thursday, April 9, 2015
INSIDE:
Ludington
Daily News
mason county EASTERN, Pentwater and manistee Catholic
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Ludington daily newS/SPRING SPORTS
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jeff kiessel | daily news
Members of the Mason County Eastern softball team are, from left, coach Bill Cole, McKenna Lake, Chelsea Gage, Ambriel Peters, Tammy Campbell, Brooke Lee, Hannah Smakal, Emily Knizacky, Megan McCormick, Harley Smakal, Zeressa Cregg, Taylor Dykman, Brenna VandeVoorde, Frances Knizacky and Erin Wittlieff.
Mason County Eastern softball
MCE seek WMD title, 30th district By DAVID BOSSICK Daily News Sports Editor The Mason County Eastern softball team will attempt to reach a milestone when the MHSAA tournament rolls around in late May. The Cardinals will be seeking their 30th, yes 30th, consecutive district championship in the sport. But Eastern coach Bill Cole would like to see the winning, and the ex-
pectation of winning, to spill over to other sports. “I’d like to keep the streak going. We’ve talked a little bit about it. In my opinion, we used to be dominant in every sport,” Cole said. “Things kind of fell off a bit. They’re more accustomed to losing than winning. I’d like to get that winning tradition going again.” Leading the way for the Cardinals will be returners
Emily Knizacky and Tammy Campbell. Knizacky, a senior, played mostly at third base while Campbell, a junior, pitched. Three others, all sophomores, also earned postseason honors: Megan McCormick, Dejna Babcock and Brooke Lee. Much of Eastern’s infield returns as a result. McCormick played at second with Lee catching and Babcock at
shortstop. Zeressa Cregg returns at first base. Eastern’s roster: Seniors: Hannah Smakal and Emily Knizacky. Juniors: Tammy Campbell and Ambriel Peters. Sophomores: Dejna Babcock, Megan McCormick, Zeressa Cregg and Brooke Lee. Freshmen: Brenna VandeVoorde, Chelsea Gage, McKenna Lake, Frances Knizacky,
Erin Wittlieff, Harley Smakal and Taylor Dykman. The Cardinals have seven new freshmen to the team and a handful have already impressed Cole. “Taylor Dykman has a lot of potential. I think she’s going to be a very good pitcher in the future,” Cole said. “It’s going to be a learning process. Another girl that is going to play well is Erin Witt-
lieff.” Dykman and Campbell will switch off between center field and pitcher. Last year, the outfield was essentially by committee, but it doesn’t appear that way for this year. Although the Cardinals practiced indoors prior to the spring break week, Cole was encouraged by the team. see softball, 4
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Mason County Eastern track
MCE has lots of potential for state By DAVID BOSSICK Daily News Sports Editor The numbers might be light for Mason County Eastern’s boys and girls track teams, but their combined abilities could show up big on the final weekend of the season. The Cardinals return three athletes who competed at the state track meet last season, and coach Ben Knizacky figures there could be a few more red-and-gold-clad athletes this season. The boys track team returns several athletes from last year’s team, including Hunter Hofmann. Hofmann, a senior, finished third at the MHSAA Division 4 state meet at Baldwin Middle School in Hudsonville last season. “He sprained his ankle pretty heavy in basketball,” Knizacky said. “It’s his push-off leg. We don’t want to prolong that into the season. He had a reoccurring ankle (injury) during basketball. He’ll be our sprinter, on our mile relay and the pole vault.” Fellow senior Brent Swain also reached the state meet in the 110-meter high hurdles, but was unable to get out of the preliminaries. Eastern’s boys roster: Seniors: Hunter Hofmann, Cody Smith and Brent Swain. sophomores: Preston Kelley and Abe Shoup. jeff kiessel | daily news
Members of the Mason County Eastern track teams are, front row, from left, Cammie Shoup, Jordan Goodman, Lily Heitz, Megan McCormick, Saylor Weber see track, 7 and Kaitlyn Maciag; back row, coach Ben Knizacky, Hunter Hofmann, Cody Smith, Abe Shoup, Preston Kelley and assistant Scott Martin.
