11-21-2019 Tri-City Area Sports

Hartford Prress Box By Jerrod Birmele

Hartford Soccer hosts banquet amidst awards bonanza

On Monday afternoon, Nov. 4, the Hartford Indian Boys Soccer team gathered together to celebrate another outstanding season in 2019. The Indians finished with a record of 20-4 overall and 9-1 in Southwest 10 Conference play. Among the highlights for the season was a 17-match winning streak, a tournament victory in the Shoreline Shootout in South Haven and winning the Southwest 10 Conference for the third straight year. The team also won another district trophy to go into the ever-expanding trophy case, and making it to the state “Sweet 16” in Division 4.

Despite the disappointing early ending to another fantastic year, the mood was upbeat as the team celebrated all of the great accomplishments their program achieved this season. This was awards night after all, and there were plenty to go around.

Starting with all-conference awards, four players were selected for first team all-conference honors in the Southwest 10, while two more players received second team all-conference honors and another pair of Indians received honorable mention all-conference recognition.

Players earning first team all-conference honors included seniors Miguel Cardoso, Nick Pultz and Joel Soto, along with sophomore Aaron Lopez-Robles. For his exemplary play and sportsmanship on the soccer pitch this season, Pultz was voted by the coaches of the conference as the “team captain”. Earning second team all-conference honors were sophomore Kaden Johnson (goalkeeper) and freshman Alan Gonzalez, while junior Danny Gutierrez and freshman Bryan Torres were awarded honorable mention all-conference.

Upon the announcement of the members of the all-conference team, Head Coach Nick Blackmer was honored to hand out a few more special awards. First, Coach Blackmer was honored as the District Coach of the Year by his peers, and accepted the award the only way he knows how: graciously and with humility. Six members of the team were placed on the all-district team: Miguel Cardoso, Alan Gonzalez, Kaden Johnson, Aaron Lopez-Robles, Nick Pultz and Joel Soto, while Cardoso, Pultz and Soto were also named to the all-regional team.

Awards were also announced for all-state, and three players received honors on those lists, as well. Miguel Cardoso, Nick Pultz and Joel Soto each received recognition, with Pultz earning second team honors, while Cardoso received third team honors and Soto earned honorable mention status. Pultz and Soto also received individual all-academic awards from the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association (MIHSSCA) for their exemplary work in the classroom.

Congratulations to these exemplary student-athletes, and to all the soccer players, for their achievements this season!

Hartford Cross Country teams celebrate successful season at banquet

On Thursday afternoon, Nov. 7, the Hartford Cross Country teams came together and celebrated their 2019 season. The Indians were able to gather for their banquet knowing that both teams had another successful year, and that they gave it their all each and every race.

The season was highlighted by the ladies team placing 2nd in the Southwest 10 Conference, while the mens team placed 5th overall in the conference. On the men’s side, the team placed in the top-5 in six different meets, with a season-best finish of 3rd in the Lawrence Early Bird Invitational. Meanwhile, the ladies placed in the top-3 in ten of their twelve meets, highlighted by a victory in the Decatur Raider Invitational.

There was plenty of reason to celebrate, as a total of seven runners – five ladies and two gentlemen – were awarded all-conference honors. To earn their place on the all-conference roster, runners must compete in all three conference jamborees and place consistently in the field. At the end of the three jamborees, where the runners place is totaled up and is used to determine the representative of each all-conference team. Hartford managed to place five runners on the first team all-conference list, while the remaining two runners took home second team all-conference status.

On the ladies side, three runners managed to take home first team all-conference honors in seniors Yovana Naranjo and Katherine Sanchez, along with sophomore Jasmin Janicki. Meanwhile, two other Lady Indian runners, juniors Mayra Naranjo and Jamie Smith, took home second team all-conference honors. On the men’s side, both all-conference runners, senior Joey Lehmkuhl and junior Jacob Morales, made it on the first team list.

Congratulations to these fine student-athletes, and to all the cross country runners, for their achievements this season!

Recap of Hartford Football, Volleyball banquets coming next week

The two other fall sports in Hartford – football and volleyball – have also recently held their awards banquets. Coming up next week, the Hartford Press Box will recap the ceremonies and tell what student-athletes received all-conference honors. And once we report on them, sadly, the fall sports season is done – and we will then turn our full attention to winter sports. So, stay tuned to the Hartford Press Box for the best insider information on Indian Athletics!

As always, GO INDIANS!

