sports Scene Photo) “Quality Of Our Work Guaranteed” Serving The Entire Great Lakes Region Complete Collision Repair • Serving GratiotSpraybake County Since Booths 1982 Contacts Phone (989) 681-5334 • Lois Neitzke ...... Cell/Text: 248-789-7046 FAX # (989) 681-3855 7 am - 10 pm Everyday! DAVID RAYBURN [email protected] • Hassan Bazzi ...... Cell/Text: 313-802-7600 1501 West Monroe Rd. (M-46) 1006 E. Center Street • Ithaca, MI 48847 [email protected] Saint Louis, MI 48880 • Gary Downing...... 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Carroll was fourth individually with 75-68 (the tournament low round) - St. Johns Golfers, 143. Carn Caroll carded 75-81 - 156, SPORTS SCENE’S matching Scott Campbell at 77-79 EYE ON GOLF - 156. Long-Time Coach Earn DeWitt was led by Ian Helm, eighth overall with 76-70 - 146, Charlie DeLong with 77-71 - 148 and First State Crown Brendan Kahl at 76-79 - 155. Area Teams Find Success Coach Sternburgh plans to serve School placed third with 611. Scott Keyes his 37th and final season next spring, Sports Scene This was the first state golf cham- and his entire team is set to return. pionship in the school’s history. St. On Links; DCC Repeats In D1 Simple advice came from Coach Zeke Ely finished his sophomore year Johns finished second in 1961. and the remaining four were juniors. Butch Harmon nals at Bedford Valley in Battle Creek. Essexville Garber took eighth with a Paul Sternburgh while the St. Johns Sports Scene St. Johns won the state title with a 597 637, Flint Powers Catholic ninth with High boys golf team prepared for “I don’t feel there will be pressure team total followed by second-place a 643, Frankenmuth 11th with a 653, the Division 2 state finals at Battle to repeat,” he said. “We’ve gotten Detroit Catholic Central defend- East Lansing with a 601 and DeWitt in Freeland 12th with a 671 and Portland Creek’s Bedford Valley Golf Course. there (to the state championship), ed its state title in style as it held off third place with a 611. 15th with a 694. “At that point, with a full week and nobody can take that away from us. Our team slogan this season was Grosse Pointe South by eight strokes to Eric Nunn led the way for St. Johns Big Rapids was paced by Carter between regionals and the state meet, ‘nothing given, everything earned,’ win the Division 1 team state champi- as he tied with Devin Deogun of Bechaz who tied for second with a 147 we simply go through some basics and that will be the case again next onship at The Meadows on the campus Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook King- with Pierce Morrissey totaling 154 for such as course management and the spring. Our guys play hard, they nev- of Grand Valley State University. Ben swood for medalist honors with a the weekend. short game,” he said. “But most of it Smith and James Piot led the way for is mental preparation. At that point, er give up, and that’s all you can ask.” 139. Deogun won the playoff on the Benjamin Balen of Freeland finished the Shamrocks as the duo finished in a the pressure is off, because getting to He was inducted in 2011 into the first hole. Zach Rosendale of St. Johns in a tie for fourth with a 148 total. tie for fifth individually with two-day the state finals is your reward. There Hall of Fame for the Michigan Inter- placed fifth overall with a 144. Brennan McNally of Essexville Garber totals of 148. is no elimination at the state meet - scholastic Golf Coaches Association. Ian Carroll and Tony Fuentes both and Owen Rush of Lansing Catholic that comes earlier in the regionals, This spring, he was among the first Grand Blanc placed third as a team finished in the top 10 individually for tied for seventh with a 149. and we made it through our regional honorees in the newly formed St. with a score of 617, twenty strokes be- East Lansing. Carroll tied for third Team leaders Eric Nunn (69-70- Portland was paced by Rhet Schrau- (in third place). The pin placements Johns High School Athletic Hall of hind Catholic Central. Logan Price led with a 143 and Fuentes finished in a tie -139) and Zach Rosendale (71-73- ben who finished with a 153 total. are the same, the hole is the same Fame. the way for the Bobcats with rounds of for eighth with a 146. -144) paved the way. Nate Brown, 74 and 75 to finish 10th as an individ- DIVISION 4 size, so just approach it the same as Midway between, in 2014, he DeWitt was paced by Ian Helm who who averaged in the low 80s for ual with a 149 total. any other competition.” lost his wife and the mother of their was also tied for eighth with a 146. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart took most of the season, moved up to the The Redwings may have taken the two children, Leigh. One of her Midland finished fifth as a team Charlie DeLong added a 148 for the fourth place in Division 4 while Sagi- team’s third spot at 79-76 - 155. Next same approach, but their perfor- final wishes was that he continue with a 620 total. Top Kamnark led Panthers. naw Nouvel placed 11th. came Jack Bouck at 79-80 - 159. If his Midland as he placed fourth individu- mance was their best of the season at coaching, which he describes as “her Mt Pleasant Sacred Heart featured a scored had counted, Zeke Ely’s sup- ally with a 146 total while Drew Gandy Jack Pilkington of Mt. Pleasant the right time in the right place. They gift to me.” balanced effort as Jake Starry finished portive 81-82 -- 163 still would have finished in a tie of fifth with a 148. qualified for the finals as an individual scored a two-day total of 597 - an av- with a 168 total, Sam Kindermann kept the squad at least tied for first. Finally winning a state champion- and turned in rounds of 79 and 72 to erage of 74.6 for eight 18-hole rounds Grand Ledge placed 11th overall totaled 170 and Ayush Mohan totaled Nunn tied for first individually but ship just shows you that hard work, finish with a 151. - to nose out a pair of mid-Michigan with a 641. Bubba Chester paced the 172. fell to runner-up in a one-hole play- determination and an angel from (Top) St. Johns’ Zeke Ely watches a shot during Saturday’s Comets