Hometown Happenings articles are a community service for non-profit agencies only. Due to popular demand for placement in this section, we can no longer run all articles. Deadline for articles is Monday at 5 p.m. This is not guaranteed space. Articles will run as space allows. Guaranteed placement is $10, certain restrictions may apply. You now can email your Hometown Happenings to happenings@cedarspringspost.com please include name and phone number for any questions we may have.

CS Youth Football Sign-ups

June 16, 23: Cedar Springs Youth Football sign-ups will be held on Thursday, June 16 and Thursday, June 23 from 6-8 pm at Burger King, Cedar Springs. Flag: 4-7 year olds, Rocket: 3^rd – 6^th grade, Middle: 7^th & 8^th grade. Contact April Victorson, 616-890-5869, a_victorson@yahoo.com. #24,25p

VBS at Cedar Springs UMC

June 20-23 & 25: Catch the Wave of God’s Amazing Love at Surf Shack – 150 Vacation Bible School! June 20-23 from 6 – 8 pm. Grades K-6^th are invited to Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, 140 S. Main St., to discover how to surf through life with God and others! New this year, as we celebrate our 150^th year in this community – 150 Field Day on Saturday June 25^th from 1 – 4 pm at Morley Park! Register online at www.cedarspringsumc.org. For more information, please call the church office at 616-696-1140. #23,24

Dinner at the Legion

June 20: American Legion, 80 S. Main St. Cedar Springs, is hosting a Swiss Steak dinner on Monday, June 20^th, from 5 – 7 pm. Included will be mashed potatoes and gravy, baked beans, veggies, salad, roll, drink and dessert. The cost is $9 for adults, children (15 and younger) $4.00. Come and enjoy home cooking. Take out is available. 616-696-9160.  #24p

CASSA Tryouts

June 20-23: The Cedar Area Select Soccer Association (CASSA) will be holding free soccer try-outs at the Boomer Park Soccer Fields, 13440 Ritchie Ave NE, Cedar Springs MI 49319. June 20th U9-U12 Boys birth years 2005-2008, June 21st U9-U12 Girls birth years 2005-2008, June 22nd U13-U14 Boys & Girls birth years 2003-2004 and June 23rd Boys & Girls U15-U19 birth years 1998-2002. Registration from 5:30-6:30 pm with try-outs starting promptly at 6:30-8 pm. Visit our website @ www.cassasoccer.com for detailed try-out information and forms to fill out prior to try-outs. #24

Blood Drive at CS UMC

June 21: Michigan Blood Drive at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church on Tuesday, June 21st from 12:30 pm-7:00 pm. For this drive only, we will be using the bus in the north parking lot. With summer officially here, many people will be traveling and the need for blood is greater. Please help fill that need with an hour of your time. The Blood Center thanks all the people who donate at the Cedar Springs drives. #24

Take off pounds sensibly

June 21: Take off pounds sensibly (TOPS), a non-profit weight loss support group for men and women, meets every Tuesday at the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Sand Lake. Your first visit is free so come check out what TOPS can do to help you reach your weigh loss goals! Weigh-ins 8:15-9am, meeting starts at 9:15am. In case of inclement weather, meetings are cancelled if Tri-County or Cedar Springs schools are closed. Call Barb at 696-8049 for more information. #24

Blessing of the Bicycles

June 25: The 2nd Blessing of the Bicycles Event to be held on June 25th starting at 11 am until 2 pm at The Springs Church, corner of Oak and First Street. Kids of all ages are welcome for face painting, games, and bike decorating. Free t-shirts, helmets, along with several used bikes (for those that may need one) will be available while supplies last. Helmet Safety Demonstration will be given by Rockford Ambulance at 12:30, followed by the Blessing at 1 pm given by Pastor Cherri’ and a drawing will be done with various items to be won after that. Blessing is open to all Bike Riders – Adults and Kids! Hope to see you there! #24,25

Cooking Matters for Families Workshop

July 7: Cooking Matters for Families Workshop encourages families to work together to make healthy meals that everyone will enjoy. Cooking Matters encourages participants to select nutritious foods, prepare and cook healthy foods side by side, and choose budget-friendly healthy ingredients that the whole family will enjoy. This is a FREE 6 week workshop for adults and youth (10yrs and up). Limited space available. Begins on July 7 from 9-11 am at Solon Center Wesleyan Church, 15671 Algoma Ave, Cedar Springs. This workshop is offered by MSU Extension with the food pantry at Solon Center Wesleyan Church. Please contact Terry Gafurovic to register at 616.696.3229 or terrygaf79@gmail.com. #24-26

U14 Boys CASSA Tri-Hawks are fall divisional champs. Pictured left to right, back row: Mason Morey, Jaydon Moleski, Alex Solorio, Cody Blake, Adam Grant, Morgan Petersen, Benny Van Dusen, Jack Bentley, Henry Matthew, Coach Chris Frilen. Front row: David Burger, Christian Moleski, Robert Burger, Hunter Mahoney, Porter Kenyon, Nolan Hall.

