Winter Sports All Area

Saturday, April 4, 2020 | Page 1B

ALL-AREA

Page 2B | Saturday, April 4, 2020

THE DAILY NEWS

2020 WINTER SPORTS AWARDS

Wrestling

Wrestler of the Year

Coach of the Year

Jamison Ward

Kacy Datema

Carson City-Crystal • HC Team state quarterfinals, four All-State wrestlers, two state champs

Carson City-Crystal • senior, 135-pounds 53-0 overall, Division 4 state champion Jamison Ward was challenged 53 times on the mat this season and had his hand raised after each one. The senior capped his remarkable wrestling career for the Eagles with his second straight state title. It was his fourth All-State finish, placing in the top four every year of his career. Finishing his career with an overall record of 220 wins to just seven losses, Carson City-Crystal head coach Kacy Datema called Ward, “by far, the best wrestler in school history, head and shoulders above everyone.”

In what he’s indicated is his final season with the Eagles, Kacy Datema continued his legacy of success this year with yet another trip to the team state finals, the team’s fourth in a row. After losing six of his top seniors to graduation from the 2019 state semifinalist team, which many consider to be Carson City-Crystal’s best team in school history, Datema led this year’s Eagle’s squad to a 32-5 dual record before ultimately losing to Clinton, 47-24, in the Division 4 state quarterfinals.

At the individual state finals, Datema led eight Eagles down to Detroit with four placing All-State.

RUNNER-UP: Jaron Johnson, Carson City-Crystal

RUNNER-UP: Paul Johnson, Greenville

ALL-AREA WRESTLING HONORS GOLD SQUAD

SILVER SQUAD Cole Stone Brenden Kurtze Nathan Smits Brock Ryan Austin Hancock

CC-C Lakeview Tri County Central Montcalm Lakeview

BRONZE SQUAD

JARON JOHNSON CC-C junior 42-0, D4 125 state champ

CADEN PETERMAN Greenville junior 46-6, D2 125 5th place

TOP NEWCOMER Tri County freshman Ian Boden amassed a record of 34-21 on his way to the individual state finals, the only freshman from the local area to make the state finals. Though he went 0-2 at the state finals, Boden nearly pulled off an upset in his first match, losing 5-4 as time expired to the seventh place wrestler in Division 3.

Other top newcomer nominees: John Row, Montabella; Brent Green, Belding; Killian Campbell, Ionia; Logan Hopkins, CC-C

BRIAN YEAKEY CC-C senior 51-5, D4 285 4th place

MR. CLUTCH Greenville junior Caden Peterman was always one to step up and provide points for the team whenever the Yellow Jackets needed a victory. He finished his season at the 125-pound weight class but made the 119-pound class throughout the season to help his team when possible. Peterman finished 4-2 at the individual state finals, placing fifth in Division 2, winning all four of his matches after being behind in points.

Other Mr. Clutch nominees: Ethan Schmid, Belding; Carter Meyers, Ionia; Jamison Ward, CC-C

ALL-AREA ATHLETES:

CONGRATULATIONS On Your Incredible Season!

DAVID BARRETT Montabella senior 50-6, D4 145 4th place

CC-C Tri County Belding Belding CC-C

HONORABLE MENTION BELDING: Jon Ross, Eliot Ward, Matthew Massman; CC-C: Bryce Stanley, Nash Akin, Tyler Akin, Gavin Fleisher, Jared Shepler, Cade Fleisher, Taiden Robinson; GREENVILLE: Aiden Dowdell, Zach McMillan, Jared Pimental, Taylor Kellum, Isaac Dailey; IONIA: Carter Meyers; LAKEVIEW: Riley McKenna, Bryce Jacobs, Joe Perez; MONTABELLA: Ben Pitts, Gavin Kent, Mason Dalrymple, Chance Wagoner; TRI COUNTY: Ian Boden, Anthony Stalhood

from blakehollenbeckinc.net 11071 W. CARSON CITY RD, GREENVILLE 616.754.5566 or 866-358-7473

270221

JAMISON WARD CC-C senior 53-0, D4 135 state champ

Ryan Holland Nick Prater Mattsen Putney Ethan Schmid Blain Mitchell

Saturday, April 4, 2020 | Page 3B

ALL-AREA 2020 WINTER SPORTS AWARDS

THE DAILY NEWS

Girls basketball Player of the Year

Coach of the Year

Ashley Bialek

Scott Pischea

Tri County • junior guard • 15.9 PTS, 4.8 REB, 3.8 STL, 2 AST

Ionia • HC • 15-6 overall record

On a team with very little varsity experiencing coming into the season, Ashley Bialek found a way to make her presence felt and consistently provide points for the young Vikings team. Bialek averaged nearly 16 points per game while also stealing the ball with ease, making for plenty of fast-break opportunities. “She’s super athletic and she makes plays that a lot of people can’t that work forever,” said Tri County head coach Alyssa Alger. “She’s quiet, she likes to pass, she doesn’t want to be the center of attention … She’s got a great looking shot, she makes her free throws and she finishes well around the basket.”

In his second season with the Bulldogs, Pischea led his team to 15 wins, the most wins the program has had since a 19-win campaign in 2014. Of the team’s six losses, three of them came to Portland, which finished the season 20-4 and won a district title. Though there’s no league or district title to show for it, Pischea led the Bulldogs to the area’s best record among girls basketball teams.

RUNNER-UP: Bailey Vissman, Central Montcalm

RUNNERS-UP: Rob Putnam, Central Montcalm; Andy Fedder, Greenville

ALL-AREA GIRLS BASKETBALL HONORS FIRST TEAM

ASHLEY BIALEK

Tri County junior guard 15.9 PTS, 4.8 REB, 3.8 STL, 2 AST

BAILEY VISSMAN

Central Montcalm junior guard 14.9 PTS, 2.7 REB, 3.7 STL, 4.3 AST

TOP NEWCOMER

JENNA DOVE

BROOKLYNN KNOPF

Vestaburg senior forward 13.8 PTS, 8.5 REB, 2.6 STL

Montabella senior forward 13.4 PTS, 8.6 REB, 3 STL, 1.2 BLK

SIXTH WOMAN Vestaburg senior Rocky VanLuven averaged four points and five rebounds for the Wolverines, providing quality minutes off the bench. “She was a starter at the beginning of the season but we found that she was more valuable coming off the bench,” said Vestaburg head coach Matt Koutz. “Rocky’s versatility was a huge asset. We could really sub her for anyone at any time if we needed to. By the end of the year, she even ran the point for us at times and did a good job no matter where we asked her to play.”

Other sixth woman nominees: Lauren Cusack, Greenville; Maia Sexton, Central Montcalm; Kenzie Patrick, Ionia

Tri County junior Ashley Bialek splashed onto the scene in her first year of varsity basketball, helping to lead her team to an 11-10 overall record, including a late-season six-game winning streak.

Other top newcomer nominees: Megan Leslie, Greenville; Courtney Guelzo, Central Montcalm; Kennedi Stout, CC-C; Aubrey Hessbrook, CC-C; Melayna Braman, Ionia

SECOND TEAM Jenna Caterino Megan Leslie Alicia Bowen Kennedi Stout Brynn Reams

Greenville Greenville Tri County CC-C Ionia

THIRD TEAM

HONORABLE MENTION BELDING: Brianna Stone; CC-C: Aubrey Hessbrook, Allyson Stevens, Chloe Haring; CENTRAL MONTCALM: Brielle Collins, Courtney Guelzo, Anna Loew, Maia Sexton; GREENVILLE: Zoe Hallock, Anna Thwaites; IONIA: Sidney Casillas, Haley Banks, Avery Roundtree, Melayna Braman, Jessa Swinehart; LAKEVIEW: Madison Hart; MONTABELLA: Sara Courser; VESTABURG: Philena Johnston, Brianna Zinn, Hannah Palmer, Rocky VanLuven, Kylie Mortensen

!

B O J T GREA

TAYLOR KIRBY

Ionia senior guard 12.8 PTS, 4.9 REB, 2.4 STL, 2.9 AST

Morgan Canfield Hannah Taeter McKenna German London Eldridge Alexandria McNinch

Ionia CC-C Belding Central Montcalm Belding

The best age to visit our office for a complimentary exam is any age 7 and up.

270267

4353 Sawkaw Dr., Grand Rapids, MI 49525 (616) 363-9821 | 100 S. Greenville West Dr., Greenville, MI 48838 (616) 225-2730 | www.herremansorthodontics.com

Page 4B | Saturday, April 4, 2020

ALL-AREA 2020 WINTER SPORTS AWARDS

THE DAILY NEWS

Boys basketball Player of the Year

Coach of the Year

Nick Szymanski

Scott Swinehart

Ionia • senior guard • 19 PTS, 7.6 REB, 1.9 STL, 4.5 AST

Ionia • HC • 16-5 overall record

Nick Szymanski led the Ionia Bulldogs in scoring and made a big impact on the boards as well as distributing for his teammates while helping to lead the team to a second straight league title as well as the district finals before the season was suspended. While his offensive numbers are great, Ionia head coach Scott Swinehart says his defense is just as impressive. “If there was a way to track defensive efficiency at the high school level, his numbers would be extremely high,” Swinehart said. “Very few players have the ability to give that much energy on defense and still perform as well as he did on offense. He could have scored more but played the game the right way and his teammates’ success has always been important to him.”

back-to-back CAAC-White titles • district finalist In his three years since returning to coaching, Scott Swinehart has led his team to either a district or conference championship every year, including a second straight CAACWhite title this season. The Bulldogs went 8-2 in the conference, sharing the conference title with Lansing Catholic, and 16-5 overall before the season was postponed. If the season is reinstated, Ionia will look to win its third straight district title against Alma.

RUNNERS-UP: Cooper Sellers, Vestaburg; Gunner Hill, Central Montcalm

Runner-up: Dan Basom, Central Montcalm

ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL HONORS FIRST TEAM

NICK SZYMANSKI

Ionia senior guard 19 PTS, 7.6 REB, 1.9 STL, 4.5 AST

COOPER SELLERS

Vestaburg senior guard 18.6 PTS, 5.2 REB, 0.8 STL, 1.2 AST

GUNNER HILL

CAM FRIEND

Central Montcalm senior forward 17.2 PTS, 9.9 REB, 1.8 STL, 3.7 AST, 0.7 BLK

TOP NEWCOMER

Tri County junior guard 14.4 PTS, 6 REB, 2.4 STL, 1.9 AST

SIXTH MAN

Montabella freshman JT Smith proved himself to be a natural scorer and led the Montabella offense in point production while averaging five points and 2.6 assists per game. “JT took on responsibilities similar to those that are expected of most seniors, but unprecedented for most freshmen,” said Montabella head coach Jared Simon. “JT’s continued growth as a player is due to his high level of love for the game along with his work ethic. He is willing to put in the extra work and time during the off-season to continue to improve.”

