Aly Hamilton in the 100-meter dash

The Red Hawk girls track team won its first conference championship in school history at Belding, on Friday May 11. The team scored 128 points to finish ahead of West Catholic, who scored 112. The victory in the conference meet, combined with an undefeated league dual record, gives the team the outright OK Blue Championship. Congratulations to all the athletes and coaches on an excellent season!

The team won 6 events and 8 girls earned all conference honors. On Thursday, the 3200-meter relay team, of Sommer VanDyke, Maddie Pekrul, Katie Weiler and Kenzie Weiler, earned the first winning performance of the meet with a new school record time of 9:42.68. Senior Rieley Hondalus then won the long jump with personal best of 16 feet 1 inch. On Friday night, the 400-meter relay team of Rieley Hondalus, Marissa Oakes, Abby VanDusen and Aly Hamilton took the next first place and set a new school record with a time of 51.67. Freshman Kenzie Weiler earned three first places Friday night by  winning the 800, 1600, and 3200-meter runs.

Earning all conference honors was Kenzie Weiler, Katie Weiler, Sommer VanDyke, Maddie Pekrul, Rieley Hondalus, Marissa Oakes, Abby VanDusen and Aly Hamilton. The team next competes in the MHSAA Regional meet at Houseman Field on Friday May 18. Field events and prelims start at 1:30 with running finals starting at 5:00.

Others placing for the team included:

Second Place: Aly Hamilton in the 100-meter dash; Katie Weiler in the 800, 1600, and 3200 meter runs.

Third Place: Abby VanDusen long jump; Aly Hamilton 200-meter dash.

Fourth Place: Marissa Oakes long jump; Abby VanDusen pole vault; Sommer VanDyke 800-meter run; 800-meter relay team of Emily Shaft, Sayge Wight, Samantha Robinson, and Olivia Finch.

The Lady Red Hawks Varsity softball team went three for three on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the Larry Cantu Invitational in Fruitport. They posted wins over Kent City, Fruitport, and Orchard View to wrap up another very successful weekend.

In the first game of the day, the Red Hawks faced Kent City and were down early. After the top of the first inning they trailed 4-0. Cedar Springs came back firing, quickly extinguishing Kent City’s lead and posting 4 runs of their own. The Red Hawks controlled the rest of the game until the 6^th inning, when Kent City took the 9-8 lead. Cedar Springs entered the bottom of the 6^th inning down by one run. The winning rally started when junior Abby Olszewski got a base hit with already 2 outs. Freshman Aubree Mouthaan came to the plate next, for Cedar Springs, with Olszewski on first, and hit a double. With runners on second and third for Cedar Springs, sophomore Brittany Robinson hit a line drive to score the two runs, which put Cedar Springs in the winning column on this walk off hit. Senior pitcher Taylor Nielsen picked up the win for the Red Hawks and also went 3 for 4 with a double, plus scoring three times. Abby Olszewski went 2 for 3 scoring twice. Aubree Mouthaan went 3 for 3 with 2 doubles, 3 RBIs, and scoring 3 times, while Brittany Robinson went 3 for 3 with 1 RBI. The Red Hawks beat Kent City in game one, 10-9.

Game 2 was a great team effort for Cedar Springs as multiple players got on base against a very strong Fruitport team. Taylor Nielsen was the winning pitcher and also went 2 for 2 with a double and RBI. Junior Nicki Luevano went 2 for 3 in this game as well. Cedar Springs defeated Fruitport in game two, 7-2.

For game 3, Cedar Springs was back in the championship game for the third straight year. Standing in the Red Hawks’ way was one of Muskegon County’s most dominant teams, the Cardinals of Orchard View. Cedar Springs jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead and led most of the game. In the 6^th inning, Orchard View rallied to tie the game at 4 apiece. In the bottom of the 7^th, Nielsen started out with a single and Olszewski moved her to second on a SAC hit. With one out, the Cardinals now elected to load the bases. Mouthaan and Robinson were both walked and bases remained loaded. Sophomore Brittany Todd had the winning hit to centerfield for Cedar Springs and Nielsen scored the winning run on another walk off hit. Nielsen went 2 for 2 and scored 3 runs while Mouthaan went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI’s. Freshman Allison Arnold pitched her way to the victory for Cedar Springs.

Congrats to the Cedar Springs Varsity Softball team, the 2012 Larry Cantu Invitational Champions.

After being conference champions the past two years, the Hawks had to settle for runners-up this season. After a great start on day one (led by 10 points), Sparta out-performed Cedar for the conference title. Along the way, the boys posted personal bests in twelve of the seventeen events.

