2022 - 2023
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR AMAZING SPONSORS THIS PAST YEAR!
A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR THE FOLLOWING TALENTED ATHLETES! WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS PROGRAM FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR.
SPONSORED BY
PIONEER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK | JUNE 2023 2
Xavier Allen earned the win in game two on the mound after going five innings and allowing one hit while striking out 10 against Fremont.
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
Amelia Thompson
Month: September 2022
Sport: Cross Country School: Crossroads Charter Academy - Junior
She won the West Michigan D League jamboree for the second time this season, clocking a time of 21 minutes, 14.41 seconds at Walkerville
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
Bryson Hughes runs for a touchdown against Chippewa Hills. The Coyotes would win
Noah Morgan
Month: September 2022
Sport: Football School: Reed City High School
Senior running back He had 10 carries for 168 yards and two touchdowns to lead Reed City to a 52-14 win over Central Montcalm.
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
Month: September 2022
Sport: Football School: Chippewa Hills
Saathoff was 13-of-16 in passing for 236 yards and a touchdown and had two TDs running in Friday’s 38-16 win over Central Montcalm.
Sienna Ososki
Month: September 2022
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
Sport: Volleyball School: Morley Stanwood
She had 67 assists in the Mohawk Invitational, and led her team to second-place finish, plus she had 23 digs and 25 assists against Kent City in a dual.
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
Wil Strickler
Month: September 2022
Sport: Football School: Big Rapids
Wil was 24-of-41 in passing for 269 yards and a touchdown and also netted 155 yards rushing for two touchdowns in Big Rapids’ 37-0 win over Newaygo for the Cardinals’ first win of the season.
Miranda
Month: September 2022
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
Sport: Cross Country School: Morley Stanwood
Miranda was first for the girls in the small school division of the Mount Pleasant Oiler Invitational on Friday. For the Mohawks, McNeil was first in 20 minutes and 0.36 seconds. Her team placed third.
PIONEER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK | JUNE 2023 3
Gage Saathoff
McNeil
Wil Strickler looks to pass against Chippewa Hills. The Big Rapids Cardinals rolled through the Warriors with 350 yards of offense in a 41-8 win.
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
Madison Allen
Month: October 2022
Sport: Golf School: Chippewa Hills High School
She won medalist honors at the Division 4 regional meet with an 84 at Mount Pleasant.
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
Month: October 2022
Sport: Volleyball School: Morley Stanwood High School
She had 12 kills and five service aces in a close 3-2 win over Big Rapids.
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
Month: October 2022
Sport: Football School: Big Rapids High School
He rushed for 138 yards and three TDs and passed for 161 yards and a TD in win over Tri County to clinch CSAA title tie.
Dakobe White reels in a 45-yard touchdown to put Evart up 35-0 in the first half against Roscommon. White had five receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown on offense and a interception return for a touchdown on defense.
Gus Rohde
Month: October 2022
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
Sport: Cross Country School: Reed City High School
He was second overall in the CSAA championship race last week and led his team to the league title.
Month: October 2022
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
Sport: Volleyball School: Morley Stanwood High School
She had five blocks, 14 kills and five aces in her team’s CSAA tournament championship effort on Saturday
PIONEER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK | JUNE 2023 4
Wil Strickler
Alaina Christensen
Makenna Martin
PIONEER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK | JUNE 2023 5 231-937-2271 • 231-937-6 490 KRIS S TEVENS, OWNER algstevens@hotmail.com S.R. AUTOMOTIVE INC MEC HANIC FOR THE PEOPLE 757 ENSLEY ST., HOWARD CIT Y MI 49329 Congratulations to all athletes! AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK Ryleigh Allen Month: October 2022 Sport: Golf School: Chippewa Hills High School She medaled at the Katke Golf Classic with rounds of 85 and 87 for a top 10 finish. AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK Cole Hopkins Month: October 2022 Sport: Football School: Evart High School He rushed 26 times for 193 yards an four touchdowns, and had 10 tackles plus a fumble recovery AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK Ari Ziska (left), Eli Haynes (right) Month: October 2022 Sport: Tennis School: Big Rapids High School Tennis, They finished in first place at the Division 4 state tournament over the weekend Marcel White won in the 100 meter, 4x100 meter relay, 4x200 meter relay, and the long jump on Thursday night track and field meet at Evart.. Preston Wallace breaks into open field as Evart rolled to their first shutout of the year with a 49-0 win over Houghton Lake. AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK Congratulations, Athletes!
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
Preston Wallace
Month: November 2022
Sport: Football School: Evart High School
Wallace threw for 303 yards and five touchdowns, completing 18-of-27 passes in a playoff win over McBain.
