2020-21
ATHLETES YEAR of the
Morley Stanwood’s three-sport four-year all-conference athlete Brooke Brauer
Reed CIty’s Abbi Kiaunis (left) battles another opponent to the end during a track and field race this season. Carmelo Lindsey (3) of Baldwin brings the ball down the court during basketball season. Celebrating all 2020-21Area Athletes of the Year
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ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021
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Erika Beistle, Big Rapids.............................................. 4 Daryle “DJ” Greenbay, Big Rapids................................. 6 Kendra Montague, Pine River....................................... 7 Hunter Kanouse, Pine River.......................................... 8 Addy Gray, Evart......................................................... 9 Danny Witbeck, Evart................................................ 10 Triston Murray, CCA................................................. 12 Jayvd Sawyer-Ocasio, CCA......................................... 13 Carmelo Lindsey, Baldwin........................................... 14 Monique Rowland, Baldwin......................................... 15 Abbigail Kiaunis, Reed City......................................... 16 Payton Hansen, Reed City.......................................... 17 Brooke Brauher, Morley Stanwood............................... 18 Ryland Nelson, Morley Stanwood................................. 19 Carl Whipple, Chippewa Hills....................................... 20 Emily Fredrick, Chippewa Hills..................................... 21
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2021 Big Rapids
ATHLETE YEAR ERIKA BEISTLE BIG RAPIDS – Big Rapids senior Erika Beistle wasn’t any ordinary female athlete of the year. She was also a twoevent state champion.
Beistle early in the season beat the school record in both of the throws. But she was far from being done. She won the Division 2 shot
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ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021
Big Rapids’ Erika Beistle relished the state championship moment.
Erika Beistle finished a strong career as a Big Rapids thrower.
of the
Three-sport athlete’sseason career was for State championship Warriors exceptional memorable for Bigwas Rapids thrower
put and discus state championship on June 5 at Zeeland High School. Beistle threw the shot put 42 feet, 10 inches and the discus 147-5 to handily take first in both events. She scored all 20 of Big Rapids points to put the Cardinals in a tie for 11th place as a team. She was the only BR athlete who qualified. “I was just looking to throw as long as I could,” Beistle said. “I didn’t want to get too cocky, I guess. I just had a good day.” Beistle’s shot put PR was 46-2 at a CSAA meet this season. “The shot put is my favorite, but the discus is starting to grow on me a bit,” Beistle said. Her PR in the discus was 150-7 which she threw on May 26 at the Michiana Timing Metro Health Scholarship Invitational. “It was very hot around 80 degrees,” Beistle said. “It was a challenge to stay out of the sun.” The shot put started early in the morning with Beistle among 22 athletes who had six throws apiece. Her 42-10 was her second throw and one inch longer than her first toss.
“I hoped I could do better but from watching all the other girls throw, I felt I was going to take first,” Beistle said. “My upper body wasn’t the greatest but just being quick through the ring got me through that throw.” The second-place thrower, Ellie Adrian of Standish Sterling, was at 40-6, more than two feet shorter than Beistle. Ironically, Beistle indicated she wasn’t physically at 100 percent. “I’ve had a neck issue and have been a little sore so it wasn’t my greatest day,” she said. “I think I was more relaxed and was more relieved to get the shot put out of the way and get it over and done with, and go to the discus relaxed and ready to go.” The discus was in the afternoon with 26 throwers. Beistle’s 147-5 was her fifth throw. “I was very relaxed through the whole thing,” Beistle said. “I just wanted to get in there and have fun being smooth, being quick and throwing it out there.” Adrian was in second but 20 feet behind Beistle’s throw. “I’ve put in a lot of hard work in four years to get
to this point,” Beistle said. “We are just very proud of her,” Big Rapids coach Michele Selzer said. “She has worked very hard and deserves this honor.” Beistle will be throwing at Grand Valley. She competed in a national meet in Eugene, Oregon.
Erika Beistle will now be attending Grand Valley State University as a thrower.