with a 151 total while Luke DIVISION 3 favorites. Top-ranked East Lansing off, while Rosendale took fifth place. above can take a team a long ways in Blake Heinz - 89 - 95 – 184 High School was second with 601 second round at Bedford Valley. (Middle) Eric Nunn putts Bunting totaled 159. Big Rapids was the top local finisher life an on the course. on the way to helping the Redwings to the Division 2 title. Individually, Lansing Christian’s and defending champ DeWitt High Meanwhile, East Lansing’s Ian DIVISION 2 as the Cardinals placed third in Divi- (Bob Campbell, High School Sports Scene Photo) sion 3 with a 619, 19 strokes behind Parker Jamieson won medalist honors Mid-Michigan golf teams dominat- champion Tawas. Lansing Catholic with rounds of 71 and 76 for a 147 ed the action at the Division 2 state fi- Central placed sixth with a 632 while total. he corrected by 1985. He retired from teaching in 2007, attending clinics but has stuck with the golf team. Sterburgh Paves Way and by absorbing He has seen fantastic improvement various instruc- through the years, both in modern tion books and equipment and in skill levels. For St. Johns’ Golfers videotapes. Scott Keyes “During my first four or five years, Right Here RightHe joined the Now St. Johns School we didn’t have a player to break 40 (for Sports Scene District’s teaching staff upon his MSU in St. Johns nine holes),” he recalled. “Golf wasn’t Paul Sternburgh does not possess as big as it is now. The clubs are better, the typical backgroundPHYSICAL for a golf THERAPY coach. close to home the balls are livelier. Kids hit it so much He did not play the game as a child in farther nowadays.”Right Here Right Now Right Here Right Now Muskegon Heights. However, during Still, for kids of all ages, Coach in St. Johns in St. Johns his years at Michigan State Univer- Sternburgh offers some basic tips: MakeRight Here Right Now sityAt (1968 Sparrow to 1972), Clintonhe joined fellow Hospital sure the set-up and alignment are on in St. Johns dorm mates who would cross the Red target. KeepPHYSICAL the backswing at a slow THERAPY close to home PHYSICAL THERAPY close to home CedarLeading-edge River and “jump Techniques the fence,” he + pace, to allow the unleashing of powerPHYSICAL THERAPY close to home saidCompassionate with a laugh, to play Caregivers during the = on the downswing. Avoid swaying by offseason at a municipal course that no keeping the back foot planted. Right Here Right Now Detroit Catholic Central defended its state title longerExceptional exists. Recovery Support holding off Grosse Pointe South by eight strokes graduation and coached girls softball AtAnd Sparrow most of all, whileClinton there will Hospital be in St. JohnsAt Sparrow Clinton Hospital to win the Division 1 title at the Meadows on the As• Physical a result of Therapybeing self-taught, he from 1979 to 1999, starting with junior good days and bad days, keepAt Sparrowin mind ClintonPHYSICAL Hospital THERAPY close to home campus of Grand Valley State University. (Butch said he developed some bad habits that varsity before moving to the varsity in Leading-edgethat the hole always is Techniques the same size. + Leading-edge Techniques + Harmon, High School Sports Scene Photo) • Sports Medicine We support outstanding Compassionate CaregiversLeading-edge = Techniques + Compassionate Caregivers = • Occupational Therapy athletes by providing CompassionateAt Sparrow Caregivers Clinton Hospital = Sports Medicine services Exceptional Recovery Support Exceptional Recovery Support • Speech & Language Pathology At SparrowExceptional ClintonLeading-edge Recovery Hospital Techniques Support + Right Here Right onNow the field, - Camps & Leagues - • Adult, adolescent & court and track • PhysicalLeading-edge Therapy TechniquesCompassionate + Caregivers = • Physical Therapy • 8 Basketball/Volleyball Courts in St. Johns • PhysicalExceptional Therapy Recovery Support pediatric patient support for the Redwings of • SportsCompassionate Medicine Caregivers = • Sports Medicine • 3 Racquetball Courts Championship Sports Volleyball Camps St. Johns High School • Sports Medicine• Physical TherapyWe support outstanding We support outstanding with Ali Smith PHYSICAL THERAPY close to home Exceptional Recovery Support We support outstanding • 2 Tennis Courts • Occupational Therapy • Sports Medicineathletes by providing• Occupational Therapy athletes by providing High School and Youth Camp July 18th - 20th • Occupational Therapy Weathletes support by outstanding providing • Complete Fitness Center JR’s Camp July 21st - 22nd • Physical Therapy • Speech• Occupational & Language SportsTherapy MedicineSports servicesathletes Medicine by providing services Sports Medicine services 5175 East Remus Road • Speech & Language• Speech Pathology & Language Pathology • Speech & Language Pathology • Walking/Jogging Track At Sparrow Clinton Hospital • Sports Medicine Therapy• Speech & Language Pathologyon the field,Sports onMedicine the field, services on the field, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858 Championship Sports Basketball Camps on the field, • Championship Sports High School and Youth Camps in July and August. • Adult, adolescent• Adult, & • Adult,adolescent• Adult, adolecent adolescent & & court and •track Adult, court adolescent and track & court and track 989-953-7529 Leading-edge Techniques + • Occupational court and track Individual Training for the Redwingsfor of the Redwings of for the Redwings of Visit Our Club Page At Compassionate Caregivers = pediatricTherapy patient supportpediatricpediatric patientpediatric patient patientsupport support pediatricfor the Redwings patient ofsupport • Basketball & Volleyball www.moreycourts.com www.championshipsports.net Sparrow Clinton Hospital • St. Johns • 989.224.1575 • www.sparrowclinton.org support St. Johns High SchoolSt.St. JohnsJohns High High School School St. Johns High School For More Details Exceptional Recovery Support • Physical Therapy

