I am writing this letter in support of someone who has impacted my life immensely, and whom I hope can be given the chance to do the same for the community that I grew up in.

Ted Sabinas is full of endless positive attributes, but wisdom, and the leadership that is derived from that wisdom are two prominent ones. I had the honor of being an athlete under his coaching, which was both a privilege and a life-altering experience. I attribute many of my foundational skills, both on and off the track, to his guidance, advice, and care.

Specifically, I’ll always remember one particular time during my sophomore year of High School. We were sitting on the tailgate of his truck while the team finished their cool-down, and I had an injury that had kept me out of running for months. He told me that it’s during the hardest times that the strongest athletes and people are made, and I believed him. I believed him because he never gave me a reason to not put 100 percent of my trust in him.

He was the kind of coach who showed up and genuinely cared for the people he was around, and I know he is the same way in any role he possesses.

Coach Sabinas re-measured our cross country course way too many times because he is the most honest person you’ll find.

He encourages the youth because it’s in his nature to teach, to teach others something more than just measurable skills.

He pours out a sense of love and pride for two things: his family and his community.

It would be an honor for Cedar Springs to have someone like this lead us in molding a community full of strength, wisdom, and love for one another.

The future of our wonderful town can be, in part, in the hands of someone who will handle it with the greatest care. What a wonderful chance that is for us.

Kenzie Weiler, Nelson Township

On Saturday, May 30, three members of the Cedar Springs girls track team competed in the MHSAA Division 2 State Track Meet in Zeeland. Senior Kenzie Weiler brought home the school’s first Track and Field state championship by winning the 3200 meter run. With 500 meters to go, Kenzie took the lead and ran away from the rest of the field. She won with a new school record time of 10:41.98 and was just two seconds off from setting a new Division 2 state record in the 3200 meter run.

Kenzie received All State honors in track and field and, combined with her achievement in the classroom, she also earned Academic All State in Track and Field. In the fall, Kenzie will continue her education and running career at Michigan State University.

Sophomore Tara Tepin competed in two events, in her first trip to the state finals. Tara placed 19^th in the 100 hurdles and ran a career best 47.21 in the 300 hurdles, for an 11^th place finish. Junior Allyson Marvel also in her first trip to the state finals placed 18^th in the pole vault with a vault of 8’ 11”.

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.

Shayne Mann in the 3200 meter run

The Girls track team traveled to Ferris State University for the Pioneer Classic. All four relay teams took first place. Individual winners were Allyson Marvel in the pole vault and Kenzie Weiler set a new meet record in the 3200 meter run, while winning the event. Aly Hamilton placed second in the 100 and 200 meter dashes. Other Second place winners were Marissa Oakes in the long jump and Tara Tepin in the 300 meter hurdles.

Other Placers:

Aly Hamilton in the 800 meter relay.

Winning Relay teams: 3200 relay team of Hannah Heintzelman, Shayne Mann, Maddie Pekrul and Kenzie Weiler; 800 relay team of Marissa Oakes, Taylor Vanlangen, Olivia Finch and Aly Hamilton; 400 relay team of Marissa Oakes, Taylor Vanlangen, Abby Olszewski and Aly Hamilton; 1600 relay team of Aaliyah Sargent, Hannah Heintzelman, Kenzie Weiler and Tara Tepin.

3^rd place: Allyson Marvel 100 meter hurdles; Aaliyah Sargent 400 meter dash; Hannah Heintzelman 800 meter run; Maddie Pekrul 3200 meter run.

4^th place: Taylor Vanlangen long jump; Brittany Todd shot put; Abby Olszewski pole vault; Allyson Marvel 300 hurdles; Shayne Mann 3200 meter run; Marissa Oakes 100 hurdles.

5^th Place: Maddie Pekrul 3200 meter run.

6^th Place: Tara Tepin 100 meter dash; Emily Shaft 400 meter dash.

On Monday May 19 the team traveled to Belding for the 9-10 invite. They placed seventh out of 10 teams. The 400 meter relay team of Allison Hall, Aaliyah Sargent, Allyson Marvel and Tara Tepin placed second.

Also Placing:

3^rd: 3200 meter relay team of Aaliyah Sargent, Jenna Heintzelman, Ellie Ovokaitys, and Hannah Heintzelman; 1600 meter relay team of Aaliyah Sargent, Hannah Heintzelman, Jenna Heintzelman and Tara Tepin.

4^th place: Tara Tepin high jump; Allyson Marvel pole vault; Aaliyah Sargent 400 meter dash.

5^th place: Allyson Marvel 100 meter hurdles; Hannah Heintzelman 1600 meter run.

Junior Kenzie Weiler won the 3200 meter run in a school record time of 10:46.86 and qualified for the MHSAA State Finals.

The Girls track team traveled to Houseman Field Grand Rapids to compete in the MHSAA Regional meet on Friday May 17. The team scored 46 points to finish seventh out of 15 teams.

Junior Kenzie Weiler was the lone Red Hawk to win a championship by winning the 3200 meter run in a school record time of 10:46.86 and qualified for the MHSAA State Finals on Saturday May 31 at Houseman Field in Grand Rapids. Maddie Pekrul placed fifth in the 3200 meter run and also qualified for the state finals with her personal time of 11:48.23. Also qualifying for the state meet was the fourth place 3200 meter relay team of Hannah Heintzelman, Shayne Mann, Maddie Pekrul and Kenzie Weiler.

Maddie Pekrul placed fifth in the 3200 meter run

Other placers at the Regional meet:

Fourth: Aly Hamilton 100 meter dash; 400 meter relay team of Marissa Oakes, Taylor Vanlangen, Abby Olszewski and Aly Hamilton.

Fifth: 1600 meter relay team of Hannah Heintzelman, Emily Shaft, Kenzie Weiler and Tara Tepin.

Sixth: Tara Tepin 100 meter dash; Allyson Marvel 100 meter hurdles; 800 meter relay team of Marissa Oakes, Taylor Vanlangen, Abby Olszewski and Aly Hamilton.

Seventh: Aly Hamilton 200 meter dash.

Eight: Marissa Oakes 100 meter hurdles; Tara Tepin 300 meter hurdles.

On Tuesday, May 13, the team hosted the OK Bronze JV meet. Allie Colley took two first places, winning the shot put and discus. Ellie Ovokaitys won the 1600 meter run. Placing second was Tara Tepin in the 400 meter dash and Aaliyah Sargent in the 200 meter dash; the 400 meter relay team of Allison Hall, Aaliyah Sargent, Jennifer Heintzelman and Tara Tepin; along with the 1600 meter relay team of Allison Hall, Jennifer Heintzelman, Ellie Ovokaitys and Aaliyah Sargent.

Marissa Oakes and Taylor Vanlangen of the 800 meter relay team

The team competes on Friday May 23 at Ferris State University in the Pioneer classic and Tuesday May 27 at Greenville in the Daily News meet.

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!”

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.