Tuesday, April 24, the Red Hawk girls track team traveled to Forest Hills Northern and defeated the Huskies 77 to 60. The team is now in first place in the OK Blue with a 4 and 0 record is 7 and 1 overall. The Red Hawks are leading West Catholic and Sparta, who both have 3 and 1 records.

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

1^st Place: Kenzie Weiler 800, 1600 and 3200 meter runs; Rieley Hondalus in the long jump; 3200 meter relay team of Sommer VanDyke, Maddie Pekrul, Katie Weiler, and Kenzie Weiler; 1600 meter relay team of Emily Shaft, Aly Hamilton, Allie Veltkamp, and Sommer VanDyke.400 meter relay team of Rieley Hondalus, Marissa Oakes, Abby VanDusen, and Aly Hamilton

Second Place: Marissa Oakes 100 hurdles and long jump; Katie Weiler 800, 1600, and 3200 meter runs; Aly Hamilton 100 and 200 meter dash; Jeanette Sukstas shot put; Abby VanDusen 300 hurdles and pole vault; Sommer VanDyke 400 meter dash; Rieley Hondalus high jump.

Third Place: Jeanette Sukstas discus; Emily Shaft 400 meter dash; Brianna Pierson high jump; Fenessa Cotten 300 hurdles; Abby VanDusen 100 hurdles; Maddie Pekrul 3200 meter run.

Red Hawk singles players Samantha Alger #4, Paige Gebhardt #1, Kristen Bull #3 and Anna Frausin #2.

CS Tennis defeated Big Rapids 4 to 3 in a rain-shorted match at Big Rapids on April 25.

Winning were Anna Frausin at #2 singles, #1 Doubles Megan Brunett & Shannon Leal, #2 doubles Jess Blackmer & Katie Schumann (6-0, 6-0 wow), and #3 doubles Bailey Wolfe & Molly VonSeggern. # 4 doubles Julie Schut & Monica West were up 4-3 when the rains came. The team is 6 and 2 on the season with a busy schedule this week in preparation for the League Tourney May 12.

Ryan Ringler, age 11, son of Paul and Jane Ringler of Cedar Springs, has learned from a early age what it takes to be a champion. When many kids are enjoying video games and watching TV after school, Ryan and his brother Jordan are on a wrestling mat. The Ringler boys began wrestling as early as their preschool days. Over these years, the boys have become accustom to starting the season in November and practicing most days of the week for half of the year. This commitment and determination leads them to the annual spring state finals and also the national tournament for youth wrestling—the two largest and most meaningful competitions for every wrestler.

All the time, effort and hard work paid off just two weeks ago, when Ryan accomplished his goal by taking state champion, for the third time, for Michigan. He pinned every opponent. And this past week, he attended the national competition and was awarded the National Champion title for the 100-pound weight class. This was Ryan’s first individual national title. Only the top four wrestlers in each state could participate in this prestigious competition.

Ryan is no stranger to a national championship. This past winter, he tried out and was accepted on to the elite, (MyWay) Michigan, travel team. They battled against several elite, out of state teams. At the end of these duals, Michigan conquered and took home the champion title. Ryan had contributed to this national victory, as he pulled out a win every time he took the mat.

When asked about the state and national tournaments, Ryan never questioned if he could do it. He believed in himself and this was his year. He prepared and worked out, even on those days he didn’t feel like exerting himself. Given the tough, frustrating, contact sport that wrestling is, and the practice time that it takes to be successful, Ryan showed commitment, respect for his fellow wrestlers and for the officials.  He continually presented a good attitude and sportsmanship. That is what his family is truly proud of.

Ryan’s older brother Jordan also made the national team. Both boys will continue to travel with these teams this summer. Jordan placed 3rd at the state finals and should be given much credit for Ryan’s success, due to the motivation and help given to his younger brother all year.

Cedar Springs Senior Tiffany Karger committed to play college basketball for Concordia University—Ann Arbor on Thursday, April 19. Concordia plays in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC). Tiffany will be studying pre-med with a major in Physical Therapy. She played four years of varsity girls basketball for the Red Hawks. In 2010 she was honorable mention in the OK-Blue Conference, and in both 2011 and 2012 she made the All-Conference Team, Advance All-Area North 1st Team, and was a Grand Rapids Press All-Area Honorable Mention.

Tiffany averaged 16.1 points per game, 34.1 percent 3-points, 7.86 rebounds and 72.7 percent free throws.

Her senior year she led the OK-Blue Conference in points (338), 3-point shots made (29) and free throws made (101).

Cedar Springs has had only had five other girls that have gone on to play at the college level and completed their four years of playing college basketball.