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Mason County Eastern golf
Cards look for few more to play By DAVID BOSSICK Daily News Sports Editor Mason County Eastern’s golf team has what it needs to score as a team, but coach Tod Howell is always looking for a few more kids to play the game. There are four players on the golf team this spring for Eastern. The Cardinals’ trio of returning players includes Sarah Hartley, Sanford Narmore and Jonah Howell. “They’re starting to rely on their knowledge of the game and the course and each individual hole. I’m excited for them, watching them,” Tod Howell said. “Watching Sanford, he’s chomping at the bit to get back out there to play. He doubled up last year (with two sports), but he’s not playing baseball this year. It’s fun to see that excitement in the game. It’s exciting to get out there and play. I’m hoping to see some big improvement. He soldiered last year. He didn’t like taking 10 on a hole.” Narmore, like Jonah Howell, is in his second season on the team. “If (Jonah) can keep the ball in play, we can start
working on the shorter game… It’s the chipping and the putting that can make the difference,” Tod Howell said. “If he doesn’t have a short game, that’ll be his struggle. We’re making sure to improve his short game this year.” This will be Hartley’s third season and second in a row with Eastern’s golf team. Eastern’s roster: Seniors: Sarah Hartley and Cody Smith. Sophomores: Jonah Howell and Sanford Narmore. Cody Smith is an incoming player, and he’s playing two sports this spring: track and golf. The team also added another sophomore, Joseph Allen. Howell was unable to name a true frontrunner for the Western Michigan D League championship. “We’re going to have fun,” he said. “We’re going to go out and try to improve.” Eastern starts its season on the course April 13 in a triangular competition at Manistee with McBain Northern Michigan Christian. The first league competition is April 14 at Pentwater.
jeff kiessel | daily news
Members of the Mason County Eastern golf team are, from left, Sarah Hartley, Cody Smith, Sanford Narmore and coach Tod Howell. Not pictured is Jonah Howell.
softball: Looks to reclaim WMD title from page 2
“We’re ahead of last year,” he said. “Last year, we started seven new players to the varsity level. It takes a while for them to get up to varsity-level speed. We took some lumps.” Last season, Eastern’s grip on the Western Michigan D League was loosened as the
Cardinals slipped to third place behind Manistee Catholic and Onekama, respectively. But the Cardinals were right there in the league race until the dust settled. And that race starts with the first doubleheader in league play. “We play Onekama in the first (league) game. They’re probably one of the top
teams,” Cole said. “Catholic lost some of their top pitchers. Onekama has most of their team coming back... Our first game could be for the league title, but you never know. “We have the potential to win our league (and) win our district… We have the potential to be more than district winner.”
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015
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jeff kiessel | daily news
Members of the Mason County Eastern girls soccer team are, front row, from left, Carolina Aquino, Tu Anh Vu, Ryann Ooman, Hannah Smakal, Elizabeth Bentley, Lily Heitz and Malin Sarnes, back row, coach Dee McCumber, Taylor Dykman, Kimberly Jackomino, Alysha Watkins, Kaitlyn Maciag, Anna Buswinka, Danielle VanHeck, Lauren McCumber, Shelby Carver and assistant Russell Bentley.
Mason County Eastern girls soccer
MCE shooting for games far, wide By DAVID BOSSICK Daily News Sports Editor Mason County Eastern’s girls soccer team was able to get enough players to keep their program alive for this season, and now the Cardinals will be aiming to do as well as they can ahead of the tournament. A late push of interest yielded 15 girls on the roster and only four of those are in two sports, Eastern coach Dee McCumber said. That being said, there’s just four girls on the sideline at a time right now. “I’ve got a solid 15. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I could use a few extras,” she
said. The Cardinals return their top scorer from last season, junior Lauren McCumber, as well as junior Anna Buswinka. Both were named to the Western Michigan D League’s first team honor roll. Buswinka comes to Eastern through the co-operative agreement with Manistee Catholic. Senior Elizabeth Bentley, a senior, also returns after a first team all-WMD campaign a year ago. Other returning players include seniors Ryan Oomen and Hannah Smakal; juniors Kaitlyn Maciag and Alysha Watkins; and sophomore Danielle VanHeck. Watkins
was named to the second team all-conference. “They are looking good. They’re strong. I am very hopeful for what this season is going to do,” Dee McCumber said. Eastern’s roster: Seniors: Tu Anh Vu, Ryann Oomen, Malin Sarnes, Lily Heitz, Hannah Smakal and Elizabeth Bentley. Juniors: Kaitlyn Maciag, Lauren McCumber, Anna Buswinka and Alysha Watkins. Sophomores: Danielle VanHeck, Shelby Carver and Carolina Aquino. Freshmen: Taylor Dykman and Kimberly Jackomino.
