Girls XC: Ally Ladd

Ally is one of the hardest working athletes on the team. Very dedicated and is pretty humble. She is usually our number #1 runner. From her freshmen year to now, she has matured so well, has accomplished so much, and is always looking for ways to better herself. She was 2nd team all conference(even with an injury), looking to be 2nd team all conference again this year, MVP last year. She is a great girl with so much heart. Very driven and does what it takes to get to where she wants to be.

Boys XC: Austin Mann

Austin has been an anchor to our Boys cross country team for years. He is the consistently the first to arrive and the last to leave practice. Take a look the top of our all-time performance sheets and you’ll most certainly find Austin’s name. Additionally, he is now the all-time program record holder for summer mileage with nearly 700 logged miles from June-August this year. He is always doing the little things to make our team’s engine run smooth. A straw will show which way the wind blows. Thank you Austin for your reliable spirit, energy, and work-ethic. The impact you’ve had on our team will be felt for years to come.

Senior Corey Bowers of the Cedar Springs Cross Country team laced up his spikes last Saturday for one last race of his high school career. He ran in the 2020 MITCA Michigan Meet of Champions on November 14, on the cross country course located in Freeland, Michigan.

 MITCA hosted this meet in order to give the best athletes from the state a chance to go head to head despite division.  Bowers’ lifetime personal best qualified him to run in the elite boys team race.  Earlier in the week, the five sponsors of the race held a virtual draft where each got to pick their teams consisting of 14 boys.  Ann Arbor Running Club picked up Bowers in an eighth-round pick. 

“Corey’s goal at this race was to channel all of the things he’s learned from his successes and failures over the past four years and just enjoy the race as an experienced veteran racer in the best shape of his life. No need to overthink this one. Most of the best runners in the state were there and he competed with the best of them. With the way things are going, we’re just grateful to have been able to attend one more race with our peers while we can. There was more focus on simply enjoying the experience than anything, and I think he reaped the benefits of that mindset,” said Coach Justin Jones.

Going into the race, Bowers was hoping to bounce back from a tough regional and an even tougher state meet.  He ended up running one of his best races finishing at 15:41 in the 15^th spot and earning a medal in the very competitive race.  

“The kid admittedly had some tough luck at the state meet. A man’s character is not defined by one moment, one race, or one time—but by how you respond to failure and how you handle success. Get bitter or get better. He responded with arguably the best race of his career and was determined to bounce back,” said Coach Jones.  “In our program, we call these key experiences, and we make sure to never let them just pass us by. They’re defining moments that dynamically shape who you are as an athlete and as a man. When things get tough, he can look back on this and remember how to bounce back with a relentless drive and humility. I’m glad he got to finish his career on a major high note.”

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Nov. 18 – The Representative Council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association approved Wednesday an adjusted schedule to restart and conclude Fall Tournaments in football, girls volleyball and girls swimming & diving, and also to resume Winter sports after the three-week “pause” in activity ordered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) scheduled to end Dec. 9.

The MDHHS announced Nov. 15 a three-week pause to various activities including school sports, effective Nov. 18, in hopes of halting the state’s rising infections due to COVID-19.

The volleyball and swimming & diving tournaments have one week remaining, with MHSAA Finals for both previously scheduled for Nov. 21. The 11 and 8-Player Football Playoffs also are nearing their conclusions, with the 8-player postseason two games from completion and 11-player down to its final three rounds. Winter practices for all but boys basketball, bowling, skiing and wrestling had begun for high school teams.

If allowed by the MDHHS, practice would resume for all three Fall sports Dec. 9, with tournaments scheduled as follows:

Volleyball: Quarterfinals in all four divisions would be played Tuesday, Dec. 15, with Semifinals played Dec. 17-18 and Finals on Saturday, Dec. 19. Those final two rounds would be played at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena, as previously scheduled.

Swimming & Diving: All three Lower Peninsula Finals would be conducted Tuesday, Dec. 22 (diving) and Wednesday, Dec. 23 (swimming) with three high schools each hosting one meet. This allows for a two-week practice window for all participating swimmers who previously met and entered qualification times, and for divers who previously qualified at Regional meets.