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ATHLETE YEAR of the
DARYLE “DJ” GREENBAY
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ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021
Three-sport athlete’s career for Big Rapids stellar athlete Warriors was exceptional closes 3-sport career
BIG RAPIDS – Daryle (DJ) Greenbay was simply a three-sport athlete who exceled at everything he did: football, basketball and track and field. A major highlight for Greenbay in a season which brought him Male Athlete of the Year honors was helping the basketball team, as a starter, win the Central State Activities Association Gold Division title. While the team’s roster was full of primarily freshmen and sophomores, D.J. Greenbay is the lone senior on this year’s team. Coach Kent Ingles said the team has greatly benefitted from Greenbay’s effort and leadership qualities on the court throughout the shortened season and led the team in rebounds. “He’s been a leader for us on the court; he doesn’t do a lot of scoring but he rebounds,” Ingles said. “I’m really happy for him. He and Jamal (Strickland) and (Demarcus Lee) are the only ones we have back. Everybody else is new.” In football, Greenbay was a 4-year starter and allCSAA for four seasons. He was an all-region offensive lineman and recognized as
a great drive blocker with excellent hips and feet for 290 pounds. The football season was delayed because of COVID and was almost switched to the spring. It returned in mid-September. “I’m just happy to be back, back on the field,” Greenbay said. “You can tell we’ve been off a little bit. I had been playing basketball to keep in shape.” His season highs were 48 feet, 1 ½ inch in the shot put and 138-6 in the discus. He placed first at the conference meet in the shot put. “DJ has been an outstanding thrower for the past four seasons, earning multiple 1st places over the course of his throwing career,” Big Rapids track coach Mike Selzer said. Greenbay now embarks on a collegiate career at Northwood University. “I’m just working out and getting ready for my season at football,” Greenbay, a two-way lineman for Big Rapids said. But he anticipated for Northwood, he’ll be on the offensive line. Whether or not he’ll be a guard or tackle has not been determined. To have success at the
NCAA Division II level, “I just need to put in the work,” he said. “I’m just working out on my own at the high school.” Greenbay will report to Northwood’s football camp on Aug. 10. Many colleges redshirt athletes their first season but Greenbay is unsure of his status. “I haven’t really talked to any coaches about that,” he said. “But his goal will be to be ready to go, learn as much as he can and answer the call whenever it comes. But this is a very exciting moment right now for Greenbay. He said he’s excited most about “continuing to play football at the next level and get my education.”
DJ Greenbay helped Big Rapids win a league basketball title.
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ATHLETE YEAR of the
KENDRA MONTAGUE Kendra Montague was also a key player for Pine River’s girls basketball team.
We have a lot of young players, but they’re all good. “I’m working on boxing out, being more aggressive and finishing off.” For the recently completed track and field season, Montague PRed in the 100 and 200 and got to do three events at the state meet with the open 200 and three relays. Montague was second in the 200 dash at the regionals and was 16th at the state finals. Her personal record came at Ludington with a 27.30. Montague was the third leg on a 4x200 meter relay team which took eighth at the state meet. For the 4x400 relay team, she took 13th. Both relay teams won the Highland Conference titles. It was her best times in track and field and it was fun having a season after last year’s got canceled. “I was very thankful and I’m happy I made it through the season without getting quarantined,” Montague said. “I almost exceeded my expectations. I wanted to break 13 seconds in the 100. Even a 12.99 would have been OK. I got to 13.06 but I’m still satisfied with that time.”
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Kendra Montague’s athletic career at Pine River resulted in many medals.
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021
LEROY – Pine River’s Kendra Montague will be going to Cornerstone University for track and field but she was talented in other sports. This included basketball and Montague was confident Pine River’s girls basketball team could be a force throughout the season. She’s a senior in her third season for the Bucks. “The first season (2018-19) did not go so great when we were 0-20,” Montague said.
“Last year (2019-20), we really improved a lot.” The Bucks in 2019-20 won six games under first-year coach Paula Justin. They were around the same last season. “We were a lot faster and we moved the ball a lot better,” she said. “We started to attack the hoop and play more.” The first week of Pine River girls basketball practice was conducted before all winter workouts were locked down by the state health department because of rising COVID numbers. Athletes are still waiting to get the OK from the state to resume practices and start games. At 5-foot-10 inches, Montague is among the tallest players on the team. “I think I’m pretty quick, but I have to work on boxing out,” she said. “I think I shoot best at the wing,” she said. Montague noted preseason practices will be critical considering the limited amount of time teams have been able to work out because of COVID. “The team is looking pretty good,” Montague said during a pre-lockdown practice. “We have one of the faster teams.
