Austin Sargent finished second in the state in the Division 2 boys cross country finals last weekend.

Kenzie Weiler finished second in the state in the Division 2 girls cross country finals last weekend.

Runners Kenzie Weiler and Austin Sargent both finish second in state

Kenzie Weiler (defending State Champion in Division 2) led her team to a great finale by finishing second place overall in the State Finals held at Michigan International Speedway Saturday Nov. 1. Kenzie finished her high school cross country career by running in the State Finals all four years and finishing 2nd, 2nd, 1st and this year 2nd.

“She has proven to be one of the state’s best all-time runners in history,” said Coach Marie Covey.

The remaining lady Red Hawk runners also ran well. Ellie Ovokaitys (42nd), Tara Tepin (135th), and Hannah Heinzelman (136th) all ran their personal records. Remaining team members Shayne Mann (63rd), Allyson Marvel (195th), and Myla Umphrey (210th) ran close to their best races of the season in a field of 248 of the best runners in the state. “I’m so proud of how hard this entire team worked all season,” said Coach Covey, “I was hoping for top ten after finishing 15th last year. It was a great day to be a Red Hawk.”

The girls weren’t the only runners from Cedar Springs in the highlights. Austin Sargent (the defending boys State Champion in Division 2) had a great race on the cold windy day at the State Finals. He ran just one second off his personal record with a time of 15:42 and finished runner-up.

Junior Kenzie Weiler placed fifth in the 3200 meter run at the state finals.

The Girls Track Team ended their season last week by participating in the Greenville Daily News Track meet on Tuesday May 27, and in the MHSAA Division 2 State Finals on Saturday at Houseman Field.

In the finals, Junior Kenzie Weiler earned All State and Academic All-State honors by placing fifth in the 3200 meter run. Senior Maddie Pekrul ended her four-year track career with a 19^th place finish in the 3200 meter run. The 3200 meter relay team of Hannah Heintzelman, Shayne Mann, Ellie Ovokaitys and Maddie Pekrul placed 22^nd.

At the Daily News Meet in Greenville on Tuesday May 27, freshman Aaliyah Sargent and Tara Tepin won individual events. Aaliyah took first in the 400 meter dash and Tara won the 300 meter hurdles. The 3200 relay team of Shayne Mann, Ellie Ovokaitys, Jenna Heintzelman and Hannah Heintzelman also placed first.

Aly Hamilton placed second in the 100 and 200 meter dashes. Allyson Marvel placed second in the 100 meter hurdles and Hannah Heintzelman also placed second in the 800 meter run. The 400 meter relay team of Marissa Oakes, Taylor Vanlangen, Abby Olszewski and Aly Hamilton placed second. Earning individual third places was Allyson Marvel in the pole vault and Ellie Ovokaitys in the 1600 meter run. The 800 meter relay team of Marissa Oakes, Taylor Vanlangen, Olivia Finch and Aly Hamilton also placed third as did the 1600 meter relay team of Aaliyah Sargent, Hanna Heintzelman, Jenna Heintzelman, and Tara Tepin.

Senior Maddie Pekrul placed 22nd in 3200 meter run at the state finals.

Kenzie Weiler (far left) on the awards stand.

Coach Dave Andrus and Blake Peasley stepping off the mat after an undefeated season and becoming a 2014 State Champion.

Last weekend was the final tournament for the West Michigan Pursuit 2014 season, MYWA State Finals. WMP took 15 grapplers to compete and five brought home a coveted All State Title. There were 265 teams and over 2,500 grapplers competing.

“I think there is a time when every coach questions the effect they have on their athletes. It’s moments like these that solidify why we do what we do,” said Owner and Head Coach, Dave Andrus.
Jayden Marcano-Cruz wrestled in the 4/5/6 age group in the 43 lb wt class. He battled six times with four ending in victory. Jayden had 31 kids in his bracket and finished out taking 7th place with a final record of 35-6.