Coloma Press Box By Dave Vollrath

Comet Volleyball team shows much improvement, despite early district exit

The Coloma Comet volleyball team under 9-year head coach Kim Swisher, had plans and goals to go a little farther in the state tournament this season after losing in the finals of the district that ended their 2018 campaign. Their district competition did not look as intimidating as it did last year and more was expected from the Comet team if they could get past their first round opponent from Paw Paw. It was not meant to be however, as Paw Paw outlasted Coloma in five sets, in a match that each team looked like they could dominate at different times. Paw Paw went on to win the district title after beating Benton Harbor and then host South Haven in the final.

Although Comet coach Swisher was disappointed in the outcome, she was very proud of her team’s effort as she says, “Even though we came up short in the district, I know the girls gave their all, and left everything on the court.”

In spite of the outcome, the Comets showed great improvement over last season and also looked like a more confident team every time they stepped on the court this season. The Comets had seven juniors and one sophomore on the team, and had some great senior leadership. These seniors will certainly be missed as they move on, but Coach Swisher says she looks forward to next season. With the number of juniors she has coming back a positive thing, they will really have to work to replace the hitters they had in the middle of this year’s lineup.

ISAIAH REINHARDT COMPETES AT CAMP… Comet senior basketball player Isaiah Reinhardt attended the McCracken summer camp at Oliver College in Ft. Wayne, Indiana in July. He finished third in his age group, and qualified for a Super Shootout on October 20. Again Isaiah won a 3rd place trophy in his age group. Isaiah, a senior at Coloma High School, is the son of Josh and Jessica Reinhardt. (Photo courtesy of Lorraine Teed)

The Comets finished the season with an overall 15-17-4 record. The highlight of the year coming in the championship they won at the Climax Scotts Invitational tournament. Coloma also had their very own highly successful invitational seven team tournament, where the Comets faced some top notch competition throughout the day.

Megan Neubecker, a Comet 3-sport senior star, was the team MVP as she was a first team All Conference and All Region. Megan led the team this year in kills with 355, aces 82, blocks 111, and had 186 digs. Junior Taryn Blazier also was named to the first All Conference team, as she was second on the team with 203 kills and 256 digs.

Kelsey Ellis, a senior, was named to the all conference honorable mention team as she led the Comets with 375 digs and made many outstanding plays all season long.

Marissa Sherburn playing in only her second season of volleyball won the most improved player award. Marissa, a senior, was a strong player in the middle for the Comets who played extremely hard. She finished the year with 61 blocks and 122 kills. Kiely Moore and Marissa Pullins were honored with the coach’s award, and are both juniors who will return next year. Rozalyn Emrich is the other senior on the team. Madison McQuillan, Gracie Whitaker, Maurissa LaGrow, and Mia Cole, are the other juniors who will be returning next year. Chloe Mathis was the lone sophomore who will also be coming back for Coach Swisher next season.

Megan Koenigshof to play softball at Grand Valley State

Megan Koenigshof, senior standout softball player for the Comets, has signed a letter of intent to continue her education and softball career at Grand Valley State University. Megan is one of the more outstanding athletes in the Coloma class of 2020, a class that has many outstanding athletes both male and female.

SIGNS WITH LAKERS! Coloma Comet senior standout softball player Megan Koenigshof has signed a letter of intent to continue her education and softball career at Grand Valley State University. Megan, a starter in each of her first three years for the Comets, with her senior year yet to come, is all smiles with her decision made. She is pictured here flanked by her father and mother, Kurt and Tammy Koenigshof.

Megan has been a starter for Coach Wendy Goodline’s Comet team since she was a freshman, and has helped lead them to some lofty heights with her hitting, speed, defensive skills, and her right arm. In her freshman year she played in right field and hit .526, stole 36 bases, and scored 62 runs. The Comets lost in the quarterfinals in the state tournament and finished with a 34-9 record. Megan was named honorable mention All-Division, and HM All State.

In Megan’s sophomore year she was moved into the infield where she was an outstanding shortstop, had a great year at the plate, and led the Comets to their first ever state championship. At the plate she pounded out a school record .595 batting average, scored a school record 69 runs, and stole 38 bases. Coloma finished with a 38-3 record. Megan was named to the first team All State, and All Division, in the SAC.

Last year as a junior, Coach Goodline needed a pitcher so Megan was moved into the circle where she of course excelled once again leading the Comets to another SAC divisional Championship and their fourth straight district title. Megan had another astronomical batting average of .582, scored 64 runs, and stole a school record 41 bases. Additionally she was named to the 1st team All State roster, as well as first team SAC All-Division.