Other top newcomer nominees: Trey Chapin, Central Montcalm; Trevin Springsteen, Belding; Kyle Griffith, Ionia

Vestaburg sophomore Levi Halliwell averaged 5.6 points and 4.1 rebounds coming off the bench for the Wolverines and head coach Tyler Throop said he easily could have been a starter but instead provided the team with good shooting and size as a substitute. I’m sure Levi would have loved and wanted to start for us but he played his role for the team in a positive manner,” Throop said. “He will be a huge part of the program at Vestaburg moving forward.”

Other sixth man nominees: Seth Calkins, Belding; Eder Lopez, Montabella; Caleb Weber, CC-C; Zach Castillo, Tri County; Tyler Walczak, Ionia; Jaden Ross, Ionia

HONORABLE MENTION BELDING: Kyle Prosser, Cam Nummer; CC-C: Connor Smith, Kyler Stone; CENTRAL MONTCALM: Cole Olson, Ethan Rutz, Teague Donazzolo; GREENVILLE: Zane Bigelow, Grant Thwaites, Logan Phillips; IONIA: Caiden Reed, Trevor Tooker, Kyle Griffith; TRI COUNTY: John Nelson, Nate Lovell, Luc Flintoff; VESTABURG: Hayden Palmer, Cole Dailey, Levi Halliwell

Celebrating

+ 0 5

Years

in Business

www.ostranderinc.com Licensed and Insured • A+ Better Business Bureau Rating • Family Owned & Operated Since 1966

JT SMITH

Montabella freshman guard 14.2 PTS, 5 REB, 1.5 STL, 2.6 AST

SECOND TEAM Reed Willmore Logan Schafer Asher Vissman Austin Pawlowski Trenton Shaffer

Belding Ionia Central Montcalm Montabella Central Montcalm

THIRD TEAM Mitchell Wing Trevin Springsteen Nick Braunschneider Trey Chapin Dylan Linton

CC-C Belding Tri County Central Montcalm Greenville

CONGRATULATIONS

TO ALL-AREA

ATHLETES 258293

Saturday, April 4, 2020 | Page 5B

THE DAILY NEWS

ALL-AREA 2020 WINTER SPORTS AWARDS

Bowling

Boys bowler of the year Riley Devereaux

Girls bowler of the year Christina Douglas

Lakeview • sophomore

Belding • senior

The sophomore qualified for the individual state finals for the second year in a row and placed sixth in the state in Division 4 after advancing to match play and winning his first match. “Riley is one of the most devoted bowlers that I have coached,” said Lakeview head coach Mike Krause. “He is highly respected by all of his peers.”

The senior qualified for the individual state finals for her third year in a row while placing 17th in Division 3. A third-year captain for the Black Knights, Douglas consistently performed at a high level on the lanes and as a leader for the team. “Christina loves bowling and will be greatly missed next year,” said Belding head coach Jason Willmore. “I wish her the best next year at Cornerstone University.”

BOYS BOWLING FIRST TEAM

RILEY DEVEREAUX Lakeview sophomore 197.7 scoring average

TRAVIS FIEDLER

Belding senior 203.5 scoring average

GIRLS BOWLING FIRST TEAM

CHRISTINA DOUGLAS

TRENTON ALTMAN

WYATT MEYERS

Belding junior 193.5 scoring average

KATIE GASPER

Belding senior 184 scoring average

Belding sophomore 218 scoring average

DOUG BILLINGS

KELLSEY GREEN

CC-C sophomore 181 scoring average

Greenville junior 167.5 scoring average

Belding senior 173 scoring average

HAILEY GILLMERE

GRACE HOPKINS

Greenville sophomore 145.1 scoring average

Lakeview senior 146.13 scoring average

HONORABLE MENTION

HONORABLE MENTION

BELDING: Connor Miller, Connor Slager; CC-C: Kaden Walker, Connor Royce; GREENVILLE: Logan Noble, Tyler Kelly, Anthony Mangold; TRI COUNTY: Tommy Johnson

BELDING: Summer Thomas; CENTRAL MONTCALM: Arabella Huntoon; GREENVILLE: Siera Merlington; LAKEVIEW: Stevey Hogle

EDITOR’S NOTE: No submissions were received from Greenville (boys only), Central Montcalm, Tri County and Ionia

Comp. cheer EDITOR’S NOTE: Tri County banquet awards were held after All-Area publication; Montabella did not submit banquet awards

BELDING BLACK KNIGHTS

Boys swimming

Banquet awards

MOST IMPROVED: Eliot Ross; HEART OF THE TEAM Lauren Barker; TRUE BLACK KNIGHT: Alexis McCarty

“We had a team of 14 young ladies. We finished second in the OK Silver Conference. Unfortunately districts did not go as we hoped and finished in sixth place. This team broke school records in round one and overall score. They worked hard everyday even having to deal with some setbacks. We are losing two four-year varsity seniors this year — Alexis McCarty and Lauren Barker. These young ladies have grown and matured so much over the past four years. Their presence will be missed next year. It is young athletes like this that make it worth coaching.” — Belding head coach Stacy Venneman

KEEP COOL & BE COMFORTABLE

270034

Stay cool and comfortable when it heats up outside with a central air conditioner you can rely on.

American Standard home air conditioners keep your home cool on the hottest days with reliability and efficiency you can count on year after year.

STAY COOL, SAVE MONEY & CONSERVE ENERGY.

IONIA BULLDOGS

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Kenny Felice

“Not only was Kenny elected MVP for a second year, he took first place for in his individual event 100 Yard Breaststroke during all but one of this season’s dual meets and earned CAAC honorable mention finishing 8th in that same event.” — Ionia head coach Laura Cairns

CALL TODAY FOR A COOLER TOMORROW! Contact Russell Plumbing & Heating to learn about your HVAC system financing options.

FURNACE OR AIR CONDITIONING FINANCING CAN MAKE HOME INSTALLATION A BREEZE.

MOST IMPROVED Jesus Acuna

“Jesus achieved a 10th place CAAC finish in the 100 Yard Butterfly. Earlier in the season he could not successfully complete that event. To finish at 10th in the league is a true accomplishment.” — Ionia head coach Laura Cairns

421 East Fairplains St. Greenville 616-754-9900 or 1-866-640-0200

®

Page 6B | Saturday, April 4, 2020

THE DAILY NEWS

ALL-AREA 2020 WINTER SPORTS AWARDS

AREA ALL-CONFERENCE AWARDS

Carson City-Crystal sophomore Cole Stone, MSAC First Team All-Conference

Greenville junior Jenna Caterino, O-K White All-Conference

BOYS BASKETBALL

CAPITAL AREA ACTIVITIES CONFERENCE — WHITE Logan Schafer, Ionia; Nick Szymanski, Ionia HONORABLE MENTION: Caiden Reed, Ionia; Trevor Tooker, Ionia CENTRAL STATE ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION — GOLD Gunner Hill, C. Montcalm; Trenton Shaffer, C. Montcalm; Asher Vissman, C. Montcalm; Cam Friend, Tri County HONORABLE MENTION: Trey Chapin, C. Montcalm; Nick Braunschneider, Tri County CENTRAL STATE ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION — SILVER Hayden Rentschler, Lakeview HONORABLE MENTION: Noah Ritchey, Lakeview MID STATE ACTIVITIES CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM: Cooper Sellers, Vestaburg; Mitchell Wing, CC-C SECOND TEAM: Connor Smith, CC-C; JT Smith, Montabella; Kyler Stone, CC-C HONORABLE MENTION: Riley Terry, CC-C; Caleb Weber, CC-C; Austin Pawlowski, Montabella; Cole Dailey, Vestaburg; Hayden Palmer, Vestaburg O-K SILVER CONFERENCE Reed Willmore, Belding O-K WHITE CONFERENCE Dylan Linton, Greenville

Lakeview senior Hayden Rentschler, CSAA-Silver All-Conference

Andrew Bogart, Tri County; Zalen Vander Schuur, C. Montcalm CENTRAL STATE ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION — SILVER Riley Devereaux, Lakeview O-K SILVER CONFERENCE Trenton Altman, Belding; Travis Fiedler, Belding; Wyatt Meyers, Belding HONORABLE MENTION: Connor Slager, Belding O-K WHITE CONFERENCE Tyler Kelly, Greenville; Logan Noble, Greenville; Anthony Mangold, Greenville HONORABLE MENTION: Thomas Mangold, Greenville

BOYS SWIMMING

CAPITAL AREA ACTIVITIES CONFERENCE HONORABLE MENTION: Jesus Acuna, Ionia; Joel Cairns, Ionia; Kenny Felice, Ionia; Xander Lange, Ionia; Zakk Hensley, Ionia

COMPETITIVE CHEER

O-K SILVER CONFERENCE Kyra Umlor, Belding; Anna Maag, Belding; Lauren Barker, Belding; Alexis McCarty, Belding HONORABLE MENTION: Madison Steele, Belding; Eliot Ross, Belding

GIRLS BASKETBALL

CAPITAL AREA ACTIVITIES CONFERENCE — WHITE Austin Schneider, Ionia

CAPITAL AREA ACTIVITIES CONFERENCE — WHITE Taylor Kirby, Ionia; Brynn Reams, Ionia HONORABLE MENTION: Haley Banks, Ionia; Morgan Canfield, Ionia

CENTRAL STATE ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION — GOLD Tommy Johnson, Tri County; Parker Kimball, C. Montcalm HONORABLE MENTION: Ethan Hopkins, C. Montcalm;

CENTRAL STATE ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION — GOLD Bailey Vissman, C. Montcalm; Ashley Bialek, Tri County HONORABLE MENTION: London Eldridge, C. Montcalm;

BOYS BOWLING

Central Montcalm senior Asher Vissman, CSAA-Gold All-Conference

Alicia Bowen, Tri County CENTRAL STATE ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION — SILVER Madison Hart, Lakeview HONORABLE MENTION: Natalie Parsons, Lakeview MID STATE ACTIVITIES CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM: Jenna Dove, Vestaburg; Brooklynn Knopf, Montabella SECOND TEAM: Philena Johnston, Vestaburg; Kennedi Stout, CC-C; Hannah Taeter, CC-C HONORABLE MENTION: Brianna Zinn, Vestaburg; Allyson Stevens, CC-C; Aubrey Hessbrook, CC-C; Chloe Haring, CC-C O-K SILVER CONFERENCE McKenna German, Belding O-K WHITE CONFERENCE Jenna Caterino, Greenville HONORABLE MENTION: Megan Leslie, Greenville

