Marsman takes third at state

It has been a challenging year. Amidst the global pandemic, high school students have missed out on many of the joys of the teenage years. Sports, dances, plays and social events have been hard to come by. The students have also learned to persevere and overcome the curveballs life may throw. 

On Friday, April 2, Red Hawk Varsity wrestlers Trevor Marsman, Landon Demorest, and Keeton Klaasen earned the right to compete in the MHSAA State Championships at Van Andel Arena. It was a blessing and a wonderful experience that the boys and their families will forever be grateful for. Landon Demorest and Keeton Klaasen battled with all their might and will return to lead the Red Hawks next season. Trevor Marsman capped off his epic career with a 3rd place finish. “Pee Wee” Marsman ends his days in the Red Hawk singlet second all-time with 181 wins. He becomes the sixth three-time state medalist in school history, a two-time All Conference selection and a Kent County Champion. 

The team earned Academic All State honors for the second time in three years, with a cumulative GPA of 3.25. Freshmen Nate Moore and Nate Slager topped the charts over 4.1. Former MYWA President Scott Marsman earned the Assistant Coach of the Year award from the Michigan Wrestling Association, and Senior Andrew Van Gessel hit the 100-win milestone.

 “Wrestling is a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck. It’s more fun when you win but you can learn more through the losses,” explained Head Coach Nick Emery “I’m thankful for all the athletes who came out and wrestled for us. We had a memorable season and I look forward to being in the corner for these kids in the future.”

Last Monday was opening day for our Cedar Springs baseball team.  The varsity hosted the Lowell Red Arrows.  Aiden Brunin started on the mound.  He threw four solid innings, striking out six and walking only one. Senior Trenton Snoeyink came in the 5th inning and pitched 2 2/3, striking out 7 and walking 2.  Freshman switch pitcher Walker Glyshaw took the hill in the bottom of the 7th to get Lowell’s lead-off hitter to ground out and earn the save.  

Snoeyink earned the victory on the mound and also led the team in hitting with a single and a double.  Brunin, Logan Petty, Dylan Knauf, and Jeremy Campione each had singles in the game as well. Senior catcher Dylan Greenland also had a single, and threw out two Red Arrow baserunners as well.  All in all, Coach Glyshaw was pleased with a victory. 

“We made some mistakes, but were able to overcome those mistakes by hustling and capitalizing on opportunities when given the chance,” he said.

On Tuesday, the Panthers of Comstock Park traveled north for a single game.  Senior Dylan Knauf was the starting pitcher for the Red Hawks. He allowed only two hits as he pitched four solid innings, striking out 6 and walking only 1.  Glyshaw came out of the bullpen to strike out 6 Panthers over the final three innings, allowing only one hit.  

Brunin led the team at the plate with a pair of singles. Campione, Knauf and Alec McDonald each contributed with one hit apiece.  The Red Hawks were able to capitalize on a series of walks, which led to half a dozen stolen bases. Nate Mullins, Isaac Rypma, Logan Petty and Cayden Steinebach did a great job running bases. Steinebach himself scored 3 times.  The final score was 8-1 in favor of the Red Hawks.

On Wednesday the boys hit the road and traveled to Fremont to play a single game in the frozen north.  The temperature dropped about 20 degrees from the previous two games with a wind chill below freezing. Mother nature being uncooperative, along with some sore arms, made for a miserable afternoon as the Red Hawks fell to the Packers 15-0.  Willy Zain took the loss on the mound.

The varsity finished their first week with a record of 2-1 as they headed into Spring Break.

Their upcoming games will be against Forest Hills Eastern. Tuesday, April 13 will be a double header at FHE. Thursday, April 15 will be a single game at home.  Game times are 4:15.

After being forced to sit out a 2020 baseball season, the Cedar Springs Junior Varsity team was able to begin the 2021 season in the last week of March 2021.  After falling to the Lowell Red Arrows on opening day, 13 to 10, the team was able to address some issues and win the next two games with Comstock Park 12 -2 and with Fremont 5 -3. Leading the team with 6 hits in the three games was Parker Vaughn, a freshman who was playing up one level.  Three other freshman, Bryce Luevano, Zach Reed, and Hunter Hendges were also invited to play with the junior varsity team.  Others on the team with multiple hits for the three games were Clayton Oosting with 4, and Haydon Koepke and Braydon Gregory, each with three hits. Hunter Hendges was the winning pitcher of the Fremont game, pitching a complete game and recording 7 strikeouts in the game. 

“Despite being the first high school baseball games for all of the players, they were able to come together and compete very well as a team with contributions from each player individually,” said Coach Joel Oosting. “With the team entering in to a weak off for Spring Break, they hope to return in strong fashion by continuing to learn and grow and continue to compete at a high level.”

