Oceana’s Herald-Journal • July 6, 2017 • 3b
Sports “My form was perfect and my steps were perfect. I think that was God working for me on that jump.”
— Nate McKeown
Aquinas College high jumper, on his NAIA indoor championship
Kim Smith • Oceana’s Herald-Journal file photo
Nate McKeown leaps into the long jump pit in the 2015 Division 3 state track finals. McKeown won the state title in high jump at the meet, Hesperia’s first for a male athlete in any track and field event. McKeown won the NAIA indoor national title in high jump in March.
Hesperia’s McKeown wins indoor national title in high jump as Aquinas freshman By Andy Roberts Herald-Journal Writer
Former Hesperia athlete Nate McKeown had already made his share of history in the high jump by the time he graduated from the school. In 2015, McKeown became the first Hesperia male athlete to ever win an individual track and field state title when he earned the top spot in the high jump. He did himself one better as a freshman at Aquinas College this last season, blowing past his career best mark with a jump of 6-11.75 (2.13 meters) and earning the NAIA indoor national championship in March. In doing so, he became just the third Aquinas men’s athlete to win an individual title in a field event. (Teammate Curtis Bell became the fourth at the same meet by winning the pole vault.) McKeown had had a strong freshman year going into the national finals, held in Johnson City, Tenn., but hadn’t yet beaten his then-career-best of 6-10 that he had set as a Hesperia senior. His season’s best at Aquinas was 6-9.75, and McKeown said he believed he was ranked seventh headed into the finals. The competition would come down to McKeown and Dakarai Hightower of Doane University, who was one of three athletes to successfully clear 6-10.75. McKeown’s task was to clear an inch higher. “I had such adrenaline going, because I was in the finals,” McKeown said. “I had already done way better than I was expecting. It all came together. My form was perfect and my steps were perfect. I think that was God working for me on that jump.” McKeown cleared the bar without touching it, securing his place atop the podium. He
• Photo courtesy of Aquinas College
Aquinas College track athlete Nate McKeown stands next to a display showing the 2.13 meters he jumped to win the NAIA indoor high jump championship in March. The height translates to six feet, 11.75 inches, eclipsing McKeown’s previous top mark by nearly two inches.
had set a goal of clearing 7-0 at the national finals, and although his official height was a quarter-inch lower, he joked that since he didn’t so much as nick the bar, he is giving himself credit for the 7-0. His work wasn’t done in March, though, as he competed in the outdoor season as well. He reached the national finals meet in Gulf Shores, Ala., taking 11th place. McKeown found when he arrived at Aquinas that he would require a new level of focus in order to succeed competitively. At Hesperia, McKeown, thanks to his immense talent, was virtually assured victory at most meets just by being there. In a world where most of his competitors had been similarly successful in high school, that wasn’t the case. “I was up against more skilled competitors,” McKeown said. “I was facing guys that were jumping 6-8 consistently, and in high school I didn’t experience that. It really upped my game for every meet.
I couldn’t take a meet off. I was a little more nervous, because I hate to lose, but it helped me to focus more. On days I didn’t feel like giving my all, it kind of forced me to.” What helped McKeown succeed on the level he did — he was the only underclassman in the top seven of the NAIA indoor finals — was that the increased competition he faced was met with an equally impressive leap in his available facilities and training at the college level. “We have an indoor track, and that really helps,” McKeown said. I was able to jump all winter when it was cold outside. A lot of other schools can’t. We were able to lift most every day. (Coaches) put us through jumping workouts. Those were the majority of what we did. That really improved my vertical and my strength.” With the summer here, McKeown is hardly slowing down. He’s holding down a summer job while also keeping in shape
for the next season by lifting weights almost daily. He also said he has a trusty workout that’s been part of his routine for close to a decade. All of this is in service of his next set of goals. “I do a jumping workout I’ve been doing since middle school,” McKeown said. “I’m doing what I’ve been doing each year, and trying to continue to improve my vertical. “As far as heights go, this next year, my goal is to clear 7-2. Anything can happen at nationals, but I want to win another title while I’m at Aquinas. Those are my goals for this next year.” Despite all his success and hard work, McKeown is true to the faith-based roots of Aquinas and credits his accomplishments to his God-given gifts. “This whole experience, I thank God for it,” McKeown said. “He’s the one who gave me this gift I have, and He’s the reason I have the opportunities I have. I’m doing it all for Him, really.”