Pine River athlete’s outstanding track and field career leads to college future
2021 Pine River
ATHLETE YEAR
8
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021
HUNTER KANOUSE LEROY – Hunter Kanouse’s senior sports season at Pine River was a productive one especially in basketball and baseball. It’s why he was named Pine River’s Male Athlete of the Year. Baseball was a key sport for Kanouse. He pitched a perfect game in an 11-0 Pine River victory over McBain in Highland Conference action. He didn’t allow a hit, walk or error. Highland Conference games are scheduled for six innings. “Of the 18 outs, he had 14 strikeouts,” Pine River coach Shawn Ruppert said. On the mound, Kanouse was a force to be reckoned with and proved to be Pine River’s established ace in what was his final season as a Buck. “He worked hard at becoming a good pitcher,” Ruppert said. “Threw a perfect game at McBain and led our team in steals.” As a pitcher, Kanouse went 8-3, posted a 1.82 earned run average and struck out 100. Basketball was also an excellent sport for
Kanouse. In a 62-57 overtime loss to Manton during the regular season, Kanouse had eight points and four rebounds. In a 47-37 loss to Houghton Lake, he had 10 points and five rebounds. A sweet win was a 6638 triumph over Evart. Kanouse had 10 points and five rebounds. Kanouse also played golf for the Bucks. One of his best matches was an 18hole round of 95 at the Big Rapids Cardinal Invitational at Katke Golf Course. It made up for a disappointing 2020 spring season when Kanouse was getting ready to play baseball. But COVID canceled it. Kanouse was a junior this past sports season and was in basketball and baseball. Had there been a baseball season, “we would have been pretty good,” Kanouse said. “We had two foreign exchange students that were really talented. We had Lane Ruppert, who was a great senior. Kris Green would have been a nice pitcher. It was a strong team all-
Hunter Kanouse also played golf for Pine River.
of the
Kanouse had great seasons in basketball and baseball
around.” Kanouse was slated to play third, second and shortstop. Kanouse got called up to the varsity as a freshman for districts and played half the season as a sophomore. The 2020 campaign would have been his first full baseball season. As an infielder, “I have a good glove,” he said, adding at the plate, “I’d just like to see some improvement from last year. I struggled. I’d like to bounce back. You have to get in a stance that looks comfortable and wait for a pitch to hit.” Kanouse said baseball is his best sport and he worked with his dad, Ken Kanouse, during the offseason to get ready for the spring campaign. Basketball was headed to the 2020 district title game for the Bucks, but the postseason was suspended on March 12. “We felt we could have won that game,” Kanouse said.
Hunter Kanouse looks to make a move for Pine River during the basketball season.
2021 Evart
ATHLETE YEAR ADDY GRAY
of the
Three-sport Wildcat helped her teams achieve new heights Addy Gray (right) soars down the court for Evart during the basketball season.
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run; she also stole 15 bases. As a pitcher, Gray posted a 17-3 record over 117 innings and struck out a grand total of 178 batters. Gray’s ERA in ‘21 was 2.38. Evart’s softball team also brought home a Highland Conference championship this season. She was set to play travel basketball with Real from Mount Pleasant and the Michigan Expos. Gray said she likes basketball and softball equally and eventually will have to chose on which of the two sports she may want to pursue. “She is a great all-round player,” Evart softball coach Amanda Brown said. “She is left-handed and can not only pitch but is one heck of a shortstop. She is a hard working, team leader that has a love of the game. She played travel ball all summer all over the state.”
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021
EVART — It was a busy, yet prosperous school year for Evart sophomore Addy Gray. Gray played three sports for the Wildcats during th 2020-21 school year: softball, basketball and volleyball. In each of those three sports, Gray always seemed to take control of the game and become a vital asset in that respective team’s success. During basketball season, Gray was consistently among the area’s top scorers, sinking 3-pointers with relative ease and helping her team go above the .500-mark in Highland Conference play. On the softball diamond, it was a much similar story, as well as one that ended in postseason success for Gray and her teammates. Helping Evart capture its first district title in 18 years, Gray posted a .478 batting average, with 43 hits, 21 RBI and a home
Evart sophomore Addy Gray delivers a pitch during a game this season.