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Sparrow Clinton Hospital • St. Johns • 989.224.1575 • www.sparrowclinton.org Page 40 - June/July 2016 High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News www.highschoolsportsscence.com www.highschoolsportsscence.com High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News June/July 2016 Page 41 Tawas Wins First-Ever Clarkston Everest Title In Any Sport; Earns First-Ever Title Golfers Win D3 Title Winning D4 Golf Title Scott Keyes turned out to be the one everyone Scott Keyes Smith credited the strong start in the Sports Scene was chasing June 11. Sports Scene opening round to his golfers focus Tawas won its first ever MHSAA heading into the Final. That, coupled It’s no secret: Lansing Catholic Finals championship in any sport Until June 11, Clarkston Everest with making clutch shots, allowed has owned the Lower Peninsula by overcoming a 13-stroke deficit Collegiate had never won an MH- the Mountaineers to pull away late in Division 3 Golf Finals over the on the final day. SAA Finals championship in any the second round. past decade. After the Cougars sport during the school’s eight-year “The memories from this day will rolled to a double-digit victory Tawas shot a two-day score of existence. 600 (303, 297), with Saturday’s 297 last a lifetime,” Smith said. “We will over Tawas at their Regional, it That all changed during a five- go down as the first state champion- looked like they were primed to setting a school record 18-hole round. hour round of golf, as its boys team ship team in school history. It doesn’t capture a fourth straight Division lapped the field en route to capturing get any better than that. 3 title on a course they were quite Jackson Lumen Christi came the Lower Peninsula Division 4 “It’s amazing,” he added. “This familiar with in Forest Akers East in second (603), Big Rapids took championship at Forest Akers West on the campus of Michigan State third (619), Grand Rapids North is such an amazing group of young on the campus of Michigan State men to be with.” University. Pointe Christian took fourth (625) University. Think again. and Houghton Lake rounded out Everest Collegiate had never the top five (631). The Mountaineers fired a two-day played the championship course Lansing Catholic wasn’t in total of 637 followed by Kalamazoo “Tawas has never won a state until Friday. Smith was being honest contention; however, the team that Christian (665). Muskegon Catholic when he said he didn’t know what to looked vulnerable at Regionals championship in any team sport,” Coach Keith Martin said. “So we not to mention calling it one of the – 73 Friday and 75 Saturday – and was third at 685, Mount Pleasant Sa- now. It’s stuff like that which makes Jamieson, a Lansing native, is no making every shot count out there. It were really excited, but thanks to most incredible shots he’s wit- finished tied for fourth individually expect before the opening round of this victory even more impressive. I stranger to the Forest Akers courses, was definitely a grind.” cred Heart fourth at 690 and Clinton play. But to see the team grow up this the tracking we were able to do, we nessed firsthand. with a 148. rounded out the top five with a 692. couldn’t be prouder.” and he played West as a veteran over Rozwadowski agree. kind of knew we had it.” weekend nearly moved him to tears. the past two days. Needless to say he “We shot 144 on the back which Winning the individual cham- Taking the medalist honor was “I came into Saturday’s round Everest Collegiate used a strong “You can teach the kids the basics is already thinking about next year’s Martin knows that in tour- is – that’s pretty dang good.” pionship was Macomb Lutheran Lansing Christian sophomore Parker with a number in my mind that I second day to run away from the of the game, but to watch them tournament, as it will be played at nament play, you never know Shattuck said he was mulling North’s Scott Sparks with a 141; Jamieson, who fired a 71-76 two-day wanted to shoot and I almost hit that field after firing a 317 to take a two- make shots in critical situations and Forest Akers East. what is going to happen until the through his round, but the shot he also won an individual title total of 147. Rozwadowski finished number, but I came up a little short,” stroke lead into the second round. just watch them grow as players is final hole, so to watch his team gave him new life. He wound up two seasons ago as a sophomore. with 149 strokes, followed by White “I can’t help not to think about Rozwadowski said. “I would have The Mountaineers were followed something you can’t teach,” Smith overcome double-digit strokes shooting the best nine holes of his Dundee’s Justin Kane and Big Rap- Pigeon’s Jordan Olsen, Kalamazoo coming back to Forest Akers next loved to have won the individual closely by Kalamazoo Christian said. “My senior Tyler Rozwadowski was a huge accomplishment – not life. ids’ Carter Bechaz tied for second Christian’s Colin Sikkenga and season and repeating,” Jamieson said. championship, but I wouldn’t change (319) and Sacred Heart (328) during came in and nearly won the whole to mention doing so with a first at 147, and joining Myles at 148 Collin Powers of Muskegon Catholic “I really battled the heat out there anything winning a team title with “It’s crazy how things work out,” Saturday’s round. thing as an individual player, and championship on the line. were Freeland’s Benjamin Balen Central, who all tied for third at 154. Saturday, but so did everyone else. my guys. This is pretty special.” Shattuck said. “All you need is a Everest Collegiate coach David he never saw the course before until It appeared it wasn’t Tawas’ day and Jackson Lumen Christi’s Will I focused on making good shots, break or a confidence boost, and Double. through the first nine holes when that’s what happened. I looked up the Braves fell 13 strokes behind and realized I made eagle in the Myles said there was nothing perennial power Jackson Lumen final round of the state champion- like saving one of his best rounds Christi. ship. It doesn’t get any better than of his career for his final high 2016 DAILY GOLF RATES “We started out really slow on t h at .” school tournament. Opening Day Until May 1st and September 19th Until Closed the front nine, and Lumen Christi Tawas has a six-man rotation, “To be able to win a state cham- was playing really well,” Martin and two split one of the five spots pionship, finish all-state all in your Walking With Cart said. “One of our kids chipped final high school tournament is an in the Finals lineup. $ $ in for eagle on the 10th, and the incredible feeling,” he said. 9 Holes (Mon-Thurs) ...... 