Football: 11-Player Regional Finals and 8-Player Semifinals would be played Tuesday, Dec. 15, and Wednesday Dec. 16; 11-Player Semifinals and 8-Player Finals would be played Dec. 21-22, the 8-player championship games at Midland Community Stadium; 11-Player Finals will be played Monday, Dec. 28, and Tuesday Dec. 29 at Ford Field.

For Winter sports, the Council approved resuming practices on Dec. 9 if allowed by the MDHHS, with competition to begin Jan. 4.

“We understand where COVID numbers were trending, and that’s why we have been supportive of the order to pause,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. “But these Fall sports deserve closure, and this strategy provides the best opportunities without further interruptions to a normal course of training and competition.

“A very small percentage of our teams remain active in our Fall tournaments, also limiting potential exposure to the virus across the state. Meanwhile, by waiting until January to begin Winter competition, the Council is allowing our teams to continue activity but also restricting the mixing of communities to further promote reducing COVID spread.”

The Council meets again Dec. 4 for its annual Fall Meeting, and at that time will consider possible tournament adjustments necessary due to the shortened Winter competition season.

The Representative Council is the 19-member legislative body of the MHSAA. All but five are elected by member schools. Four members are appointed by the Council to facilitate representation of females and minorities, and the 19th position is occupied by the Superintendent of Public Instruction or designee.

The 2020 Cedar Springs Varsity Girls Golf Team has earned Academic All-State honors. There was uncertainty about this season given a new conference, new format for matches, new coaches, and a new team, but this team deserves some recognition. MIGCA, the Michigan Golf Coaches Association, provides Academic All-State recognition for teams meeting the following criteria.

Five members from the same team who each competed in the Regional tournament.

Minimum combined GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

The team earning Academic All-State includes:

Jenna Powell (Senior, All-Conference Honorable Mention)

Kaelyn Colclasure (Senior)

Kaleigh Hull (Senior)

Morgan Merlington (Junior)

MayLynne Hath (Junior)

“I am really proud of our girls’ accomplishments both on the course and especially in the classroom,” said Coach Tim Relich. “Their efforts reinforce the value that we have stressed throughout our season that academics are our priority.”

August/September Athletes:

Volleyball: Arianna Rau

Arianna Rau, four time Player of the Match and starter, has been a four year varsity player and is a Co-Captain this year. The senior Middle Hitter/Blocker leads the team in kills (55) solo blocks (20) and total blocks (27). Arianna has been a genuine example of a team player in the program since joining her Freshman year as shown by

numerous qualities. She puts her vast individual accomplishments aside while giving praise to others, gives relentless effort to push herself and teammates and strives to improve each day. She is always positive, resilient, and routinely leads by example.

Equestrian: Morgan Chaffin

Morgan is a wonderfully talented young lady with an amazing work ethic. Her growth and confidence this season is proof. Very proud to have her as part of our team.

Final score 34-12

By Judy Reed

The Cedar Springs Red Hawks played their hearts out Saturday in the district semifinal game at Muskegon, but it wasn’t enough to overcome that Big Red machine.

“I thought our kids played as hard as they have in a long time,” said Red Hawk Coach Gus Kapolka. “We had multiple players out due to contact tracing and we had some really young players get their first varsity experience on Saturday. I couldn’t be prouder of how our team responded and I feel that was indicative of our entire season.  This is a very resilient group of kids who showed a lot of character and grit to make it through the end of a difficult season.”

It was a sunny, beautiful day for football at Hackley Stadium. Muskegon scored five times in the game, including three times in the first half (once in the first quarter and twice in the second) before Cedar Springs got on the board. With just two seconds left on the clock in the first half, Cedar Springs quarterback Jeremy Campione passed up the middle to Josh Kriekaard for a 12-yard touchdown. The extra point run was no good and the half ended with a score of Muskegon 20, Cedar Springs 6.

In the third quarter, Muskegon scored with 4:44 left on a one-yard run by quarterback Amari Crowley, and the extra point kick by Adrian Ramos was good. Cedar Springs then scored with 1:20 left in the third on a nine-yard run by Alex Ream. Campione’s pass for extra points was no good. 

Muskegon scored one more time in the 4^th, when Crowley passed to Jeremiah Dault for a 22-yard touchdown, and Ramos kicked the extra point. 