Ty Whalen wrestled in the 11/12 age group in the 60 lb wt class. He had 13 kids in his bracket and finished out taking 6th place with a final record of 19-8.

Luke Egan wrestled in the 4/5/6 age group in the 49 lb wt class. He battled seven times with five ending in victory. Luke had 26 kids in his bracket and finished out taking 5th place with a final record of 55-7.

Brocke Fisher wrestled in the 11/12 age group in the 60 lb wt class. He battled four times with three ending in victory. Brocke had 13 kids in his bracket and finished out taking 3rd place with a final record of 19-7.

Blake Peasley wrestled in the 4/5/6 age group in the 58 lb wt class. Blake is our only West Michigan Pursuit grappler who remained undefeated the entire season. He had 25 kids in his bracket. Going into the Championship match, Blake took on Da’Quavon White from the East Region, who also had an undefeated season. The stakes were high on both sides. During the third period, the score was tied 5-5, and, with three seconds left on the clock, Blake got the last take down, with a final score of 7-5. Blake is a second year wrestler who finished out his season with a record of 33-0. He is our first MYWA State Champion! Congratulations Blake on such a huge accomplishment.
We also had Hannah Pienton who competed in the MYWA All-Girls State Championship. This is Hannah’s first year of wrestling and she joined the sport half way into the season. She battled in the 12 and under age group in the 85 lb wt class and finished in 4th place.

Olivia Male competed in the USAW Women’s Nationals. She competed in the 9/10 age group in the 70 lb wt class and finished in 6th place. What a great accomplishment to be recognized as top 6 in the nation. All of our wrestlers who stepped on the mat this weekend wrestled tough. You truly are The Pursuit of Champions!

On Saturday, March 15 and Sunday March 16, MYWAY Wrestling Western Region held Regional Finals at Kenowa Hills High School. Wrestlers have spent the last four months competing in preparation for the tournament. Competition was fierce as the top wrestlers in the western region came to compete to place top four in their weight classes in order to qualify for the MYWAY State Finals. Twenty three Cedar Springs Youth Wrestlers went to regionals and seventeen of those qualified for State Finals, four whom where Champions!

2014 Western Region Champions are Veronica Tapia at 37lb in the 5/6 age group, Keaton Klaasen at 52lb in the 7/8 age group, Landon Demorest at 47lb in the 9/10 age group, and Ryan Ringler at 158lb in the 11/12 age group.

Second place finishers were Pistachio Gonzales at 58lb in the 5/6 age group, Tommy Stevens at 58lb in the 7/8 age group, Trevor Marsman at 63lb in the 9/10 age group, and Jordan Ringler at 106lb in the 99-98 High School division.

Third place finishers Aiden Bouwens at 100lb in the 9/10 age group, Logan Hull at 85lb in the 11/12 age group and Samuel Couturier at 112lb in the 11/12 age group.

Rounding out the state qualifiers in fourth place were Caleigh Wood at 37lb in the 5/6 age group and Gage Gardner at 145 in the 13-15 age group.

Reese and Tacho Gonzales both fell one win short of qualifying by taking fifth place in their weight classes.

Cedar Springs will also be sending four girls to the MYWAY Girls State Championships,which will be held in conjunction with regular state finals. Allexis, Reese, Cora, and Zoe Gonzales will all be competing in the girls only tournament.

MYWAY State Finals will be held this weekend at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, MI from Friday, March 28 until March Sunday, March 30. Anyone wanting to come out and watch the best wrestling in the state of Michigan can get the full schedule at www.mywaywrestling.com.

Cedar Springs youth wrestlers and coaches would like to thank the Post and its readers for their support by printing and reading the wrestling results each week. It has been a great season, with many more to come.

Lucus Pienton in the 13/14 Open age group in the 130/138 lb wt class

Last weekend was the last tournament before State Finals, which was hosted by Ionia. West Michigan Pursuit brought nine grapplers to compete and eight placed in the top four. The team battled 30 times with 17 ending in victory.