Eastern lost several players from last year’s team, from foreign exchange students who went back to their home countries to a handful of girls that decided to not play any longer. There are a handful of new players, from a few foreign exchange students to incoming freshmen. In all, there are six new girls. “Thye seem to be a pretty good goup of girls. We’ve got some young newcomers. I think we’re going to do all right,” McCumber said. “The team seems to be gelling together very well.” The number of schools inside the Western Michigan D League to offer girls soc-
cer took a hit when Pentwater announced earlier this spring that it would not have the sport. That leaves just Eastern, Big Rapids Crossroads and Brethren to have teams. “I hate to lose a team like Pentwater. That was a good group of girls. I’m hoping they are able to pull it back together for next year. For us, we’re searching everywhere just to pick up games,” McCumber said. “The game that we played, against Fruitport Calvary Christian, that was a great group of girls. We might have to go a little farther out just to see who we can pick up.
“I’m hoping that our school will stay strong in the sport. Hopefully, the other schools will get some more girls and get their numbers up.” Because so few schools in the conference offer the sport, there is not clear league champion. That leaves the post-season as the main focus for the girls soccer team. “It’s hard to find schools our size. We end up playing the bigger schools,” McCumber said. “I want to keep the sport alive. Academically, and athletically, we’re coming in strong, but we’re just low in numbers. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the group of
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Mason County Eastern baseball
Solid defense to aid MCE’s fortunes
By DAVID BOSSICK Daily News Sports Editor
Mason County Eastern’s baseball team will be relying a good defense to pursue this spring’s Western Michigan D League championship, and, perhaps, a little more. The Cardinals have a handful of returning players from last year, and a bulk of them are underclassmen. Eastern returns just a pair of seniors from last year’s team, but two key pieces. Travis McCormick was the catcher while Jonathan Stewart also returns. McCormick was named to the first team from the Western Michigan D League last year and Stewart was an honorable mention. McCormick caught last season and Stewart played at shortstop. Eastern also returns several juniors and sophomores from last year’s team. Ben Cossette, who played at third, is back. Joey Mickevich and Mason Saya are other returning players. All are sophomores. “We return the two seniors, Travis and Jonathan, and all five of the freshmen who are back this year. They look pretty good for sophomores. That’s definitely the strength and the majority of our team,” Eastern coach Dan Hansen. Eastern has been outside very little in the run up to this season’s opener. “We went into the parking lot last Tuesday, and the soccer field on Thursday in the rain. We’re hoping to get into our outfield. Our infield is nowhere near ready,” Hansen said. “I don’t believe the frost is out of the infield. We’re scheduled to play on Friday, but I wouldn’t hold much hope. “As far as indoor practices, we’re way past needing to
jeff kiessel | daily news
Members of the Mason County Eastern baseball team are, sitting, from left, Evan Dennis, Joey Mickevich, Josh Pomorski, Conor Porter; kneeling, Kyle Lee, Juan Hernandez, Fischer Spencer, Ethan Peppers and Mason Saya; standing, coach Dan Hansen, Ben Cossette, Abe Shoup, Travis McCormick, Greg Bender, Jonathan Stewart and Lorenz Gilchrist. go outside.” Eastern’s roster: Seniors: Jonathan Stewart, Travis McCormick and Ethan Peppers. Juniors: Josh Pomorski, Gregory Bender, Conor Porter and Juan Hernandez. Sophomores: Joey Mickevich, Mason Saya, Abe Shoup,
Evan Dennis, Ben Cossette and Fischer Spencer. Freshmen: Kyle Lee and Lorenz Gilchrist. Eastern did take a significant hit to its pitching. Gone are players like Justice Gilchrist, who gave significant innings on the mound for the Cardinals. Anchor first
baseman Jimmy Appledorn also graduated as did Michael Matzen. The pitching will remain in McCormick’s hands somewhat while Cossette and Stewart will throw some, too. “We’re looking again for Travis to pitch, and he may move into the No. 1 role, at least initially. Our No. 2
(pitcher) is looking to be between Ben Cossette and Jonathan Stewart. Joey Mickevich is throwing well in the gym. We’re pretty confident and comfortable with our pitching… I’m thinking we should have six guys consistently throw the ball over the plate.” Incoming freshmen Kyle
Lee and Lorenz Gilchrist very well could figure into the pitching equation, giving six players for Eastern to look toward to have on the mound. The outfield competition is sized up between Abe Shoup and Mason Saya with Lee and Gilchrist right there. see baseball, 11
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Mason County Eastern schedules
baseball
Fri., April 10, Ludington, 4 p.m. Mon., April 13, Walkerville, 4 p.m. Mon., April 20, Onekama, 4 p.m. Thurs., April 23, at Big Rapids Crossroads, 4 p.m. Thur., April 30, at Brethren, 4 p.m. Sat., May 2, at Briggs Invitational, 9 a.m. Thur., May 7, at Manistee, 4 p.m. Fri., May 8, Buckley, 4:30 p.m. Mon., May 11, Pentwater, 4:30 p.m. Thur., May 14, at Baldwin, 4:30 p.m. Mon., May 18, White Cloud, 4:30 p.m. Tue., May 26, at Mason County Central, 4 p.m.