10 ...... 13 Mason Buresh and Kyle Costi- positive vibes spread pretty quickly $ $ gan played on Friday and Saturday, As for Lumen Christi, which was 9 Holes (Fri- Sun & Holidays) ...... 12 ...... 15 after that. Then we knocked in a tied with Tawas after the first day respectively, and combined to $ $ couple birdies and really regained and at one point held a 13-stroke 18 Holes (Mon-Thurs) ...... 12 ...... 19 our composure.” shoot a 153 – which finished third among the team’s five scores. lead – the Titans settled for their 18 Holes (Fri-Sun & Holidays) ...... $14 ...... $21 After shooting 153 as a team on third runner-up finish over the Buresh shot an 80 on Friday, the front nine, sophomore Daniel past four seasons. (Children’s discount is the only discount that applies during Spring and Fall specials) while Andrew Volk had a consis- In only its eighth year Shattuck chipped-in on the 10th “Lumen Christi is an amazing of existence, Clarkston to start the momentum toward the tent weekend with a 152 (74-78), nd th which put him just two strokes program with a Hall of Fame Everest Collegiate May 2 , 2016 - September 18 , 2016 team’s best nine-hole score this walked away with outside the individual top 10. coach,” Martin said. “They played $ $ season, 144. Martin called that shot really well, but I guess it was our the school’s first 9 Holes (Mon-Thurs) ...... 12 ...... 19 state championship the turning point in the match, Senior Bryce Myles who led the day today.” $ $ team with a two-day total of 148 after winning the D4 9 Holes (Fri-Sun & Holidays) ...... 14 ...... 21 championship on June $ $ Tawas won its first-ever state championship in any 11 at Forest Akers 18 Holes (Mon-Thurs) ...... 20 ...... 29 sport after putting together a school record round of West on Michigan State 18 Holes (Fri-Sun & Holidays) ...... $22 ...... $32 297 to secure the Division 3 title in the finals played University’s campus. at Forest Akers West on the campus of Michigan (Scott Keyes, High State University. (Alan Holben, High School Sports School Sports Scene Twilight Special – After 5:00 p.m. Scene Photo) Photos) Unlimited Golfing (Mon-Thurs) ...... $16 ...... $21 28th Anniversary Unlimited Golfing (Fri-Sun & Holidays) ...... $18 ...... $23 The North Star Golf Course 2016 Michigan Jr. Check Invitational Out July 20,2016 Pine River Country Club More 989.817.4802 (989) 875-3841 1400 W. Superior, Alma, MI 5665 E. Pickard Rd. 18 Holes of Stroke Play Photos At 4550 S. BAGLEY (US 27) ITHACA Open to Golfers Ages 11-18 Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 Boys and Girls Divisions highschool Located adjacent to the Friday 2-Person Scramble Players Flighted Into Age Divisions Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel $ Deadline sportsscene 12 & 20 Sundays! Every Friday. Win Prizes Entry Fee: 40 July 12, 2016 www.waaboozrun.com $12 - 9/Cart, $20 18/Cart and Movie Passes Call (989) 463-4610 or visit .com SKINS & PROXIMITIES Discounts do not apply to our Spring and Fall specials or our twilight rates. Daily rates listed Pine River Country Club For More Details! are per person and may be subject to change during event outings. Only one discount offer per person. Group rate, league rates and outing rates may not be used in combination with other rate offers. A current valid driver’s license and signed waiver is required to rent a golf cart. Discount available for seniors, students with college identification, juniors, children and guests of Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel, Green Suites Hotel, and Soaring Eagle Hideaway RV Park. Page 42 - June/July 2016 High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News www.highschoolsportsscence.com www.highschoolsportsscence.com High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News June/July 2016 Page 43 Anushka Murthy reached the semifinals at No. 4 singles. DIVISION 2 Okemos Tennis Home was sweet for the Midland Dow tennis team, as Dow Holly Quietly Builds captured the Division 1 state title in Midland. Dow players claimed a pair of individual titles as Caroline Enjoys Another Szabo won the title at No. 2 singles and Sarah Ismail won the Reputation As Power title at No. 3 singles. Hadley Camp also reached the semifinals at No. 4 singles. Solid Season In D1 Dow also dominated in doubles action as Afua Ofori-dar- School With Another Butch Harmon ko and Kamryn Matthews won at No. 1 doubles and Meghan Sports Scene Killmaster and Kelly Livingston won at No. 2 doubles. Dow’s No. 3 doubles team of Mina Fabiano and Tatum Matthews and the Top-10 Finish In D2 Led by its talented singles players, the Okemos girls tennis No. 4 doubles team of Maggie Schaller and Marie Marche both Dan Stickradt a 6-1 dual match record, has had one of its team capped the season by placing fifth as a team at the Division finished as runner-ups. best-ever seasons in 2016. 