The Cedar Springs Varsity Competitive Cheer team advanced to regionals by earning third place at district 11 finals at St. John’s High School on Friday, February 21.

Coach Anne Olszewski is proud of her team. “I just want to take the time and thank all of the parents and people in the stands that supported the team on our travel to St. John’s High School for districts,” she said. “We knew it would be a tough competition; only the top four teams advance to regionals. We were sitting very well after round 1 (score: 234.1) and 2 (score: 226.42). Honestly, at that point it was anyone’s win between the top three teams.”

Then something happened that could have meant the end of their season. 

“In round three, we threw one of our most exciting rounds,” continued Olszewski. “However, we had a fall. Typically, a fall in round 3 in post season, takes you right out of tournament play. I can tell you that there were 19 girls and coaches that were sick to our stomachs because there was a real fear we would not advance to regionals. However, we had a big enough lead that we finished 3^rd (combined round three score of 761.32) and get the opportunity to redeem ourselves this Saturday, February 29 at Portage Northern in regional play. These girls can do anything they put their minds to, honestly. And if we were going to have a fall, it’s better at districts than regionals. We earned another week of competition and for that I am super grateful. We just need to dial it in this week and then just show everyone what Red Hawk stunting is all about!”

The Lady Red Hawks will compete in regional finals on Saturday, February 29 at Portage Northern High School, where the top four teams advance to State Finals on March 7 at the Delta Plex. Good luck Lady Red Hawks! 

Thirteen teams arrived at Mt Pleasant High School ready to compete for the District 11 Competitive Cheer Title last Saturday, February 16. The top four teams would continue their post-season run by securing a spot on the mat at the Division 2, Region 3 Tournament at Kenowa Hills on February 23. 

The Lady Red Hawks had strong performances throughout the competition and earned some of their highest scores of the season. The Red Hawk fans cheered as they heard scores for Rounds one (232.2) and Two (229.6). Round 3 began with only a 3-point difference between Cedar Springs and the 2^nd place team from DeWitt. The Lady Red Hawks took the mat, hit every stunt and jump and earned an extremely high score of 319.6, but still fell short of claiming the District Title by only .14 points. 

Coach Anne Olszewski is proud of this team. “We had some of our best scores at districts and fell barely short of defending our title, but we are heading to Regionals. The top four teams will advance to State Finals on March 2^nd. That is our goal—to get to State Finals. It has been 9 years since Cedar Springs has been to State. We are ready!” 

In addition to advancing to Regional Competition next Saturday, the team also celebrates several of their athletes who were named to the OK White All Conference Competitive Cheer team: Gabby Endres, Elayna Male, Emily Pierson, Paige Pierson and Sophia Dault, and two receiving honorable mention: Harlow Hovarter and Olivia Endres. Congratulations ladies!

Come and support this group of hard-working ladies at the Regionals Competition this Saturday, February 23^rd at Kenowa Hills High School at 10 a.m. Good luck Lady Red Hawks!

WMP qualifiers for the state finals. Photo by B. Chong.

By Barbra Chong

West Michigan Pursuit entered 21 grapplers to wrestle at regionals last weekend, and 20 are advancing to the state finals in two weeks. Of the 20 qualifiers, 13 are Regional Champions. As a team, they are currently ranked as follows: 

#5 for Most Pins/Least Time with 27 pins in 42.11. 

#1 for most Tech Falls/Least Time with 8 tech falls in 22.16. 

#3 for most Pins/Tech Falls/Least Time with 35 in 64.27. 

#4 for Most total match points 413 points and #1 for Winning Percentage 58 wins/11 Losses 82% win ratio. 

Individual placements are as follows: 52 lb Tatianna Castillo, 7/8 age group finished 5th Place. 95 lb Blake Hammer, 2004 age group; 100 lb Isa Starr, 2007 age group and 67 lb Kamden Witte, 2007 age group finished 3rdPlace. 55 lb Kaleb Pautke,7/8 age group; 58 lb Aaiden Vasquez, 7/8 age group and 59 lb Kellen Weckesser, 2008 age group finished 2nd Place. 