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
AATHLETES THLETES
OF T H E W EEK
Miranda McNeil
Month: Noverber 2022
Sport: Cross Country School: Morley Stanwood High School
She placed fourth in the Division 3 regionals (19:24.84) and qualified for the state meet.
Bryson Hughes
Month: November 2022
AATHLETES THLETES OF
T H E W EEK
Sport: Football School: Reed City High School
He rushed for 283 yards and two touchdowns in Reed City’swin over Muskegon Catholic Central
Congrat ulat ions To All Nominated Athletes!
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
Ava Hollandsworth
Month: November 2022
Sport: Cross Country School: Chippewa Hills High School
Hollandsworth was 25th for the Warriors (19:42.83) in the Division 3 state meet for All-State honors.
Marissa Warren
Month: November 2022
Sport: Volleyball School: Big Rapids High School
She made first team All-Central State Activities Association honors as one of the area’s top players.
Cailin Knoop
Month: November 2022
AATHLETES THLETES OF
T H E W EEK
Sport: Volleybal School: Big Rapids High School
She earned first-team all-Central State Activities Association honors as a junior
John Ondrus
Month: November 2022
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
Sport: Football School: Reed City High School
He led the Coyotes in rushing with nine carries for 76 yards in the state finals vs. Negaunee.
PIONEER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK | JUNE 2023 6
AATHLETES THLETES
OF T H E W EEK
AATHLETES THLETES
OF T H E W EEK
AATHLETES THLETES
OF T H E W EEK
Zander Prince
Month: December 2022
Sport: Football School: Big Rapids High School
He had a single season school record with nine interceptions and had four in one game
Christina Malackanich
Month: December 2022
Sport: Volleyball & Basketball School: Reed City High School
She signed a national letter of intent to play college basketball at Olivet
AATHLETES THLETES OF T
H E W EEK
Marcus Barnes
Month: December 2022
Sport: Basketball School: Chippewa Hills High School
He finished with 20 points in the Warriors dramatic 51-50 win over Morley Stanwood.
AATHLETES THLETES OF
T H E W EEK
AATHLETES THLETES
OF T H E W EEK
Tanner Flachs
Month: December 2022
Sport: Hockey School: Big Rapids High School
Talented skater whose leadership has helped young BR team to 2-2 start.
MaKenna Martin
Month: December 2022
Sport: Basketball School: Morley Stanwood High School
She scored 28 points against Grant, shooting 13-of-17 from the field.
AATHLETES THLETES
OF T H E W EEK
AATHLETES THLETES
OF T H E W EEK
Emma Dyer
Month: November 2022
Sport: Basketball School: Evart High School
She scored 18 points in a 42-40 win over rival Lake City on Thursday night
Dawson Dunn
Month: December 2022
Sport: Basketball School: Big Rapids High School
He had games of 22 points vs. Fremont and 37 points vs. Hart
Addy Gray
Month: December 2022
Sport: Basketball School: Evart High School
She scored 24 points in an Evart victory over McBain.
PIONEER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK | JUNE 2023 7
PIONEER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK | JUNE 2023 8
O F T H E
SEPTEMBER 2022 OCTOBER 2022 NOVEMBER 2022 DECEMBER 2022 JANU NOAH MORGAN REED CITY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL MIRANDA MCNEIL MORLEY STANWOOD HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY AVA HOLLANDSWORTH CHIPPEWA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY JOHN ONDRUS REED CITY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL MAKENNA MARTIN MORLEY STANWOOD HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL DAWSON DUNN BIG RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL JACK RUGGLES BIG RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETB COLE HOPKINS EVART HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL MAKENNA MARTIN MORLEY STANWOOD HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL,
AATHLTHLE
CONGRATULATE THE 2022-2023 A
MAYSON MCNEILLY BIG RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL - BASEBALL
PIONEER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK | JUNE 2023 9
EETES TES W E E K JANUARY 2023 FEBRUARY 2023 MARCH 2023 APRIL 2023 JULIA WALTZ BIG RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
AATHLETES THLETES
Ty Kailing
Month: January 2023
Sport: Basketball School: Reed City High School
He scored 25 points in tournament semifinal 56-23 win over Holton
AATHLETES THLETES
Molly Bowman
Month: January 2023
Sport: Basketball School: Reed City High School
She scored 19 points in RC’s 38-36 tournament win over Midland Calvary Baptist
Marcel White
Month: January 2023
Sport: Basketball School: Evart High School
He scored 30 points in a 59-47 victory over Roscommon
Cole Hopkins carries the ball on a sweep. Hopkins would have over 105 yards of offense and a receiving touchdown on the night against Roscommon.
