Connor Mora running with the pack during the 800m run”

Last Saturday, Red Hawk junior distance runner Connor Mora finished where no other Cedar Springs track and field athlete has before. Connor was state champion in two events at the MHSAA Division 2 State Finals at Houseman Field.

Going into the meet, he was seeded as the number one runner in the 1600m and 800m runs. Mora carried out his pre-race strategy exactly as planned in the 1600m run, beating his nearest competitor from Chelsea by 1.5 seconds. His official time of 4:13.97 was the fastest from all divisions in the state Saturday.

Connor Mora breaking from the competition in the 1600m run.

After recovering and refocusing for the 800m run, he once again carried out his plan and passed a small group of runners on the backstretch of the last lap, with 250m to go, and didn’t look back. His official time was 1:56.41. Although exhausted, Connor was able to gather his thoughts for some media interviews.

“Connor showed the entire state why he is considered to be the best distance runner in the state,” remarked Coach Jeff Myers. “His hard work began after last season’s disappointing finishes right here at the state finals. He did a lot of maturing over the course of the season, became focused on his race strategies and will out work anyone. We are very excited to find out what opportunities lie ahead for him at the next level.”

Connor with All-State distance sisters Kenzie (left) and Katie Weiler.

Also competing for the Hawks last Saturday was Derek Ash, 12th in the discus at 149’ 5”; the 3200m relay team placed 17th with a time of 8:16; and Aaron Brooks in the 3200m run with a time of 9:58.

Congratulations to all Red Hawks for their season’s accomplishments.

Katie Weiler (Middle Front) and Kenzie Weiler (Left in 2nd row) on the awards stand with the other placers in the 3200 run.

Rieley Hondalus and Marissa Oakes in the 400 Relay.

On Saturday June 2, sisters Kenzie and Katie Weiler placed in the top 8 in the 3200-meter run to earn all state honors. Kenzie, a freshman, place third, with a time of 10:52.88. Katie, a junior, placed seventh, with a personal best time of 11:04.54. Katie will also earn Academic All-State honors for her finish at the meet and her 4.0 grade point.

Sophomore Aly Hamilton advanced to the semi finals in the 100-meter dash and placed ninth overall in the event. The 400-meter relay team of Rieley Hondalus, Marissa Oakes, Abby VanDusen and Aly Hamilton placed 11th with a time of 51.21.

The team had an outstanding year, winning the OK Blue Conference for the first time in school history. They broke five school records and many grade level records. Congratulations to all of the team members for a memorable season.

Cedar Springs senior Austin Wamser finished his high school wrestling career by placing 8th in the state last week, at 152 pounds, in the MHSAA Division 2 Individual State Wrestling Tournament.

Wamser has wrestled as a Varsity Wrestler since his freshman year. He was named the Conference Champ in his weight class 2 years in a row, 2011 and 2012. He also claimed a district champion title this year (2012) and two all state titles in his career, 2011 and 2012. He had an overall record this year of 39-11.

Junior Cody Oehme and Sophomore Jared Vodry also attended the state tournament, wrestling hard for their first time there, but did not place.

“State is a very tough competition, one mistake and it can cost you the match,” Said Head Coach Scott Troost. “These boys wrestled hard and I am proud of them.”

Oehme finished this year with an overall record of 30-11, and Vodry had a 29-16 record.

The Red Hawk wrestling team will be losing three seniors this year, Austin Wamser, Matt Patin and Cory Wozniack. Good luck to all of you!

Tiffany Karger led the Red Hawks with 14 points

The Lady Red Hawks traveled to Muskegon on Monday afternoon to play in the first round of the MHSAA state tournament against the Sailors of Mona Shores.  Cedar entered the game with a record of 16-4 and Mona Shores (13-7) had won their last 7 games in a row.

Mona Shores is a quick athletic team that presses and uses their speed to their advantage. Cedar looked tentative as the game started and worked hard breaking the press. The Sailors’ tactics worked, as Cedar had difficulty getting into their offense. The first half was the story of the game, as Cedar had ended up with more turnovers (11) than shots (10). At the half the Red Hawks trailed 27 to 15.

The second half became a physical game as the referees, as the saying goes, let them play. Cedar got good looks at the basket but was not able to hit their shots until the fourth quarter, when Chaya Coxon and Tiffany Karger hit a pair of three-pointers. A quick steal and a bucket by Molly Holtrop cut the lead to 43 to 39 with just over a minute to play. Cedar got no closer, as they were forced to foul to try to trade free throws for possessions. The Red Hawks were assessed two technical fouls in the last 40 seconds, and Mona Shores iced the game from the line.

“We just couldn’t get over the hump,” said Coach Taylor.

Tiffany Karger was high scorer for the Red Hawks with 12. Chaya Coxon put in 8 points, Molly Holtrop and Rachael Ludtke each chipped in 6, Hannah Wight 4, Allie Veltkamp 2, and Brittany Todd 1.

Seniors Chaya Coxon, Nicole Shevock, Rachael Ludtke, and Tiffany Karger played their last game for the Red Hawks and they will be sorely missed next season.  The future for Coach Scott Taylor looks bright with two starters returning and a junior varsity that posted an 18-2 record this season.

Thanks to all the Red Hawks for an exciting year of winning basketball.

Balczak takes first in hurdles; Olszewski is second in pole vault

Justin Balczak on podium with top 8 division 2 recipients

The Cedar Springs boys varsity track team went to Houseman Field last Saturday to compete in the MHSAA Division 2 track and field championship. This meet would be a culmination of a very successful season that featured many highs. On a hot, long, and steamy day this team lived up to all the accolades it had received this season by placing 6th with 33 points with some outstanding individual performances.

Connor Mora on podium with top 8 division 2 recipients

Justin Balczak is the 110m high hurdle, MHSAA Division 2 State Champion!  Other athletes that placed in the top at this weekend’s MHSAA State Finals were; AJ Olszewski-2nd in the pole vault; Hank Porter-8th in the long jump; Connor Mora-5th in the 1600m run and 7th in the 3200m run; Justin Balczak-2nd in the 300m hurdles. The record board was rewritten on this day, the new 110m high hurdle record set by Balczak at 14.19, the new 300m low hurdle record set by Justin at 38.25, and a new 800m relay record of 1:31.64, was set by Ron Fisk, Ryan Austin, James Putnam, and Alex Hemry. With his performance, Justin Balczak has also earned a roster spot on the Team Michigan track team for the Midwest Meet of Champions this weekend in Ft. Wayne, IN.  This meet enters the best three athletes from the entire state to compete against teams that represent the states of Ohio and Indiana.  Justin will compete in the 110m and 300m hurdles.  We have never had a male athlete compete at this prestigious event!

With conclusion of the season, the community should be proud of a group of young men that not only performed to an extremely high level, but did it with humility and outstanding sportsmanship. This team was always in good spirits, even during the miserable early season weather, and was just fun to be around. A huge thanks and appreciation to head coach Jeff Myers and his staff for all the hours and hard work into helping the boys fulfill their potential.

Olszewski took second in the state in pole vault.