softball Fri., April 10, Ludington, 4 p.m. Mon., April 13, Walkerville, 4 p.m. Sat., April 18, at Frankfort Invite, 10 a.m. Mon., April 20, Onekama, 4 p.m. Thur., April 23, at Big Rapids Crossroads, 4 p.m. Mon., April 27, at Manistee Catholic, 4 p.m. Thur., April 30, at Brethren, 4 p.m. Sat., May 2, at Briggs Invite, 9 a.m. Thur., May 7, at Manistee, 4 p.m. Fri., May 8, Buckley, 4:30 p.m. Thur., May 14, at Baldwin, 4:30 p.m. Sat., May 16, at North Muskegon Invite Mon., May 18, White Cloud, 4:30 p.m. Tue., May 26, at Mason County Central
track and field Fri., April 10, MCE at Onekama Invitational, 4 p.m. Wed., April 15, at WMD jamboree at Onekama, 4 p.m. Fri., April 17, MCE Relays, 4 p.m. Wed., April 22, at WMD jamboree at Brethren, 4 p.m. Thur., April 23, at Marion Invitational Sat., April 25, at Frankfort Invitational Wed., April 29, WMD jamboree, 4 p.m. Fri., May 1, at Brethren Invitational Wed., May 6, at WMD jamboree at Brethren Fri., May 8, at Manton Invitational Wed., May 20, Western Michigan Meijer All-Star Meet
golf Mon., April 13, with McBain Northern Michigan Christian at Manistee, 4 p.m. Tue., April 14, at WMD jamboree at Pentwater, 4 p.m. Tue., April 21, WMD jamboree, 4 p.m. Tue., April 28, at WMD jamboree at Onekama, 4 p.m. Tue., May 5, at WMD jamboree at Manistee Catholic, 4 p.m. Thur., May 7, at WMD scramble at Onekama, 4 p.m. Tue., May 12, at WMD tournament at Brethren, 11 a.m. Fri., May 15, quad at Pentwater, 4:15 p.m.
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Pentwater schedules
track and field
Fri., April 10, at Frostbite Invitational, Onekama, 2 p.m. Wed., April 15, at WMD jamboree, Onekama, 4 p.m. Fri., April 17, at MCE Relays, 3:45 p.m. Wed., April 22, at WMD jamboree, Brethren, 4 p.m. Wed., April 29, at WMD jamboree, Mason County Eastern, 4 p.m. Wed., May 6, at WMD conference meet, at Brethren, 4 p.m.
baseball Mon., April 13, at Brethren, 4 p.m. Thur., April 16, at McBain Northern Michigan Christian, 4 p.m. Mon., April 20, at Baldwin, 4 p.m. Mon., April 27, Big Rapids Crossroads, 4 p.m. Thur., April 30, at Walkerville, 4 p.m. Mon., May 11, at Mason County Eastern, 4:30 p.m. Thur., May 14, Onekama, 4:30 p.m. Tue., May 19, Manistee, 4:30 p.m.
golf Tue., April 14, WMD jamboree, 4 p.m. Fri., April 17, quad with Hart, Fruitport Calvary Christian, McBain Northern Michigan Christian, 4 p.m. Tue., April 21, at WMD jamboree, Mason County Eastern, 4 p.m. Tue., April 28, at WMD jamboree, Onekama, 4 p.m. Thur., April 30, at Hart, 4 p.m. Tue., May 5, at WMD jamboree, Manistee Catholic, 4 p.m. Thur., May 7, at WMD scramble, Onekama, 4 p.m. Tue., May 12, at WMD tournament, Bear Lake, 11 a.m. Fri., May 15, quad with McBain Northern Michigan Christian, Mason County Eastern, Onekama, 4 p.m. Mon., May 18, at Mona Shores tournament, 9 a.m.