2 state tennis finals. Sports Scene DIVISION 3 The Bronchos recorded 19 points at the Okemos players took home titles at both No. 1 and No. 2 sin- Nestled in the northwest corner of Detroit Country Day won a close state final with 32 points D-2 finals, sent eight players to the semifi- gles. At No. 1 singles, Okemos sophomore Alisa Sabotic defeated Oakland County is the quiet town of Holly. nals, and had four flights in the semifinals her friend and training partner Olivia Hanover of Mason in followed, by Grand Rapids Christian with 31 points and Bloom- About the only notable noise out of this burg field Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood with 30. and five flights in the quarterfinals— all of three sets, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. is the occasional train horn, as the village which are school records. DIVISION 4 boasts the intersection of the CSX and “I had a feeling I would face Liv because I know how good “A lot of it goes down to seeds,” offered Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart took home the Canadian National main lines and double she can play,” said Sabotic. “I was confident but also worried Sophiea. “If you can get some good seeds, title in Division 4 as it edged Traverse City St Francis by a single digit trains zipping through the village and because I had played her two other times and it was close. It’s win a few matches, then you can get into the point. adjacent country side on a daily basis. hard playing a friend, of course, but I don’t really look at it like top 10.” that, it’s competition.” Flint Powers Catholic placed eighth while Portland finished There is another buzz that has quietly The last time Holly did not make the At No. 2 singles, Sabotic’s teammate Monika Francsics also 10th, Lansing Catholic Central 12th and Chesaning 14th. arisen from Holly over the years and while not as resounding as a train horn, it comes cut for the state finals was 1997, when the brought home as state title was she defeated Breann Lunghamer Powers Catholic was led by Alise Haddad, who reached the from the high school’s tennis courts and is Bronchos landed in a regional with the Bir- of Bloomfield Hills Marian in two sets. quarterfinals at No. 1 singles and Hannah Rahman who reached powerful in its own right. Holly’s girls tennis mingham/Bloomfield Hills area schools and the quarters at No. 2. The No. 4 doubles team of Anna Rochor Okemos also made its presence felt at the other two sin- program has become one of the state’s most finished fourth. They have finished either and Maddy Tata also reached the quarterfinals. gles flights as Sema Colak was runner-up at No. 3 singles and consistent contingents and has done so the first or second at the regional tournament for Lansing Catholic Central was paced by Clare Werner who blue-collar way. 18 straight seasons. reached the quarterfinals at No. 4 singles. “We don’t get many kids with the country Holly is entered the state finals ranked Portland was paced by the No. 1 doubles team of Brooke club type background,” noted Holly coach seventh in Division 2 and recorded second Butterfield and Morgan Wittkopp who reached the quarterfinals Will Sophiea. “But we have a lot of interest straight top-10 team finish. The Bronchos at No. 1 doubles. for tennis in the community and we always were 10th in 2015. Chesaning was led by the No. 3 doubles team of Brooke Keck have hard-working kids that want to succeed. Holly’s best-ever state finals finish came and Taylor Murphy who reached the semifinals. There’s a lot of support for tennis here.” in 2004, when the Bronchos totaled 15 Sophiea’s program has put up some quality points and landed in a three-way tie for third numbers over the years and has clearly be- overall. Over the past two decades, Holly has come the most consistent school in the Flint cracked the top 10 at the D-2 state finals four area over the past two-plus decades. times, including 2004, eighth in 1998, 10th last season and sixth this spring. The 2016 season was one of the best, as the Bronchos collected league and regional “It’s been a great year,” admitted Sopheia. titles to go along with a sixth-place finish at “The girls set some high goals for themselves the Division 2 state finals. Holly set multiple and they have worked hard to (achieve school records this season. them).” Beginning in the 1982-83 school year Freshman Taylor Barrett is ranked in through the spring 2011 season, Holly Southeastern Michigan USTA for her age captured 29 straight Flint Metro League group and has become a pleasant surprise titles in girls tennis and would have been 30 for Holly at No. 1 singles. There is also great if not for a scoring change within the league leadership that came from the Bronchos’ in 2012, when the Bronchos finished a point senior class this season. behind Fenton. Overall, Holly has captured Seniors Lily Kossak, Michele Major and 32 of the past 34 league titles, missing in only Journee Kerner round out the singles lineup, 2012 and 2014. In both of those years Holly while Sydney Renehan (No. 1 doubles), finished second. Haley Crimmins (No. 2 doubles) and three- At the regional level, Holly has won two sport athlete Jenna Pepper (No. 4 doubles) straight regional crowns, including scoring have also held lead this squad. Pepper will play golf at Saginaw Valley State next year. (Top) Okemos’ Alisa 25 points May 19 to win the title on the Sabotic returns a shot on Bronchos’ home courts to qualify for the “We have a great group of seniors this the way to winning the No. Lower Peninsula Division 2 state finals June season who have become leaders and want to 1 singles title. Okemos 3-4. Holly will host the D-2 state finals this carry on our tradition,” said Sophiea. “This finished fifth as a team. season. group is like a family. They all get along and (Left) Mason’s Olivia Holly, which has placed high at several when you have great leadership coming from Hanover lost to Sabotic seniors, then you can have success.” at No. 1 singles. (Right) quality tournaments this season and boasts Sabotic and Hanover are all smiles after their No. 1 singles match in D2. (Alan Holben, High School Sports Scene Photos) The Holly girls tennis team had a solid 2016 season collecting league and regional titles to go along with a sixth-place finish at the Division 2 state finals. (Alan Holben, High WIDEMAN APPRAISAL SERVICE School Sports Scene Photo) Full Line Of Appraisals 1002 E. Center St. Office: 7625 N. Alger Rd. Ithaca, MI 48847 (989) 875-4544 Jason Saunders Alma Ask About Our Fax: Sales Professional - Between Walmart buy here, pAy here prOgrAm James J. Wideman (989) 875-4838 & K-Mart Center 85 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 05 Ford Expedition XLT 02 Chrysler PT Cruiser 09 Toyota Corolla XLE (989) 288-2657 speciAlizing in custOmers With ssi, Owner 5.0L NA V8, 