GIRLS BOWLING

CAPITAL AREA ACTIVITIES CONFERENCE — WHITE Madison Erridge, Ionia CENTRAL STATE ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION — GOLD Arabella Huntoon, C. Montcalm; Morghan Clewley, Tri County HONORABLE MENTION: Abby Schuster, Tri County CENTRAL STATE ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION — SILVER Grace Hopkins, Lakeview HONORABLE MENTION: Stevey Hogle, Lakeview O-K SILVER CONFERENCE Christina Douglas, Belding; Katie Gasper, Belding HONORABLE MENTION: Summer Thomas, Belding

O-K WHITE CONFERENCE Kellsey Green, Greenville HONORABLE MENTION: Hailey Gillmer, Greenville

WRESTLING

CAPITAL AREA ACTIVITIES CONFERENCE — WHITE Aidan Clute, Ionia; Brandon Grant, Ionia; Blake Ledesma, Ionia; Carter Meyers, Ionia; Daniel Webster, Ionia HONORABLE MENTION: Killian Campbell, Ionia CENTRAL STATE ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION Joe Perez, Lakeview; Blake Peak, C. Montcalm; Brenden Kurtze, Lakeview; Brock Ryan, C. Montcalm; Austin Hancock, Lakeview; Nick Prater, Tri County HONORABLE MENTION: Jayden Roberts, Tri County; Bryant Knapper, C. Montcalm; Jesse Miedema, Lakeview; Trent Behrenwald, Tri County; John Pennington, Tri County MID STATE ACTIVITIES CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM: Gavin Fleisher, CC-C; Jared Shepler, CC-C; Jaron Johnson, CC-C; Jamison Ward, CC-C; Cole Stone, CC-C; David Barrett, Montabella; Cade Fleisher, CC-C; Blain Mitchell, CC-C; Taiden Robinson, CC-C; Ryan Holland, CC-C; Brian Yeakey, CC-C SECOND TEAM: Ben Pitts, Montabella; Chance Wagoner, Montabella; Mason Dalrymple, Montabella; Bryce Stanley, CC-C; Gavin Kent, Montabella; Nash Akin, CC-C; Tristan Almanza, Montabella; Andrew Munro, Montabella HONORABLE MENTION: Jayden Carson, Montabella; Ryan Cook, Montabella; John Row, Montabella; Khristian Race, Montabella O-K SILVER CONFERENCE Brent Green, Belding O-K WHITE CONFERENCE Caden Peterman, Greenville

Belding senior McKenna German, O-K Silver All-Conference Lakeview senior Austin Hancock, CSAA-Silver All-Conference

Ionia sophomore Brynn Reams, CAAC-White All-Conference

Ionia junior Aidan Clute, CAAC-White All-Conference

s on i t a l u t s a e t e gr l h t on A C Winter

271021

GOODD LU LUCK, GOOD D LLUCK, ATHLET LETES! www.cffcu.biz www.cffcu.biz ATHLE LETES! akeview - Howard City - Trufant - Morle

Morley Lakeview - H Howard Cityy -- TTrufantt -- M

Saturday, April 4, 2020 | Page 7B

An ode to spring athletes

W

ednesday, March 11.

I had a busy day ahead but an exciting one, for sure. I had lunch with a friend and aspiring sports writer from my alma mater of Ferris State University. As a spur-of-the-moment idea, I enlisted him as my intern for the day so I could show him the ropes.

We went to Carson City-Crystal for the boys basketball district semifinals and the Eagles played a great game from start to finish, winning 50-37.

I was already planning out Friday for basketball district finals and a potential trip for a regional semifinal game the next week.

And then the shutdown came.

The sports world was already turning on its head on Wednesday and my intern and I looked over sports notifications on our phones, taking turns shaking our heads at what was happening. Little did we know the massive impact the COVID-19 pandemic would have on the world, including our small community.

There isn’t a single person in the world this doesn’t affect. This is something

ALEX FREEMAN

afreeman@thedailynews.cc none of us has experienced and hopefully never will again.

The MHSAA ceased all sporting activities until further notice on March 12. At the time, I remember thinking that things would go back to normal in a few weeks, but, obviously, now we know that’s not the case.

The final dagger for sports came at 1 p.m. on Friday, when the MHSAA announced the cancelation of all winter and spring sports for the remainder of 2020.

I remember thinking how great it’d be once winter sports resumed, how Ionia and CC-C basketball would have a chance

It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.

— Vince Lombardi

to play for a district title on the first day of resumed sports action. How the baseball diamonds and freshly cut grass would smell even sweeter and bring a smile to my face.

It’s all a pipe dream now.

Instead of being out on the track, on the pitch, or standing on my step stool perched over a fence at a baseball field, I’m isolated in my house, working from my basement, away from my Daily News family. Who could have predicted this?

We all have a story in this, and that is just a snippet of mine.

What follows in the pages to come are the voices you’re all familiar with if you’re plugged into our local high school sports. I’ve enlisted the help of spring coaches and athletic directors to have them tell their stories, to have them send a message to their athletes and the athletes of Montcalm and Ionia Counties.

You’ll hear plenty of these same themes to follow, but I want to just send a brief message of my own to the area athletes.

To the boys basketball teams at Carson City-Crystal and Ionia, you were stripped of a chance to compete for a district championship. It’s not fair, but, as I’ve seen posted around social media, not many teams can end their season on a victory without a championship. This is a unique situation, but just know that you ended the season as winners.

To the spring athletes, the ones eyeing state championships, the ones just there to enjoy the high school sports experience with your buddies and especially the seniors, this stinks. It’s not fair, it’s not how you envisioned your season going or your school year finishing. I don’t have words that can make it all go away, I wish I did.

I’m brought back to a quote from Tony Reali, the host of Around the Horn on ESPN, that I often refer to in times of

grief: “It’s OK not to be OK.” We’re all saddened by the news that there will be no spring sports season, but know that life isn’t about its obstacles, it’s about how you respond to them.

You can bounce back from this, you can choose to feel better when it’s the right time. Ultimately, if you use this time constructively to reflect on your accomplishments and achievements, you’ll come out better on the other side. I implore you all to stay as positive as you can during this time and keep your loved ones close … within social distancing guidelines, of course.

To the coaches and athletic directors who took the time to send letters in for this issue, I want to sincerely thank you.

Reading some of those letters almost brought me to tears. The genuine care you have for your athletes is remarkable and it shows how great our community really is. True colors come out in times of crisis and I’m so thankful for the wonderful people coaching and guiding our young athletes in this expanded community.

Just to note, the coaches and athletic directors sent me these letters over the last week. Since circumstances change rapidly, some of the information in the letters might be outdated or have a context that the season might still go on. Please understand that some of the coaches were not aware of the current information at the time of writing their letters.

One final note, with the incredible outpouring from coaches and athletic directors, we were not able to fit every note in this section. Stay tuned to the Daily News sports section next week for even more letters addressed to area athletes.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of the section. Stay safe and stay healthy.

1133 W. State St., Belding, MI 48809 271053

616-794-0000 M-TH: 11-9 • FRI/SAT: 11-10 • SUN: 11-8

“Hard work on and off the field, Now is your time for the latter”

Go Belding

“HOME TOWN CARE WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH”

200 N Gooding St.

Belding 616.794.1130

271049

Proud supporter of our local athletes

Dr. Charles R. Barker, Jr., D.O. Family Practice, P.C.

Curt Hansen 616.293.9326

sunrisehtg@yahoo.com

1320 W. State Street Suite 3A Belding, Michigan 48809 Accepting New Patients (616) 794-1810 Call today for your Appointment

216 N. LAFAYETTE GREENVILLE, MI 48838 Licensed and Insured

270974

PROUD OF OUR AREA SPORTS TEAMS!

Proudly Supporting our

Protect your smile...Don’t forget your mouth guard!

Welcoming New Patients

Dr. John C.

Children Teeth Whitening Veneers Crowns & Bridges Dental Implants

Composite Bonding Fillings Oral Sugery Dentures Velscope Oral Cancer Screening

O’Donald 1330 W. Washington St. Greenville, MI

256629

Early Morning & Evening Appointments Available

616.754.7414 greenville-dentist.com

271156

Page 8B | Saturday, April 4, 2020

An ode to spring athletes John Carlson

Joe Reisner

Belding girls track and field coach

A

n open letter to Montcalm County and Ionia County track & field athletes: On March 12, we saw our world turn upside when Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told residents of Michigan we were going to quarantine and 1.5 million students would be staying home from school. The term social distancing became a common phrase in our vocabulary. As the next few weeks passed, it became clear that our spring sports seasons were in jeopardy and would likely not continue.

My thoughts turned to my students and my athletes. Their lives were changing rapidly.

Each day brought a new challenge. First, they would have to master online learning. How would students contact their friends? Then they realized their high school prom would be canceled. Spring sports were going to be locked out. No one still knows what graduation will look like.

Fortunately, track and field athletes are a resilient bunch. Last year at Lakewood, I remember hearing, “Coach, do you love this snow? Want to run a warm-up lap with me?”

Track athletes always find a way.

When the term “beastmode” was first used, I think they had 300-meter hurdlers and 400/800-meter runners in mind. We are a tough lot.

Track and field athletes know how to bounce back. Many of us can remember talking to a coach after a disappointing race or after a rough day at practice, and we quickly learned something from that situation. These lessons would always push us to new heights when the time was right.

This is not a time to stand still. Each of you participates in track and field for a different reason. The 2020 season might be coming to an end, but we know that our athletic careers are not over.

Everyone’s goals will look different. New goals will be at your fingertips as you aspire to achieve some amazing things. We will all continue to set goals for ourselves. Enter a local road race, try a triathlon, help coach summer track camp. If your high school playing days are over, consider officiating for the MHSAA or starting a middle school coaching career.

Jim Madison, editor of the Kansas Mile Split newsletter, a state that canceled school for the rest of the year on March 16, described our current training as entering a cocoon stage

T

Belding girls track and field coach John Carlson right now.

“We are going into the cocoon now and we will emerge from it later transformed. Take advantage of this time to do the kind of training … that can produce fantastic results and monster breakthroughs later.”

Coach Madsen and I had just started season No. 18 together this spring at Belding HS, and we have a slogan — “It is always 70 degrees and sunny when you get to go to practice at the Belding track.”

You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can control how you react. Stay positive, and remember, “whether you think you can or you think you can’t – you are always right.” Passion, pride, perseverance.