2018 Regional Champions are 67 lb Evan Andrews,2008 age group; 70 lb Xavier Carpentier, 2005 age group; 63 lb Quinten Cassiday, 2008 age group; 75 lb Harper Cheng, 2007 age group; 43 lb Brody Compau, 7/8 age group; 67 lb Luke Egan, 2007 age group; 64 lb Drew Moro, 7/8 age group; 75 lb Tyler Parmeter, 2008 age group; 85 Blake Peasley, 2007 age group; 138 lb Aaron Smith, HS; 80 lb Isaiah Sostenes, 2007 age group; 65 lb Josh Vasquez, 2006 age group and 49 lb Blake Werkema, 7/8 age group. 

We also want to recognize some grapplers who have practiced with us full time all season but do not currently wrestle under WMP: 

63 lb Hunter Eek, 2008 age group finished 3rd Place; and 80 lb Alex Buskirk, 2007 age group finished 2nd Place. 

2018 Regional Champions are 55 lb Tanner Cowles, 7/8 age group; 75 lb Ian Cook, 2006 age group and 75 lb Ayden McClurken, 2007 age group. 

WMP also recognizes the hard work of the following grapplers: Quinten Cassiday and Brody Compau, who earned their back to back Regional Championships; Tyler Parmeter, Josh Vasquez and Blake Werkema earned their 3rd consecutive Regional Championship; Ayden McClurken, Drew Moro and Blake Peasley earned their 4th consecutive Regional Championship; and Luke Egan earned his 5th consecutive Regional Championship. 

“These kids continue to exceed my expectations week after week,” said head coach Dave Andrus. “They have diligently pushed themselves and each other to get where they are right now. Going into the State Finals in a few weeks, I have the highest of confidence on their performance. A very special thank you to Bill, Aaron and all of my supportive parents. We are not coaching an elite group of All Stars. We are showing them the path it takes to realize their hard work come to fruition to be recognized as an All Star. This is what I strive for.” 

The 2017-18 Competitive Cheer team are both conference and district champions. They placed fifth at regionals.

Competitive Cheer all-conference athletes this year, from L to R: Gabby Endres, Sophie Mihlethaler, Emily Pierson, Kaley Louck, Elayna Male. Not pictured: Honorable Mention Paige Pierson and Kacie Uhall.

Cedar Springs Varsity Competitive Cheer competed in Regional competition at Thornapple Kellogg High School on Saturday, Feb 24. Competition was very tight with Cedar Springs, Kenowa Hills, Mona Shores, Reeths Puffer and DeWitt. 

According to Cheer coach Anne Olszewski, they were going into the last round ahead of the Reeths Puffer and DeWitt, giving them an opportunity to advance to state finals. “We stunted our very best round 3 to date until the very last sequence, where we had a fall that landed us an 8-point penalty and we did not advance by 2 points,” she explained. That placed them fifth.

Coach said the team was crushed and disappointed. “We had worked so hard this season and really wanted to advance for the 6 seniors that will be leaving us at the end of this year,” she said. “They have been wonderful leaders and assets to the team function as a whole. Four of them were in all three rounds.”

Seniors include Kaley Louck, Sophie Mihlethaler, Emilee Hickox, Jasmine Suschil, Kacie Uhall and Peyton Elliston. “They have left an incredible legacy for our program and the remaining members are focused and determined to get to state next year,” she said. “I have no doubt those six girls will be there cheering us on!”

As a coach, Anne has come to rely on several of the seniors over the years. “I have coached 4 of them for the last six years.  It is going to be a completely new experience for me not having Kaley, Sophie, Emilee and Jasmine on the mat next year.  This team has my heart. We will continue to succeed and love having the alumni come back and cheer us on each year!  This year we had 12 former cheerleaders there rooting for us at TK. It was amazing having them there and meant the world to the team!” she said.  

The Red Hawk boys cross country team is headed to state. Pictured (L to R): Jaydon Moleski, Gavin Braciak, Daniel Vermulm, Corey Bowers, Dallas Mora, Dilan Sargent, Coach Garrett Lacy (Austin Mann not pictured).