2021 Evart
ATHLETE YEAR DANNY WITBECK
10 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021
Evart’s Danny Witbeck will play baseball collegiately at Northwood University next spring
of the
EVART — In a year filled with so much adversity for every student-athlete at every level, it was made inifintley more difficult for Evart hero, senior Danny Witbeck. A three-sport standout in football, basketball and baseball, Witbeck began his final year as Wildcat on a roll, leading the charge as Evart’s quarterback and taking the team into the postseason. The Wildcats defeated Houghton Lake and McBain before falling to Oscoda by a slim 38-35 margin in the district championship game. After another successful football season, Witbeck stepped onto the basketball court with the hopes of accomplishing something similar for the Wildcats. Witbeck nearly suffered a fatal heart stoppage in late January during an Evart
Three-sport Wildcat overcomes adversity, caps prep career with stellar senior season
Wildcat basketball practice. Emergency recovery procedures by Witbeck’s coaches, teammates and others saved his life and he’s been able to enjoy sports and life on a relatively normal basis. After a full recovery, Witbeck stepped onto the diamond and finished his career as an Evart Wildcat with one of the best baseball season’s anyone from the region has posted in some time. He was 16-2 on the mound with 176 strikeouts, and 0.231 earned run average and three no-hitters. He said he’ll be focusing on pitching at Northwood. “Coach (Josh) Johnson (of Evart) talked with Northwood which helped in getting in contact with the coaches,” Witbeck said. “A couple of my other coaches (from summer ball) contacted
them. I texted back and forth with the Northwood coach. About a week and a half ago he asked me to come over and throw bullpen for them. “I went and did that. About a week and a half later, I talked to them and they told me what the program was about. They said there was a spot for me on the team if I wanted it, which I said I definitely do. I’ll just pitch. I’m really excited about it.” His batting average for Evart was .431 with 47 hits, 17 extra base hits, one home run, 41 runs scored, 34 RBIs 21 stolen bases and a .989 fielding percentage. Witbeck was an All-State recipient for baseball as well.
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Evart quarterback Danny Witbeck scoots between tacklers during a football game this season.
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ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021 11
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2021 Crossroads Charter Academy of the
ATHLETE YEAR TRISTON MURRAY
12 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021
BIG RAPIDS – It was Triston Murray’s senior season for Crossroads Charter Academy volleyball, and was an impressive one. Murray was among the reasons coach Brooklyn Routley’s CCA team was impressively competitive throughout the season. Murray was a middle hitter last season for the Cougars. “My sophomore and junior years, I was an outside hitter,” she said. “(Middle) isn’t my favorite but I’m glad I was given a chance to be in the
middle and I like being in a blocking position.” The key to being an effective blocker, Murray said, “is timing. Time when the ball is coming over the net and read the hitter.” Some key seniors graduated from last season’s team, Murray pointed out. “We lost our setter, our middle and some back row players,” she said during the season. “But we have a lot of seniors this year. I believe we have some really good potential. We’re looking good. We have good hitting strength and good serving
strengths.” CCA had to practice several days outdoors in preseason before being allowed indoors. Murray also played soccer, but said volleyball is her favorite sport. She was CCA’s soccer goalkeeper. “I grew up watching my sister play and it was the first sport I got into,” Murray said. She wasn’t able to play soccer in the 2020 spring because of COVID 19, but said she ran and did summer workouts. The Cougars got excellent contribu-
CCA volleyball teams prospered from Murray’s talents
tions from various personnel. Keeper Triston Murray is “keeping shots out,” soccer coach Josh Yurick said during the season. “Our scoring is mixed and we don’t rely on any individuals, as everyone in the attacking third is expected to shoot.” Murray was on the Pioneer Dream team for both volleyball and soccer. She was 86 percent in serves, and had 82 aces, 86 kills, 170 digs and 13 blocks in volleyball. As a soccer keeper, she had a 79 percent save rate.
Triston Murray prepares to serve the ball during volleyball season.
Crossroads’ Triston Murray was a talented server for her volleyball team.