AATHLETES THLETES
Max Hammond pitched 6.2 innings in game one, notching 16 strikeouts while allowing three hits and one run. At the plate in game two, Hammond would go 2-2 for two homeruns and four RBIs against Kent City.
Month: January 2023
Sport: Hockey School: Big Rapids High School
He scored two goals in 3-1 victory over Cadillac and assisted on the other goal
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
Kyrah Gray
Month: January 2023
Sport: Basketball School: Evart High School
She scored 22 points in a 56-32 win over Beal City and 24 points in a 74-26 win over Roscommon.
PIONEER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK | JUNE 2023 10 • Archer y Supplies and Accessories • Custom Made Arrows and Crossbow Bolts • Live Bait and Fishing Tackle 21820 Northland Drive • Paris, MI • (231) 796-2794 C ongratulations To All Nominated Athletes! • Archer y Supplies and Accessories • Custom Made Arrows and Crossbow Bolts • Live Bait and Fishing Tackle AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
OF T H E W EEK
T H E W
OF
EEK
OF T H E
W EEK
Wyatt Skiera
PIONEER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK | JUNE 2023 11 6977 E. Baseline Road, White Cloud, MI 49349 EMAIL: KaufmansCustomStructures@ibyfax.com C ALL OR EMAIL US FOR CUSTOM SIZES AND COLORS Kaufman ’ s Custom Structures a man ust m Str ctures (231) 689-8283 CUST OM SHEDS & B A CK YARD BUILDINGS DESIGNED T O MEET YOUR NEEDS & BUDGET ! ALL PL AYSET S ARE BUILT T O MEET SAFETY STAND ARDS WE DELIVER & SET UP ALL OVER MICHIGAN! ! STRIKER HUNTING BLINDS Multipliable Sizes METAL GARAGE 14’x24’ PLAY MOR™ SWING SETS MULTIPLE OPTIONS AVAIALBE O FIT ANY YARD SIZE SIDE SHED FINANCING AND RENT TO OWN OPTIONS AVAILABLE* Holihan’s Drug Store More Than Just a Drug Store 128 N. Main • Evart 231-734-2551 C ONGRAT S ATHLETES ! AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK Jack Ruggles Month: January 2023 Sport: Basketball School: Big Rapids High School He scored 19 points in a Cardinal win over Coopersville AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK Dakota Thompson Month: January 2023 Sport: Basketball School: Morley Stanwood High School She scored 16 points in an overtime win over Cadillac AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK Rylie Haist Month: January 2023 Sport: Basketball School: Big Rapids High School She scored 16 points in a Big Rapids win over White Cloud. AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK Natalie Gibson Month: January 2023 Sport: Wrestling School: Chippewa Hills High School She was 5-0 for Chippewa Hills at the Gladwin Invitational Kyleigh Weck scored 14 kills against Central Montcalm. Rylie Haist had nine points against Grand Rapids Covenant Christian.
Christina Malackanich led the Coyotes in scoring with 15 points in the win over White Cloud.
AATHLETES THLETES
OF T H E W EEK
AATHLETES THLETES
OF T H E W EEK
AATHLETES THLETES
OF T H E W EEK
Christina Malackanich
Month: February 2023
Sport: Basketball School: Reed City High School
She scored 13 points to lead Reed City over White Cloud on Friday.
AATHLETES THLETES
OF T H E W EEK
Addy Gray
Month: February 2023
Sport: Basketball School: Evart High School
She scored 20 points and also broke 1,000 career points in the Wildcats’ win over Manton
Tyler Geer
Month: February 2023
Sport: Wrestling School: Chippewa Hills High School
He had an outstanding day at CSAA conference meet with a first place
AATHLETES THLETES
OF T H E W EEK
AATHLETES THLETES
OF T H E W EEK
Marissa Warren had 8 points against PewamoWestphalia.
Zade Garrett
Month: February 2023
Sport: Basketball
School: Morley Stanwood High School
He had 28 points and 14 rebounds against Central Montcalm and 22 points and 15 boards against Tri County
Hannah Reed
Month: February 2023
Sport: Bowling School: Big Rapids High School
She finished in 11th place at regional, just missing state meet by four pins
Jack Ruggles
Month: February 2023
Sport: Basketball School: Big Rapids High School
He scored 17 points against Tri County and 14 against Cadillac
PIONEER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK | JUNE 2023 12
AATHLETES THLETES
Kamden Darling
Month: March 2023
Sport: Basketball School: Evart High School
He scored 17 points in a 72-42 win over Roscommon in the Division 3 district semifinals.