“All we wanted the boys to do was to be focused on setting personal bests. If they could do that, then we could walk away knowing we gave it our best shot,” said Coach Myers. “We knew coming into the season that we would have a difficult time defending the conference title. We performed better than expected at the conference meet. We have a tough group of athletes that expect to be better each time they compete.”

Earning all conference honors this season were Derek Ash, Connor Mora, Aaron Brooks, Alex Bray, Aaron Dault and Austin Sargent.

The Cedar Springs Middle School boys track team continued their strong tradition with a seventh consecutive undefeated season at 7 wins and 0 losses. In the past 18 years, the boys have posted 15 undefeated seasons.

The team ended their season by splitting into separate grade level teams to compete in two conference championship invitationals. The 7th grade team placed first at their conference meet, earning championship honors with 177 points. The teams’ nearest competitor was Sparta, who finished second with 108 points.

The 8th grade team avenged a second place conference finish from last year by outscoring the defending champion Kenowa Hills Knights 149 to 124. The team also combined with the seventh graders to defeat the previously undefeated Knights in dual meet competition by a score of 76 to 60.

One school record was broken this year. Cameron Umphrey eclipsed Austin Sargent’s record in the 3200-meter run by running a time of 10:37.3.

The track team enjoyed a great season due to their hard work, dedication and commitment to individually do what was necessary to make the team a success. Coach Martens and Coach Banagis would like to congratulate all team members on a fantastic season. A special thank you to all parents, staff members, high school coaches and athletes for always cheering our team on and for running great home meets.

Singles Paige Gebhardt

Singles Kristen Bull

Cedar Spring Tennis posted their 7th win of the season by defeating Kellogsville 5 to 3, on Wednesday, May 2. Paige Gebhardt and Anna Frausin got off to a slow start but showed to be true competitors by stretching their opponents to the limit in their loss at #1 and #2 singles. The #3 and #4 singles, Kristen Bull and Samantha Alger easily bested their opponents 6-0, 6-3 and 6-1, 6-1 respectively. Megan Brunett and Shannon Leal, #1 doubles, defeated their opponents 6-4, 6-3 in a match of long volleys and amazing shots by both teams. Katie Schumann played one of her best matches of the season having to adjust to a new partner and new position receiving. Samantha Durkee, the #13 girl and Katie’s partner, was pushed into the line-up at the last minute because of the regular, Jess Blackmer, being sick. Despite a 6-2, 6-4 loss both girls began to click in the 2nd set and almost turned the match around. The #3s, Molly VonSeggern & Bayley Wolfe improved as their match wore on and defeated their opponents 7-6, 6-2. Their match was peppered with impossible gets, long rallies and stiff determination. One of the last matches of the day, along with Anna’s 3-setter, was a 3-set win by Monica West and Julie Schut 6-1, 5-7, 6-4. This match clinched the team win at the end of the day.

Red Hawk tennis outscores Greenville

Cedar Spring Girls Tennis defeated Greenville 5 matches to 3 last Friday, May 4. The #1 doubles girls, Megan Brunett and Shannon Leal, defeated their opponents 6-4,6-4 and the #3 doubles, Bailey Wolfe and Molly VonSeggern, bested their opponents 6-3,6-0. Both doubles team showed great concentration in their wins. The #4 doubles, Julie Schut and Monica West, were defeated 6-3,6-4 while the #2s, Katie Schumann and Samantha Durkee, extended their opponents to three sets in their 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 defeat.

Singles Samantha Alger

The singles won three of the four matches and an almost, in the fourth. Playing without the #1, Paige Gebhardt, not in the line-up because of a family matter, saw everyone moved up a level. Jessica Blackmer defeated her opponent at #4 6-4,6-2. Samantha Alger was defeated in a 3-set affair 1-6, 6-2,6-3, while Kristen Bull at #2 came out on top 6-3,6-2. The last match to finish of the day was the #1 singles Anna Frausin. The match lasted more than 2 hours and ended with an overtime tiebreaker in the 3rd set. Anna prevailed 1-6, 6-2,7-6 (11-9), which gave Cedar Springs the fifth match and the win for the day.

This win brought the Red Hawks to 8-2, and they finish the season at league and regionals in mid-May.

Jeanette Sukstas in shotput

Taylor Vanlangen in long jump

Tuesday May 1 the Girls track team traveled to Comstock Park and defeated the Sparta 83 to 54 and Comstock Park 111.5 to 20.5. The team finishes in first place in the OK Blue with a 6 and 0 record is 9 and 1 overall. This is the first time in school history the Girls track team has finished the conference dual season in first place.  Katie Weiler set a new OK Blue record in the 1600 meter run with a time of 5:06.6.

The team competes for the outright conference championship on Thursday May 10 and Friday May 11 at Belding.