2021 Crossroads Charter Academy of the
ATHLETE YEAR JAYVD SAWYER-OCASIO was at 13.64 seconds. In the league meet on May 11, Sawyer-Ocasio was 15th in 14.18 seconds. Sawyer-Ocasio’s personal record in the 200 meters was 28.54 seconds. He also threw the discus and was sixth in the Mohawk relays with a PR throw of 80 feet, 4 inches. “I’ve broken a couple of PRs in the discus more than I have done in the dashes,” Sawyer-Ocasio said. He would like to get up to 90 feet before the season ends. But he may only get one more chance with Friday’s regional meet at Saugatuck. “The key is your rotation,” he said. “If you’re doing the two-rotation throw you want to make sure your steps are controlled and you’re not jumping all over the circle. It’s definitely about your form. Once you get your form down, you can work on your speed. Sawyer was the anchor in the 4x100 relay.
Javyd Sawyer-Ocasio played soccer and was in track and field for Crossroads Charter Academy.
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BIG RAPIDS – Javyd Sawyer-Ocasio participated in soccer and track & field this 20202021 school year and enjoyed productive seasons for Crossroads Charter Academy. Sawyer-Ocasio was the captain of a very young Crossroads team, which battled for numbers on its roster. At times this season, Crossroads played with less than 11 athletes. He’s a senior who has played Crossroads soccer for six years on the middle school and high school level. “I normally play defender,” Sawyer-Ocasio said, adding he’s also played sweeper this season. “I’m, in charge of the defense and I make sure the ball doesn’t go behind me and make sure everyone is in front of me.” Crossroads’ boys track team has had a productive season with the likes of Sawyer-Ocasio leading the way. He’s a senior and has had solid performance for the Cougars. In the 100 meters, his first meet of the season. He
Crossroads athlete had strong soccer & track seasons
2021 Baldwin
ATHLETE YEAR of the
CARMELO LINDSEY
Baldwin athlete posted impressive numbers in basketball and football
14 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021
Carmelo Lindsey played in a Hollister Park tournament in Baldwin last summer
Baldwin’s Carmelo Lindsey was talented in both football & basketball.
BALDWIN – Carmelo Lindsey’s sophomore athletic season at Baldwin was an impressive one, despite the COVID restrictions and quarantines which fall and winter sports athletes had to face. Lindsey was West Michigan D league all-conference and a Pioneer Dream Team member for the Panthers in basketball. He was also their starting quarterback for an 8-player football team, which was able to get in four games before the season was canceled for lack of numbers. Coach JJ Eads entered the season realizing how important Lindsey would be to his team. “He will be our floor leader for us, and we want him to lead us,” Eads said. Lindsey and his team-
mates patiently waited for the season to start, which it finally did on Feb. 8. Baldwin’s season ended at 13-2 with a West Michigan D League title and the Panthers were a district finalist. “Carmelo Lindsey was our leading scorer,” Eads said. “The whole league keys their game plan around him. He’s very quick and is a good defender as well, led us in steals. first team WMD.” Lindsey averaged 18 points, six rebounds, 2.4 assists and four steals per game. He shot 42 percent from the floor and 63 percent from the free-throw line. “He had a season-high of 28 points vs. Crossroads Charter Academy and had 27 points in our second game vs. Manistee Catholic Central,” Eads said. “We only won by
four up there and won by 26 at home. He had two four-point plays at Brethren to lead a late comeback and we took the lead before a buzzer-beater loss. He had 12 rebounds in two games. In eight games, he scored 20 or more. “He was the best player on our team that shared the league title and teams threw different defenses at him.” Lindsey, as quarterback, led his team in offensive yards during the limited Panther football season. The Panthers scored 30 points in three actual games, led by Lindsey. The best news for Baldwin football coach Bob Watkins and Eads is they have Lindsey for two more years.
2021 Baldwin
ATHLETE YEAR of the
MONIQUE ROWLAND enth place, and this season we are now second place in the league. “Monique had a great season this year. She had stepped into her role as co-captain well. From defense to offense, and even incredible plays Monique used her versatility on and off the court to maximize her team’s success.” “Communication and slowing the ball down when it started going too fast,” were key factors, Rowland said. “I am the server and outside attacker and middle attacker.” To be a good server
“the key is patience and focus,” Rowland said, adding on hitting, if you don’t have a good arm, it’s not going anywhere. Also, if the other side looks for a kill, just send them a tip.” Rowland was also set to play for the Baldwin girls and be a top player. But the winter sports season was suspended until Feb. 8 because of a COVID resurgence and coach Nikki Bergman wasn’t able to get enough players to field a team. But Rowland was able to play a key role with the volleyball team.