5L NA V8, 3.8L V6, 1.8L I4, Flint (810) 232-9157 9009 Lansing Road Automatic Automatic Automatic Automatic DisAbility AnD sOciAl security incOme www.widemanappraisal.com Fax (989) 288-2347 Durand, Michigan 48429 989-463-AUTO (2886) [email protected] www.graffchevydurand.com E-mail: [email protected] seeleycars.com $4,495 $5,995 $3,995 $7,995 Page 44 - June/July 2016 High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News www.highschoolsportsscence.com www.highschoolsportsscence.com High School Sports Scene - Keeping Kids In The News June/July 2016 Page 45 Dow Won’t Be Denied; northern report Wins D1 Tennis Title Scott Keyes an accomplishment.” close to Midland Dow heading Sports Scene Dow finished with 33 points to into the tournament, but she knew edge Northville, which finished it was going to take some stellar To say the Midland Dow girls with 30. Grosse Pointe South was performances by her team to get tennis team enjoyed a boost play- third with 18 points, Ann Arbor past the Chargers. ing close to home June 4 would be Pioneer fourth with 17 and Rock- “To win it last year and to finish an understatement. ford fifth with 14. second this year is something that Dow coach Garrett Turner Northville, the reigning Division has never happened at Northville wasn’t about to apologize after 1 champion, fought hard right up High School,” Jones said. “These watching the Chargers win the until the final match. But Dow’s girls have worked so hard to make Lower Peninsula Division 1 girls Caroline Szabo clinched the title it this far and just miss winning tennis championship at the Greater for the Chargers by defeating another state title is extremely Midland Tennis Center. Dow Northville’s Shanoli Kumar 6-2, 6-3 gratifying to our team. We knew had last won the title in 2009 and at No. 2 singles. Dow was doing to be tough, but finished second last season and in our girls hung in there and fought 2010. The win was redemption for to the end.” Szabo, who was forced to watch “We came out ready to go. last year’s Finals from the sidelines Of the eight flight champion- We played a lot of great tennis, because of an injury. ship matches, Northville and Dow and we got the job done,” Turner competed head-to-head in six. said. “I was proud of what we “Sitting out last season was hard Szabo gave Dow a win at No. 2 accomplished seven years ago, to watch, especially when we were singles, while Sarah Ismail added a and I couldn’t be more proud of close to defeating Northville,” Chargers’ win at No. 3. Szabo said. “It was hard not being this year’s team. We went out and Ismail beat Northville’s Joanne battled a very tough Northville able to help the team. Watching last Senior captains Afua Ofori-Dar- Northville earned a win at No. year, to clinching the title this year, Gao, 6-1, 6-3. Ismail, a sophomore, ko and Kamryn Matthews repeated 3 doubles when Neha Chava and team and got the win. It’s a true is in her first year at Dow and on testament of how much we worked it is pretty incredible.” as No. 1 doubles champions for Sophie Zhuang outlasted Mina the tennis team. She was home- Dow, beating Northville’s Serena Fabiano and Tatum Matthews of in the off season to prepare us for Northville coach Linda Jones schooled as a freshman and played this moment. What a year. What was confident the team would hang Wang and Maya Mulchandini, 6-1, Dow, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2). The Mustangs in USTA tournaments. 6-0 to cap an undefeated season. added a win in No. 4 doubles when Ofori-Darko, a Brittany Macaddino and Alexan- senior, said to end dria Petix defeated her career with a Dow’s Maggie team champion- Schaller and Marie ship is something Marche. she will always As mentioned, remember. only two matches “I have won did not include three individual Dow and Northville Petre Leads Meridian To titles in my career, players facing off. but to finally At No. 1 singles, get that team West Bloomfield’s championship in Anika Yarlagadda my senior season captured the title D3 Boys’ Track Title is just icing on the with a 6-1, 6-4 vic- in scoring 36 points, Meridian put up a total of Petre placed third in the cake,” Ofori-Darko said. “My high tory over Raven Neely of Grosse Scott Salowich Sports Scene 39 and won the championship. Hillsdale was 200 last year and moved up school career is now complete.” Pointe South. Michi Ota of Ann second with 34. to second this time with a Dow added another title in No. Arbor Huron won No. 4 singles As a football coach with limited experience 22.26. Robinson got him The Sanford Meridian boys track team defended its with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Emily “It was exciting,” Bilina said. “We knew that Division 3 championship with its recent victory during the 2 doubles when the third-seeded running a track program, Meridian’s Mike if we came out and ran the times were were again by a hair. Roopas of Ann Arbor Pioneer. Bilina had a simple strategy heading into the state finals held at Comstock Park High School. (Right) team of Meghan Killmaster and capable of running, we’d have a good shot and “I guess it was disappoint- Hailee Stockford won the 100 and 200 meter dashes Kelly Livingston upset Northville’s Division 3 state meet. that’s what we did. ing not to win, but he ran two leading the Mustangs girls squad. (Randy Miniard, High Reeshma Kumar and Molly Bis. Bilina had been notified in the middle of the “We only took six guys, which is not as many good races,” said Blina. “He School Sports Scene Photos) season by his predecessor Dave Pettyplace that as a lot of other teams, but they were all studs.” really didn’t have time to brood LeViere and Andre Smith to win the 400 relay the Mustangs had a great shot to win the state anyway, because he had a couple of relays to in a state record time of 43.14. team title and he knew just what to do. Petre won the 100 meters last year and run, too.” wound up second to Thomas Robinson of Monte Petre also earned All-State honors “I call myself the track manager, not the The Midland Dow girls tennis team won its first Division 1 title Wyoming Lee with