Coach John Carlson Belding High School track and field

James Merrifield Ionia track and field coach

G

reetings from my little corner of the world, High school track and field is a great sport, 17 different events including running, sprinting, hurdling, jumping and throwing.

Something for everyone, and an opportunity for everyone to have success. All it takes is one meet and everyone has a time, distance or height. From there, it’s all about working hard and setting Personal Records (PR’s).

I have been coaching track and field for 34 years including this season. During our current circumstances, we are all sad about what is going on and confused. There are certainly far more questions than there are answers at this point in time. I would like to share some of my thoughts and feelings and as a result, perhaps spread a little hope and cheer.

I understand that there are many different emotions, thoughts and feelings about this season. I have been preparing for the 2020 season since we finished the 2019 state meet last June. Always trying to make some changes and thus make the sport, the team, and the individual experience better for everyone.

We have really been working hard at bringing our over 100 athletes together as one big happy extended family. As a coaching staff, we have attempted to stay in touch with our student-athletes and encourage them to stay active and continue to prepare for some type of season. It has been encouraging to me, to hear from the student-athletes and their parents as to what they have been doing and that they and their families have remained healthy.

To our seniors that have expressed the biggest concerns, this being their last high school track and field season, the last prom, senior breakfast, senior awards and even graduation itself. I understand, maybe as much as any parent with a senior, my youngest is a senior and has been concerned that she is going to miss out on all of these. This has taught us all many lessons, No. 1, to not take anything for granted. Yes, I understand that it hurts really bad, but that is a validation that tells us that you are proud of what you have accomplished and worked so hard for. If you were not feeling bad about missing these things then I would question your efforts. Seniors are normally the most experienced team members and expected to lead the team from that perspective. In the future I would be honored to have the 2020 seniors share with teams in the future, I would guess

Greenville girls soccer coach

you would have a powerful message for the younger team members. A few of you are fortunate enough to be able to go on and compete at the next level. Congratulations.

Underclassmen, I know it may not seem very sincere to simply say you have next year (that is if there is no season at all this year), but that fact is something to not take lightly. If there is nothing this year, I would like you to take this as a challenge to work hard and prove to yourself and others what you truly can do. Juniors, you will be our seniors next year, we are looking for that leadership that could not be modeled for you by the 2020 seniors, I ask you to step it up. Freshmen and sophomores, you are the future and you have more time to meet your goals and possibly even set higher goals than you might have otherwise. As this crisis has taught all of us, please do not take anything for granted. Don’t wait, start planning and working now. I’m not just talking about track and field, but your other sports, as well and academically too.

There is a reason we use the term student-athlete and that the word student comes first.

In closing, I would like to share that normally at this time of year my family time is often limited. This unique opportunity has allowed my family to reconnect and support one another at this time. Look for those opportunities and reflect on how you would like to see things differently after we get through this. I believe that we will all be stronger and view things differently when we come out the other end of this. In the meantime, know that the track and field family is important to me too. I am here, you know how to contact me and I am willing to try to answer questions and help wherever I can. In Ionia, we use the G.R.I.T. mantra for a reason. I promise you, we will all Grow (growth mindset) from this and will develop a whole new Respect for ourselves and others and not take things for granted. Integrity, I believe, is doing the right thing, even when nobody’s watching. What an opportunity to do this during this time of social distancing. Finally, Teamwork, as we have stressed family, we have learned that we can accomplish a whole lot more as a team than we could ever do alone. Having this taken away from us for a while should give us the desire to get back together and live life to the fullest, together. Go Bulldogs!

Love and miss all of you, Coach Merrifield

he 2020 Greenville girls varsity soccer team is comprised of eight seniors, nine juniors and two sophomores this year. These girls are enthusiastic, eager to play and excited to showcase new uniforms, which they designed. Due to the impact of COVID-19, we are uncertain if our girls will get the opportunity to play this season. Because of that, we would like to spotlight each of our seniors, as they have helped to build the foundation of our Greenville soccer program over the last several years.

Hanna Yob is one of our captains this season. She has always been a powerhouse as a center back, leading the defense and challenging the ball in every situation. It is awesome to watch her take the ball from the opponent in such a casual fashion.

She gets the ball eleven out of ten times. She has incredible field awareness and is an amazing individual to work with.

Ana Depauw is a great keeper and midfielder, she throws herself into every challenge and has the battle scars/bruises to show for it. Ana takes on every situation with eager determination and always maintains a smile.

She has an unwavering competitive spirit; a warrior with a great attitude.

Taya Drake is an exceptional speedster. She is a striker with power. When she gets a good pass from her team, she is off to the races. Taya had knee surgery in the offseason but has worked effortlessly to get back on the field. She challenges everyone to be faster and looks for every opportunity to beat players when she gets the ball.

Haley Nauta has really helped with all of the communication with the team throughout the year. She was heavily involved with the design of the new uniforms, as well. On the field, she is an aggressive midfielder that only wants to succeed. With every head-to-head competition, she gives 100% and is always looking for an opportunity to improve.

LilliAnne Verway has a positive attitude on and off the field.

She possesses great trapping skills and is a constant source of communication during play.

She takes the game very seriously, but always has a fun and lighthearted spirit on the field.

LilliAnne also works to develop the younger players each season.

Hailey Gachter is a tenacious fast back. She strives to do whatever she can to help the team.

She holds the line with defiance and is nimble enough to push up to give assistance to the offense.

Hailey works tirelessly on the field and has an endless supply of speed and agility, giving every opponent a run for their money.

Jazlyn Bailey is one of the most dynamic players on the field. She plays with her whole heart and is agile enough to play in any position that is needed.

She has a keen ability to draw in her opponent and force them to make a mistake. She is a true team player and works hard to keep others focused and engaged.

Sara Yob is controlled chaos and has the ability to disrupt and irritate the opposition in an effortless manner. Sara is also a captain this year and worked tirelessly to make everyone better. She demands a lot of herself and those around her.

She has developed a lethal left foot that separates and confuses opposing defenders after they felt the wrath of her dominant right foot.

These girls, as well as the other members of the varsity team, turned up in numbers to show support to the boys varsity team. They assisted at practice, they cheered and made posters/ banners to support them at games. They helped develop the Greenville soccer program into something less about the individual team sport and more about the community. For our seniors, their passion and enthusiasm in this endeavor will forever be their legacy. They started something greater than any one person could. As a community, we owe it to them to keep the momentum going.

Coach Joe Reisner Greenville soccer

Joel Wilker

Belding Athletic Director

D

ear student-athletes and parents: I hope this letter finds everyone in good health and your entire family safe, which is the most important thing. When I was in the classroom teaching history, I always told my students that they would Joel mark their lives Wilker by events that happened in their lifetime, for example, I will always remember September 11, 2001. Athletes and parents, especially seniors, are going to look back on the school year 2019-20 and certainly have a wide variety of stories to tell and mark that school year by. First, I remember how the fall brought the mosquitos and the Eastern Equine Encephalitis and how we had to adjust practices and game times.

Secondly, the winter was mild enough that we did not have to cancel or change games one time. Finally, the spring brought the COVID-19 virus with school shutdowns and spring sports left hanging in the balance.

From my own experience, I believe that the reason most student-athletes get involved in athletics is to be around others with common goals and dreams and to develop relationships and friendships with others. As an athlete, there is nothing quite like the bonds you develop with others as when you are part of a team. The unknown of wheth-

er we are going to be able to go back to school, have a spring sports season and graduation is unsettling.

I know personally, from a parent perspective, what you are going through because the NCAA and Emory University decided it was in the best interest of everyone involved to cancel my daughter Greta’s college graduation and the rest of her senior softball season. In a span of a couple of days, all the hard work and dreams she and her team had seemed lost. As a parent, it was hard to find the right words to console and help my daughter feel better. After a few days had passed, one thing became very clear — that the friendships and trust that my daughter has developed with her teammates, coaches and the softball family were what was going to help her moving forward. These bonds will be with her forever.

I hope that we all have an opportunity as student-athletes and coaches to get back on the field, track or course, this spring. If we do get that chance play again, please take full advantage of every minute of practice and games and enjoy it.

Please do not take it for granted.

If we do not, it will be heartbreaking but remember all the friendships, relationships and experiences you shared with your teammates will be what you remember, talk about and will help create your high school memories. Be smart and be safe.

Thinking about everyone, Joel Wilker

Katina Kosinski and Mark Nichols Lakeview girls and boys track and field coaches

D

ear team: I know this has to hurt, and I know you’re probably sad and mad, and probably at the same time. I would be if I were you, too. But don’t let that emotion take away all the excitement, fun and joy you experience with track and field. Don’t let this situation take away all the good moments you had in the years past.

If you can, keep working hard. You may not be able to go to the track, weight room or gym but if you can, keep working. Don’t quit now. All of your hard work, grit and passion wasn’t for “nothing.” Keep grinding, keep dreaming, aspiring, and keep hoping.

That’s all you can do. That’s all we can do. We are in this together. We were all impacted, so we have to stick together. We have to encourage and support one anoth-

er. Because whether we believe it or not, it is more than just a team, it’s a family. It’s a family that sticks together, no matter what.

Take care of yourself and stay healthy, we will see you soon.

Your coaches, Mark Nichols and Katina Kosinski

Saturday, April 4, 2020 | Page 9B

An ode to spring athletes Bruce Nicholson

Joel Madsen

C. Montcalm softball coach

Belding boys track and field coach

H

ello CM softball.

Hopefully, this finds you and your family well. It’s been a while since March 13 when we last saw you. At the time of this letter, our school and most likely our season are over for the year.

I have told you all so many times to control what you can control. I expect you have many questions and concerns. I wished we all had the answers for you.

Unfortunately, I am sure the people you ask have never been through something like this either, and we just don’t have those answers right now.

I am and was so proud of your offseason preparation and commitment to having an excellent 2020 season. Our four short days together, we really looked good. We were poised for what we feel would have been a top-ten run and our goal was and still is CM at Michigan State University’s Secchia Stadium.

I tell you all the time to win the next pitch. We are at that point in this battle. Ladies, this isn’t about softball now, this is about life. The same mentality you take to the field you now need to take to daily living routines. Protecting yourselves and your families and winning those pitches one at a time when they’re thrown at you.

We are all on the same team now, girls. Our opponent isn’t in the other dugout. It is in the air, the surfaces we touch and, unfortunately, other people we come in contact with. Our world team now has to focus and battle to survive in order to get the W over this awful virus. You are young, smart, committed, determined, and tough. Please use those qualities to push us through this. Your coach here is over 50 and doesn’t have a lot of innings and games left in his career, but you do and you will be the difference in this outcome.