Placing and scoring points for the Red Hawks in the meet was:

First place: Kenzie Weiler 400, 3200 meter runs; Rieley Hondalus in the high jump; Katie Weiler 800 and 1600 meter runs; Aly Hamilton 100 and 200 meter dashes; Marissa Oakes 100 and 300 hurdles; Abby VanDusen long jump and pole vault; Jeanette Sukstas shot put and discus;3200-meter relay team of Sommer VanDyke, Maddie Pekrul, Katie Weiler, and Kenzie Weiler; 1600 meter relay team of Rieley Hondalus, Aly Hamilton, Katie Weiler, and Sommer VanDyke;

400-meter relay team of Rieley Hondalus, Marissa Oakes, Abby VanDusen, and Aly Hamilton.

Second place: Marissa Oakes long jump; Maddie Pekrul 1600 and 3200-meter runs; Emily Shaft 400-meter dash; Briana Person high jump and pole vault; Kayla Bohy discus; Fenessa Cotton 300-meter hurdles; Sommer VanDyke 800-meter run.

Third place: Sommer VanDyke 1600-meter run; Abby VanDusen 300-meter hurdles; Sayge Wight 200-meter dash; Rieley Hondalus long jump; Shaelyn Fasel shot put.

Girls track team takes fourth in home invitational

Saturday, May 5, the Cedar Springs girls track team hosted the Red Hawk Team invitational and scored 650.5 points to place fourth behind three division 1 teams. Rockford was first with 778 points, followed by Jenison 747.5 and Greenville 723.

Kenzie Weiler took first in the 3200-meter run with a new meet and Red Hawk Stadium record with a time of 10:58.70.

Also placing first was the 3200-meter relay team of Sommer VanDyke, Maddie Pekrul, Katie Weiler and Kenzie Weiler.

The team is leading the OK Blue conference and are preparing for the conference finals on Thursday May 10 and Friday May 11 at Belding. Thursday events start at 4:00 and Friday starts at 6:00.

Placing in the top 6 was:

Second Place: Rieley Hondalus long jump; Kenzie Weiler 1600 meter run; the 400-meter relay team of Marissa Oakes, Sayge Wight, Abby VanDusen, and Aly Hamilton.

Third Place: Abby VanDusen long jump; Aly Hamilton 100 and 400 meter dash; Katie Weiler 800 and 1600-meter run; 1600-meter relay team of Emily Shaft, Sommer VanDyke, Rieley Hondalus, and Katie Weiler.

Sixth Place: Maddie Pekrul 3200-meter run

Girls take fifth at JV invitational in Lakeview

On Monday, May 7, a small number of Girls track team members traveled to Lakeview for a JV Invite. The team scored 43 points and placed 5th in the meet.

Placing in the top 6 was:

First Place: Emily Shaft 400-meter dash;

Third Place: Shanye Mann 3200-meter run; 800-meter relay team of Kellie Spahr, Sayge Wight, Mara Ellison, and Olivia Finch.

Fourth Place: Taylor Vanlangen long jump; Emily Shaft 200-meter dash.

Fifth Place: Emily Shaft 100-meter dash; Shanye Mann 1600-meter run; Charlene King 3200-meter run.

Sixth Place: Kayla Bohy Shot put; Caitlin McCurken 800 and 1600-meter runs.

After suffering their first conference dual meet loss since 2008, the Red Hawk boys track team came to the Red Hawk Invite to defend last year’s title. Last Tuesday, May 1, the Hawks traveled to Comstock Park to compete one last time in the OK Blue. They defeated the Panthers 114-23, while suffering defeat to Sparta 92.5-44.5.

“Sometimes, our best effort isn’t quite good enough and that is what happened tonight,” said Coach Jeff Myers. “We didn’t match up well versus Sparta. They have the four fastest relay teams in the league and tonight; we gave them 20 points by losing those four events. We ended a great run in the league by going 17-1 in three seasons of dual meets,” he added. “One good point was that we recognized that nearly two-thirds of the boys set personal bests in one of their events. Improving at each competition and giving our best effort are the positives we took from this.”

On Saturday, May 5, the Hawks entertained seven other schools in their annual invitational. After an exciting day of races, jumps and throws, the Hawks defended their 2011 title and claimed victory again by 9.5 points over Kenowa Hills. “We had three new teams entered this year. Cadillac, Reed City and Greenville brought us new challenges. After ten events, we were down by two points to Jenison. After the 800m run, we not only passed them, but kept Kenowa Hills and Cadillac from sneaking past us. This was the closest finish that we have ever had,” noted Myers. “For the most part, we competed at a high level today, as has been happening each meet this year, as we have continuously lowered our times or improved our field events.”