They will have both a double header on Tuesday at home followed by a single game on Thursday against Forest Hills Eastern when they return.

 EAST LANSING, Mich. – April 7 – The Michigan High School Athletic Association is seeking student-athletes to become members of its Student Advisory Council beginning with the 2021-22 school year.

Four boys and four girls from the Class of 2023 will be selected to two-year terms, and will meet on matters related to maintaining and promoting a proper perspective and sensible scope for high school sports in Michigan. Eight members from the Class of 2022 already are serving on the Council, while eight members from the Class of 2021 are leaving the Council this spring.

To be eligible for the committee, candidates must be a member of the Class of 2023, complete the official application including answering the three short-answer questions, submit a letter of recommendation from a school administrator, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and be available for all scheduled meetings.

In addition, candidates should show a history of leadership on athletic teams as well as with other extracurricular activities, community service projects, or in the workplace; and show an understanding of the role of school sports and have ideas for promoting a proper perspective for educational athletics.

Applications are due to the MHSAA by 4:30 p.m. on April 28. Applications can be downloaded from the Student Advisory Council page of the MHSAA Website and must be returned via e-mail. The link to the MHSAA page is https://www.mhsaa.com/Schools/Students/Student-Advisory-Council.

The Student Advisory Council meets six times each school year, and once more for a 24-hour leadership camp. In addition to assisting in the promotion of the educational value of interscholastic athletics, the Council discusses issues dealing with the 4 S’s of educational athletics: scholarship, sportsmanship, safety (including health and nutrition) and the sensible scope of athletic programs. A fifth S – student leadership – is also a common topic. Members contribute in planning Sportsmanship Summits, Captains Clinics and other student leadership events, and assist with medal ceremonies at MHSAA championship events.

Newly-chosen members will join the following from the Class of 2022: Brinlee Barry, Caledonia; Faith Breinager, Frankenmuth; Amina Ferris, Dearborn; Nicolas Johnson, Britton Deerfield; Brenna Kosal, Peck; Ashton McNabb, Three Oaks River Valley; Brock Porter, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s; and Melik Williams, Ypsilanti Lincoln.

The eight new members of the Student Advisory Council will be notified by May 7. The 2021-22 meetings are tentatively scheduled for Aug. 29, Oct. 3, Dec. 5, Feb. 13, April 24 and May 15. Meetings will take place at the MHSAA Office in East Lansing. Additional video meetings will also be scheduled throughout the year. For more information, contact Andy Frushour at the MHSAA – 517-332-5046 or andy@mhsaa.com.

For the third year in a row, the Cedar Springs Competitive Cheer team earned a spot on the big blue mat at the Division Two State Finals Championship Competition. The top eight teams from the state met at the Breslin Center at Michigan State University, on Saturday, March 27, to battle for the coveted first place trophy.

The Lady Red Hawks kicked off the event with a solid round one performance, but when scores were announced, they found themselves at the bottom of the pack with a score of 225.9. But the tenacity of Team 2021 could not be shaken. They stepped onto the mat for round two, more determined than ever and clawed their way to 6th place with a score of 222.2.

A nervous energy filled the stadium during round three and impacted every team. Stunts were dropped by most of the teams and ours was no exception. At the end of the competition, the eight teams huddled on the floor of the Breslin Center and anxiously awaited the announcement of the scores. Not one team felt secure in their standings. The CSHS Lady Red Hawks leapt to their feet in excitement when their name was announced as earning 6th place with a round three score of 309.3 and an overall score of 757.42.

The talent of the teams participating in the event was astounding and to have had an opportunity to compete in the 2021 Michigan Division Two State Finals is a testament to the character of this team. Upon reflecting upon the season, Coach Anne Olsweski offered the following comments. 

“I can honestly say that this was the toughest season of my coaching career. And for clarification, it was not the girls! The abrupt starts and stops. The constant fear of contact tracing. Zoom practices! I wish we had more time with the freshmen who were just starting to get it and with the seniors who I have been on some crazy roads with these last few years—you will all leave a huge hole in my heart! You can do anything you put your mind to and this season proved it!” 

Congratulations Team 2021! #UNITED

Two Cedar Springs bowlers competed at the State level the weekend of March 26. 

Unfortunately, Cody Marshall, from the boys team, was not able to compete because of covid tracing. The girls competing were Chloe Fisk and Nicole Baker. The girls battled and bowled well and finished in the top 60. Congratulations to Nicole for making it to State her senior year.

Wishing all our Senior bowlers amazing futures. Looking forward to seeing our bowlers next season.