Class of 1997 - Autumn Mattson (Waite)  – Lake Superior State University

Class of 1998 – Katie Trolla (Wolfe) – Oakland University

Class of 2001 – Jennifer Booth (Rausch) – Davenport

Class of 2005 – Marissa Anderson (Walker) – Calvin

Class of 2007 – Elyse Schlump – Concordia

Kaden Myers in the long jump

The Red Hawk boys track and field team competed last Tuesday and Saturday. On Tuesday, April 17, they hosted Coopersville. The Hawks improved to 3-0 in the OK Blue and 7-0 overall by beating the Broncos 83.33-53.66. Wins were posted in the long jump (Aaron Dault), high jump (Nate Jones), the 3200m relay (Austin Sargent, Aaron Brooks, Alex Bray, and Connor Mora), the 800m relay team (Casey VanEss, Brandon Sipka, Ilan Cabarello, and Mathias Mair), the 400m relay team (Casey VanEss, Sean Thompson, Ilan Cabarello, and Derek Ash), 110m and 300m hurdles (Dault), and 1600m, 3200m and 800m runs (Mora).

Connor Mora in the 3200m relay

“Going into the meet, we realized that we had to have a really good day to come out of here victorious,” said Coach Jeff Myers. “It was an extremely close meet until the 800m relay. After we won that and the 400m relay, we just had to finish our events without disqualifications.”

On Saturday, April 21, the Hawks ventured north for the first time to the Warrior Invitational at Chippewa Hills High School. Thirteen boys teams competed in two divisions. After a busy and competitive day, the Hawks came out winning their division by posting 158.38 points over second place Alma, who scored 136. Other schools that competed in the Hawk’s division were Traverse City West, Big Rapids, Chesaning, Chippewa Hills and Gaylord.

Sean Thompson and Ilan Cabarello in the 400m relay

Along the way, junior Connor Mora set a new school record while winning the 1600m run. Previously set in 2006 by Landon Peacock (state champion in ’06 and University of Wisconsin), Mora’s new time is 4:16.43. Other medal winners on the day were; Brandon Sipka in the 400m dash (7th); Mora in the 800m run (1st); Aaron Brooks and Austin Sargent in the 1600m run (4th and 5th); Brooks was 3rd in the 3200m run; Aaron Dault and MavRick Cotton in the 110m high hurdles (3rd and 7th); Dault in the 300m hurdles (4th); the 400m relay of Casey VanEss, Sean Thompson, Ilan Cabarello, and Derek Ash were 6th; the 3200m relay team of Brooks, Bray, Sargent, and Mora were second; the 1600m relay team of Bray, Sargent, Mathias Mair and Kaden Myers were sixth; Derek and Rylan Ash were second and fourth in the discus and fifth and seventh in the shot put; Nate Jones was fourth in the high jump; and Dault was fourth in the long jump.

“Overall, we had a good day. All we ask of the kids is to work hard during practice to show improvement when we compete. We had almost everyone improve in their individual events, while three relay teams improved their times. Because of the number of teams and competitors in the events, it was very difficult to keep track of the score during the meet. This was a good meet for us in regards to seeing new opponents and evaluating what our strengths and weaknesses are,” stated Coach Myers.

The track and field team competed on Tuesday this week when they traveled to Forest Hills Northern in an OK Blue league meet. See next week’s Post for results.

The Cedar Springs Boys’ JV Golf Team officially began their season this past week playing at Greenville in a tri-meet and starting the OK Blue season at Comstock Park. At Glenkerry in Greenville, the squad shot a 203 and finished second.

Hunter Chamberlin shot a career best 42, Aeron White 46, Logan Tackmann 57 and Kendall Vanputten 58 (Logan McGahan 63 and Ryan Bohy 65).

At Scottlake in Comstock Park, the team struggled with a score of 216.  Hunter Chamberlin had a 47, Aeron White 51, Logan Tackmann and Kendall Vanputten a 59 (Nick Moorman 60 and Will Stockreef 62).

“It is early in the season so we are struggling a little,” said Hunter Chamberlin. “As the season moves forward, I predict our scores will get better.”

Taylor Nielsen signs with Argos Of Great Falls University in Montana.

Cedar Springs seniors Taylor Nielsen and Erica Wagner have signed National Letters of Intent to play College Softball.

Taylor Nielsen has signed to play with the Argos of Great Falls University, a Catholic university located in Great Falls Montana. UGF plays in the CAL/PAC Frontier Conference. Taylor will be studying Pre-Med, with a focus of going on to be an Orthopedic Surgeon. Taylor is playing her fourth year on varsity for the Red Hawks. The last 3 seasons she has earned All Conference, All District, All Region, and All Area Honors. Taylor is Team Captain and has earned Individual Academic All State Honors early in the 2012 season. The past three summers she has played travel ball for Elite and the Grand Rapids Blaze.

Erica Wagner signs with the Saints of Aquinas College in Grand Rapids.

Erica Wagner has signed to play with the Saints of Aquinas College, a Catholic college located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Aquinas plays in the Wolverine-Hoosier Conference. Erica is undecided about her major. Erica is playing her fourth year on varsity for the Red Hawks, earning All Conference, All District, All Region, and All Area Honors the last three seasons. Erica is Team Captain and has Earned Individual Academic All State Honors early in the 2012 season. Erica has also played travel ball in the summer with the Superior Sting.

Congratulations and good luck to both girls.

Abby VanDusen (center) in the 100 meter hurdles.

