Some seasons produce champions. Others produce legends. The spring of 2026 delivered both.
Across West Michigan, athletes shattered records that had stood for decades, chased down milestones few thought possible, and delivered championship moments that will be remembered long after the final outs, final races and final whistles. From a state championship softball season unlike anything Muskegon County had ever seen to record-breaking performances in baseball, track and field, and girls soccer, this spring became a celebration of athletes who refused to accept limits.
This was the season history kept showing up.
BASEBALL
Ravenna: Dylan May Rewrites the Record Book
Every successful season needs an ace. Ravenna had one in Dylan May. The four-sport standout became the Bulldogs’ all-time strikeout leader with 336 career strikeouts while also breaking the school’s single-season strikeout record with 115.
May finished 10-0 with a 0.47 ERA, tossed three no-hitters, and helped lead Ravenna to a school-record 28 victories and its first conference championship since 1996.
The Grace College commit leaves as one of the most accomplished athletes in school history.
SOFTBALL
Ravenna: A State Championship Season for the Ages
The Bulldogs didn’t just win games. They overwhelmed opponents. Ravenna finished 40-1, became the first softball team from Muskegon County to win an MHSAA state championship, and outscored opponents 479-51 during one of the most dominant seasons the area has ever witnessed.
The Bulldogs recorded 25 shutouts and outscored opponents 72-4 during their seven-game tournament run. Leading the charge was one of the state’s most talented collections of players.
- Emily Postema hit .585 with 75 RBIs, 73 runs scored, 16 triples and a remarkable 1.647 OPS while committing just one error all season.
- Natalie Rosel Dominates Everywhere. The Central Michigan commit finished 27-0 with a 0.698 ERA and 272 strikeouts while also batting .557 with eight home runs and 79 runs scored.
- Five Bulldogs Earn All-State Recognition. Reese Herremans, Riley Homoly, Sydney Morrissey, Emily Postema and Natalie Rosel all earned Division 3 First Team All-State honors following the championship season.
TRACK & FIELD
Montague: Isaac French Breaks the School Record Twice
When Isaac French arrived at the Division 2 Regional Championships, he knew the school shot put record was within reach. He broke it with a throw of 53 feet, 7 inches. Moments later, he broke it again.
French’s throw of 55 feet, 3 inches secured a regional championship and a permanent place in Montague history.
Ludington: Eliza Schwass Erases a 44-Year-Old Standard
For more than four decades, Ludington’s 1,600-meter record stood untouched. Then Eliza Schwass ran 4:40.24.
The performance shattered the previous record by more than 15 seconds. She later added another school record in the 800 meters with a time of 2:08.61, completing one of the greatest distance seasons in school history.
Hart: Chase Lorenz Becomes the Fastest Pirate Ever
Lorenz rewrote Hart’s sprint record book with times of 10.67 in the 100 meters and 21.68 in the 200 meters.
Both marks established new school records and made him the fastest sprinter the Pirates have ever produced.
Whitehall: Four Runners, One Historic Night
The Whitehall 4×800 relay team of Jevon Hilliard, Rex Pumford, Javi LeBlanc and Robert Jazwinski III delivered one of the season’s defining performances.
Their time of 7:57.70 broke the school record and earned a regional championship.
Hart: Shelbie Choponis Ends a 41-Year Wait
Some records seem untouchable. Shelbie Choponis proved otherwise.
Her throw of 125 feet, 7½ inches broke a school discus record that had stood for 41 years.
Oakridge: Relay Team Makes History
The quartet of Trent Galdeen, Jayden Mueller, Lawson Miller and Bryce Falbe broke both the school and meet record in the 4×800 relay with a time of 8:08.51.
Falbe added another historic moment by winning the 800 meters in a meet-record 1:58.78.
Fremont: Kayley Frens Sets a New Standard
Frens raced into the school record book with a time of 15.94 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles.
Reeths-Puffer: Mason Darke Climbs State Rankings
Darke broke the school record in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.32 seconds, one of the fastest marks in Michigan this season.
GIRLS SOCCER
Oakridge: Alayna Weiss Joins Michigan’s Elite
Every save mattered. By the end of her career, Oakridge goalkeeper Alayna Weiss had accumulated 594 saves, ranking fourth all-time in MHSAA history despite playing only three varsity seasons.
Her season ended early because of a knee injury, but her impact on the program did not.
Fremont: Historic Season Produces Three School Records
Fremont’s magical postseason run ended just one penalty shootout short of a trip to the state semifinals, as the Packers reached the Regional Final, one of the deepest tournament runs in program history.
- Sophomore Esther Vissia scored 42 goals.
- Senior Maddie Mater finished with 22 assists.
- Goalkeeper Haille Snyder recorded 13 shutouts.
Together they helped deliver one of the greatest seasons Fremont girls soccer has ever enjoyed.
Ravenna: Monroe Wilde Earns Place in State History
Ravenna goalkeeper Monroe Wilde reached 530 career saves, earning a place in the MHSAA record book and cementing her legacy among the area’s top goalkeepers.
Did We Miss a Record?
Think we missed a record-breaking performance or historic achievement from the 2026 spring season?
Coaches, athletes, parents, and fans are encouraged to send us any school, conference, regional, or state records that deserve recognition. We’ll continue updating our list of West Michigan’s 2026 record breakers throughout the summer.
Because every record has a story worth telling.
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