a time of 11.12. Petre joined forces with Matt Hoffman, flying solo, placing sixth in the 100 in 11.41. scoring 33 points to narrowly defeat a tough Northville team by coach,” he said. “I filled out the card and got Miles LeViere and his brother, Monte Petre, to three points. The win was Midland Dow’s first title since 2009. out of the way.” “That kid was a sophomore in his first year win the gold medal in the 800 relay in a time “We won the team state championship and Midland Dow was runner up a year ago. (Scott Keyes, High in track and he was big,” said Bilina. “He was set a state record,” said Bilina. “It was just a Good strategy. of 1:29.21. School Sports Scene Photo) 6-3 and he got us by a lean.” great day for the kids.” With senior Christian Petre having a hand Christian and Monte then teamed with Covenant Center for AdvAnced KRAPOHL Central OrthOpAedics Cliff Anderson Jim Cole Michigan’s Ray Garver Casey Gott Tom Shafer – specializing in – SPortS InJUrIeS • SHoULDer rePLaCeMentS • aDvanCeD SHoULDer SUrGerY anthony de Bari, MD B.C. de Beaubien, MD Colleen Linehan, MD Michael tucker, Do Jason Maxa, Pa-C Lindsey Pilling, Pa-C Serving You JoInt PaIn • HIP anD Knee revISIonS • totaL HIP anD Knee rePLaCeMentS Bryon Chamberlain, MD Service Board Certified Board Certified Board Certified Board eligible fraCtUreS • aCetaBULUM anD PeLvIC fraCtUreS • nonUnIon fraCtUreS Board Certified orthopaedic Surgeon orthopaedic Surgeon orthopaedic Surgeon orthopaedic Surgeon orthopaedic Surgeon Since 1950

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The teams ahead of us State three times.” have beaten us.” all performed very well and I congratulate Gould, a senior, ran third in the 300 hur- The loss was tough to take, Clare Girls them.” dles in 46.06. Coleman Softball March but time will heal the wounds Junior pole vaulter Kasey Staley was “She only missed winning it by three- and leave evidence that this was second in the state last year and cleared that tenths of a second and she ran the fastest quite a season. Go Fourth At bar by winning it all this time. She set a state race of her life,” siad McKown. “Paige Ends In Quarterfinals Carley Starnes, Cassidy record in the process with a 12-4 effort. sacrificed a lot for the good of the team by Scott Salowich games of the tourney by a com- different atmosphere,” said Tucker, Laken Berthume and “She works year-round and is just an running a lot of different events and she is an Sports Scene bined score of 68-6, but the bats Klopf. “We had a lot of different Kaylie Scott all earned All-State State Meet amazing vaulter,” said McKown. “Her best athlete who has really had to battle. She tore were baffled most of the way. people watching us, and I think honors and Grace Staley was Scott Salowich going in was 12-3, so breaking the record her ACL in her freshman year and started The big question at the soft- “We got two on to start the that, plus the idea of what was Honorable Mention. ball Final Four was, “Holton’s waiting for us in the next game, Sports Scene wasn’t that much of a jump for her. She just over at ground zero. She is going to continue seventh,” said Klopf, “and that “We’re disheartened,” said had to do it on that day and she did. She running at Davenport College and I think here … uh, who?” was the first time. We started all put a little more pressure on. After winning every dual meet, a regional Klopf, “but down the road we continues to get better every year and we’re her best is yet to come.” Coleman had been a dom- of the first six innings with an “Still, if we had put even a are all going to remember this title, the Jack Pine Conference meet and even looking for even bigger and better things inant No. 1 all season long out and that is not like us at all.” couple more leadoff hitters on, the Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Gould grabbed a third All-State medal by as a great year. You can’t take next year.” teaming with Harton, Johnson and Staley to and had a gaudy 32-2 record The pitching and defense there is no way that team would anything away from this group.” Association meet, the Clare girls track team heading into the Division 4 headed into the Division 3 state meet with The dependable distance duo was next on place third in the 800 relay in a school-re- were not exactly as dominant as the hit parade. cord time of 1:46.91. quarterfinals, but dropped a 6-3 usual, either. big ideas. decision to Holton to come up The Pioneers couldn’t finish off an epic Junior Jasmine Harper was second in the The Pioneers were a perfect 7-0 in Jack short of the ultimate goal. “We had one inning where season with a state title, but they still put on 1,600 with a time of 5:04.39, with freshman Pine dual meets and cruised to the outright there was a complete mental Lainey Veenkant fourth in 5:06.35. championship by winning the league meet “We had more hits than they breakdown,” Klopf said. “We quite a show, placing fourth with 45 points, did,” said Coleman coach Chad behind only Ithaca with 57.5, Adrian Mad- Harper was third in the 3,200 in 11:09.29 with 191 points. Gladwin was second with made more mistakes in one 114.5. Klopf, “but we didn’t get them inning than I think we made all ison with 54 and Traverse City St. Francis and Veenkant was eighth in 11:21.91. when we needed them. with 45. They ran away with the regional title as season.” Veenkant also joined forces with Lexy “Their pitcher threw a lot of “This has been a special group all season Harton, Paige Gould and Ellie Johnson to well, finishing on top with 146.5. McBain Coleman won the state title was second with 82.5. off-speed stuff and we weren’t in 2005, but getting back to that and I was proud of the way the girls stepped earn All-State honors in the 1,600 relay for patient enough against her. up when the pressure was on,” said Clare running sixth in a time of 4:09. Clare hosted the MITCA meet, which level with a talented group that When we were, we got a base had never been to the Final coach Kyle McKown. “Our main objective “Jasmine has been All-State six times in features full teams who had to qualify