To our Seniors, No. 1, No. 4, No. 7 and No. 23, it has been an honor and a privilege to get to work with you over the years. Yep, this isn’t fair to your class of 2020.

As you know, I truly believe that the “game knows” and we’ve discussed that many times. Doing the right things when no one is looking will allow us to live through this. Thanks for letting me be your coach. I wish you the very best. I know you will be successful.

To the underclassmen who may get another season in the future, I challenge you to play and practice because you can, not because you have to. This should teach us to never forget softball and many other things in life are not a guarantee. Do as many things as you can.

Don’t worry about things like failure or not being liked or who the coach is or who is on the team.

Missing things is a motivator. I know this has changed me as a coach and I hope we all prioritize and change our value systems moving forward. I know a smile, a fist bump, a team bonding activity will be more important to me than a win or a loss or a statistical award.

We see you there and we really miss you.

Remember, “nobody feels sorry for us.”

“Thatta baby,” CM softball. We love you.

Your coaches, Bruce, Shad, Mike, Eric, Saydee, Nikota and Courtnee.

Supporting all area athletes

•Complete Collision Repair •Free Loaner Cars

3653 S State Rd. | Ionia 616.775.5290

www.endviautobodyionia.com

•Quality Service 271016

T

o the Belding High School track athletes and parents: I hope this finds you all doing well. These past few weeks have been interesting, to say the least. As a teacher/coach, I’ve spent the last few weeks reflecting on lots of different ways to look at our situation.

While doing this, putting things into perspective is probably the way to describe what I’ve been thinking.

As a teacher/coach, student-athlete, and parent of a student-athlete, life moves very fast. We often think about the next meet, practice, or day coming Joel up. Days are often long with many Madsen things to do prior to school and very late after practice; as I always say, “Busy, but a good busy.”

In the back of your mind, you think, “When is the next day things will slow down and I can catch up a little?” Ironically, our busy lives are at a standstill, for the most part. Part of me is going absolutely crazy but the other half is trying to make the best of this situation.

There are some positives coming from the stay at home directive we all are dealing with.

First, most of us are spending more time with our families than we have in years, literally. Use this time to get to know your family better and express your gratitude for them. It will take a lot of teamwork to get through this.

Second, do something for yourself mentally to get better. I teach government, athletic performance as well as several elective classes like JFK and Intro to Coaching. I have made a goal to read something in

Joel Madsen Belding boys track coach

Cari Scholtens

Greenville girls track and field coach

S

tudents, fellow coaches, parents and athletes: We are living through a historic event. As I try to comprehend what is happening, I keep asking myself, “Well, what did we do back when … ?” Only to find every time that there is no example, no precedent even close to what we are dealing with now. These are uncharted waters. There is an overwhelming sense of uncertainty and, yes, even grief.

For my part, I have been trying to stay active and stay positive and I hope that carries through to my athletes. The other day, I had a mini-challenge for myself Cari and my athletes to, throughout a 24-hour Scholtens period, do 1,000 sit-ups. And, wouldn’t you know it, several of them did it. So did I and three days later I can scarcely get out of bed in the morning. I know there are even more who have been running and staying fit and they are reaping the benefits to both their physical and mental health. I am beyond proud of the very little I got to see of my seniors and their stepping into a leadership role. I am happy that I got to see them experience that, however briefly it may end up being.

To address this elephant, what will we do if this spring season doesn’t happen? At the very least, there has been a sizable bite taken out of our plans. We must take comfort in knowing that there are hundreds of other people in the same position we are. Whether you are a coach or a parent or an athlete, there are uncounted others like you across the state and across the country who will be experiencing the same sense of loss that you will be experiencing.

This whole thing hurts, there are no two ways about it.

Don’t let anyone tell you that your feelings are silly and don’t be dismissive of them yourself. This hurts.

I love this town.

I love being here to help life go right™ in a community where people are making a difference every day. Thank you for all you do.

Love, Coach Scholtens

“Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way.” - Satchel Paige

Frank J Nerychel, Agent

Greenville Team Top Row left to right : Jacob den Dulk, Barbara Robinet, Katie Partyka Bottom row left to right: Beth Shepherd, Michele Hopkins

We miss our patients!

We look forward to serving you again soon.

120 E. Washington St. Greenville, MI 48838 Bus: 616-754-3647 www.myagentisfrank.com

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

However, once you’re ready, try to look back on what you did accomplish, rather than focus on what you didn’t.

Seniors, how many hard-fought victories have you won?

How many medals? How many plaques and trophies?

How many miles have you run? How many jumps have you taken into the sand to increase inch by laborious inch? How many young athletes are looking at you and saying to themselves, “I want to be just like them.” Try to look at the journey rather than the destination. Just because there is no final exam doesn’t mean you haven’t learned anything. You have grown as athletes and most importantly grown as young men and women. That’s the whole point of high school athletics in the first place. In this sense, I can look each and every one of you in the eye and say, “Mission Accomplished.”

There may not be an exclamation point at the end of this sentence; there may not even be a period. Instead, there is an ellipsis …

That telltale dot dot dot that shows the journey isn’t over. There is more to come. There are more adventures to embark upon. There are more paths to explore.

“Sports” has made you a better person. It has made that first step out into the world an easier one for you. The absence of one season doesn’t change the way “sports” has changed you. You will find in life that you’re able to persevere in a way others can’t. You will find that you can take failure in stride and use it to become stronger.

You will find that your victories are that much sweeter because you’ve learned that only hard work can make them happen.

And most importantly, you will find that life’s setbacks, big or small, don’t have to mean pack it in and go home.

This sentence may end … but let it end with an ellipsis.

Robinet Physical Therapy wants to congratulate all of our area athletes who competed in Winter Sports this year. For many of you the season was cut short, but we want you to know that we are proud of all of your accomplishments!

Sometimes it’s more about the journey than the destination. We hope you enjoyed your journey and we want to leave you with some encouraging words.

Thanks, Greenville.

1601480

each area to be a better teacher of each class. I have also been a part of a few Zoom meetings with strength coaches all over the state.

Third, do something for yourself physically every day. Many of you have had Athletic Performance class, as well as running track. Take things you have learned from both and get moving. Lift, run, or do yard work, it really doesn’t matter. Being physically active will make you feel better.

Fourth, all of you are probably doing this but I thought I would list it anyway, is to reach out to your friends, teammates, family, teachers and coaches and talk with them. Talking to others will make you feel better. Please give the coaches a shoutout on Twitter or Instagram!

Last, do something to make you laugh. I love watching funny movies or video clips. Laughter is truly the best medicine.

As a track coach, there are a lot of similarities to our sport and the situation we are going through.

Track is a combination of individual events and relays where scores are compiled to get a team score.

Right now, as an individual on a relay team (you and your family), we need to do what is best for the team (our school, county, state and country). If we stick with this game plan, I know our team will be successful.

I hope this will end as soon as possible and we can return to our “new normal.” I can’t wait for the day that we get to go to practice.

269565

In the meantime, stay connected with Robinet PT. Follow us on Facebook @ Robinet Physical Therapy or visit our website for news, articles and exercises to keep you healthy at home www.robinetpt.com

270400

We Are All In This

Local Area Athletes

Together

“ONLY HE WHO CAN SEE THE INVISIBLE CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE” -FRANK L. GAINES

Good luck in the future!

For a free estimate, call or email us today.

KEMP INSURANCE SURE A LaFond Company

616-225-2120 clingerswindowcleaning@gmail.com 271032

We will be Closed ays on Saturd 8th until April 1

Greenville • 616-754-4673 kempinsurance.net SERVING THE GREENVILLE AREA SINCE 1879 271027

Page 10B | Saturday, April 4, 2020

Stay FIT, stay HEALTHY

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL DAVE RICHES | Belding baseball coach

Y

ou can find great information about how to stay in shape for baseball and softball, as well as a lot of drills on social media. Many of these are posted by coaches and universities. For example, on Twitter check out: @stickandballtv @dirtbrosinfield @troskybaseball @thecatchingguy Catchers Work on your stance.

Work on dropping down and blocking the ball.

Place a ball a couple feet in front of you and work on quick retrieval and throwing form.

Middle infield Throw a tennis ball against a wall, working on your transfer for 1 minute.

With an imaginary second base, work on your footwork turning double plays.

Outfield Work on throwing a ball in the air and catching it, focusing on footwork and crow hopping for a maximum accurate throw.

Work on drop steps, both left and right.

Do or die grounders.

Pitchers Work technique without throwing — both wind-up and stretch.

In the stretch, work on your slide step to the plate. Be quick to the plate, but under control.

Work on pick off moves to all bases.

Mentally think about what pitches to throw in what count situation.

Keep arms loose.

Throw, ice, rest.

Corner infield Use a tennis ball and start on your knees. Without your glove, throw the ball against a wall, causing it to short hop.

Work on your scoop, forehand and backhand.

Next, stand up and use your glove.

Repeat 15-20 times.

TRACK, DISTANCE TRAINING ANDREW MASON | Greenville distance track coach

O

verall, training needs to be consistent for you to make progress. Taking a few days off in a row will result in a loss of the fitness that you have gained. In addition to running, do core and plyometric training for strength and injury prevention. Every team will be in the same situation.

In a way, this is an opportunity to out-train the competition, but you need to do the work. Below are some general workout guidelines, as well as a three-week training calendar with details following that. Please note that all easy runs should include strides afterward.

Pre-Run Dynamics: Sweeps, leg kicks, knee hug, quad stretch, open the gate, close the gate, lunge, side lunge, skips, carioca, high knees, butt kicks, shuffle, leaps, backwards.

Hip Circuit (Do three days a week): Fire hydrants, rotators, donkey kicks, outside leg raise, side leg raise, clamshells, reverse clam shells, band kicks all directions, band walks (sideways and forward).

Core (Do three days a week): Crunches, dead bugs, Russian twist, leg raise, side plank, front plank, plank, bird dog, superman.

Plyos (Do two days a week): Lunge to step up, Bulgarian split squat with jump, single-leg Romanian deadlift, squat jumps, single-leg squats, bridge, single-leg bridge, feet raise.

