GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Michigan’s spring highschool sports activities are in full swing, and among the state’s prime athletes aren’t losing any time in making a big effect.
That was definitely the case round Grand Rapids, the place a West Ottawa monitor athlete broke a college document, a Northview softball star collected 14 RBIs and a future Grand Valley State softball slugger hit a walk-off dwelling run.
With that in thoughts, we’re having a look on the native athletes that spent final week excelling on the diamond, the pitch, the court docket and the monitor for our first installment of the Grand Rapids-area Athlete of the Week sequence.
Readers have limitless voting till 9 a.m. Friday, April 25, and we’ll publish the winner later that day. Voting has no bearing on postseason honors, such because the all-conference or all-state groups.
The Athlete of the Week sequence will proceed all through the spring sports activities season, and to appoint a standout performer, you may e mail Patrick Nothaft at pnothaft@mlive.com with that athlete’s stats and up to date accomplishments.
If the ballot doesn’t seem on the backside of the story, click on right here to view it.
Aaliyah Bailey, East Kentwood women monitor
The freshman hurdler gained seven of her 10 races final week, highlighted by a time of 46.09 seconds within the 300 hurdles, which at the moment ranks seventh within the state.
Brandon Berry, West Ottawa boys monitor
The senior excessive jumper set a college document by clearing 6 toes, 7.5 inches in final week’s meet towards East Kentwood, and that non-public greatest at the moment ranks third within the state behind Whitehall’s Ayden Mendoza (6’10”) and Stevensville Lakeshore’s Declin Doroh (6’9”).
Reed Binney, Rockford baseball
The junior pitcher threw a gem final week towards Grand Haven, placing out six in six innings, whereas permitting one run on 4 hits and a stroll within the 13-1 win. On the plate, he went 6 for 13 final week with a double, a triple, 4 RBIs and 5 runs scored to assist the Rams enhance to 8-2 on the 12 months.
Clay Blauwkamp, Hamilton baseball
The senior lefty led Hamilton to a 4-1 week by going 5 for 11 on the plate with two doubles, 5 RBIs and 4 runs scored, whereas drawing 4 walks and placing out simply as soon as. Blauwkamp additionally stole three bases with out getting caught. On the mound, he logged a top quality begin in a win over Zeeland West, placing out seven in 4 2/3 innings, whereas permitting one run on one hit and 4 walks.
Luke Bykerk, Calvin Christian baseball
The senior middle fielder led Calvin Christian to a 3-2 week that included a sequence sweep over Belding by going 8 for 15 on the plate with a double, two triples, six RBIs and eight runs scored, whereas additionally stealing 4 bases with out getting caught. Bykerk additionally logged 1 1/3 innings of reduction on the mound in a loss to Covenant Christian, placing out two and permitting one unearned run on one hit and one stroll.
Greta Caprathe, Rockford women monitor
The multitalented senior has but to complete anyplace however first this season, and that continued final week, when she gained eight occasions, highlighted by a excessive soar of 5 toes, 6 inches that ranks No. 1 within the state and an extended soar of 18 toes, 0.75 inches that’s at the moment fourth within the state.
Meredith Prepare dinner, Zeeland East women monitor
The junior middle-distance runner gained 5 of her seven races final week, together with personal-best instances within the 400 sprint (58.39 seconds) and 800 run (2:15.40), the latter of which is at the moment seventh within the state.
Chloe Cox, Forest Hills Central women tennis
The junior No. 1 singles participant improved her season document to 6-2 by going 4-0 final week, together with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Devin Rusk, of No. 3 Birmingham Seaholm.
Kenedie Curtis, Allendale softball
The senior middle fielder and leadoff hitter helped Allendale go 2-2 final week with a pair of losses to Wayland and a doubleheader sweep over Whitehall by going 7 for 11 on the plate with a triple, 5 RBIs and eight runs scored, whereas additionally drawing three walks and placing out simply as soon as.