Monique Rowland proved to be a very talented volleyball player for Baldwin.
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ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021 15
BALDWIN – Baldwin posted one of its best volleyball seasons in more than a decade. Monique Rowland was among the reasons. Rowland, a senior, was a middle hitter and middle back player. Rowland had a serves percentage of 94 percent, kills per game of 4.8, assists per game of 3.6, digs per game of 14.1 and blocks per game of two. In the West Michigan D League, “the team did place second,” coach Duane Roberts said. “Last year, we were in sev-
Panther volleyball standout led her team to many successes
2021 Reed City
ATHLETE YEAR of the
16 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021
ABBIGAIL KIAUNIS
REED CITY — She might have missed out on her junior year of track and field competition, but Abbigail Kiaunis came back with a vengeance for her senior season. In her final season in a Reed City uniform, Kiaunis dominated the track right through the final event of her high-school running career, finishing first in the 400-meter race at the regional meet. Her time in the 400 was 1:02.50 and her fourth-place
finishing time of 2:28.73 in the 800-meter race was just a few seconds shy of qualifying for the state finals. During her time as a Coyote runner, Kiaunis also made her presence felt in the fall and was an integral part of Reed City’s cross country program from her freshman year. She was also team captain of the Reed City cross country squad. Kiaunis was CSAA Gold individual champion, first team all-conference CSAA Gold, and had a sixth-place regional finish, set a new school record of 18:58 and took 12th place at state finals at 19:18 and had 12 top seven finishes including six wins and three second-place finishes. Back in the fall, she signed her letter of intent for Southern Illinois University and will be on the SIU cross country team.
Coyote runner tore up track & terrain during 2020-21 campaign
SIU is a Divison I university located in Carbondale, Illinois. “Abbie has been our lead runner since her freshman year,” Reed City co-coach Rich Saladin said. “She’s the ‘lead dog’ for sure, going from the Coyotes to the Salukis. We couldn’t ask for a better person to represent our program. She’s been a two-year team captain, qualified for states all four years, four-time conference award winner, and a two-time state medalist.”
Reed City’s Abbi Kiaunis (612) heads toward the finish of a race last season.
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Abbi Kiaunis (2114) battles to the finish line during a cross country state meet race.
2021 Reed City
ATHLETE YEAR PAYTON HANSEN title game, but a positive COVID test from a member of Cheboygan’s coaching staff forced the immediate cancellation of the contest. As a result, Reed City was crowned district champions without playing a single down in a championship game. After much delay and deliberation, the Coyotes were set to square off with Freeland in the opening round of the regional tournament, but that game was cancelled as well, putting an end to Reed City’s season and Hansen’s high-school football career. “To go onto the season, it’s always a goal,” Hansen said. “Winning a district is always a big goal. Just to say we did that is pretty awesome.” At the linebacker position on defense, Hansen was a key aspect of a Coyote defense that held its opponents at bay virtually every Friday night. On the other side of the ball, Hansen played running back and was part of an attack that — sometimes quite literally — left pursuing tacklers in the dust. Individually, Hansen had 55 tackles, including six for a loss, one forced fum-
Coyote three-sport standout impressed during senior season at Reed City
ble and one interception for a pick-six. He had six touchdowns on offense and was allCSAA Gold Division for his efforts. “In some games, he didn’t play the full game because he didn’t need to play the full game,” Reed City coach Scott Shankel said. “On offense, we had four great running backs. In our system, you have to be able to block as well as carry the ball.” In the spring, Hansen made it official and signed his letter of intent with Alma College, where he will gear up on Saturdays for the football team in the fall. Hansen was also a member of the Reed City basketball and baseball teams during his tenure as a Coyote.
Reed City’s Payton Hansen takes a jump shot during the recent basketball season.
