The Red Hawk team after winning their conference championship

The Cedar Springs Red Hawk girls track team won their first conference championship in school history, on Friday May 11, at Belding. 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! For all the details on the win, click here.

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.

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.

On Tuesday, April 17, the Cedar Springs Red Hawks girls track team kept their undefeated OK Blue record with a 78 to 58 win over the visiting Broncos, from Coopersville. They are 3 and 0 in the OK Blue and 6 and 1 overall. Kenzie Weiler set a new school record in the 800 meter run with a time of  2:21.02. Also the 3200 meter relay team of Sommer VanDyke, Maddie Pekrul, Katie Weiler, and Kenzie Weiler set a new school mark of 9:54.39.

On Saturday, April 21, at the Warrior Invitational at Chippewa Hills, the team kept up their winning ways by scoring 139.5 points to win the Red (Large school) Division. Chippewa Hills was second with 130 points and Traverse City West was third with 123 points. Kenzie Weiler also lowered her school record in the 1600 meter run with a 5:02.13.

Placing and scoring points in the Coopersville meet was:

First Place: Jeanette Sukstas, shot put; Marissa Oakes long jump; Abby VanDusen pole vault; Aly Hamilton 100 meter dash; Katie Weiler 1600 and 3200 meter run; Kenzie Weiler 800 meter run; 3200 and 400 meter relay teams.

Second Place: Marissa Oakes 100 meter dash; Kenzie Weiler 1600 meter run; Briana Pierson pole vault and high jump; Jeanette Sukstas Discus; Abby VanDusen 100 and 300 hurdles; Emily Shaft 400 meter dash; Maddie Pekrul 3200 meter run; Aly Hamilton 200 meter dash.

Third Place: Kait Twork discus; Rieley Hondalus Long jump and 400 meter dash; Sommer VanDyke 1600 meter run.

In the Warrior Invitational placing in the top 8 and earning medals were:

First Place: Kenzie Weiler 1600 and 3200 meter runs.

Second Place: Aly Hamilton 100 and 200 meter dashes; 3200 and 400 meter relay teams.

Third Place: Katie Weiler 1600 meter run; Maddie Pekrul 3200 meter run;1600 meter relay team.

Fourth Place: Abby VanDusen long jump; Katie Weiler 800 meter run.

Fifth Place: Emily Shaft 400 meter dash.

Sixth Place: Marissa Oakes long jump; Jeanette Sukstas Discus.

Seventh Place: Sommer VanDyke 800 meter run.

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.”

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 Cedar Springs JV girls basketball team finished strong last week, winning their last 2 games and clinching the OK-Blue conference title. They defeated the Belding Redskins on Tuesday, and the West Catholic Falcons on Thursday. These two wins brought their overall record for the 2011-12 season to an astonishing 18 wins and only 2 losses. Winning the OK Blue Conference with a record of 14-0 gives them a lot to look forward to in the years to come as they move on to the varsity level.

“These girls are the epitome of success,” said coach Josh Craig. “They worked hard and dedicated themselves on a nightly basis to achieve the success that they obtained. Not only are they phenomenal athletes, but they are great students and wonderful individuals who will be successful in what they choose to do.”

Congratulations on a successful season!

For the second time this season, the varsity boys basketball team dropped a heartbreaker in overtime to the Comstock Park Panthers.

The Red Hawks used a strong defensive effort in the first quarter to jump out to a 9-5 lead.  The defensive battle continued throughout the 2nd quarter, and Cedar Springs took a 19-15 edge into halftime. Great defense by both teams led to Cedar Springs shooting just 35 percent in the first half and the Panthers only 22 percent.

A key steal and a basket by Comstock Park late in the 3rd quarter trimmed the Red Hawk lead to six and gave the Panthers momentum heading into the fourth. The lead went back and fourth throughout the 4th quarter.  With 8 seconds remaining, the Panthers missed a free throw and Cedar Springs appeared to be fouled in the act of shooting. However, the official ruled that the foul occurred prior to the act of shooting and no free throws were awarded. Ryan Dines’ desperation 3-point was off the mark and the game went to overtime, which the Panthers dominated en route to a 50-44 overtime win.

Coach Secor commented, “I was awfully proud of the fight, effort, and energy we played with for 32 minutes. In a few crucial situations, we made some mental errors that really cost us. Having said that, I think we have proven that we can play with anyone in this league and the difference between who finishes first and who finishes fourth is very slim. I look forward to the challenge of the next 3 games and preparing to host districts for the first time in nine years.”

Brandon Slater played a key role throughout the contest, coming off the bench to score 10 points and grab 3 rebounds in one of his best games as a Red Hawk.  Ryan Dines led the team in scoring with 14 points. Dines and Jason Gingrich also combined to play solid defense on Comstock Park junior guard Ryan Schall, the leading scorer in the OK Blue. Their defense led to Schall shooting 2/19 and only mustering 10 points. The Panthers converted on 25/32 from the free throw line while the Red Hawks shot just 5/12.