Manistee Catholic schedules softball
Tue., April 9, at Hart, 4 p.m. Mon., April 13, at Onekama, 4 p.m. Thur., April 16, Traverse City Christian, 4 p.m. Mon., April 20, at Walkerville, 4 p.m. Mon., April 27, Mason County Eastern, 4 p.m. Thur., April 30, Baldwin, 4 p.m. Thur., May 7, at Traverse City Christian, 4:30 p.m. Mon., May 11, at Big Rapids Crossroads, 4:30 p.m. Thur., May 14, Brethren, 4:30 p.m. Sat., May 16, at Traverse City Christian tourney, 10 a.m. Mon., May 18, at Mesick, 4:30 p.m. Wed., May 20, Onekama, 4:30 p.m. Thur., May 21, at Buckley, 4:30 p.m.
track and field Fri., April 10, at Frostbite Invitational, Onekama, 2 p.m. Wed., April 15, at WMD jamboree, Onekama Fri., April 17, at MCE Relays, Mason County Eastern, 4 p.m. Wed., April 22, at WMD jamboree, Brethren Wed., April 29, at WMD jamboree, Mason County Eastern Wed., May 6, at WMD conference meet, Brethren
golf Tue., April 14, at WMD jamboree, Pentwater, 4 p.m. Tue., April 21, at WMD jamboree, Mason County Eastern, 4 p.m. Tue., April 28, at WMD jamboree, Onekama, 4 p.m. Tue., May, 5, WMD jamboree, 4 p.m. Thur., May 7, WMD scramble, Onekama, 4 p.m. Tue., May 12, WMD tournament, Onekama, 11 a.m.
track: Several Cardinals could head to state meet
figures to be a good middle years. distance runner. “She went through a lot of physical therapy,” Knizacky The boys team also adds said of McCormick. “She had back Abe Shoup and Preston senior: Lily Heitz. an issue with a hip. She’s Kelley. Both should do well Junior: Lauren McCumber. worked through that. She in the middle distance and sophomores: Jordan Goodwas an extremely good rundistance events for the Car- man, Kaitlyn Maciag and ner in eighth grade.” dinals. Megan McCormick. The boys’ team lost Jimmy The girls’ team returns freshmen: Cammie Shoup Appledorn, who qualified standout Jordan Goodman and Saylor Weber. for the state track meet in after a great freshman season. She qualified for the The team also adds Cami shot put, to graduation. The state meet in the long jump, Shoup and Megan McCor- boys team adds Cody Smith 100, 200 and 400. It was in mick to the roster for this to the team. The cooperative agreethe 100-meter dash where spring. Shoup is an incomshe carried through to a ing freshman who ran cross ment between Onekama and state championship. country in the fall while Bear Lake likely yield anThe girls retain Kaitlyn McCormick appears clear other Western Michigan D Maciag, who will also play of some injuries she went League title based on numsoccer this spring. Maciag through in the past few bers alone. Eastern has just from page 3
a handful of athletes. So the real successes will come with the regional meet and potentially the state meet. “It’s possible that the twomile relay could go. Jordan will go. Cam is quite capable of going,” Knizacky said. “Megan is quite capable of going. “On the boys side, they’re all capable of going. We have the potential of sending 80 percent of the team. “We scored more points than Onekama (at state) than last year.”
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Manistee Catholic track
Sabers get boost in athletes BY GREG GIELCZK DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER MANISTEE — Although it was a tough decision not to field a baseball team this season, it was a boost for the Manistee Catholic Central track program as several boys who would have been playing baseball this spring came out for the track team instead. It was an unexpected gain for the second-year Sabers track program, which is still battling with numbers but is seeing a steady increase in interest. “You never like to see a sport have to call a season off because the interest isn’t there, but we’re also pleased that the boys who were interested came over and asked if they could participate in track,” Sabers track coach Kevin Skipski said. “Being a young program like we are, it’s always good to see more kids coming out. What we’re really happy about this year is that we’re fielding a junior high program, and with those youngsters gaining experience this spring, it bodes well for the future.” Skipski said the Sabers are strongest this year in the 400-meter relay event, on both the girls and boys side, and have seen quite a bit of improvement in the throws. In fact, he’s been very impressed with the shot put athletes and expects the Sabers not only to compete for high places, but perhaps even have a couple qualify for state. “Blake Vargas is our fastest runner,” Skipski said. “He’s an athlete, being a football and basketball player. That’s a big plus for him.