The final score was Muskegon 34, Cedar Springs 12.

Cedar Springs had a total of 153 yards on the ground and 59 yards in the air. Alex Ream led in rushing with 60 yards, including a 48-yard run and one touchdown; Antwuan Nicholls had 36; Jeremy Campione had 26; Carter Falan had 21; and Da’Montae Barnett and Ryan West each had 5. 

In pass receiving, Barnett caught 2 passes for 47 yards, with a long pass of 36; and Josh Kriekaard had 12 yards and a touchdown.

Muskegon had 255 yards on the ground, and QB Amari Crowley completed 5 of 6 passes for 96 yards in the air. Leading rushers for Muskegon were Crowley with 83 and two touchdowns; Jacarri Kitchen with 77; Myles Walton with 73 and two touchdowns; Tyrese Oakes with 20; and Julius Sims with 2.

In pass receiving, Walton caught three passes for 59 yards; Jeremiah Dault caught one for 22 yards and a touchdown; and Julius Sims caught one for 15 yards.

On the Cedar Springs defense, Alex Ream led in tackles with 10; Nathan Elliston had 9; Antwuan Nicholls had 7; Kyle Hoort 6; Brennen Porter 5; Josh Kriekaard 4; Jeremy Campione, Dylan Greenland and Logan Petty all had 3; Derek Dymerski 2; and Blake Scheer, Ryan West, and Noah Duran all had one.

Congratulations to the Cedar Springs Varsity football players chosen as MHSFCA Div. 3 Region 1 All Region Selections:

Jeremy Campione ATH

Josh Kriekaard TE

Aiden Brunin RB

Cam Heiss OL

Great job, Red Hawks!

Cedar Springs senior Corey Bowers competed in the MHSAA D1 State Meet held at Michigan International Speedway on November 6. The meet did not go as planned for him and he finished in a time of 16:29, in 74^th place. 

Bowers was in 12^th place halfway through the race and was ready to make a strong move going towards the infield when a diaphragm issue arose. “While it wasn’t the race he was aiming for, he went out extremely smart and reserved,” said Coach Justin Jones. “This one was out of his hands and that’s okay as long as you learn from it and respond with what you learned about yourself the next time around. You can get bitter or better, I always say.” 

Looking back on Bowers’ high school cross country career, he has been first team all-conference all four years; conference champ the last three; has been part of two team OK conference championships; all-regional the last four years; and has competed in the state meet all four years.  He has also been all-state in both outdoor and indoor track. He currently holds the fifth fastest time in Cedar Springs’ cross country history with a time of 15:37. He has plans to continue his running career in college. 

Bowers isn’t quite ready to hang up his spikes for the season just yet. He is hoping to bounce back as he plans to run in the MITCA Michigan Meet of Champions on Saturday, November 14, at Freeland, Michigan. 

The Rockford Rams topped Cedar Springs 0-3 in second round Districts action at Northview High School on Tuesday, November 4, bringing the Red Hawks season to a close. Rockford, ranked 10th in Division 1, claimed a 8-25, 12-25, 12-25 victory before going on to win Districts on Saturday.  Red Hawk Varsity volleyball ends the season 4-20 overall and 1-8 in conference.

 “It was a year of growth and development for our team and program in the midst of the pandemic,” said Varsity Coach Ashley Lowing. “Our girls handled themselves so well given the situation, worked hard, improved each match, and we are very proud of them for that. We look forward to getting to work in the off season and coming back strong next season.”

Senior Arianna Rau led the Red Hawks with 5 kills, 3 service points and 9 digs. Setter Makenna Outwin recorded 9 assists, 2 kills and an ace. Alyssa Detweiller added 4 kills and a block. Kennedi Jager tallied 2 kills and 4 digs. Brandy Singleton had 3 digs and a team high 15 serve receptions. Sophomore Courtney Page stepped up to add 4 digs, 7 serve receptions and an assist. 

Congratulations to the Cedar Springs OK Gold All Conference selections:

Josh Kriekaard

Brennan Porter 

Derek Dymerski

Aiden Brunin

Jeremy Campione

Cameron Heiss

Honorable Mention

Dylan Greenland

Antwuan Nicholls

Way to go Red Hawks!