One group of local young men attained an outstanding soccer season this fall. The U14 Boys CASSA Tri-Hawks beat their spring record of 0-6-2, in the same division, by becoming undefeated divisional champions at their last game of the season, October 31.

The team, comprised primarily of soccer players from Cedar Springs but also, Greenville, Tri-County, Kent City and Rockford, took the first-place title after competing against teams from Ludington, Montague, Cadillac, Big Rapids, Northview and Rockford, and will therefore advance to the next division up in the spring.

Head coach Chris Frilen, new this year to CASSA and the U14 boys, believes that success as a team isn’t only measured on scoreboards. “I was confident that if the young men on the team bought in to what we were going to instill in them,” said Frilen, “they would have a successful season. I didn’t know how that would translate in terms of wins and losses, but the evidence of success would be in their attitudes, collective spirit, work ethic, and technical and tactical development.”

Even so, it is an extremely challenging undertaking for a team to make the 180-degree turn after such a difficult season. One of the key ingredients infused into the winning recipe from the beginning of the fall was the comradery. “It’s absolutely vital,” said Frilen. “A collection of players is just that until there is a distinct team spirit developed. We spoke a lot about commitment this season. For us, it was more than a commitment to us coaches and the CASSA program. We wanted our players to commit to each other that they would work every training session to make themselves better players, better teammates; full credit to our great group of young men that they really bought in and took it very seriously.”

Frilen is known for motivating his players by peppering his practices, pregame and half-time speeches with analogies and metaphors, referring to the kick-off whistle as a “dinner bell,” during a recent pre-game ritual. Frilen speaks somewhat rhythmically to the tightly-huddled players in a smooth calm voice, “If you throw a starving dog a piece of meat, does he go after it half-heartedly or with everything he’s got? Now, in a minute, when the dinner bell goes off, how are you going to fight for this game?”

Clearly, the metaphors are an effective coaching tool, as the obvious enthusiasm builds and the boys zealously respond with intensity but also youthful growls, snarls and laughter as they take the field.

When asked how the team will approach next spring’s tough challenge a division up, Frilen replied with yet another motivational analogy. “We talked this fall about our season being a climb. It takes a lot of work and dedication to reach the summit, but most climbers will tell you they’re never satisfied when they get to the top of the first hill they climb. They’re always looking for the next challenge, the next ascent. We’ll approach the spring season as a new and more arduous challenge. I know our players will be up for it. They’ll give it a real go.”

CASSA was founded in 1998 to help area soccer players who had played recreational soccer advance their game to a higher level known as “Select.” This U14 Elite Girls Team, comprised of 16 players and 3 coaching staff, not only took their play to the next level but also made CASSA history in the process. For two   consecutive years, they have remained undefeated in their league play. Headed into this season as Elite they remained undefeated, and on September 19, they won their game against a tough club from St. Joseph, Mich., to become the most winning team in CASSA history. Go lady Tri-Hawks!

Back row:  Coach Dale Bray, Ethan Kober, Nate VanKampen, Max McCoy, Martin Yakes, Spencer Bray, Dan Cole and Coach Andy Kolekamp. Middle  row: Reece Priebe, Brock Hearth, Jaedon Kutzli, Preston Ricker, Tarik Jack, David Burger. Front row: Jayden Kolekamp

The CASSA  U12 boys team won their division in the Portage Classic Tournament this past weekend. The won 5-0, 8-1 and 6-0 to take home the championship trophy. They ended their season 10-2-2, which included six tournament games. In the regular season, they were 5-1-2.

The CASSA Tri-Hawks girls U-12 soccer team traveled to Traverse City, on May 15, for the annual Cherry Capital Cup soccer tournament.  The tournament hosts hundreds of teams from Michigan.  Under the direction of coaches Dan Buchner and Tim Lett, the Tri-Hawks made it to the championship game, on May 17, against Carpathia Kickers and took home second place for their division.

“The girls played a well-fought game and showed excellent sportsmanship” noted Coach Buchner.