Leading the way for the Hawks were two record breaking performances by junior Connor Mora. He set two new school records by running 4:13.55 in the 1600m run and 1:56.62 in the 800m run (also stadium and meet records). Junior Aaron Dault also achieved two wins in the 110m and 300m hurdles. Other medal winners for Cedar Springs included a third place by the 3200m relay team (Mora, Alex Bray, Austin Sargent, and Aaron Brooks); Derek Ash in the discus (4^th); Rylan Ash in the discus (6^th); Dault in the long jump (3^rd); Nate Jones in the high jump (3^rd); Dault in the high jump (4^th); Brandon Sipka in the 400m dash (5^th); and Brooks in the 3200m run (4^th).

The Junior Varsity traveled to Lakeview on Monday for the annual Wildcat Invitational. They will finish the week Thursday and Friday at Belding for their last OK Blue Conference Meet. The Hawks enter the meet seeded second and look to knock off their rivals from Sparta. Action begins at 3:45 on Thursday with field events and preliminary and semi-final races. Friday begins with boy’s pole-vaulting at 3:45, followed by the finals at 6:00.

The Cedar Springs Boy’s JV Golf team was back in action competing in two OK-Blue events last week. Monday, the crew traveled to Ridgeview in Belding and carded a 210, which was good for 5th. Aeron White led the way with a 47, Hunter Chamberlin 48, Logan Tackmann, Kendall Vanputten and Nick Moorman each shot 59’s. Wednesday’s match was at Egypt Valley and the team shot a 229, which was good for 6th. White and Chamberlin had 53’s, Mooreman a 61 and Tackmann, Vanputten and Will Stockreef 62’s. “It was a weird week weather-wise,” said White. “We struggled through it though.”

Red Hawk sophomore, Collin Hickok keeps the runner close at first base.

Hawks defeat Sparta with shutout

On Tuesday, April 24, the Cedar Springs Boys Varsity baseball team got their first win by defeating Sparta, 2-0 in an exciting conference game.

Junior Justin Louck got the win by pitching a complete game—a shut out—striking out 9 batters, allowing just one hit and one walk. The Hawks defense, led by seniors Tyler Covell, Austin Wamser and Jason Flanagin, proved solid in keeping the Spartans off the scoreboard. On offense, the Hawks had 6 key hits. Austin Wamser, Jason Flanagin, Justin Louck, Collin Hickok, Steven Wylie and Danny Wier all contributed one hit each. Hawks RBIs came off the bats of Justin Louck and Jason Flanagin, each driving in one run.

Head coach Steve Saboo said that he was proud of this team effort and congratulates the boys on this victory.

Tyler Hindenach in the pole vault

The Hawks traveled to Forest Hills Northern last Tuesday to take on the Huskies in OK Blue conference action.

The meet began with the Hawks competing and getting results from their field event athletes. They finished with 26 out of 36 points, not including the pole vault, after four events. Things didn’t quite go as planned in the running events, as their four relays didn’t post one win during the evening.

MavRick Cotten handing off to Nate Jones in the 800m relay.

After allowing the Huskies to climb back into the contest with those 20 points, the Hawks had their backs to the wall. However, with surprising performances from Casey VanEss in the 100m dash (third), Brandon Sipka in the 400m dash (first), freshman MavRick Cotton in the 300m hurdles (second) and Ilan Cabarello and VanEss in the 200m dash (second and third), the Hawks were in a position to clinch the meet after the 3200m run. Once again, the Hawks were faced with adversity as they finished second and third in the event. That left them with 67 points and the conclusion of the pole vault to come out victorious. Sophomore vaulters Tyler Hindenach and Dalton VanEss pulled through for their team and gained the points needed to win their eighth consecutive meet this year 71-66.

Also recording important points for the Hawks were Derek Ash (first in the shot put and discus); Connor Ackerman (second in the discus), Rylan Ash (second in the shot put and third in discus); Andy DiPiazza (third in the shot put); Aaron Dault (second in the long jump, third in the high jump and two wins in the hurdle races); Kaden Myers (third in the long jump); Nate Jones (second in the high jump); MavRick Cotton (third in the high hurdles); Connor Mora (first in the 1600m and 800m runs and third in the 3200m run); and Aaron Brooks (second in the 3200m run).

“In my 13th year of coaching, I don’t remember ever winning a meet and not winning a relay,” said Coach Jeff Myers. “Losing four relay events usually means disaster for some teams—but not this meet. They didn’t lose their focus, drop their heads or complain about anything. They knew that they had to perform better and did so. The coaches continued to encourage and discuss how they had to compete to keep it rolling. They showed us a lot of guts today,” he remarked.

The track and field team competes on Tuesday when they travel to Comstock Park to take on the Panthers and Sparta in their last OK Blue league meet of the season then hosts the annual Red Hawk Invitational at Red Hawk Stadium on Saturday.