WEEK 1

Monday | April 6 • 10-20 minute warm-up • 2-3 mile negative split run (Faster as you go; finish high effort) • 5-10 minute cool down (800-meter runners go shorter faster; 3,200-meter runners go longer)

WEEK 2 Monday | April 13 • 10-20 minute warm-up • 800 meter: 3 x 1k or 3 minutes hard (5-minute rest) • 1,600 and 3,200 meter: 3 x 1 mile or 5 minutes hard (5-minute rest, jogging) • 5-10 minute cool down Tuesday | April 14 • 20-45 minute easy run Wednesday | April 15 • 10-20 minute warm-up (Up tempo) • Hill sprints 10 x 15 seconds (Walk back down) • 5-10 minute cool down Thursday | April 16 • 20-45 minute easy run Friday | April 17 • Longest run of the week starting slow and finishing fast Saturday | April 18 • 20-45 minute easy run Sunday | April 19 • OFF WEEK 3 Monday | April 20 • 10-20 minute warm-up • Hill repeats: • 800 meter: 8 reps x 45 seconds • 1,600 meter: 8 reps x 1 minute • 3,200 meter: 8 reps x 1.5 minutes (jog back down for recovery) • 5-10 minute cool down

Tuesday | April 7 • 20-45 minute easy run Wednesday | April 8 • 10-20 minute warm-up • 3 minutes @ VO2 max effort (90% max HR, mile – 2-mile pace) • 8 x 20-second hill sprints • 3 minutes @ VO2 max (Slightly faster than the first rep) • 5-10 minute cool down

Tuesday | April 21 • 20-45 minute easy run Wednesday | April 22 • 10-20 minute warm-up (Up tempo) • Hill sprints 8 x 20 seconds (Walk back down) • 5-10 minute cool down

Thursday | April 9 • 20-45 minute easy run

Thursday | April 23 • 20-45 minute easy run

Friday | April 10 • Your longest run of the week. Distance depends on your base mileage. Moderately paced (Faster than easy, slower than tempo). A little longer than last week.

Friday | April 24 • Longest run of the week; halfway through put in 3 x 3 surges @ VO2 max effort

Saturday | April 11 • 20-45 minute easy run

Saturday | April 25 • 20-45 minute easy run

Sunday | April 12 • OFF

Sunday | April 26 • OFF

SOCCER ANTONIO LEIJA | Lakeview class of 2018

CORE (5 TIMES A WEEK) Plank 45-60 seconds: 5 reps Sit-ups (or crunches): 100 reps Leg raise: Hold 45-60 seconds 5 times Mountain climbers: 100 reps *Note: A strong core means good balance. A tremendous amount of balance is needed in soccer in order to stay on your feet when fighting through contact with defenders.

E

very soccer player has their strengths and weaknesses. The following workout will provide for a good base and then from there, you can build on your weaknesses and your technical abilities with a ball.

WARM-UP This should be mandatory when doing a workout to prevent injuries.

Minimum 5-10 minutes of calisthenics.

Pass or juggle the ball for 10 minutes.

WEIGHTLIFTING Arms: 2 times a week Legs: 2 times a week *Note: Strength goes a long way whether it’s for shot power, fighting to get the ball from an offender, or just throwing the ball in.

CONDITIONING (3-5 TIMES A WEEK) 10 full-field sprints: Down and back equals one rep (five reps with a ball and five reps without) 2-4 mile run *Note: Soccer involves a lot of running. As a midfielder, I was constantly running up and down the field. During my first three years, I didn’t run much during the offseason and it showed. Running regularly during the offseason helped develop a routine and showed on the field.

Antonio Leija, a 2018 graduate of Lakeview High School, played four years of soccer for the Wildcats, as well as with CASSA, The Fenwick Football Club and AYSO with Lakeview and Greenville. He’s currently a college student who works daily to keep in shape and plays soccer in his free time.

We are proud of all area athletes

Keep striving for excellence!

271007

SERVING ALL YOUR COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, RESIDENTIAL & SERVICE NEEDS!

Commercial Glass Residential Glass Replacement

616-754-5202 www.buildersglass.net

Follow us on Social Media

Custom Shower Enclosures Mirrors

Since 1963

616-754-9132 • GandDelectric.com 270638

GOLF

JOHN J. FORTON | PGA Professional

D

uring the off season, there are several avenues you can pursue to keep your body and mental game in shape for the upcoming resumption of the golf season. As you prepare for competitive golf, you must become a student of the game. Read golf instructional books, watch YouTube videos of how current PGA professionals such as Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen and Tiger Woods — to name a few — swing and keep their body in excellent shape. Any type of engagement in the game can be beneficial to improving your ability to perform at the highest level. Get focused on what you need to do and stick with it. The following information will assist you in setting up a routine that can lead to improved performance on the course.

BIGGER, FASTER AND STRONGER These words are usually not associated with the game of golf. But these days, golfers like Tiger Woods are enjoying the benefits from strength training. Lifting weights and exercising can actually increase hip rotation and, in the long run, prevent injury. The following are some training exercises you can implement into your daily routine.

• ABDOMINAL STRENGTH: Try to knock out at least two sets of sit-ups to help improve core strength. A strong and flexible core is essential to improving swing speed.

Exercise until you feel a slight burn in your abs.

• TRICEP STRENGTH: Strengthening the triceps can assist you with width and speed in your downswing. Hold a dumbbell straight over your head. Keeping your elbow above your head, lower the weight behind your neck and back. Then return the weight to the extended position. Do this 10 times with each arm.

• THORACIC SPINE ROTATION: This exercise will increase your shoulder turn and give you more width in your golf swing for greater distance. Sitting in a chair with a club held across your chest, try to rotate shoulders as far as possible clockwise, while keeping your knees together and pointing forward. Repeat in both directions 10 times.

• HIP ROTATION: This area of the body is usually the tightest and inhibits a full range of motion in the golf swing. Start by lying on your side with your knees bent and your legs on top of each other. Keeping your knees together, lift your top foot as high as you can without separating your knees.

Again, 10 times on both sides should work.

There are many more exercises and weight training routines that can improve flexibility and strength. The four I mentioned above will focus on four key areas of your body that are important. However, a full body weight training routine is the best for long-term improvement of your game.

Also, any type of flexibility exercises can keep the width and speed in your swing and lead to longer golf shots.

In closing, get a weighted club or your favorite club and take a lot of swings. Not only will you maintain your flexibility, but this also is a great way to remain mentally and physically sharp. Also, be engaged with as many golf related activities as possible and keep focused on what you need to do to improve. Any activity, no matter how minor it is, will give you that added edge over your competitors. Good luck and set your sights on perfecting your game.

John J. Forton is the Director of Instruction at Egypt Valley Country Club and Grand Rapids Community College men’s golf coach.

TENNIS JOE CONLEY | Greenville girls tennis coach

G

eneral Advice: • Schedule physical activity every day. This could be a simple 30-minute run or a bodyweight workout — situps, push-ups, pull-ups — as long as you are getting your heart pumping above average for a good duration of time.

• Stretch. This is underrated but will help prevent injury and prepare you for your return to high school sports.

• Respect the social distancing advisory and do not congregate with others to practice.

Tennis Advice: • Hit against a wall to practice ball control and form. Alternate between forehand and backhand shots. Choose a target about net height and aim for it consistently.

• Grab a couple cans of tennis balls and practice serving. Be sure to intentionally practice the toss. It is OK to toss the ball up and not swing. Wait until you are consistent with the toss to start swinging the racquet.

• If the weather is bad, carefully bounce a tennis ball on your racquet around the house. This may seem a bit silly, but it will help with coordination. Walk around as you do this. Alternate hands and even dribble the ball on the floor with the racquet to change things up a bit.

• There are many tennis videos and sites online that can give you ideas and tips. A few sites that have helpful solo drills to improve your game include tennis4beginners.com and tennismindgame. com.

Saturday, April 4, 2020 | Page 11B

An ode to spring athletes Kristen Ritter | Greenville softball coach

S

oftball season. We prepare for it all year round.

We were ready this year. We played in a summer league this past summer, had great attendance at open gyms this winter, have a growing softball program (thanks to the lower level coaches) and we had a lot of girls come out this year. Not just any girls, but dedicated softball-driven players.

We were ready.

Softball season was finally here. We made our teams after two days of tryouts.

Here we were, GHS varsity softball 2020.

We were excited; it was the first year, in a while, that we could go outside in the first Kristen week of practice. Life was good.

Ritter Then bam, the change-up pitch that we didn’t see coming. After only four days together, we are told the softball season was put on hold. The school would be closed, and we could not practice until further notice.

My heart dropped.

“What would this mean for our season? Would we lose the momentum we started with?”

We have a very young team this year, four new freshmen that I’m sure were very excited about being brought up and now had to wait to step on the varsity field. But not only did I think about them, I thought about our senior player, Katelyn Edwards.

Katelyn is the only senior on our team this year and was looking forward to this season. She has stopped in my classroom, almost daily, since the very first day of school in August asking me if I was ready for the season.

She is a leader with a great attitude who always works hard to make herself better. No matter what happens with this season, Katelyn, you have done great things on the field and have helped to make the Greenville softball program stronger. I am proud of you.

As I mentioned, Katelyn would stop into my classroom. As a math teacher, I wouldn’t say that I am the most creative person in the world. However, I knew that as hard as it was for me to not be out hitting softballs, it was even harder for the girls. I knew I needed an easy and creative way to stay in touch with the team. We already had a Facebook page so the most basic communication has been through that. I started a google classroom just for the varsity girls and I have been creating challenges for them to complete. Last week, I bought each girl a copy of Jennie Finch’s “Throw Like A Girl” book and had it sent to their house with a special note reminding them that no matter what, they will always be GHS varsity softball 2020.

And lastly, to stay connected, the girls created a montage video where one player starts with the softball and throws it off their screen to the next player who receives it on their screen. It’s a crazy time right now, but I feel so

Whisper Dawson

Kris Kolbe

Montabella softball coach

I

want to give a shout out to my four seniors and the work they put in this offseason. Jaycee Moore, Kenzie Dalrymple, Morgan Christensen, and Paige Courser.

I truly hope they can show the MSAC the hard work we put in still this year.

Keep working hard at home to all my 2020 Mustang softball players. #MustangSoftball.

Proudly Supporting Area Athletes

Larry’s

lucky when my phone goes off and it’s a player sending me a video of herself out with her family playing catch, pitching, or hitting softballs into the distance.

At this point, we would have already had team photos, meet the yellow jackets, and been preparing for our first game scheduled for April 7th. As soon as I heard the news that schools will be closed for the remainder of the year, I reached out to my softball families with the following statement: “GHS Softball players and parents: I feel like, for the past three weeks, we were in the last game of the season, in the bottom of the seventh inning, down by 1 run, with bases loaded, 2 outs, our senior, Katelyn Edwards, up to the plate and lightning striking in the distance. One rain delay turned into the next and now here we are.

I always try to have open communication with all of you, so I want to let you know that I do not know anything more than you guys at this point. I have been told that the MHSAA will provide an update on the winter and spring sports seasons tomorrow (Friday) afternoon. As soon as I hear anything, I will let you know.