Megan will also be starting on the Comet basketball team again this winter, as she prepares for her senior season on the softball diamond. She says she is still uncertain on what she wants to study in college, but will certainly go at it with a great deal of gusto.

Isaiah Reinhardt attends basketball camp, improving skills for senior year

Coloma Comet senior Isaiah Reinhart attended the McCracken Basketball Camp Super Shootout on October 20 and finished 3rd in his age group. It was a test of a variety of basketball shooting skills which was held in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Isaiah earned his way to the Super Shootout by finishing in the top 3 places in the shooting competition which was held following the McCracken summer camp, at Oliver College, which he attended in July.

Campers, ages 7-18, had the opportunity to work to improve their individual and team skills. The McCracken basketball camps, work to offer personalized instruction to help players thrive and gain a deeper understanding of the game, and develop their skills at every position. At the end of each camp, the players compete against others in their age group in a variety of timed shooting events. The top 3 finishers in each group earn their way to the finals competition held in October. In the October shootout Isaiah finished third competing against about 25 others in his age group.

Isaiah has kept busy as he was also one of the top players for the Comet soccer team this fall, and also plays on the Coloma Varsity baseball team in the spring. The Comet basketball team is practicing now preparing for the upcoming season. The boys first game is scheduled for December 6

PRESS BOX PLAYER OF THE WEEK

By Dave Vollrath

This week’s Press Box Player of the Week is Coloma Comet senior cross country runner Vanessa Crisenbery. Vanessa is the embodiment of the definition of high school student athlete. She works very hard at everything she does in school, and on the cross country trails. In addition to cross country, Vanessa also is a member of the Comet varsity basketball team.

Vanessa has been running cross country six years, starting in junior high. When she runs there is no doubt that she is giving it her all. Her facial expressions certainly show it every time. Vanessa is absolutely an inspirational leader of her team. She worked very hard to earn a spot on the Comet team that qualified at the regional meet, and qualified to go to state, a first for the Coloma girls.

At the state meet she ran her personal best time, running around the track at the Michigan International Speedway and then found out a couple days later that she had been running for several weeks with a stress fracture in her leg. Vanessa did not want to have a doctor check it out because she feared she wouldn’t be allowed to run with her team at state. This is an example of extreme determination and mind over pain that shows how dedicated Vanessa is.

Vanessa also shows the same determination in the classroom as a member of the National Honor Society, and has won multiple academic letter awards, carrying a 3.81 GPA. She enjoys longboarding in her free time, and also volunteers as a tutor for the junior high students.

Vanessa’s parents are Jason and Brenda Crisenbery of Watervliet. Her plans after graduation are to attend SMC in the fall, with a major in education. Congratulations Vanessa and best of luck in everything you do.

Watervliet Press Box by John Oliphant

Cross Country post-season awards

The Panther Cross Country team gave the Watervliet fans plenty to cheer for in 2019. The boys team won several meets, finished second place a few times, and barely missed a trip to the state finals as a team. The girls team was rejuvenated this year after not having enough runners to compete in 2018.

The teams, led by long-time coach Aaron Weber, recently held their post-season awards banquet. Junior Ezra Troyer was named the team MVP. Ezra’s honors include First-Team All-Conference and he was a regional medalist after finishing in 13th place to qualify for the Class C state finals. He took 30 seconds off his PR this season, taking it down to 17:18 at the massive and fast Portage Invitational.

Senior Gus Hinch was also named First-Team All-Conference. He was a regional medalist, finishing 9th place and making his third trip to the Class C state finals. Gus took 18 second off his PR this season, clocking a 17:19 at Portage.

Senior Kody Edmonds was named First-Team All-Conference while improving his PR by 27 seconds in 2019, to 17:57. Senior Trever Pelton was named First-Team All-Conference and brought his PR down to 18:24 this season. Sophomore German Casiano was named First-Team All-Conference after taking over a minute off his PR in 2019, at 18:11. Junior Matt Hanks was named All-Conference Honorable Mention and took 15 seconds off his PR to 18:36.

Jimmy Kolosowsky was named the Most Improved runner. He started the season with a race time of 24.45 and posted a PR nearly five minutes better at 19:57.

Other team members and their best times are Alex Isbrecht 19:28, Camdon Geisler 19:42, Abel Villareal 20:09, Mason Pennington 20:27, Nathan Isbrecht 20:46, Aaron Leoni 21:11, Korben Camp 21:49, Jake Kroepel 22:05, and Nick Orlando 23:00.