It may have been an overcast, chilly day but that did not stop the Cedar Springs Boys Cross Country team from winning the Division II Regional Championship and upsetting the number three state ranked team of Fremont. 

The boys competed in the Division II MHSAA Regional competition at Michaywe Pines Golf Course in Gaylord on October 28 and clinched the championship, edging out Fremont with a score of 47 to 50. 

“Our key in the race was our top 5 runners racing as a pack,” explained Coach Garrett Lacey. “Top runner was 16:28, 5th runner was 16:49. Very tight 21-second gap for our 1-5 runners. We could not have beaten a team like Fremont, who has phenomenal front runners, without packing it up like that.”

Each of the seven team members had impressive personal best times. Freshman Corey Bowers had a time of 16:28 (5^th overall); senior Dallas Mora 16:29 (6^th overall); sophomore Jaydon Moleski 16:44 (10^th overall); sophomore Dilan Sargent 16:49.49 (12^th overall); sophomore Gavin Braciak 16:49.71 (14^th overall); sophomore Daniel Vermulm 17:31 (42^nd overall); and freshman Austin Mann 18:28 (69^th overall). It was a true team effort that paid off for the Red Hawks. Bowers, Mora, Moleski, Sargent, and Braciak each took home all-regional medals after placing in the top 15. 

The Red Hawks have had an exciting season. They brought home trophies from the Sparta Invitational (first); Red Hawk Invite (first); Carson City Invitational (second); and the Kent/Ottawa County Championship (first). Highlights also include the team winning the last OK White conference meet by outrunning Forest Hills Northern with a score of 43 to 47. Bowers, Mora, and Moleski each earned first team all-conference honors with Sargent also earning honorable mention all-conference honors.

“The boys started this journey back in June, and worked very hard during the off season this summer, and continued that into the regular season this fall,” said Coach Lacey. “All the work they have put in came to fruition last Saturday with an upset of the #3 ranked team in the state—Fremont—and a regional championship. The team is filled with confidence going into the state meet this weekend and seeking a top 5 finish.”

The boys travel to Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn on Saturday, November 4, for state finals. Good luck to them! #LetsGoRedHawks.

WMP state qualifiers. Photo by B. Chong.

By Barbra Chong

West Michigan Pursuit traveled to Caledonia for the 2016-2017 Regionals. Twenty-one individuals entered the tournament and 17 placed in the top four, which qualifies them to compete at the State tournament in two weeks at the Lansing Center.

Finishing in fourth place was 90 lb Logan Bennett, 11/12 age group.

In third place was 52 lb Kaleb Pautke, 7/8 age group.

Finishing in second place was 67 lb Chayson Eberspeaker, 7/8 age group; 122 lb David Erxleben, High School division; 75 lb Blake Peasley, 9/10 age group; 61 lb Selina Stalker, 4/6 age group; and 55 lb Kellen Weckesser, 7/8 age group.

Regional Champions are 61 lb Quinten Cassiday, 7/8 age group; 70 lb Carter Castillo, 11/12 age group; 63 lb Luke Egan, 9/10 age group; 58 lb Drew Moro, 7/8 age group; 67 lb Tyler Parmeter, 7/8 age group; 155 lb Lucus Pienton, High School division; 138 lb Ahmad Starr, High School division; 59 lb Josh Vasquez, 9/10 age group; 46 lb Blake Werkema, 4/6 age group and 158 lb Maston Wood, 11/12 age group.

“My first year running WMP, I had seven individuals qualify with three Regional Champions. Five years later, I have 17 individuals qualifying with 10 Regional Championship titles. These kids and their parents continue to impress me with their neverending support and dedication. The combined efforts are what makes this program a success,” said Head Coach Dave Andrus.

Odyssey of the Mind Team 1.

Three Odyssey of the Mind teams from Cedar View Elementary will be heading to the state finals this weekend after placing at regionals in February.

The three teams traveled to Greenville on February 25 to compete at Regionals and finished with one first place and two second places, which allowed them to move on to State Finals.

The first team that took first place at Regionals did Problem 2 Odd-a-Bot: Coryn Wiles, Ember Briggs, Brielle Sarniak, Walker Glyshaw, Nathanael Slager, Devin Jobson, and Silas Cartwright, all in 5th grade.