Please know that if there are any opportunities for us during this spring or summer that I will advocate to get us involved in this, keeping your safety in mind, of course.”

We are, and always will be, the Greenville High School Varsity Softball Team 2020.

Delivery Available Gift Certificates Available Layaway Available

Mon.-Sat: 9am - 6pm Closed Sunday

Furniture, Appliance & Mattress

D

Central Montcalm Athletic Director

ear Central Montcalm athletes, coaches, parents, fans, and community members: The unprecedented events and unchartered waters that have taken place this spring Kris can be Kolbe compared to every athletic contest you have ever participated in, coached, or been a spectator of over the years. An athlete must overcome many obstacles in both victory and defeat. It is imperative to remain humble, continue to serve, and respect oneself and others. You must persevere and conquer in times of adversity. It is essential to learn from our defeats

and use these lessons to grow as individuals and turn losses into victories.

I would like to take a moment to let you know that your dedication, perseverance, friendship, sportsmanship, passion, emotional commitment, response to adversity, character and pure joy for events you truly love will help provide you guidance well after your career as an athlete comes to an end (whenever that may be). The list of the positive personal traits you have displayed over the years in the academic arena and athletic arenas will continue to grow and mold you as a person. It is times like the present that gives us the opportunity to self-reflect as players, coaches, teammates, parents, fans, and administrators on how truly blessed we are. We have had the opportuni-

Supporting our Eagle Athletes

Northtown Greenville 6481 S. W. Greenville Rd, Greenville, MI 48838 • (616) 754-6101

271048

• Well Drilling & Repair • Pump Sales and Service

Bogart Well Drilling, llC 950 N. Crystal Rd | Crystal, MI | Ken Bogart

Encouraging our athletes’ progress and well being.

989-235-6730 | 989-763-8635 Cell 271006

Hang InLUCK There GOOD

AreaCarson SportsCity Teams Athletes BARNES TRUE VALUE HARDWARE BEHIND EVERY PROJECT IS A

ty to share the triumph of countless victories, CSAA-Gold championships, district championships, and regional championships. However, more important are the personal and individual growth we have all encountered through all of these experiences with our teammates and community.

We are Hornets and you will cherish and apply the experiences we have ALL had over the years, to make a positive impact on our communities, our state, and our nation. I challenge you to apply all the experiences you have had over your athletic career to a platform that aids those in your community, state and/or nation that will benefit from your skills and become victorious through these uncertain times. Unfortunately, these setbacks we are experiencing this spring season are part of life, but you are and always will be a Hornet. Hornets are fierce, resilient, determined, relentless, kind, caring, trustworthy, and above all strong as a swarm.

Stay healthy, stay kind, and above all, be there for each other, we are all Hornets.

In closing, thank you to all of our heroes, men and women who are currently serving on the front lines of this battlefield. Your service to your communities, state, and nation is very much appreciated! Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong.

132 W. MAIN ST. CARSON CITY

BARNES TRUE VALUE 989-584-6411 HARDWARE EDMORE TRUE VALUE

AUTO

|

HOME

|

LIFE

|

132 W. MAIN ST. CARSON CITY HARDWARE

BUSINESS

AUTO GLASS I BRAKES I SUSPENSION I RUST PROTECTION

RUST PROTECTION

RUST PROTECTION & AUTO GLASS

BRAKE SPECIALISTS

271050

616-754-3863

616-754-9351

601 N. LAFAYETTE • GREENVILLE

Mon-Fri: 8am–5pm • Sat: 8am–12pm

Serving the Greenville Area for 37 Years

AUTO GLASS I BRAKES I SUSPENSION I RUST PROTECTION

I RUST PROTECTION

AUTO GLASS BRAKES SUSPENSION

Come see the experts at Ziebart and Maxi Automotive to get your car ready for summer.

989-427-5637

270977 EDMORE TRUE VALUE

Proudly Supporting High School Sports

AUTO GLASS I BRAKES I SUSPENSION

Stay Positive!

Stay Motivated!

Stay Ready!

Stay On Track!

989-584-6411

418 E. MAIN ST. EDMORE 196709

271055

127 S. Lafayette St., Greenville | 616-754-9126 or 800-286-3200 info@cjnyeins.com

Yours truly in Hornet pride, Kris Kolbe Athletic Director Central Montcalm Public Schools

1215 S Lafayette St, Greenville | (616) 754-5693 | www.gtd.com 271175

Page 12B | Saturday, April 4, 2020

An ode to spring athletes Marty Weese

T

Krista Shepard

Montabella Athletic Director

here’s not much I can say to ease the sting of missing the end of the winter sports tournament, to give closure to those seasons. Not to mention the spring sports athletes, those athletes that may not have a season, as we are unsure of our future of high school sports this school year.

Life has been turned upside down for everyone, but I wanted to let our Mustangs know, as I’m sure your coaches would whole-heartedly second, we are

proud of you, especially the senior athletes. I’m not sure that we have ever experienced something like this on a statewide or national level where our high school sports have just suspended all activities indefinitely. All of our athletes are missing this spring sports season, but I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our seniors from each of our spring sports teams.

Baseball — Mason Dalrymple, Gavin Gatehouse, Tyler Powell,

Carson City-Crystal softball coach

Matt Visner, and Zavier Wood Softball — Morgan Christensen, Paige Courser, Mackenzie Dalrymple, and Jacee Moore Track and Field — Morgan Christensen, Luke Pell, Cristen Theisen, and Chad Vestergaard Your senior year hasn’t gone as planned but I want to take this opportunity to give praise for all of the hard work you have done, the hours of practice and preparation, and the devotion being a Mustang. Thank you.

I

know that so far this season has not been what we expected, but everyone has handled it like the champions you all are.

I got the head coaching job in the fall and right away I had seniors help me get started on their biggest fundraiser. I cannot say enough about the amazing senior class of athletes I have had the privilege to work with in the last few months. They have been leaders to the underclassman and incredibly helpful to me as their new coach. All the athletes have been working hard for the past several months and just want a chance to show everyone what they can do. Even during the past few weeks, I know they are out there working on individual drills and trying to stay ready for our next opportunity to play. No matter what happens, I have enjoyed working with them all and look forward to whatever our future brings. Stay safe and healthy everyone, I can’t wait to see you all soon.

Congratulations

Mike Breidinger

D

ear Wolverines: “I do not train to simply throw farther, jump higher, or run faster. I train to remove the quit from my body and from my mind.”

That’s our motto. And I challenge you now to stick to it more than ever.

In all likelihood, the 2020 season is over after only completing four practices. So what now? Should we train? We all know that in our sport we always train to be our best or peak on a particular schedule. With all the uncertainty of the situation, it has been very difficult to provide you a traditional workout schedule that you can do while still practicing social distancing. I’ve only stressed the fact that you need to do something and given you general things that all track and field athletes need or I’ve provided extended versions of our typical spring break/strength workouts.

Should we train? Yes, because you need to keep moving. And I don’t just mean that in the physical sense. Athletes are creatures of motion, both inside and out. You can grieve, you can reflect, but you need to keep your life in motion. Routines have value, even when they are tough to keep. Many of you have future athletic seasons ahead of you. It makes sense to train.

This will pass and those that continue to work without the audience will be the ones prepared for future challenges. We all say how much we miss our sports, but you have a choice of saying it from the couch or taking action.

XC runners may even get two extra months of summer training. Some of you, the seniors, I grieve with you at watching your last season slip away.

But even you seniors, I encourage you to keep training. This is what you love. Don’t let the circumstances steal that. More than most sports, our sport offers the ability to participate and compete for a lifetime. Frequently, I’m asked what I’m training for — a marathon, some adventure race, a 10K. What am I training for? Life. Those of you that have been around know how much of an impact this sport can have on you. Keep training. I honestly believe 2020 would have been the best Vestaburg track and field season ever.

I wish I could have seen this group in action. In the short days of practice we had, the other coaches and I were very impressed with the high level of work ethic, goal setting, and the outstanding leadership displayed by our veteran athletes. And most of you know, I don’t impress that easily.

So here’s my next challenge — keep

training to remove the quit. Stay in motion. Take what you’ve learned and apply it to this situation. If there was ever a real-life situation that could use an application of mental toughness, this situation is one. Remove the quit.

Get active any way you can, practice physical distancing, check in with people, and cherish opportunity.

You have signed up for a sport that you and I love. I have not stopped coaching. I am still engineering ideas of how to continue to feed you something worthwhile. And I make no illusion, I’m coaching myself through this as much as I’m still trying to coach you. Keep communicating with your team and coaches, we’re still here. Take advantage of every opportunity and make every opportunity you can while still being safe and community-minded.

As a coach, I’m missing my track and field family. Some of you, we’ve been together for years and have all grown tremendously as people together. Wolverines (especially seniors) I grieve, but I’m also here to give you hope, guidance, and let you know this is just a moment in time. We are stronger than this. Remember why you train, it’s not just about running, jumping, and throwing.

Ionia softball coach

o my Ionia softball players, coaches and parents: I just wanted to take this opportunity to check in with you and make sure you’re staying strong, positive and hopeful.

I have reached out to all of you last week with messages about staying in shape and ready to play in the hopes that we will still get some type of a season in. I have also

challenged my coaching staff to reach out to players to see how they are doing.

Hope to see all of you on the diamond soon. Stay safe, stay positive and stay healthy.

Ionia girls tennis coach

D

We are really proud of all the hard work you’ve put in.

And although the time might not be now, we will all be there to watch the amazing results of that work.

We all knew you could do it and when the time comes we will all be there to see you do it!

We are proud to support our area High School Athletes

Love, Coach Becker #ioniasoftballfamily

Bethany Bauknecht ear my tennis team, I always look forward to the spring. It is my favorite time of year for one simple reason — I get to work with all of you. I have the opportunity to watch you all pull together as a team and cheer each other on as you have faced many tough challenges over the last few years. This year is no different. We are facing a challenging time now. I hope you are all staying safe and healthy while staying home during this crisis. One of the best things we can do is stay positive and keep our mental health strong. One way to do that is to

For making it on the Central Montcalm Varsity Softball Team as a Freshman!!!!

271157

Judy Becker

T

Zoey Bacon!

Vestaburg track and field coach

Stanton • Greenville Lakeview • Belding Carson City • Edmore

get outside and get your heart rate going with some fun workouts. Challenge your siblings to a race, invent a game, create an obstacle course outside, or find a fun workout video online to follow along with. Since my husband has also been working from home, we have been taking daily walks with our dog, Max, which gives up something to look forward to every day. I hope you are all staying well and know we will soon be together again playing tennis on the courts.