The Girls Varsity track team hosted their first OK Blue meets of the year. In a double dual meet at Red Hawk Stadium the Red Hawks defeated West Catholic by a score of 76 to 59 and Belding 81.5 to 54.5. The teams overall record is now 5-1 and are 2 – 0 in the Ok Blue. The team travels to Chippewa Hills on Saturday April 21 for the Warrior Invitational and on Tuesday April 25 Travel to Forest Hills Northern for an Ok Blue meet.

Placing for the Red Hawks was:

First Place: Jeanette Sukstas shot put and discus; Abby VanDusen long jump;  Aly Hamilton 100 and 200 meter dashes; Kenzie Weiler 1600 and 3200 meter runs; Katie Weiler 800 meter run; 400 Meter relay team of Marissa Oakes, Sayge Wight, Abby Vandusen, and Aly Hamilton; 1600 meter relay team of Riley Hondalus, Aly Hamilton, Katie Weiler, and Sommer VanDyke; 3200 meter relay team of Sommer VanDyke, Maddie Pekrul, Kenzie Weiler, and Katie Weiler.

Second Place: Rieley Hondalus 400 meter dash; Shaelyn Fasel discus; Abby VanDusen pole vault and 100 meter hurdles; Marissa Oakes long jump; Katie Weiler 1600 meter run; Maddie Pekrul 3200 meter run; Briana Pierson high jump; Sommer VanDyke 1600 and 800 meter run.

Third Place: Kayla Bohy discus; Rieley Hondalus high jump; Christina Dean 3200 meter run; Marissa Oakes 200 meter dash; Emily Shaft 400 meter dash.

Spartan Classic

The Girls Varsity Track traveled to Sparta for the Spartan Tri-Level Classic. In the 9th and 10th grade Division the team scored 75 points and placed 4th out of 8 teams. In the 11th and 12th grade division they scored 46.5 points and placed 6th out of 8 teams. Kenzie Weiler won the 3200 meter run and set a new school record with a time of 10:55.55. Also taking first places were Aly Hamilton in the 100 meter dash and the 3200 meter relay team of Emily Shaft, Shayne Mann, Maddie Pekrul and Kenzie Weiler.

Also placing for the Red Hawks was:

Second Place: Aly Hamilton 200 meter dash; Marissa Oakes 100 meter dash and long jump; Katie Weiler 1600 meter run; Abby VanDusen pole vault; 400 meter relay team of Rieley Hondalus, Marissa Oakes, Abby VanDusen, and Aly Hamilton.

Third Place: Maddie Pekrul 1600 meter run; 800 meter relay team of Kellie Spahr, Sayge Wight, Mara Ellison, and Emily Shaft; 3200 meter relay team of  Sommer VanDyke, Kayla Ovokaitys, Allie Veltkamp, and Katie Weiler.

The Red Hawk boys track and field team competed last Tuesday and Saturday. On Tuesday, they hosted a double dual with West Catholic and Belding. The Hawks improved to 6-0 on the young season by beating the Falcons 76-61 and the Redskins 85-52. On Saturday, they traveled to Coopersville to take on seven other schools at the annual Bronco Classic. They Hawks entered three teams—middle school, junior varsity and varsity. The middle school and junior varsity team placed second in their divisions, while the varsity placed fourth. Overall, they placed second.

Leading the way in points for the season are Derek Ash (throws), all-stater Connor Mora (distance), Aaron Brooks (distance), Ilan Cabarello (sprints), Aaron Dault (hurdles), Rylan Ash (throws), and Nate Jones (high jump).

“We showed a lot of improvement from the first week of competition before spring break. We were rusty in some events last Tuesday, but the boys responded well and improved on Saturday. This upcoming week is going to show if we are contenders or not in the hunt for the league title,” stated Coach Myers.

The Hawks hosted Coopersville in a league dual on Tuesday, and then travel to Chippewa Hills for a 14-team invitational on Saturday.

The Cedar Springs girls tennis team defeated Sparta 5 matches to 3 on April 11. Winning were Anna Frausin and Kristen Bull at #2 and #3 singles, and #1 doubles Megan Brunett and Shannon Leal in straight sets. #2 Doubles Jessica Blackmer and Katie Schumann also won in straight sets, and #3 Doubles Molly VanSeggern and Bailey Wolfe in 3 sets.

The Red Hawks then took on Fremont on April 13, winning 8-0. Paige Gebhardt, Cedar’s #1, led the singles girls with a 6-0, 6-0 win against her Fremont opponent. Anna Frausin, Kristen Bull, and Samantha Alger the #2, 3, and 4 girls, also turned out good performances by defeating their opponets.

Cedar Spring also swept the doubles with Megan Brunett and Shannon Leal winning 6-2, 6-2 at #1, Jessica Blackmer and Katie Schumann, the #2 doubles winning 6-1, 6-1, the #3’s Bailey Wolfe and Molly VonSeggern besting their opponents 6-2, 6-2, and finally at #4 doubles, Julie Schut and Monica West winning 6-4, 6-3. After these wins, the team was 4-0.

The team participated in the Sparta Invitational on April 14, where they were edged out by one point by winner Coopersville. They played state champs Forest Hills Northern, on Tuesday, April 17, and were defeated 8-0.