to hit or a walk but, when we was to win the state and I thought we could compete. Both the Clare boys and girls track teams Four proved to big too big a hill the 1,600 and 3,200 now and she’s just been weren’t, we’d pop it right up.” to climb. compete and we came close. a rock for us for three years,” McKown said. “That was a craazy day,” said McKown. “It enjoyed solid showings during the recent Division 3 track finals held at Comstock The Comets blasted their “The quarterfinal was a “We did well. We were All-State eight “Lainey dropped 23 seconds off her time in was a day for our whole team to shine and way in having won the first four the mile between eighth grade and ninth, we’ll never forget it.” Park High School. (Scott Keyes, High School times and that’s the best we’ve done since Sports Scene Photo) and she is now our first freshman to be All- The Coleman girls softball team wrapped up a tremendous season finishing the year 32-2. The Comets made it all the way to the Division 4 finals before losing to Holton 6-3. “Our conference is one of the (Skip Traynor, High School Sports Scene) toughest in the state,” Cingano said. Beavers Shake It Up With “We had two of the top three teams and we lost some close games to both of them. We lost 4-2 and 4-1 to Run To Regional Final Clare, and I think only three of the Gladwin’s Fennell Ties HR Scott Salowich neers won 2-1. runs they scored were earned. Sports Scene That set up the title bout. The “We kind of beat ourselves in rivals were tied 3-3 heading into the some of our conference games,” he Record For A Little While With two of the top three teams in top of the 11th inning when Clare continued. “We were making too Softball. that list as well.” district debut and dropped the state on the field, the prospects Scott Salowich scored two runs. many errors and you can’t do that Sports Scene Farmington Hills Mercy The numbers could have out with a 6-5 loss to Ogemaw for an upset at Harrison’s Division 3 against good teams.” Heights. district baseball tournament seemed The Beavers rallied for three in rolled to a state championship, been even bigger. As the season rolled on, the Bea- Gladwin senior Dayna led by Abby Krzywiecki who “We had that one bad inning limited. the bottom of the frame and won Fennell spent an epic spring “She hit the fence another 6-5 on a walk-off, two-run double by vers focused on fielding and changed finished the year with 20 bombs and we couldn’t recover,” Keefer Meridian and Clare tied for the chasing the state record for five times, minimum, and some Camron Schneider. up batting practice as well, switching and was voted Miss Softball for of those were at 225 (feet),” said. “We kept fighting and we Jack Pine Conference championship from the cages to live pitching. with those guys.” that,” said Cingano, “but it really just home runs, and got there in the Getting the big hit was poetic her efforts. Keefer said. “If she had hit those had a runner on third in the and one or the other seemed likely brushed his sleeve. The umpire start- final tournament of the regular justice for Schneider, who pitched “We started playing better toward The fluke philosophy took another “It would have been nice if at our field, she would have had seventh, but we couldn’t bring to punch a ticket to the regional and, ed yelling, ‘dead ball’ and we weren’t season when she clubbed one in the first 10 innings, but did not get the end and things really came hit the following week at the regional Dayna had been able to hold quite a few more.” her home.” perhaps, beyond. really sure what had happened, but each of three games the Flying the decision. together,” said Cingano. “I knew we when the Beavers beat St. Charles G’s played at Ogemaw Heights. onto it long enough for them Fennell also drove in 60 runs Gladwin finished with a re- Beaverton, meanwhile, finished were a better team than 7-7 in the 3-2 in the semifinals. that’s how we won it.” Sophomore Carson Longstreth got to update the record on the and holds every school record cord of 29-10, the best in school in the middle of the Jack pack with conference. I don’t know if the kids The music finally stopped in the That gave her a total of 19, the win in relief. Senior Chad Meilke It was another nail-biter and MHSAA website,” said Gladwin for power hitting. history. a 7-7 mark. They edged Farwell 6-5 believed that, but they pulled their final when Standish defeated the good for a tie with Parchment’s coach Jill Keefer, “but she will had two hits and knocked in a pair another walk-off win, albeit a bit Kassidy Butler, who set the She didn’t get many opportu- Fennell will continue her in the first round, on the same day stuff together at the end and played 17-Aug-11 8: PM Beavers 10-0. still be on there for second place Meridian clubbed Harrison 21-1. of runs. unconventional, as Carter Johnston standard last year. nities in the state tournament, career next season at Delta the kind of ball I knew they were was hit by a pitch with the bases “They had their hitting shoes on,” and she hit 32 in her career, The experts took a pounding on as the Flying G’s gave up five College. Beaverton bombed Houughton capable of playing all along. loaded to plate the winning run in said Cingano, “and we only had four And then, along came Miss which puts her in the top 10 on the result, but it didn’t come com- runs in the first inning of their Lake 12-5 in the semifinals, while “It was not a fluke. We weren’t the seventh. hits. It was still a great experience. Clare and Meridian staged a battle pletely out of left field, according to favored to win the district by any “You want to give him credit We only lose two seniors, so we Gladwin’s Dayna Fennell enjoyed a record-breaking year at worthy of the hype, which the Pio- Beaverton coach Mike Cingano. Randy, here is the new ad directions: Trailer SUPERstore & Service Center means, but we knew we could play for taking one for the team and all should be decent again next year.” the plate, tying the state record with 19 homers. For All Your Trailer Needs! 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