Sincerely, Coach Bauknecht

262731

As your Preferred Financial Partner we are still here for you and serving the community.

STAY HOME. STAY SAFE. BANK ONLINE.

PreferredCU.org | 800.328.4131 This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.

Your savings are federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

Your saving federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government

National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency

Saturday, April 4, 2020 | Page 13B

An ode to spring athletes Travis Wilcox

Dave Riches

Carson City-Crystal Athletic Director

T

o the CC-C Student-Athletes in the Class of 2020, Tough times don’t last, tough people do. This is a motto that I have used throughout many difficult times in my own life and a motto that I challenge all of you to live by during these unprecedented times that we are facing as a community, state, and nation. Sports can play such an important role in our lives, but if there is one thing that I hope this situation has taught all of you, it’s that above all else, family plays the biggest role of all. Family is not simply defined by who your parents are, but more importantly by who truly loves and cares for you when times are tough. I ask that if you are reading this, please stop for a moment and think about who your family is. The next thing I’m going to ask of you is that when you finish reading this, take the time to reach out to everyone that is in your family, whether that be a text or a phone call. Now more than ever, it’s important to be thankful for what we do have as opposed to what we don’t.

My heart truly breaks for all of you as you all are probably wondering if you will ever get the chance to suit up as a student-athlete for CC-C again. Although I don’t have an answer to that question, I can say that I, along with the entire CC-C Community are better people because of all of you. The joy that you have brought to our community through all of your endeavors both on and off the field/court/track/etc. are what makes Carson City-Crystal the special place that

Belding baseball coach

it is. I do have hope that we will see you donning the royal blue and gold for at least one last time, but just in case we don’t, I want to acknowledge all you have accomplished during your four years as student-athletes at CC-C. Academic All-State — six times total (softball and girls basketball) State Finals Qualifier — eight times total (girls and boys cross country, bowling) State Football Playoff Qualifier — two times total Conference Championships — eight total (boys and girls basketball, wrestling) District Championships — four total (wrestling) Regional Championships — four total (wrestling) A simple letter can’t do justice for what you have meant to Carson City-Crystal, but at this point in time, it’s the least that I can do. I invite all of you to contact me should you ever need anything, and know that you have a family at CC-C that will always care for and love you. Last but not least, remember, tough times don’t last, tough people do. Now go make those texts and phone calls. Go Eagles!

Sincerely, Travis Wilcox Carson City-Crystal Area Schools Athletic Director twilcox@cccschools.org

T

o my Belding baseball boys: I hope you are all doing well during this difficult time. Belding baseball is such a special thing.

It’s hard to explain to people that aren’t part of it just how special it really is. We are a group that cares for one another and love being around each other. So to have that taken away with no warning is difficult. There is nothing like Belding baseball and that is because of all of you. You have built this bond and love of the game.

As I sit here watching yet another movie during this whole thing, my mind continues to wander. I miss my baseball guys so much. I miss the games that we were scheduled to play next week. But more than that I truly miss the everyday interaction with the guys.

The laughs and jokes at practice. The revolving door of them coming into my office during the school day asking “what’s the plan for today”. If this downtime has reminded me of anything it’s that I love these boys and all the ones before them. I love this program. It’s a nice reminder why we coach — we coach for our players and the relationships we build with them, not for the wins and trophies. Although winning sure makes the game a little more fun.

So hang in there boys, hopefully, practice starts back up soon and we get back to having fun and laughing and making memories.

Coach Riches

Corey Renner D

General Auto Repair

Tri County boys golf

Oil Changes Brakes Tires Alignments Struts Shocks Computer Diagnostics Tune-Ups Transmission Flush Custom Exhaust Car Washing

son scoring record. I will do what I can for you if you want to try to play college golf — I have a connection.

Whatever happens though, your intelligence and your personality will take you far in life, whatever career you end up with.

For the underclassmen, you’re lucky that you have another chance, make the most of it. Try to watch the videos I’ve been posting, find a mirror and a place to swing a club, and start working for next year. As soon as the golf courses open back up, get out there. I’ll be looking for you while I’m at work.

Everyone — whatever happens academically, make sure to follow through with the work that is expected.

That is ultimately the most important part of being a student-athlete anyway.

One final thought — I would love to get out and play a few rounds with each of you this summer once the courses are open again. Give me a call, text, or email.

Sincerely, Coach Renner

Brown’s Auto Care & Tire, Inc. Jim Brown, President/Tech 203 W. Main St., Carson City, MI 48811

989.584.6725 271052

ear team, At this point, it looks like we aren’t going to have a season. This is very disappointing because I was feeling like this could have been the best team we have had in a long, long time with the combination of our seniors and our much-improved sophomores.

At times like these, I think it’s also important to think about what we have to be thankful for. Obviously, for some, it’s more than others, but we can all find the positives. For me, I’m healthy, I have food, and I have lots of time to spend with my own kids for a change.

Sometimes, obstacles are placed in our path and things don’t always go the way we would like. This is true in all facets of our lives. What really matters is how we respond to it. For the seniors, I know that all of you are prepared to go out into the world as graduates and accomplish great things and that is what will matter in five, 10, or 20 years.

Nate, it breaks my heart that you have put in so much time and will likely lose your shot at being All-State, and at breaking your own school single-sea-

Proud to support High School Athletics

We Understand That A House Is More Than A Home.

Trust Michigan’s Exterior Experts!

271002

s e t s e le t h t le A h t a A e r a A e r ll A A Good LucWketSo uApllport ROOFING - SIDING - GUTTERS STONE - WINDOWS - DOORS

8920 Sidney Rd., Greenville, MI 616.225.2442 www.americanclassic.us

Page 14B | Saturday, April 4, 2020

An ode to spring athletes Shana Throop

Vestaburg softball coach

V

HS 2020 dream team, In this crazy time of our lives, I want you all to know that I still see you. I see the preseason work you put in. I see that bat swag when you step in the box. I see the commitment being made to improving your physical fitness. I see the leaders who have stepped up and continue to work. I see how much you have matured and grown from last year and I see you working on being the best versions of yourselves.

All of these things were supposed to lead us into our best season together yet. But, a power bigger than us is leading us down another path. One where we have to be patient and let the world heal in its own time. I truly believe that you all have been given the compassion and golden hearts that it will take to make it

through this time and come out better because of it.

Hannah, Lezlie, Kylie, Lauryn, Brianna and Rocky, my first seniors, thank you all. Keep your heads up.

Try to believe that better things are coming. You are all destined for greatness and it is up to you to get there. Keep grinding, embrace the journey and know that you all hold a special place in my heart. To my underclassman, work hard. Make it your goal to come out of this time better than ever. Get outside, play catch, hit a ball, throw, run, walk, move your body and get ready to work.

Remember the rules: • You are responsible for your own actions and reactions • Make a conscious effort to work on your weak-

nesses • Embrace the grind • You all know rule number four To the VHS community, thank you all for doing your part in getting us through this. May we remember the lessons we have learned during this time and the camaraderie we have found in each other. Let this redefine what it means to be a Wolverine and be a part of this town.

To my girls, throughout all the madness, just know you haven’t been forgotten. I am here if you need me, I still see you.

Coach Throop

Tim O’Brien

D

ear GHS track and field athletes and all GHS athletes, I hope that you and your families are healthy and safe during this difficult time. When we left after that last practice on Thursday, March 12, you did not think we would be in the situation that we are in right now.

Please continue to heed Governor Whitmer’s, the scientist’s and the CDC’s recommendations and warnings by taking this seriously. That being said, you still are OK to condition and run on your own or with a family member. You probably never thought when coaches told you that you will have to deal with adversity in sports that we, as a school, community, state, country, and world would be in this situation. Your coaches have taught you that athletics can be a microcosm of life with its many highs and lows.

How will you deal with this adversity?

I hope with strength, determination and caring.

Many of us coaches believe that while important, there are always more important things than sports in your life. It is your relationships with family and friends that will carry you through difficult times but it is your

PREMIUM PERFORMANCE. SIZED FOR YOUR OPERATION. MASSEY FERGUSON GC1705

145

22.5HP LOADER TRACTOR WITH MOWER

$

Pricing starts at

PER MONTH*

FARM DEPOT

*With down payment, plus tax.

271075

2690 S. State Rd. • Ionia, MI 616-522-5501 • www.farmdepot.biz ©2018 AGCO Corporation. Massey Ferguson is a worldwide brand of AGCO Corporation. AGCO and Massey Ferguson are trademarks of AGCO. All rights reserved.

Greenville boys track and field coach

Greenville boys track and field coach Tim O’Brien education and interests in music, theater and the arts that are so important too. So, it is time to take care of yourselves and family by following the guidelines. Communicate with your friends often, but not in person. Get yourself in a daily routine — wake up, make your family breakfast, do your schoolwork, read, read, and read some more. Keep yourself in shape (do the workouts), this is a lifelong good habit. Help out around the house. Enjoy your interests and hobbies or explore

something new. Then read some more.

What I will miss about this season is seeing you compete, cheering on your teammates and watching you get excited when you attain a short or long term goal that you set for yourself. There will be time for you to compete in the future. You seniors might not be running the hurdles, putting the shot, throwing the discus, long jumping, high jumping, or vaulting in the future, but you will get a chance to run and compete in other endeavors.

It has been a joy to work with you for four years. Your work ethic, commitment to getting better individually and making the team better through your leadership, are lessons you will utilize the rest of your life. You will be dearly missed, thank you. Because of your leadership abilities, underclassmen are prepared for the future to take on this role.

Pull together like all good teams do and make the best of a difficult situation. Keep your mind and body in shape. You are dealing with adversity now, but things will get better.

Go Yellow Jackets!

Tim O’Brien

2020 Daily News Winter All-Area/Spring Scrapbook cover designed by Daily News senior staff writer Cory Smith | layout designed by Alex Freeman Cover art mascots designed by area high school students: AJ Peasley, Belding; Alexis Moreland, Carson City-Crystal; Abigail Caid, Central Montcalm; Emma Wolverton, Greenville; Tiffany Ferguson, Ionia; Emilee Garlock, Lakeview; McKeegan Ferguson, Montabella; Sydni Hurst, Tri County; Taylor Fockler, Vestaburg

The Ed Koehn Automotive team encourages you to keep driving toward success.

Ed Koehn AUTOMOTIVE GROUP ––GREENVILLE CAMPUS––

Featuring

6 American Brands 11064 W. Carson City Rd. Greenville 616-754-4689

www.edkoehn.net

11282 W. Carson City Rd. Greenville 616-754-3635

edkoehnchryslerjeepdodge.com

“Without self discipline, success is impossible.

Period.”

- Lou Holtz

271045