GIRLS BASKETBALL:  

Kaelyn Colclasure

Avery Sparling

Darrah Miller

WRESTLING:               

 Keaton Klaasen

Trevor Marsman

 Nolan Myers

BOYS BASKETBALL:    

Honorable Mention: 

Aiden Brunin

COMPETITIVE CHEER:  

Sophia Dault

Kathryn Roth

Abbey Salisbury

Paige Castor

Lauren Sherburn

Jasmine Zimmer

Honorable Mention:

Sarah Adkison 

Hannah Wright

BOWLING:                    

Ethan Plummer

Cody Marshall

Chloe Fisk

Nicole Baker

Honorable Mention:

Kayla Walters

Team 2021 continues the Cedar Springs High School tradition of excellence in competitive cheer as they claimed their spot on the big blue mat at the Michigan Competitive Cheer State Finals, which will be held at the Breslin Center in East Lansing on Saturday, March 27.

The excitement began on Saturday, March 20, when the Lady Red Hawks squared off against 13 teams at DeWitt High School for District Finals and an opportunity to advance further into the postseason if they placed in the top four. Despite facing the challenge of losing a teammate to contact tracing, these young female athletes stepped onto the blue mat and executed one of their best performances of the season and earned 2nd place with a score of 757.22!  

Coach Olszewski enthusiastically offered these comments about her team. “I just want to tell you how incredibly proud and amazed I am by these young women on this team. It’s a true testament to their hard work and the skill set they have worked to attain. I spent most of the season holding my breath, reminding them they can do anything they put their minds to, and hoping we stay healthy. These girls are awesome and resilient, and I know if there is a group that can do it, it’s this one!”

With only two days to rest, the girls hit the mat again to compete against the top teams in West Michigan at the regional finals at Kenowa Hills High School on Tuesday, March 23. The Lady Red Hawks gave three solid performances in the first session of the competition and had to leave the competition without knowing their round three score or how their scores would stack up against the powerhouse teams competing in session two. The girls watched the second session at Cedar View Elementary and anxiously waited for the results from each round. At the conclusion of the event, the girls huddled in a circle on the floor of the school and leapt to their feet in excitement when they learned that they had placed third, with a score of 754.58, and earned their place at State finals, for the third year in a row!

Job well done Team 2021! Good luck at State Finals! #UNITED

Three qualify for state

Red Hawk bowlers competed in Post Conference tournament on March 13.  They had a great time and put forth a valiant effort with the boys taking 2nd place and the girls taking 3^rd place.

Making it to the All Conference team were Chloe Fisk, Nicole Baker, Ethan Plummer, Cody Marshall and honorable mention Kayla Walters.

The All Tournament team for the Red Hawks were Chloe Fisk, Nicole Baker, Katelin Kooiman, Ethan Plummer, and Cody Marshall.  Congratulations to Cody Marshall, Chloe Fisk and Nicole Baker for qualifying for State.

The team would like to give a big thank you to our coaches Bryan Russell and Crystal Morales. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Congratulations to all our bowlers!

CTA wraps up up the basketball season

The 20-21 season for the Varsity Lady Chargers was a great one filled with many learning opportunities. The Lady Chargers started the season with five returning players. Many players were new to basketball or had to fill new roles. Overall, the girls learned a lot as a team and their unity remained strong and spirits were high, despite the many challenges. Captains Ruby Tompkins and Molly Wortz led the Chargers with their positive energy and focused on the job ahead of them. Sophomore Taylor Dells stepped into the point guard role and led the Chargers in scoring. Alison Fisk led in rebounds, and first year player Lydia Romancky earned herself a starting role. The Lady Chargers look forward to working hard for next season, as well as learning and growing together as a team. All-conference Awards went to senior Ruby Tompkins, junior Molly Wortz, and junior Alison Fisk.

The 20-21 CTA boys Varsity basketball team endured injuries and missing players throughout the season to persevere through practices and games. Coach Eric Besmer had one returning starter from last year: senior John Wortz. Besmer noted that several players including juniors Evan Besmer and Ethan Watson; sophomore Parker Tompkins; and freshman Jake Perry stepped up their game this year in various ways. “We had newcomers this year that showed lots of growth, and I am looking forward to the years ahead,” shared Coach Besmer. CTA had a 2-8 league record and 1-1 tournament record.

The 2021 CTA middle school girls basketball team had a great season for their second year in the program. The girls finished 4-4 and 1 tied game. Coach Justin Harding was impressed with how the girls responded to the challenges of having minimal practice time and so many games in a short time span. The Middle School Lady Chargers were led by team Captains, eighth graders Alyssa Bishop and Katie Christie. “I am proud of the team,” commended Coach Harding. “They stayed focused in every game and they never stopped giving 100%. I look forward to the future of the Lady Chargers Basketball program at CTA”.