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ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021 17
REED CITY — Whether it was on the hardwood, gridiron or diamond, Reed City star athlete Payton Hansen made the most of his senior year. After having what would have been his junior season to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hansen returned for the 2020-21 season in top form, ready to do his best for the Coyote cause. Hansen capped off his second full season on the RC varsity football squad, and was part of a group that prolonged its reign at the top of the Central State Activities Association (CSAA) Gold standings for yet another campaign. In a season that was consistently marred by the threat of a potential pause via COVID, Hansen and his teammates seldom, if ever, faltered in their pursuit of football glory. As a team, Reed City went 8-0 (6-0) down the stretch, and entered the postseason with a head full of steam after cruising to a CSAA Gold title to cap off an irregular regular season. Following victories over Cheboygan and Kingsford in the first two rounds of the district tournament, Coyotes were slated to take on Kingsley in the
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2021 Morley Stanwood
ATHLETE YEAR of the
18 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021
BROOKE BRAUHER
MORLEY — In a year filled with so much chaos for every student-athlete, Morley Stanwood senior Brooke Brauher continued to make it look easy. After missing out on some of the winter season and all of the spring season during her junior year as a Mohawk, Brauher kicked it into
overdrive and earned All-Conference honors in each of the three sports she plays. Whether it was in volleyball, basketball or softball, Brauher brought her best to the table and led a trio of Mohawk teams to success in her final season in Morley Stanwood blue and yellow. Brauher’s dominance in her three sports didn’t just come about as a senior; this has been something she has built upon ever since her freshman year. On the basketball court, Brauher reached the 1,000-point plataeu for her career late in her senior season. She was also part of a Morley Stanwood volleyball team that
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captured a CSAA Silver championship en route to an appearance in the Regional 19 Tournament championship game, where the Mohawks ultimately fell in four sets to Grandville Calvin Christian. On the softball diamond, Brauher batted .528 with eight stolen bases and her slugging percentage was .903. Brauher was on the varsity team for volleyball, basketball and softball for all four years of high school. During her tenure as a Mohawk, Brauher has been selected First Team All-CSAA (Silver) for all three sports during each one of her four seasons at Morley Stanwood.
MORLEY STANWOOD: Brooke Brauer
&
Ryland Nelson
Morley Stanwood’s Brooke Brauher rises to tap the ball back over the net during a volleyball game this season.
2021 Morley Stanwood
ATHLETE YEAR RYLAND NELSON
Sinking shots and smacking homers the Mohawk way
Morley Stanwood’s Ryland Nelson looks to make a tackle during a football game from his senior season. Morley Stanwood’s Ryland Nelson (right) is embraced by his teammates as he comes home after smacking a home run.
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ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021 19
MORLEY — In football, basketball and baseball, Ryland Nelson was a pillar of Morley Stanwood’s athletic program for four years. During his time in a Mohawk uniform, he excelled in all three, and was the backbone of every roster that had his name on it. On the baseball diamond, Nelson was part of a Mohawk squad that went 15-5 in league games and ultimately finished runner-up to White Cloud when it was all said and done. Nelson was first team All-CSAA Silver for his efforts on the baseball diamond for Morley Stanwood. Nelson was a pitcher-catcher-infielder who batted .416 with three home runs and had 18 strikeouts in a seven-inning game. “He’s a quality kid with a highly competitive spirit,” Morley Stanwood coach Vern Smith said.
“He’s the kind of kid that does not let the moment get too big for him.” On the football field, Nelson has switched time between quarterback and running back, putting up impressive numbers at both postions but, for his final season, he decided to focus primarily on running back. During his junior season, in which spent time at both positions, Nelson had 455 passing, 525 rushing, 75 receiving, 275 kickoff return yards and 12 total touchdowns and made all-CSAA Silver first-team honors. “I like running the ball but also like throwing the ball so we tried to incorporate a little bit of both,” Nelson said. “I only took snaps from the shotgun.” In basketball, Nelson was a first team AllLeague performer on a Morley Stanwood team that went 8-2 in league play. Nelson had an excellent year with 13.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game and shot 45 percent in field goals and 33 percent in triples. “He had a very productive year,” Mohawk hoops coach Bob Raven said.
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2021 Chippewa Hills
ATHLETE YEAR CARL WHIPPLE
20 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021
Carl Whipple played baseball and football and also wrestled for Chippewa Hills REMUS – Carl Whipple’s solid three-sports varsity career at Chippewa Hills has ended and he’s ready for new challenges. He had four years of football and was AllState and all-league. He was a wrestling four-time varsity letter, CSAA champ/1st team all-league, 2019 state qualifier, and a two-time letter winner in baseball. Whipple and his baseball team lost in the district semifinal round and finished up a school season in which he was able to play football, wres-
tle and play baseball despite COVID-related restrictions. He played four seasons of baseball, including 2020 which was actually canceled because of COVID. “I enjoyed playing with my buddies,” Whipple said. There were plenty of memories of the season, including walk-off base hits. In CSAA action, the Warriors split with league rivals Reed City and Big Rapids. Now he’s focusing on football at Alma. “I signed (in mid-May) but I committed in the winter,” Whipple said.