The team has traveled to Traverse City for the past few years for both the fall and spring tournaments.  This was their first tournament in which they made it to the championship game.

“All their hard work paid off,” stated Coach Lett. “They should be very proud.”

The CASSA U12 girls soccer team had an amazing season with 7 wins and 1 tie to take over first place in their division. They also had 2 wins and 1 tie in their annual May soccer tournament in Traverse City this year. With 0 in the loss column for this season, they should feel very proud of their efforts and accomplishments. They are a group of girls that really work together well as a team.

Team Members include: Leah Nauta, Alexa Steele, Audrie Davis, Brighton Miller, Bailey Rocafort, Nicole Vanderhoef, Autumn Barr, Sarah Martin, Ryllie Rivard, Brooke Weeks, Madison Douglas, Abigail GeBott and Sabrina Caldwell.

The girls were very fortunate to have 3 excellent coaches this season, Roger Weeks, Jeff Rivard and Angel Martin. These coaches not only taught them soccer skills, but also teamwork and sportsmanship. Lastly, the U12 Girls team has the most wonderful and supportive parents and it really shows with how the girls get along and play together.

Great job everyone and good luck next season!

The Cedar Springs Area Select Soccer Association U9 team competed in the Cherry Capital Cup for the first time last weekend and made it to the championship game.

The annual Cherry Capital Cup took place this weekend in Traverse City CASSA teams from Cedar Springs ages 8-18 competed in the tournament. The Cherry Capital Cup is one of the biggest soccer tournaments of the year. Teams from all over Michigan travel every year to compete in the tournament. This year CASSA U9 competed in the tournament for the first time. The team responded to the pressure by being the only CASSA team to qualify for the championship by putting on their best performance of the year thus far. The team reeled off 3 consecutive victories by scores of 3-1, 4-0 and 3-0 by playing fast aggressive offense and had great passing, setting up goals from Alexis Carlson, Makenna Outwin, Mia Joppich, Lillian Briggs and Darrah Miller. The team also played shutdown defense led by Andrea Rios and Loren Riddle, and had great goalkeeping from Alexis Carlson and Elizabeth Fetting. Although the team came up short in the championship, losing to 5-0 to the Copathia Kickers, the team fought hard until the end and learned a lot from the defeat.

Pictured Front Row, L to R: Autumn Hinton, Myla Umphrey, Julia VanDenHout, Maddi Case, Shelby Shotko, Carly McCuaig; Second Row, L to R: Payton Rumsey, Skyler Calati, Baylie VanDyke, Sydney Plummer, Jordan Falk, Leah Kuzma, Ally Meek; Back Row, L to R: Asst. Coach Jake Holtrop, Coach Timothy Hinton, Asst. Coach John Rumsey.

The Cedar Area Select Soccer Association U12 Girls Red Soccer Team is celebrating the club’s first-ever Cherry Capital Cup Tournament Championship, in Traverse City. The team sealed the championship on Sunday, May 20, with a 4-3 win over the Grand Rapids Crew.

The team started the tournament on Saturday, May 19, with a 2-1 (Myla Umphrey, Sydney Plummer) victory over a Striker Cooling team. They continued their winning ways with a 2-1 (Baylie VanDyke, Plummer) win over Rapids FC. They finished the qualifying round on Sunday with a very convincing 4-0 (Umphrey, VanDyke, Jordan Falk, Julia VanDenHout) shutout over RSC Lightning. This victory was even more amazing given the fact that two girls were playing with significant injuries, with another girl not being able to return due to her injury.

“Maddi Case sustained a foot injury one day prior to the tournament and Autumn Hinton and Leah Kuzma were injured during our second game, which required them to go to the E.R.,” explained Coach Timothy Hinton. “Case is a really tough kid and in spite of her injury she did not miss any of the games. We were also fortunate that despite her injury, Hinton was determined to return and played in Sunday’s qualifier game and the championship game. And although Kuzma was out for the remainder of the tournament, she showed great team spirit by staying and supporting the team from the sidelines,” Coach Hinton said.

The championship game kicked off at 3 p.m. and after 50 minutes of regulation play and two five-minute overtime periods, the score was tied 3-3 (Payton Rumsey, Hinton, Vandyke). The game was finally won on a thrilling 3 to 2 shoot-out. Players Plummer, Skyler Calati and Hinton all made their penalty shots with goalkeeper VanDenHout making three fantastic saves.