Odyssey of the Mind Team 2.

The second team which took second place at Regionals did Problem 3 It’s Time, OMER: Dominic Vanderhyde and Michael Stevens, 4th grade; and Emily Stevens, Kendall Fisk, Alana Wiles, Jeremiah Slager, Logan Redes, 3rd grade.

The third team took second at Regional as well and did Problem 1 Catch Us If You Can: Kyla Robinson, Derek Bordeaux, Kaden Kirkwood, Riley Robb: all in 5th grade; and Gavin Kirkwood in 4th grade.

State Finals will be held on March 18 at Thornapple Kellogg High School. By visiting the miodyssey.com website fans can see when they are performing that day.

Odyssey of the Mind Team 3.

Pictured is WMP wrestler Selena Stalker, who took 2nd Place in the 4/6 age group at Fremont. Photo by B. Chong.

By Barbra Chong

West Michigan Pursuit had one individual enter the Eagle Claw tournament in Carson City last weekend. Logan Bennett entered the 11/12 age group in the 85 lb wt class. Bennett went 3-1 and finished for a True 2nd Place.

The rest of the team traveled to Fremont for the MYWA Greights tournament. WMP had 20 individuals enter and placed 16 in the top four.

Finishing in fourth place was 155 lb Aaiden Dowdell, 13/15 age group; 122 lb David Erxleben, High School division; 67 lb Tyler Parmeter, 7/8 age group and 80 lb Isaiah Smith, 9/10 age group.

Finishing in third place was 75 lb Carter Castillo, 11/12 age group; 67 lb Chayson Eberspeaker, 7/8 age group; and 61 lb Spencer Schoenborn, 7/8 Novice age group.

Finishing in second place was 64 lb Quinten Cassiday, 7/8 age group; 80 lb Blake Hammer, 11/12 Novice age group; and 61 lb Selena Stalker, 4/6 age group. Champions of the day were 63 lb Luke Egan, 9/10 age group; 58 lb Drew Moro, 7/8 age group; 75 lb Blake Peasley, 9/10 age group; 59 lb Josh Vasquz, 9/10 age group; 55 lb Kellen Weckesser, 7/8 age group and 46 lb Blake Werkema, 4/6 age group.

“West Michigan Pursuit and the Cedar Springs Youth Wrestling have been stepping up their training and combining practices as they head to Regionals,” said Head Coach, Dave Andrus. “These kids have been pushing each other to secure their spot for an opportunity to compete at the State Finals. I have the highest confidence in these kids to do so.”

The Cedar Springs girls and boys bowling teams finished third at regionals and went on to state.

Sophomore Sarah Galloway qualified for individual bowlers at state. Here she is shown with one of her coaches, Dave Arbanas.

The Cedar Springs boys and girls bowling teams placed third at regionals on February 24, which qualified them for state. Sophomore Sarah Galloway bowled her high school high game of 235 at regionals, which helped her finished fourth in individuals and qualified her for individual competition at the state finals.

Freshman Katelyn Paige bowled her high school high of 191 and sophomore Michayla Paige bowled her high school high of 194 at regionals.

On March 3, the teams traveled to Canton for state. After a very hard effort both the boys and the girls teams were eliminated in the first round at state, as was Sarah Galloway in the individuals.

Congratulations to the bowling teams on a great year!

Teammates Carter Falan and Logan Troupe battling it out for 1st place in the 105lb class. Photo by J. Troupe

By Jacquie Troupe

Cedar Springs Youth Wrestling Club took 22 wrestlers to the Northview Open & Novice Tournament Sunday, March 5, 2017. Nine medaled, and they finished the day 46-35, competing against 633 wrestlers on 77 teams. CSYWC came in 6th with over all pins with 19 in 30:33, and 6th in match points with 294.

“As the season winds down, the competition gets tougher,” said Coach Bryan Goike. “Everyone has honed their skills, they are getting ready to compete in Regionals and State in a few weeks. This is the time where competition is serious on the mat and to work harder than you ever have at practice to prove to yourself that your dedication to this sport is worth it.”