Cedar Springs, now 8-9 overall and 5-5 in the OK Blue, finishes up league play with home games this week vs. Belding and West Catholic.  Tuesday the 28th will be “Senior Night” when the Red Hawks host undefeated, and ranked #4th in the state in Class “B,” Godwin Heights

Cedar Springs varsity girls basketball picked up two more wins last week. In the photo above, Shaelyn Fasel dribbles the ball for the Red Hawks.

The Red Hawks were twice victorious last week picking up wins on Tuesday night over Coopersville 36–21, and on Friday beating the tough Forest Hills Northern squad on the road by a 41–30 margin.  The wins put the ladies into sole possession of first place in the OK Blue conference, with a record of 8-1 (13-3 overall as of Monday).

The Coopersville game saw the Red Hawks play some more of their outstanding defense allowing the Broncos to score no more than 7 points in any quarter. On the offensive side, the team was short handed, as starting point guard Molly Holtrop was unable to play due to an ankle injury.

Cedar scored first and never trailed at any point in the game.

Tiffany Karger led the way with 19 points to continue her high scoring ways.  Rachael Ludtke followed her with 11 and Brittany Todd, Chaya Coxon, and Hannah Wight each delivered 2 point.

On Friday night, the ladies headed to Grand Rapids to face the Huskies of FHN for the second time this season. CS had won the first match up at home in a tight one 44-41, with the Red Hawks needing to hold on in the fourth quarter for the win. This game was no different than the first, with each team trading baskets and trading the lead 6 times in the first few minutes.

Early in the second quarter with FHN leading 9–8, Cedar was able to get the ball inside and Rachael Ludtke scored three consecutive buckets on excellent feeds from her teammates, forcing Northern to call time out and adjust their defense.  After that the Red Hawks were in control.

As the game wound down, Northern was forced to press and when they were unable to steal the ball, as they tried to trade fouls for possessions. The tactic failed, as Cedar hit their free throws down the stretch to put the game away.

Tiffany Karger scored 17 points to lead the ladies and went 9 of 10 on her free throw attempts, many of them coming in the fourth quarter. Rachael Ludtke pitched in with 10 points, Chaya Coxon had 5, Molly Holtrop had 4 with 3 assists, Brittany Todd 3 with a giant defensive rebound near the end, and Hannah Wight scored 2 but came away with 5 offensive rebounds.

The Red Hawks played again Tuesday the 14^th at home, in a non conference battle with Holland West Ottawa, and will return to league action Friday with a home game against Comstock Park.

Red Hawk wrestlers place at regionals. (L to R) Sophomore Jared Vodry 4th, senior Austin Wamser 1st, and junior Cody Oehme 3rd.

The Cedar Springs Varsity Wrestling Team traveled to Coopersville on Saturday February 4th to compete in the OK Blue Conference Tournament.

The Young team with its few seasoned wrestlers put up a good fight with many placing. Senior Wrestler Austin Wamser led the Red Hawks by taking 1st and claiming the Conference Champ Title in the 152 pound weight class. Cody Oeheme took 3rd in the 125 pound weight class, as well as Nate Dorr claiming a 3rd place finish in the 135 pound weight class. The following Red Hawk wrestlers were able to fight and win their 4th place finishes:  Brett Bouwens in 119 pound class, Sean Thompson in the 140 pound class, Logan McGahnin the 160 pound class and Dominick Chong in the 171 pound weight class. Congratulations to all out conference placers.

The Red Hawks then traveled to Greenville on Wed. Feb 8 to compete in the Team Districts where Cedar Springs ended up being named the winner at the end due to Sparta, the #8 ranked team in the state, sending in an illegal wrestler in the 2nd to last match, forcing Sparta to forfeit the dual to Cedar Springs.  The Red Hawks then had only a mere 10 minutes to get ready to take on Greenville’s #5 state ranked team. The Red Hawks did what they could but fell to Greenville, giving them the Distict Champ Title.

On Saturday Feb. 11, the Red Hawk wrestlers then headed to Gaylord, where they competed in the Individual District Competition.  The Red Hawks came against many wrestlers that they had not wrestled throughout the season. Three Red Hawks were able to take places and move on to the Regional Individual Competition in Mt. Pleasant to be held on Feb. 18. Clinching the title of District Champion was senior Austin Wamser, taking 1st, in the 152 pound weight class.  Junior Cody Oehme placed  3rd in the 125 pound weight class and sophomore Jared Vodry placed 4th in the 145 pound weight class. When these Red Hawk wrestlers head to Mount Pleasant next week, senior Austin Wamser will also continue to strive toward his goal of 150 career wins, of which he is only 4 away.

“The kids did a great job wrestling all season for being such a young team,” said head coach Scott Troost.

Good luck to the three wrestlers headed to regional to continue shooting for their chance at a state title.