Cole Hopkins
Month: March 2023
AATHLETES THLETES
Sport: Wrestling School: Evart High School
He won his second straight undefeated Division 4 state championship.
AATHLETES THLETES OF T H E W EEK
AATHLETES THLETES
Julia Waltz
Month: March 2023
Sport: Basketball
School: Big Rapids High School
She scored 12 points and had a strong overall game in BR’s 67-43 regional semifinal win over Standish-Sterling
Carmelo Lindsey
Month: March 2023
Sport: Baseball School: Baldwin High School
He scored 23 points in a regional loss to Wyoming Tri-unity Christian
AATHLETES THLETES
Emma Johnston
Month: March 2023
Sport: Indoor Track School: Reed City High School
She took second place in the high jump at 4 feet, 8 inches in the Saginaw Valley Indoor Invitational.
CONGRATUL ATIONS ON A GREAT SEASON ATHLETES!
Proudly
PIONEER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK | JUNE 2023 13
ser ving Big Rapids and the surrounding communities for 75 years
YLER SCHUBERG, CIC • 231-796-5881 SchubergAgency.com
T
OF T H E W EEK
OF T H E W EEK
T H E W EEK
OF
OF T H E W EEK
Addy Gray had eight strikeouts on the mound, allowing one hit in an 11-0 win over Pine River in game one.
Julia Waltz scored the Cardinals sole goal in a 4-1 loss to Tri County.
Kyrah Gray had 9 points for the Wildcats in the district title.
AATHLETES THLETES
Mayson McNeilly
Month: April 2023
Sport: Baseball School: Big Rapids High School
He had four hits, including home run, in doubleheader with Reed City
AATHLETES THLETES
Carmelo Lindsey led Baldwin in scoring with 16 points in their 61-54 win over Brethren.
Ella Newman
Month: April 2023
Sport: Softball School: Chippewa Hills High School
She struck out 15 total batters in a doubleheader sweep over Morley Stanwood.
Carly Carlson
Month: April 2023
Sport: Soccer School: Reed City High School
She scored four goals in a 6-3 nonleague win on Thursday over Hart.
AATHLETES
Ally Theunick
Month: April 2023
Sport: Softball School: Evart High School
She hit a grand slam and a two-run double in the Wildcats’ wins over Traverse City St. Francis
Cameron Morgan
Month: April 2023
AATHLETES THLETES
Sport: Golf School: Chippewa Hills High School
He was gold division champion in the Lakeview Invitational after shooting a 72.
PIONEER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK | JUNE 2023 14 Rich Sheldon, Agent 217 E. Todd Avenue • Reed City Office (231) 832-5801 Fax (231) 832-5471 Congratulations To All Athletes!
a good neighbor, State Farm is there. AATHLETES THLETES OF T
E
EEK
Like
H
W
OF
T H E W EEK
OF T H E
W EEK
THLETES OF
E
EEK
T H
W
OF
H E W
T
EEK
Tyler Jones soars to the rim for a dunk. Jones would lead Chippewa Hills in scoring with 12 points in their win over Crossroads Charter Academy.
Gage Saathoff pitched six innings and only allowed three hits in Chippewa Hills’ 11-1 win over Morley Stanwood in their first game.
PIONEER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK | JUNE 2023 15 michiganprimarycarepartners.com Congratulations To All Athletes!
Zade Garrett scored 28 points in Friday’s loss to Grant. He had 22 points in the first half.
Amelia Thompson led the Crossroads Charter Academy in scoring with 15 points in the Cougars 35-28 win over Mesick.
PIONEER ATHLETES OF THE WEEK | JUNE 2023 16 119 S. Michigan Ave, Big Rapids Daum Insurance Agency LLC 231-592-4660 Co ngratulatio ns to all athletes! Mark War ba Personal Injur y/ Wrong ful Death Attorney 1.800.924.2915 115 Ives • Big Rapids, MI • 231.796.5887 “Advocates for Injured People” Continuing to ser ve the injured in West Central Michigan WA R BA L AW OFFICES, P.C. CONGRATUL ATIONS ATHLETES! 6241 220th Ave., Reed City 231-832-1511 Fax: 231-832-7211 gondeksbodyandframe@yahoo.com • Foreign & Domestic Automotive Repair • Glass Work & Truck Accessories • Xtreme Bed Liners • Collision Repair • Frame Straightening • Auto Painting | Bumpers Teamwork is an important lesson, and it’s something kids can learn and practice every day in and out of the classroom. Together, we are stronger. Together, we are happier. Together, we are a better team.