Deegan Pike came in 11th out of 655 wrestlers in number of pins in shortest combined time with 4 in 5:22. He also had the fastest pin for the team with :18! Dakota Winchel was 13th with 4 in 6:16 and tied for second fastest pin with :24, along with Jayce Karafa. Brandson Wood was 28th in over all match points with 34, Jonathan Libera shared the 61st spot with 28, Tommy Stevens and Carter Falan shared the 90th spot with 25. Sierra Streeter had the third fastest pin for the team with :26. Bryson Streeter scored the most points in a single match for the team (48th over all) with 15, Carter Falan was second (73rd over all) with 14, Sierra Streeter was third (105th over all) with 13.

In the 2010-2012 All division, 58lb class Chasyn Winchel placed 1st after 2 matches. In the 2008-2009 Open division, 67lb class Johnathan Libera placed 3rd after 4 matches. In the 2008-2009 Novice division, 58lb class Deegan Pike placed 1st after 4 matches. In the 2006-2007 Open division, 55/59lb class Brandson Wood placed 3rd after 4 matches. In the 150lb class Wyatt Cooper placed 1st after 2 matches. In the Novice 110lb class Dakota Winchel placed 2nd after 4 matches. In the 2003-2004 Open division, 85lb class Tommy Stevens placed 2nd after 3 matches. In the 105lb class Carter Falan placed 1st after 3 matches and Logan Troupe placed 3rd after 4 matches.

The Cedar Springs Varsity Competitive Cheer team is headed to regionals after their fourth place win at districts last weekend.

Cedar Springs Varsity competitive cheer team is headed to regionals and one step closer to their goal of making it to the State Finals!

On Saturday, February 18, the team traveled to Kenowa Hills to compete in the District finals.

With sickness hitting the team hard last week, these ladies had to give it all they had and prove their ability to come out on top, even with the odds stacked against them.

Fifteen teams competed for the top four spots and a chance to move on to Regionals.

In Round 1 they earned a score of 217.5, putting them in 6th place. Round 2 gained them an additional 219.46 points, a subtotal score of 436.96 and moving them up to third place. The completion of round 3 earned an additional 291.3, a total score of 728.26, and a fourth place finish securing their spot in regionals.

Mona Shores took first place, followed by Kenowa Hills in second, and Reeths Puffer in third.

Next stop for the Lady Red Hawks will be Saturday, February 25, at 10:00 am to compete in MHSAA Regional Finals at Mona Shores high school.

The top four placing teams at regionals will then move on to the State finals at the Delta Plex on Saturday, March 4.

These four Cedar Springs Varsity wrestlers will be heading to the state finals for the second year in a row. From left to right: Ryan Ringler, Patrick Depiazza, Lucus Pienton, and Jordan Ringler. Photo by B. Chong.

By Barbra Chong

The Cedar Springs High School Wrestling team had their 2017 Individual Regionals this last weekend, which were hosted by the Bull Dogs of Byron Center. The Red Hawks had six Regional Qualifiers that entered the competition and four are advancing to the State Finals.

Heavy Weight Patrick Depiazza is a senior and is currently ranked #2 in the State of Michigan, at MichiganGrappler.com. He remains undefeated with a record of 44-0 and is the 2017 Heavy Weight Conference, District and Regional Champion. The highlight of the Heavy Weight division was Depiazza defeating #1 ranked Chase Beard of Allegan in the finals, by regular decision 4-3.

Ryan Ringler, 171 lb, is a sophomore and is currently ranked #2. His current record is 45-1 and is the 2017 171 lb Conference, District and Regional Champion.

Jordan Ringler, 135 lb, is a senior and is currently ranked #6. His current record is 38-8 and is the 135 lb Conference Runner up, District Runner Up and Regional Runner Up.

Lucus Pienton 145 lb, is a sophomore and is currently ranked #8. His current record is 33-8 and is the 145 lb Conference Champion, District Runner Up and Regional Runner Up.

Congratulations to these four individuals for qualifying to the State Finals two consecutive years in a row. These boys have worked extremely hard for this opportunity. If you would like to support your local Red Hawks, they will be competing at the Palace of Auburn Hills, March 2-4.