On the girls side, Kristina Swanson was named the team’s MVP. The freshman runner took more than five minutes off her PR this season, at 24:55. Junior Alyssa Lange was named most improved, also setting a PR almost five minutes off of her first race time this season. Other runners on the team were Sophia Tavolacci 24:14, Yona Klimkiewicz 25:19, Megan Trapp 26:07, Destiny Kerr 26:59, Aria Richards 29:23, Alysse Angelo 30:22, and Alexa Warren 35:08.

Panther Volleyball awards

The Panther Volleyball team also held their post-season awards banquet. Senior Susanna VanLente earned several post-season awards including First-Team All-Conference, Individual Academic All-State, and she was selected as the team’s MVP. Sophomore Addison Riley was named Honorable Mention All Conference.

VanLente had 80 kills, 77 digs, and 33 aces. Freshman Samantha Dietz had 84 kills, 10 blocks, 38 digs, and nine aces. Riley finished with 67 kills, 30 blocks, 56 digs, and 10 aces. Sophomore Myah Hobson finished with 43 kills, 44 blocks, four digs and two aces. Sophomore Allison Pline led the team with 83 digs and had 15 aces. Junior Abby Roberts had 23 kills, 22 digs, and 18 aces. Junior Yana Winters had 11 kills and 18 digs. Junior Kristen Gardiner led with 303 assists, 50 digs and 24 aces. Freshman Jaylie Querfurth had 43 digs. Junior Grace Weckworth had five digs. And rounding out the list, freshman Lilly Lefor had eight assists, five kills, 24 digs, and three aces.

Armchair QB’s heating things up: Hildebrand and Rodney-Isbecht have perfect week

By Dave Vollrath Tri-City Record Armchair Quarterbacks were absolutely en fuego (on fire) this week, just one week removed from very mediocre results where a .500 record could have moved them up in the standings. Our current leader Rodney Lynch had an outstanding week picking our football games in going 7-1, but actually lost ground to a pair of our pigskin pickers who went a perfect 8-0, not an easy task to pull off this late in the season. Tim Hildebrand and RoxAnn Rodney-Isbrecht with a perfect week both leapfrogged over Kathy Summers, who actually had a very respectable 6-2 week. Kathy took a flier in picking the Eagles to upset the Patriots, and they fell just short in a better game than most people thought. Along with the Iowa victory over a top 10 Minnesota Gophers team, who came into the game looking to stay undefeated for the first time in 104 years, cost her the two losses. Lynch’s lead remains three games over Hildebrand who gets the 2nd place position based on the tiebreaker over RoxAnn. The tiebreaker game total was 54, a 44-10 thrashing the Wolverines put on the woefully undermanned Spartans. Tim predicted a 49-point total to RoxAnn’s 41. Summers came the closest with a guess of 53, but it didn’t help her as she free falls all the way down to 4th place. It was an outstanding weekend of football with many close games, a few upsets, and our two hinge games – Iowa over Minnesota, and Georgia over Auburn, which could have gone either way, and flipped our panel around if they had. The TCR AQB competition is held weekly from the beginning of the high school football season in late summer, until it finishes with the playing of the Super Bowl in February. We have six Tri-City area football fans competing against each other, to predict the winners of a group of pre selected games from the high school, collegiate, and professional ranks. Following the conclusion of the Super Bowl, one winner is crowned champion and will have the honor of wearing the Tri-City Record Armchair Quarterback Championship hat. In the event that two or more ‘backs have the same record for the week, or the yearly total, their place in the standings will be determined by a weekly tiebreaker game. In addition to trying to correctly pick the winners of each week’s games, they predict the score from a specially selected game. The AQB whom comes the closest to the total number of points scored by both teams, will get the higher spot in the standings. Last week three of Greg Krell’s picks were copied incorrectly by mistake. For anyone keeping count Greg actually had picked Navy over Notre Dame, Auburn over Georgia and the LA Rams over the Bears. Sorry Greg, but, well you know how that worked out. Dan Jones and Greg each had respectable weeks, but overall still remain in 5th and 6th place respectively. Of course Tim and RoxAnn are first and second for the weekly honors and Rodney finishes third. With Kathy and Dan both 6-2, Kathy finishes ahead of Dan based on the tiebreaker and Greg at 5-3 pulls a double dip in basement dwelling. Be sure and check back next week, and see if our pigskin prognosticators will be giving any thanks following the playing of this list of games.

Michigan vs. Indiana MSU vs. Rutgers Boston College vs. Notre Dame Texas vs. Baylor Penn State vs. Ohio State (tiebreaker) Detroit vs. Washington NY Giants vs. Chicago Green Bay vs. San Francisco