“I admire the kids who did not qualify for State but are still on the pursuit of becoming a Champion,” said Owner and Head Coach, Dave Andrus.”

This week’s placements are as follows:

4th Place Medalists include Hannah Pienton in the 11/12 Novice age group in the 75/80 lb wt class.

3rd Place Medalists include Hunter Chilcote in the 11/12 Novice age group in the 100/105 lb wt class and Gage Bowen in the 7/8 Open age group in the 77 lb wt class.

2nd Place Medalist include Nicholas Bartolo in the 7/8 Novice age group in the 67 lb wt class, Derek Egan in the 11/12 Novice age group in the 85 lb wt class, Lucus Pienton in the 13/14 Open age group in the 130/138 lb wt class and Chase Sarniak in the 4/56 Novice age group in the 46 lb wt class.

Champions are Landon Foss in the 4/5/6 age group in the 46 lb wt class.

Please watch for the State Finals results next week, which will be held at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek. Good luck to all of the young grapplers competing next weekend! You truly are The Pursuit of Champions!

This weekend was a big tournament, MYWA Western Regionals, which was hosted by Kenowa Hills. Ages 4-10 competed on Saturday and ages 11-High School competed on Sunday. West Michigan Pursuit brought 18 grapplers to compete on Saturday and 15 on Sunday. Our team battled 112 times with 64 ending in victory. This past weekend, WMP qualified 16 young competitors for the opportunity to earn a coveted spot at the State Finals. Of the 16 that qualified, eight of them were novice wrestlers with two years wrestling experience or less.

This year’s State Finals will be held at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek the weekend of March 28-30. “These next two weeks will be our pursuit for the podium,” said Owner and Head Coach, Dave Andrus.

This week’s placements are as follows:

Fourth place Medalists include Casey Eberspeaker in the 7/8 Open age group in the 61 lb wt class, Caden Peterman in the 9/10 age group in the 59 lb wt class, Zak Schmid in the 11/12 age group in the 119 lb wt class, Jay Smith in the 11/12 age group in the 100 lb wt class and Caleigh Wood in the 4/5/6 age group in the 37 lb wt class.

Third place Medalists include Josh Chilcote in the High School age group in the 288 lb wt class.

Second place Medalists include Cameron Fess in the 11/12 age group in the 85 lb wt class, Landon Foss in the 4/5/6 age group in the 46 lb wt class, Anthony Szubinski, Jr. in the 7/8 age group in the 61 lb wt class, Ty Whalen in the 11/12 age group in the 60 lb wt class and Kamden Witte in the 4/5/6 age group in the 49 lb wt class.

Regional champions are Luke Egan in the 4/5/6 age group in the 49 lb wt class, Brocke Fisher in the 11/12 age group in the 60 lb wt class, Jayden Marcano-Cruz in the 4/5/6 age group in the 43 lb wt class, Jacob Osmolinski in the 11/12 age group in the 85 lb wt class and Blake Peasley in the 4/5/6 age group in the 58 lb wt class. Blake Peasley remains undefeated.

Congratulations to all of our grapplers for stepping out on the mat and working as hard as you do. You truly are The Pursuit of Champions!

On Sunday, March 2, Grand Valley State University hosted one of the last two regular season tournaments at the campus field house. Competition was fierce, as over 600 wrestlers from all over the state of Michigan attended. Seven Red Hawk youth wrestlers brought home medals.

First place finishers were Caleigh Wood at 37lb in the 5/6 age group, Tommy Stevens at 6lb in the 7/8 age group and Allexis Gonzales at 122 pounds in the 13/15 age group.

Second place finishers were Pistachio Gonzales at 55lb in the 5/6 age group and Wyatt Cooper at 82 lbs in the 7/8 age group.

Third place finishers were Carter Falan at 80 lb in the 9/10 age group and Gage Gardner at 145 lb in the 13-15 age group.