James Dempsey, Forest Hills Jap baseball
The senior catcher and Massachusetts Institute of Know-how commit has performed a giant position in Jap’s 10-1 begin and was particularly efficient throughout final week’s 5-0 run, through which he went 6 for 14 on the plate with three doubles, 4 RBIs and one run scored. Defensively, he threw out certainly one of three base runners.
Jared DeVries, Unity Christian baseball
The junior catcher and third baseman led Unity Christian to a 4-1 week by going 8 for 15 on the plate with six doubles, seven RBIs and 5 runs scored, whereas additionally getting on base 4 instances by getting hit with pitches.
Makenna Dusendang, Northview softball
The senior catcher and Aquinas School commit led Northview to a 3-3 week by going 10 for 21 on the plate with 5 doubles, two dwelling runs, 14 RBIs and 6 runs scored.
Drew Duthler, Coopersville baseball
The senior led Coopersville to a 3-0-1 week, together with a three-game sweep over Sparta, by going 6 for 12 on the plate with two doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored, whereas additionally incomes a win towards the Spartans by placing out one and permitting one run on two hits and 4 walks in 5 innings.
Cassidy Fisk, South Christian softball
The sophomore pitcher and second baseman mashed the ball final week throughout South Christian’s 4-2 stretch, going 15 for 21 on the plate with 5 doubles, a triple and a house run, whereas driving in 10 runs and scoring eight extra. She additionally was robust within the circle, placing out 9 in 17 innings, whereas posting a 0.41 ERA and 0.765 WHIP.
Kellen Ford, Hopkins baseball
The junior shortstop led Hopkins to a 4-3 week by going 11 for 18 on the plate with two doubles, two triples and a house run, whereas driving in 10 runs and scoring seven extra. He additionally threw a three-inning no-hitter towards Kelloggsville that included seven strikeouts and one stroll.
Adrian Elliott, Allendale baseball
The senior made a big effect on the mound and on the plate final week to emerge as a brilliant spot throughout a troublesome stretch for the Falcons. Elliott pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings of reduction, through which he struck out one and allowed only one hit, whereas going 7 for 13 on the dish with 5 RBIs and three runs scored, as Allendale dropped two of three to Greenville and misplaced a single sport to Kenowa Hills.
Charley Hassenrik, GR Christian women soccer
The sophomore standout led Christian to a pair of wins final week over Ottawa Hills and Jenison by combining for 2 objectives and two assists within the two video games.
Tessa Heffelbower, Hudsonville softball
The junior shortstop and Michigan State commit helped Hudsonville prolong its successful streak to 46 video games final week by going 8 for 15 on the plate with a double, two dwelling runs, 10 runs scored and eight RBIs.
Keaton Hendricks, Zeeland West boys monitor
The senior gained six of his eight occasions final week, together with personal-bests of 21 toes, 10.75 inches within the lengthy soar and 38.65 seconds on the 300-meter hurdles, the latter of which is at the moment the state’s fourth-best time within the occasion. Hendricks’ first-place time of 14.84 seconds within the 110 hurdles at Saturday’s Ram Traditional can also be the state’s ninth-best end in that occasion.
Cami Hibma, Hopkins softball
Hopkins confronted a grueling stretch of opponents final week, together with a pair of video games towards perennial energy Vicksburg, and although the Vikings went 2-4, Hibma was a brilliant spot, because the senior shortstop went 13 for 17 on the plate with 5 doubles, a house run, 12 RBIs and 11 runs scored. She additionally stole three bases with out getting caught.
Kylee Hoebeke, Thornapple Kellogg softball
The senior and future Grand Valley State shortstop led Thornapple Kellogg to a 4-0 week by going 8 for 13 on the plate with two doubles, a triple and a house run, whereas driving in eight runs and scoring seven extra. Her greatest hit was a three-run walk-off homer within the seventh inning of Saturday’s 5-3 win over Lake Odessa Lakewood, and he or she additionally pitched a stable outing in a 6-4 win over Plainwell, placing out 4 and permitting three hits in three scoreless innings.