GREG GIELCZYK | DAILY NEWS
Members of the Manistee Catholic team are, front row, from left, Samantha Wilkosz, Shelby Papes, Meghan Miller, Jenny Pieczynski, Jodi Janowiak and Elizabeth Nelson; back row, coach Heather Skipski, Michael Deising, Brayden Perkins, Josephy Buswinka, Blake Vargas, Nathan Fortier, Nicholas Hansen, Mason Calleson and coach Kevin Skipski. He’s always in shape, and is constantly working out. You need to be able to run in football and basketball, so that is a bonus for him in track. “We’re looking for him to do big things this year. I think he feels the urgency
to make his mark in the regional, and reach the state finals. I know he’d like to finish his career with an appearance in the state finals, as everyone does. He’s going to be a big part of our relays.” Another basketball player,
Nathan Fortier will also be counted on to provide depth in the relays, while Michael Deising has shown promise in the throws. On the girls side, Shelby Papes, Meghan Miller, Jenny Pieczynski and Jodi Janowiak are all returning competi-
tors who are expected to be greatly improved over last year. “Really, it’s a case of everyone finding their roles on the team,” Skipski said. “We have a lot of younger competitors who will be getting their feet wet this
year. But many of them are stepping up and showing that they want to contribute. My hat is off to them. The one big thing is they are all athletes.”
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Manistee Catholic softball
Sabers start rebuilding program BY GREG GIELCZYK DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER MANISTEE — Needing a coach midway through last spring, the Manistee Catholic Central girls softball team turned to a familiar face in Karen Wrzesinski-Goodman, who had agreed to accept the job for the third time. Despite taking over the team in mid-stream, Wrzesinski-Goodman successfully guided the Sabers to a Division 4 district championship and narrowly missed pushing them into the regional finals in Frankfort. The Sabers flexed their long ball power in taking an 11-5 lead on Glen Lake in the semifinals, but the Lakers rallied for a 12-11 heartbreaking victory that brought their magical season to an end prematurely. Glen Lake lost to Central Lake, 4-0, in the regional championship game. “I was just getting to know them,” Wrzesinkski-Goodman said. “They were just a joy to be around. They never questioned anything I asked them to do, and I had them doing new and different things. “We were throwing everything at them kind of fast, but they soaked it all up and tried to execute what we were teaching them on the field. That’s all a coach can ask. Like any season, it had its ups and downs. But the girls pushed through it all. I was really proud of them.” The goal, again, is to make it back to the regional tour-
nament and see if they can’t bring home another trophy. But there’s only one problem. Most of the players from last year’s team are gone, leaving Wrzesinski-Goodman with a major rebuilding project as she tries to chisel the Sabers into a finely tuned machine that will be at its peak for the districts ... and hopefully beyond. It’s all going to start with the basics, she said. “We have an eighth grader and a few freshmen that have never played before,” Wrzesinski-Goodman said. “We’re building on our strengths from last year. We lost a lot of seniors, I think there were five of them, and they carried a lot of power for a lot of years. “So, taking those underclassmen and the talent they had from last year, kind of building on that and making them the leaders. Then we have to work on our younger kids, and we’re going to do the best we can do with that.” The Sabers do have some returning talent, including Jodi Janowiak as well as pitcher Shelby Papes who probably will be the team’s No. 1 chucker to replace the GREG GIELCZYK | DAILY NEWS graduated Amber Robke. Members of Manistee Catholic’s girls softball team are, front row, from left, Elizabeth Slivka, Celia Star Chief, Elizabeth Nelson, see sabers, 10
Sylvia Neph and Sarah Bialik; back row, Shelby Papes, Paige Picardat, Jodi Janowiak, Megan Sorenson and Molly McLinden. Not pictured: Jenna Kempf.
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Pentwater track
Falcon track teams gain numbers By the daily news Pentwater having to cancel its girls soccer team due to a lack of athletes may work to the benefit of its track team, as there’s been a significant spillover in personnel. The Falcons will boast 21 members of its track team this year. One immediate effect the added numbers will have is in the Pentwater record book, where there is no 3,200-meter school record. Coach Erika Fatura said the team will be able to put a team out in that event this season, so by default they will set a record. The Falcons lost key scorers Blake Johnson and Jeremiah McClellan to graduation from last season’s team, but welcome back its other top performers. Jared Visger and Michael Naughton, seniors and longtime track athletes, will be counted on to lead the young Falcons, and the team has set lofty goals. “A few of our athletes are (talking) about making all-conference, breaking a
DAVID BOSSICK | DAILY NEWS
Members of the Pentwater track teams are, front row, from left, Job Self, Jake Quinn, Mike Naughton, Dayton Gibson, Dylan Raftes, Isaiah Aspy, Jared Visger, Jacob Emick and Damon Martz; back row, coach Erika Fatura, Desirae Coronado, Chyanne Smith, Brianna Adams, Grace Alvesteffer, Christina Cormany, Jacyln Vareld, Sophia Nyberg, Melony Smith, Flo Petersen and coach Jill Soper. school record or qualifying for the state meet,” Falcons’ coach Erika Fatura said. She is coaching the team along with Jill Soper once again this season.