On March 9, 10 wrestlers won medals at the last regular season tournament hosted by Cedar’s backyard rivals, Rockford.

First place winners were Veronica Tapia at 37lb in the 5/6 age group, Pistachio Gonzales at 58lb in the 5/6 age group, Tommy Stevens at 58lb in the 7/8 age group and Landon Demorest at 51lb in the 9/10 age group.

Chase Sarniak took second at 46lb in the 5/6 age group.

Third place finishers were Caleigh Wood at 37lb in the 5/6 age, Wyatt Cooper at 82lb in the 7/8 age group, Lane Wiggins-Russo at 112 in the 7/8 age group, Aiden Bowens at 95lb in the 9/10 age group, and Sergei Byxbe in the 110 pound 9/10 age group.

These youth wrestlers spent the last three months conditioning and competing at developmental tournaments in preparation for MYWAY regionals and state finals. Regionals were held March 15-16  at Kenowa Hills. MYWAY state finals will be held at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek,  Michigan on March 28- March 30. Be sure to check next week’s Post to see which of your favorite Red Hawk wrestlers placed at Regionals and will be going to State Finals. Anyone wishing to attend state finals may get information online at www.cedarspringsyouthwrestling.com or www.mywaywrestling.com

On February 27, 2014 Zachary Wamser traveled to the Palace of Auburn Hills to compete in the MHSAA State Finals Wrestling Tournament at the 171 pound weight class.

Wamser began his journey there when he took first at the Conference tournament, moved onto District and was District champ and made his way to regionals along with Jordan Ringler, Baron Lenardson, and Logan McGahn. The four boys wrestled their hardest. Jordan, Baron and Logan came up a little short at Regionals, but Wamser ended up taking 4th place, earning him a ticket to the State tournament.

Wamser did not place at State, “But it was a major accomplishment just to be there,” said Wamser.

Zachary Wamser ended his season with a 26-5 record. “Looking forward to place next year at State as a senior,” says Wamser.

Zachary was also awarded most outstanding wrestler for 2014 from his coach, Nick Emery.

Kenzie Weiler and Austin Sargent

Two runners from the Cedar Springs Red Hawks cross country teams did something last weekend that has never been done before in Division 2—and only once before in the state’s history—a boy and girl from the same school both won the state title in Cross Country the same year.

Junior Austin Sargent finished first in the Boys Division 2 State Finals with a time of 15:42.7 and Kenzie Weiler finished first in the Girls Division 2 State Finals with a time of 17:55.1 last weekend at Michigan International Speedway.

Only one other time in state history has a boy and girl won state titles together and that was Corunna HS in 1995.

The entire girls Cross Country team also qualified for the state finals. After placing second at regionals, the girls’ team was looking for a solid performance on Saturday. The team ended up finishing 15th overall, led by Weiler, who placed first and became Cedar Springs’ first female cross country girl to win a state championship. Sophomore Kellsie Webber was 71st overall and ran her best time of her career. Senior Maddie Pekrul finished her last race, placing 90th overall, and was followed closely by Ellie Ovokaitys who placed 91st and also ran her best time. Shayne Mann (103rd) also ran her personal best time ever. Senior Caitlin McClurken also broke the 21-minute barrier and Allyson Marvel rounded out the top seven by adding a solid performance.

Austin Sargent, Cedar Springs boys only state qualifier, ran in a pack and broke away to take the lead and finish first to become the D2 state champion. Sargent becomes the third boy from Cedar to win an individual state championship. He follows Connor Mora (2012) and Landon Peacock (2005). The win also becomes the first time a school has had two different state champions in back to back years.

“This is a big moment in our school history and we are very proud of Kenzie and Austin!” remarked Autumn Mattson, Athletic Director at Cedar Springs High School. “The success of these individuals and our team is directly related to the support of our cross country parents, hard work and determination of our athletes and the countless hours our previous coaches and current coaches have put into our kids. Last Saturday was a great day to be a Red Hawk!”

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.