Sports
Gustafson built a lasting athletic legacy in Saugatuck
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorWhen she was in elementary school, recent Saugatuck High School graduate Kennedy Gustafson remembers noticing the distinct difference in crowd size for girls basketball games compared to boys basketball games.“I asked my mom why there were not…
Allegan’s Chestnut relishes Cooperstown experience
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Playing a baseball tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y.—home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame—is an amazing experience.Hitting your first ever home run there? That, as those MasterCard commercials say, is priceless.And that’s exactly what Allegan middle…
Thrower leads Bloomingdale girls
By John RaffelCorrespondent BLOOMINDALE — Rowan Hegelmann had a strong throwing season for Bloomingdale’s girls track and field team.Hegelmann threw the shot put 33-01.00 in the regionals for third place and narrowly missed qualifying for the state meet.Hegelmann was a…
Allen a key future player for Clare
By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Only six players will be returning for Clare’s softball team next year from this season’s roster including sophomore first baseman Pamela Allen, who enjoyed a state runner-up finish in Division 3.“I’m really excited,: Allen said…
Holley takes reins of Saugatuck boys soccer program
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorNathan Holley is no stranger when it comes to coaching soccer at Saugatuck.In addition to coaching both the boys and girls middle school teams, Holley has served as an assistant coach for the Saugatuck boys varsity team…
Top Senior Athletes: Otsego
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—Caleb Wesseldyk started his athletic career at Otsego High School by winning a team state championship in boys cross country. He finished it by earning All-State in diving.For those achievements, among others, Wesseldyk was named the…
South Haven athlete set for national triathlon
By John RaffelCorrespondent SOUTH HAVEN — Zander Duncan is coming off a unique sophomore season as a South Haven athlete.He was a state qualifier in swim last year as a sophomore, Duncan was a running back for the JVs with…
Harrison basketball girls having busy summer
By John RaffelCorrespondent HARRISON — A lot of high school coaches like to say winning programs are not built during the season but are determined by how much work they put into the summer months.That includes Ryan Carlstrom, the varsity…
Goddard takes reins of Martin varsity volleyball
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Shannon Goddard and her family are deeply entrenched in the Martin community.Just how entrenched, you ask?Consider this: she’s a fourth-generation Martin High School graduate, making her children—Demetrius (class of 2020), Makala (class of 2024) and Kendra…
Mattawan boys track team looks ahead
By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN — Among the top performers for Mattawan boys track and field in regional action this season was junior sprinter Connor O’Rourke, who was fifth in the 100-meter dash in 11.33 seconds. O’Rourke was fifth in the…
Constantine baseball earns All-District honors
CONSTANTINE — A few Constantine baseball standouts recently received All-District honors for their performances during the season.First baseman Cooper McDonald, infielder Jack Larink, catcher Brody Godfrey and outfielder Austin Forrester were the recipients of the All-District awards for the 2025…
TR girls’ soccer earns Academic All-State
THREE RIVERS — The Three Rivers girls’ soccer team, as well as five individual players, were recently named Academic All-State in Division 3 by the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association.The team as a whole made the list for having…
Brandon enjoyed solid hitting season
By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — One of the keys to Clare’s hitting success this season, which ended in a 39-3 record and state runner-up finish, was the productive hitting of Alissa Brandon.The Pioneer senior infielder had 64 hits to lead…
Constantine softball wins multiple awards
CONSTANTINE — Constantine’s softball team and players received plenty of accolades in conference, regional and state honors last week.Jozee Buglione, Olivia Ransbottom and Olivia Herlein all received Honorable Mention All-Conference from the Southwestern Athletic Conference.Buglione hit .514 on the season…
Clare baseball finishes with 20-11-2 wins
By John Raffel Clare baseball coach Dave Gould finished his seventh season with the program which finished at 20-11-2.“We had a good season and could have easily finished around 25-6,” Gould said. “We lost some games that we should not…
Mattawan lacrosse player headed to St. Johns
By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN — Mattawan advanced to the state semifinals in lacrosse this season and among the reasons for that success was the standout play of Brody Hergott.It was his senior season.Mattawan lost to Detroit Country Day 20-11 in…
Grass Lake wins state softball championship with exciting wins
By Jeff Steers Contributing writer Longtime Grass Lake High School softball coach Roger Cook said he has had more talented teams. But none as cohesive as the 2025 teams. That cohesive unit won a pair of tough games last weekend…
Awe, Coffey named to All-State in baseball
THREE RIVERS — Two local baseball standouts were selected for All-State honors by the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Tuesday.Three Rivers junior infielder Mason Awe was named Second-Team All-State in Division 2, while Marcellus sophomore pitcher Abram Coffey was…
Clare golfers draw honors
By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Clare’s golf season featured a team which was third place in the Jack Pine Conference this season.For all-conference honors, Pierson Gallagher was first team; Bryce Wieferich was second team; Kolten Pung was second team and…
MHSAA officials registration underway for ‘25-26
The Michigan High School Athletic Association is accepting registrations online or by mail for game officials for the 2025-26 school year.The MHSAA registered 8,891 officials for the 2024-25 school year, another of a recent series of increases as registrations continue…