Addison Howard, GR Catholic Central softball
The sophomore has performed a key position in Catholic Central’s 6-0 begin, and that continued in final week’s doubleheader sweeps over Forest Hills Northern and Ottawa Hills, when she went 8 for 12 on the plate with three doubles, a house run, 13 RBIs and 6 runs scored, whereas drawing 4 walks and placing out simply as soon as.
Sam Hungerford, Grandville baseball
The senior led Grandville to a 4-1 week by going 8 for 17 on the plate with two doubles, a triple and a house run, whereas driving in six runs and scoring 4 extra. He additionally earned a win on the mound towards East Kentwood by placing out seven in 5 shutout innings that noticed him enable three hits and two walks.
Alexa Hyler, Greenville softball
The sophomore middle fielder has performed a giant position in Greenville’s 8-2 begin, and that continued final week, when she went 6 for 9 on the plate with a double, a house run, seven RBIs and three runs scored in simply three video games.
Isaac Johnson, Wyoming baseball
The junior pitcher performed a giant position in Wyoming’s sweep of GR Union final week, choosing up a win on the mound by placing out six and permitting one run on 5 hits and two walks. On the plate, he went 5 for 10 with a double, 5 RBIs and a run scored to assist the Wolves enhance to 5-1.
Daelyn Jones, GR Christian women monitor
The sophomore sprinter gained all six of her races final week, highlighted by private bests within the 100-meter sprint (12.24 seconds) and the 200 sprint (26.04). Jones’ prime time within the 100 at the moment ranks eighth within the state.
Johnny Karsten, Hudsonville baseball
The senior nook infielder led Hudsonville to a 6-1 week by going 12 for 23 on the plate with two doubles, 11 RBIs and 6 runs scored, whereas drawing three walks with out placing out. His greatest efficiency was a four-hit, three-RBI effort in a win over West Ottawa.
Davis Kemper, South Christian baseball
South Christian went 3-2 final week, and the 6-foot-7 senior lefty was a giant purpose why, as Kemper went 12 for 19 on the plate with 4 doubles and a house run, whereas driving in six runs and scoring seven extra. On the mound, he threw 3 2/3 innings, incomes a save and logging a 1.91 ERA with seven strikeouts and three hits allowed.
Jake Koetje, GR Christian baseball
After opening the season with 4 consecutive losses, Christian discovered its groove final week, and Koetje performed a giant position, because the senior outfielder went 12 for 16 on the plate with three doubles, a triple, 11 RBIs and 11 runs scored, whereas additionally stealing 5 bases with out getting caught for the 4-5 Eagles.
Caden Livermore, Grandville boys monitor
The sophomore distance runner gained all three of his races final week, highlighted by a personal-best time of 4:20.10 within the 1,600 run, which is at the moment the state’s ninth-best time within the occasion.
Madi Ludema, Wayland softball
Wayland opened its season final week, and its junior pitcher and Grand Valley State commit was dialed in from the primary pitch, as Ludema led the Wildcats to a 5-2 document by going 15 for twenty-four on the plate with six doubles, a house run, 10 RBIs and 15 runs scored. Within the circle, Ludema posted a 3.67 ERA and 1.667 WHIP with 29 strikeouts in 21 innings, together with a victory over Division 1 No. 7 Jenison.
Priya Mahabir, Forest Hills Central softball
The infielder put collectively a robust opening week for the 3-3 Rangers, going 7 for 15 on the plate with three doubles, 9 RBIs and 7 runs scored in six video games.
Josh McCune, East Grand Rapids baseball
The junior first baseman’s large bat performed a giant position in EGR going 4-1 final week, together with a sweep over Forest Hills Central, as McCune went 12 for 19 on the plate with 5 doubles, three RBIs and 6 runs scored, whereas additionally stealing 4 bases with out getting caught.
Claire Merritt, Jenison softball
The senior has been a stable contributor on the plate and within the circle for a 4-4 Jenison staff that has confronted a grueling early season schedule. Offensively, Merritt went 7 for 13 final week with a double, 4 RBIs and three runs scored, and he or she gained her lone begin towards Wayland by placing out eight and scattering seven hits and a stroll throughout seven innings in an 8-2 win over Wayland.