Dayton Gibson was Pentwater’s leading scorer a year ago and finished seventh in the regionals in the 400-meter dash. He hopes to improve on that mark this
year as well as race well in the sprints. Dylan Rafter is Pentwater’s lone returning thrower and will be counted on for points. On the girls’ side, Sophia
Nyberg is the only returning Falcon, and she performed well in distance running events as well as in the long jump. She will look to improve her performance and
lead the influx of Falcons’ track athletes. “It will be an exciting season for Pentwater tracksters new and old,” Fatura said.
sabers: Softball team rebuilding after graduation takes toll on program from last season ment, but she has a nice pitch. “We also have some of the Janowiak has also piqued W r z e s i n s k i - G o o d m a n ’ s younger people, too, like interest as someone she Jenna Kempf. She’s a lefty might use in the pitcher’s and she wants to pitch. Girls like her from last year who circle. “She’s got a nice stride, didn’t get a lot of playing and a nice release,” Wrzes- time but were on the team, inski-Goodman said. “We over the summer they really also have Molly McLinden, came up and asked ‘Coach, one of our younger pitchers, what can I do?’ Elizabeth and she’s got great strength. Slivka is another example of She’s working on her place- kids working hard over the from page 9
summer. I think I have four pitchers that I can rotate this year.” Wrzesinski-Goodman hopes that by the end of the season all of the Sabers will have settled into their positions in the field, as well as their roles on the team. The biggest goal is for the Sabers to gel as a team. Communication, verbal and otherwise, will be important since the Sabers are
such a young team and everyone is new to playing together. Because the team is so young and inexperienced, Wrzesinski-Goodman is excited about the future. “I’m looking for this team to be a powerhouse if they stay together,” Wrzesinski said. “We have a few more good years. Shortstop I’m having a hard time filling. Hannah Janicki, who was my
shortstop, has been around helping out. “It’s got to be somebody with fast feet, and we haven’t had the ability to be outside on the field to see that much. (Facing) live pitching is going to be huge, but I feel pretty confident with this group. “Usually, I’m really scrambling with kids on hitting techniques. But, I don’t feel stressed out with that at all.
We’ve been in batting cages for weeks now, and they’ve got bunts and slaps down. They practiced all summer long. I think they have the solid basics.” Last year’s success has stoked the Sabers’ competitive fire, and even the young players want to have that feeling.
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Pentwater baseball
Pentwater very young this year by the daily news Pentwater will have one of its youngest baseball teams on record this season, so coach Rick Magrath is hoping he can build a Falcons’ contender for years to come out of the players he’s been given. “Over the past two years we have graduated all starters except Nick Anscombe,” Magrath said. “We are really starting from scratch to fill positions, which is so difficult because our field still has snow on the infield.” The Falcons graduated several key starters from last season’s team, including Alex Wagner, Joey Thrailkill, Nathan Nowsch, Chance Helms, Jordyn Stutzman and Derek Malburg. Pentwater also loses senior Sam Wagner, who elected to focus on golf this spring. That leaves Anscombe as the Falcons’ top player. He’ll be counted on to be the team’s No. 1 pitcher and batter, and will play shortstop when not on the mound. Sophomores Jacob Whitford, Damon Martz and Ryan Hasty will also be counted on to play leadership roles, although Martz is dealing with a broken ankle. Whitford will likely see some mound time and will also play catcher. Junior Emily Gebhart also joins the team this year. Other than the aforementioned players, Magrath has a team of freshmen and eighth-graders. Freshman Billy Sproul played second base last year as an eighth-grader and will slot into a middle infield spot again this year. Classmates Owen Knudsen and Ian Stewart
DAVID BOSSICK | DAILY NEWS
Members of the Pentwater baseball team are, front row, from left, Julien Nyberg, Daniel Adkins, William Sproul, Emily Gebhart and Glenn Miller; back row, Damon Martz, Max Stoneman, Nick Anscombe, Owen Knudsen, Ryan Hasty, Ian Stewart, Jacob Whitford and assistant coach Jack Stinebaugh. appear ticketed for outfield spots, but Knudsen will also pitch and Stewart will also catch. Pentwater also brings in three eighthgraders whom Magrath expects to contribute immediately: Glenn Miller, Jacob Veine and Max Stoneman. Austin Hoffman, once he shakes off a hand injury, will also be a factor. Since the team is so young and lacking in power threats, Magrath said he will look to play small ball to make things happen offensively. Outside of Anscombe, the
pitching staff will be a constant work in progress. The youth movement may frustrate at times this year, but Magrath said he’s excited about building this team over the coming seasons. “This team will be around for a while, so I think we are a team of the future. We have some fine young athletes who are baseball players, and that is exciting. Nick is a great leader, and I think he will have a tremendous influence on these young players.”