Slew of local baseball players honored By Andy Roberts Herald-Journal Writer
Six local baseball players were selected to their respective all-conference teams after successful seasons this spring. Pentwater had two all-conference players in the West Michigan D League, Glenn Miller and Iain Stewart. The Falcons won the WMD championship with a 12-2 conference record. Miller, a sophomore, hit .435 in conference games, driving in 16 runs. Adding in his 10 walks, Miller’s onbase percentage was a spectacular .629. He might have been even better on the mound, though, where he recorded a 1.22 ERA in WMD contests, walking just seven against 37 strikeouts and compiling a 4-1 record. “Glenn was a sophomore and our number one pitcher and best infielder,” Pentwater coach Rick Magrath said. “He is a pure baseball player, loves the game, continues to improve and is playing summer ball. He started off the season with knee surgery, so was a bit behind with baseball conditioning, but he had a solid year and should be ready to go for next year.” Stewart was just as impressive at the
plate, posting a .483 batting average and .605 OBP in conference games. He drove in eight runs and scored 15. He also did well on the mound, with a 3.50 ERA and a 4-0 record. Leading the way with three allleague choices was Hesperia, which enjoyed an improved record of 1916, 13-7 in the Central State Activities Association Silver division. The Panthers picked up steam as the year went along, winning 13 of their last 17 league contests after an 0-4 start. Gage Balkema was a big reason for that success, and he was voted CSAA Silver most outstanding player by the league’s coaches. Balkema hit for a .423 batting average, driving in 32 runs and stealing 21 bases on the season. He was also excellent as a pitcher, throwing 55 2/3 innings and posting a 1.63 earned run average. He struck out 34 batters. Brendan McAree was also named first team all-conference, hitting .438 and driving in 35 runs, including two home runs. He also stole 18 bases and played great defense at first base, compiling a .953 fielding percentage. For Balkema and McAree, it was their second consecutive year on the allCSAA Silver first team. Bobby Castillo was Hesperia’s third
Beach volleyball tourney raises money for Hesperia volleyball
Hesperia’s volleyball program hosted a beach volleyball tournament Saturday next to the softball field to raise funds for the team. Co-ed teams of four competed in the tournament, with a trophy going to the winning team. The fun continued Sunday with a co-ed softball tournament, also to raise money for Hesperia volleyball. Andy Roberts • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
Balkema
Castillo
all-league pick, hitting .360 and driving in 29 runs. His best work, though, was behind the plate, where in 145 1/3 innings he had a fielding percentage of .982. “All of these seniors put in the extra effort in the offseason and it showed on the field this spring,” Hesperia assistant coach Austin Balkema said. “They provided great leadership on and off the field for a young team and got the program headed in the right direction.” Rounding out the area all-conference players was Shelby’s Kristian Oberlin in the West Michigan Conference. Oberlin was among the Tigers’ top hitters, recording multiple hits on several occasions. His most productive game came in game one of a dou-
McAree
Miller
bleheader sweep against rival Hart, in which he had five RBI.He was often in the middle of Tigers’ rallies. Falcon seniors Damon Martz and Phillip Stone were selected to the WMD second team. Martz hit .444 in league contests, driving in 11 runs, and Stone posted a .478 averaage, with 15 RBI in the league. Both were outfielders. Falcons to get honorable mention were Ryan Hasty and Billy Sproul. Hasty hit .405 in conference ahd drove in 14 runs, and Sproul, Pentwater’s leadoff hitter, had a .467 average, a .568 OBP, and 17 runs scored in conference. Hesperia’s Gavin Schmitz was honorable mention all-CSAA Silver, with a .400 average and 23 RBI on the season. Shelby catcher Conner Zaverl
Oberlin
Stewart
had an impressive season behind the plate and was honorable mention allWMC. Hart’s Jayden VanderZwaag, a sophomore shortstop, was also honorable mention all-WMC after hitting .272, with 15 runs scored and eight RBI. VanderZwaag hit .350 with runners in scoring position. “Jayden also pitched for the Pirates and will be an arm the Pirates will depend on next year,” Hart coach Michael Giddings said. “He should be the shortstop of the future and we are extremely excited to have him back for two more seasons.” Walkerville’s all-conference selections had not been reported at press time.