“It was our constant pressure from our defensive players (Calati, Case, Ally Meek, Plummer, and Shelby Shotko), and our constant attack from the midfield (Hinton, Kuzma, Carly McCuaig, Plummer, Rumsey, Umphrey, and VanDyke) and forward players (Falk, Hinton, and VanDenHout) that allowed our team to go undefended and win the championship,” said Coach Hinton. “Our team motto this spring season has been to finish and the girls definitely lived up to that during the tournament.”

Luke Dault (17) chases down the ball. Also pictured: #18 Kyle Szirovecz and #13 Robert Klein.

On the crisp night of Tuesday, September 20, Red Hawk stadium was buzzing with the sound of excited AYSO/CASSA players and their parents as they came to cheer on the Cedar Springs boys varsity soccer team, who was playing against the Sparta Spartans. The Spartans took an early 1-0 lead, but the Red Hawks quickly tied it up when Robert Klein connected with a cross from Kyle Szirovecz, heading the ball in over the keeper’s gloves (30:35). Mitch Hanmer’s well placed throw in to Klein, resulted in the second goal, as Klein kicked the ball over to Szirovecz, who blasted the ball into the back of the net (16:03). The Red Hawks finalized their 3-1 win, when forward Kyle Szirovecz accepted the ball up the field from defender Dontae Ensley, allowing Szirovecz to maneuver through several defenders and shot the ball into the lower corner of the net (34:08).
Following the game, Coach Avink and the team wanted to thank everyone that came out and supported us during our AYSO/CASSA night. “It was a huge success. The guys had some great wins this week and we are excited to continue to move forward in the up coming games!” he said.

Trevor Rose (12) attacks the ball. Also pictured: #20 Jon Shaw and #13 Robert Klein.

On Thursday, September 22, the Red Hawks traveled north to challenge the Big Rapids Cardinals. The Red Hawks took an early command of the game when Robert Klein connected with a pass from Kyle Szirovecz and sent the ball in to the back of the net (16:32). Red Hawk fans cheered when Szirovecz broke away from the Cardinal defense and drilled the ball past the keeper, increasing Cedar’s lead 2-1 (6:40). Szirovecz scored again 11 seconds into the second half, from a perfect cross sent to the net by Klein (39:49). Minutes later, Szirovecz scored a hat trick when he knocked in his third goal of the evening to bring the Red Hawks to a comfortable lead of 4-0 (29:42). With 37 seconds left on the clock, defender Dontae Ensley, tiptoed his way up field during a Cedar Springs corner kick, he got his foot on the ball and drilled it past the keeper giving the Red Hawks a 5-0 shut out victory over the Cardinals.

First row (L to R): Coach George Gonzales Sr. Paul Bowerman, Hayden Barr, Blaise Knight, Zachary White, Taylor Plekker, Joey Kolenda, Allexis Gonzales, Jamison Pavelka Coach Paul Kolenda. Second Row: Calvin Garvey, Hunter Titmus, Ryan Jamgoch, Dustin Shaw, George Gonzales Jr., Brayden Harper, Jake Nelson and Allen Kolenda. (Not pictured was Coach John Nelson)

While most boys and girls were relaxing during the last weekend of summer, the U-13 Boys CASSA Tri-Hawks (Cedar Area Select Soccer Association) spent their time doing what they love most, playing soccer. The Tri-Hawks travelled to Holland where they participated in the 2011 Mild Cup, hosted by Costa United Soccer. The U-13 team went into the semifinals undefeated to meet up with VARDAR, who was also undefeated. Despite suffering a loss of 2-4, the Tri-Hawks advanced into the finals to once again face the same VARDAR team.
Although the Tri-Hawks dominated in the final, leading 3-2 at half time, VARDAR was able to tie the game up with a penalty shot late in the game. The game remained tied until the last second of the game when VARDAR was given another penalty shot. VARDAR scored and the whistle blew, giving VARDAR the victory with a score of 4-3. The Tri-hawk team played like champions, taking home the runner-up trophy.

The girls U12 CASSA team from Cedar Springs was recently recognized by the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) as being the MSYSA Soccer Spotlight for January 2011.
According to the article, they were praised as a talented group of young ladies focused on hard work, development, and dedication through the recent fall season. It noted that they finished the fall season with a first place finish and a 7-0-1 record within the GVSA soccer league. They also reached the championship game of the MILD Cup.
“These girls are committed to improving their individual skills and their team play. Their enjoyment and passion for the game of soccer is truly outstanding!” they said.
See it online at http://www.michiganyouthsoccer.org/programs/Soccer_Spotlight.htm