baseball: Cardinals to be in title hunt D League title could come down to four schools, with “I think our team speed Eastern in the mix, Hansen will be better,” Hansen said. said. “I think the league could Stewart and Joey Mickevich will make up the short- be pretty interesting. You’ve stop-second base combo, re- got look north to Onekama spectively. Fischer Spencer and Brethren. I was really will take over for Appledorn impressed with Crossroads, at first base. Conor Porter hitting-wise. They’ve scored likely will settle in at third a lot of runs,” Hansen said. The league is missing base. The Western Michigan what’s traditionally been a from page 6
pretty good Manistee Catholic team as the Sabers were unable to put a team together because of a lack of players. Pentwater is young, too. Baldwin is a bit of a question mark, also. The district this season is very much different this year. Although Eastern hosts it, Brethren, Onekama and Pentwater come calling in late May.
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DAVID BOSSICK | DAILY NEWS
Members of the Pentwater golf team are, from left, Ian Rutledge, Dominic McKinney, Travis Franklin, Sam Wagner, Nate Combs, Linnea McDonough, Ryker Luttrell, Madi Wagner, Taylor Wilkinson and coach Alicia Kolenda.
Pentwater golf
Kolenda takes charge of Falcons By DAVID BOSSICK Daily News Sports Editor PENTWATER — Alicia Kolenda knows a thing or two about golf. Actually, a lot more than one or two things. She’s the new golf coach for Pentwater’s program, which has nine members and is coming off of a state tournament appearance last season. There are two golfers back from last year’s team — Sam Wagner and Linnea McDonough. Wagner was the state runner-up in Division 4 last season as the Falcons participated in the state tournament. “He has played his entire life. I remember when he was probably 3 years old, in the
middle of March … and his dad would come out and use the pull cart and he would grab hold of the bag on the pull cart and his dad would lug him around. He started young. It really shows,” Kolenda said. McDonough improved steadily and was one of the top five players for the Falcons. “Linnea is a phenomenal role model for those who haven’t played their whole life,” Kolenda said. “She only took it up two years ago when I made her, because her little brother I’ve worked with. I said, ‘Come on Linnea, try to outdrive your brother.’ I put a tee down and a ball down and said go knock it out of the park. And she did and it was
the coolest thing ever. “It shows that you don’t have to have your lifetime of experience to still compete at this game. You can pick it up at any time of your life and it is really time, dedication and motivation.” Kolenda brings a wealth of experience and has been a pioneer in the game at college. She and her husband own Golden Sands Golf Course near Silver Lake. As a youth, she grew up around the game, eventually played on Grand Haven’s team and went on to Western Michigan University. She helped to get an active golf club started that eventually became the varsity women’s golf team. “I was shocked they didn’t have a golf team there,” she
said. “So, I started a golf club. The first year, it had 65 people play into it. I went into recreation management and I kept pushing until they had a golf team. I was able to, my senior year, be able to play, but my dad sat me down and said, ‘You turned down a golf scholarship a long time ago. Let’s look at a different avenue of the sport.’” Thus began Kolenda’s career running Golden Sands. “I’ve started as a golf instructor since I was 21. I developed a junior golf program and that’s a community-wide golf program for ages 8 to 14. It teaches them how to play the sport of golf. You show in high school, and you get to the tee box, you have to know
the sport of golf, which is completely different than playing with grandpa.” And the course has hosted youth clinics. Needless to say, the coaching aspect is there. The Falcons also picked up an experienced golfer in Ian Rutledge, who transferred from Mason County Eastern this year. He joined in with his Pentwater teammates this winter on the basketball floor. Pentwater has a handful of new golfers out this spring. “I’m making them have competition to fight for their place,” she said. “They’re all within five strokes at this point. Their learning curve, it’s really cool to see even the eighth graders that are dedicated. Practice is done at 5:30, but they don’t leave until 7.”
Madi Wagner, Sam’s younger sister, could be a breakout player. Taylor Wilkinson is a strong athlete, and Kolenda is happy to see the trio of girls playing. Kolenda isn’t too concerned about where the team will finish, to a point. Rather than focus on the wins and losses, the victories will come when the players focus on their play. “I give them daily challenges and make our daily challenges. You can win in two different ways. You can win if you played good or you can win if you’re opponent played bad. I’d rather they win when they play great,” she said. “If they lose, but they played the best they ever have, I’m OK with it.”