Malachi Mosley, East Kentwood boys monitor
The senior sprinter kicked off his monitor profession with a state title within the 400-meter sprint, and whereas the final two seasons haven’t fairly resulted in a championship, he’s off to a promising begin. Mosley gained all six of his races final week, together with a personal-best time of 10.8 seconds within the 100 sprint and a time of 47.8 seconds within the 400, which is at the moment the state’s prime time in that occasion.
Emilee Nowicki, Forest Hills Jap softball
The senior catcher led Jap to a 2-2 week that included a doubleheader sweep over West Ottawa by going 6 for 10 on the plate with two doubles, a house run, 4 RBIs and 7 runs scored, whereas additionally drawing three walks and placing out simply as soon as.
Katelyn Paganelli, Grandville softball
The senior middle fielder swung a scorching bat throughout a busy and difficult week for the Bulldogs, who went 2-3-1 towards some powerful competitors. Paganelli wrapped up that stretch going 13 for 21 on the plate with three doubles, a house run, six RBIs and 6 runs scored, together with a four-RBI sport in a win over Caledonia.
Kellen Payne, Byron Heart baseball
The College of Nevada commit helped Byron Heart win two of three towards GR Catholic Central by going 3 for 7 on the plate with a double, a house run, three RBIs and one run scored, whereas additionally tossing 5 dominant innings, through which he struck out eight and allowed one run on one hit and one stroll.
Kierea Smits, Holland Christian softball
The senior slugger and Palm Seashore Atlantic commit led Holland Christian to a 4-2 week by going 14 for 19 on the plate with 5 doubles, 12 RBIs and eight runs scored, whereas additionally posting a 2-1 document and three.98 ERA from the circle with 30 strikeouts towards 22 hits and 6 walks in 19 1/3 innings.
Leigha Stoepker, Jenison women monitor
The senior thrower is at the moment ranked within the prime 5 within the state for shot put and discus and is coming off a robust week that noticed her win all 4 of her occasions, together with a personal-best discus toss of 140 toes, 5 inches at Saturday’s Byron Heart Bulldog Video games Invite.
Bella Thomas, Coopersville softball
The middle fielder and leadoff hitter led Coopersville to a 5-1 week, together with a doubleheader sweep over Calvin Christian, by going 8 for 14 on the plate with two doubles and two dwelling runs, whereas scoring 9 runs and driving in 4 extra. Thomas additionally drew 5 walks and struck out simply as soon as.
Linus Vandenberg, Holland Christian boys golf
The sophomore shined final week, beginning with a spherical of 75, which led Holland Christian to a staff title at Tuesday’s Wood Shoe Invite. Two days later, he shot a 4-over 39 within the Maroons’ win on the OK Black jamboree, then rounded out his week with a 1-over 73 on the Hamilton Invitational, which contributed to Holland Christian’s first-place staff rating of 306, which head coach Caleb Nykamp known as this system’s lowest 18-hole rating in years.
Molly Versluis, Unity Christian softball
Third-ranked Unity Christian performed simply twice final week, however Versluis made certain the Crusaders stayed undefeated by going 6 for 7 on the plate with a double, a triple, 5 RBIs and 6 runs scored.
Madison Wyckoff, Zeeland West softball
The senior pitcher was lights-out within the circle and on the plate throughout Zeeland West’s 3-1 week that included a sweep over Hamilton and a cut up with Rockford. Offensively, Wyckoff went 10 for 18 on the plate with two doubles, six RBIs, and 5 runs scored, whereas additionally incomes a pair of wins as a pitcher and tallying 20 strikeouts in 12 innings to associate with a 0.58 ERA and 1.083 WHIP.
Anna Zoet, Calvin Christian softball
The senior third baseman continued to crush the ball final week, going 16 for 21 on the plate with three doubles, a triple and three dwelling runs, whereas driving in seven runs and scoring 15 extra throughout the Squires’ 3-3 stretch.