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“I love the atmosphere. They have great coaches. I knew it is where I wanted to be. It’s like home.” Whipple expects to be playing defensive line with Alma. He’s not expected to be redshirted. “I could be playing as a freshman,” he said. “I just have to keep working out.” Whipple, a senior, has had a strong start at 215 pounds. He’s coming off an AllState football season as a two-way lineman. On defense, he had 40 tackles including two for losses and two sacks. It was a long two months from Nov. 16 to Jan. 16 for Whipple and his wrestling teammates when sports were on pause. Contact sports were able to be in full force by Feb. 8. “We’ve been having workouts and we’ve been doing what we can,” Whipple said prior to that date. “We did a lot of conditioning and things we can do without grabbing each other.
Three-sport athlete’s athlete’s career career for for Three-sport Warriors was was exceptional exceptional Warriors It’s frustrating but we focus on what we can control, that’s the big thing. We can control working hard.” Whipple has been wrestling for 13 years. This was his third varsity season. “My freshman year, I was behind two really great wrestlers and I just did my part,” Whipple said. “My sophomore year, I did my part. My junior
year, I just missed out on the state meet in the blood round of the regional championship. This year, I’m looking at placing at state.” It was a memorable senior football season for Whipple who was disappointed losing in the first round of the playoffs. His All-State honors on defense were from the coaches association.
Chippewa Hills’ Carl Whipple listens to instructions given to him by first base coach Larry Jose during the regular season.
2021 Chippewa Hills
ATHLETE YEAR EMILY FREDRICK She was the lead leg of the 4x400 relay team, which placed sixth in 4:12.76. Her 4x200 relay team was 16th at the state meet. Her best open event was the 400 meters and she took 15th. Her best senior season time was 23:40.06 in cross country. Fredrick played a key role in Chippewa Hills’ drive to an 18th straight league title. “It’s going pretty well,” Fredrick said during the season. “I’ve ran some new races I haven’t ran before and I did pretty well in them. I want to beat 60 (seconds) in the 400 and maybe be in the 27s for the 200. I’m pretty consistent all the way through.” There was no 2020 season because of COVID but Fredrick felt she improved in everything this year. “I have definitely improved way better this year from my sophomore and freshman
Three-sport career for Warriorathlete’s runner got the job Warriors was done in exceptional two sports
year,” she said. Fredrick indicated the 4-x-400 has been her best relay and she’s been the anchor. The amount of pressure she feels in that sport depends on the amount of competition the other team provides, Fredrick said. “I ran cross country in the fall but I’m not running it at Ferris,” she said. Her future at Ferris excites Fredrick. Fredrick made the decision on Feb. 11, her birthday, to become a Bulldog. “They reached out to me for track,” Fredrick said. “That got my attention. I was already looking to Ferris for engineering. So it was perfect.” Fredrick plans on doing mid-distances at Ferris with the 200, 400 and 800.
Emily Fredrick (center) signs her national letter to attend Ferris State while flanked by Chippewa Hills track coaches Sally Schafer (left) and Zach Hatfield.
Chippewa Hills’ Emily Fredrick was among the area’s top runners. ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | July 2021 21
REMUS – Emily Fredrick’s record speaks for itself as an athlete at Chippewa Hills. Running was the name of her game. The Chippewa Hills female athlete of the year was involved in cross country and was a four-year varsity letter winner. She was a varsity runner on a two-time conference team champions and a team leader In track and field, Fredrick was a varsity letterwinner three times, first team all conference three times, individual conference champion seven times, team conference champions three times, individual regional champion two times, team regional champion once, state qualifier two times, AllState twice and academic All-State in track. She has signed to run at Ferris State University, “She epitomizes leadership by example, and hard work has gotten her to where she is now,” a Chippewa Hills sports department spokesperson said. Fredrick qualified for the state finals.
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