The spring sports season was filled with record-breaking performances, championship runs, and unforgettable moments. Throughout the season, CatchMark SportsNet covered games, meets, matches, and tournaments across West Michigan, and after reviewing statistics, accomplishments, team success, leadership, and overall impact, a panel selected three finalists in each sport. Now, fans, coaches, athletes, families, and community members have the opportunity to help recognize and celebrate the area’s most outstanding student-athletes in the 2026 CatchMark SportsNet Spring Player of the Year Awards.
Voting opens today and will remain open for seven days. Winners will be announced on June 30, 2026.
A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, CatchMark Technologies, whose support helps make our local sports coverage possible. CatchMark believes in one simple mission: helping people and solving problems. As a trusted technology partner for businesses across West Michigan, they do more than provide IT services, they work alongside organizations to help them grow, succeed, and navigate the challenges of an ever-changing technology landscape.
We also want to thank our incredible SportsNuts volunteers. Your contributions allow us to continue telling the stories of local athletes and providing coverage throughout the year. Thank you to Mia Milner, Brent and Kara Raeth, Owen Raeth, Noah Raeth, Melissa King, Sarah Evans, Myleigh Wright, Jay Courtland, and Bill O’Connell.
Why Your Vote Matters
These awards recognize more than statistics—they celebrate dedication, leadership, sportsmanship, and the impact these athletes made on their teams and communities. Every finalist earned their place through an outstanding season, and your vote helps honor their achievements.
How Finalists Were Selected
A panel reviewed nominees based on:
- Individual statistics and accomplishments
- Team success
- Leadership and sportsmanship
- Conference, district, regional, and state-level achievements
- Overall impact throughout the season
The top three athletes in each sport advanced to the final round of voting.
How Voting Works
Winners are determined by a combination of panel voting and public voting.
Panel Voting
- 1st Place = 3 points
- 2nd Place = 2 points
- 3rd Place = 1 point
Public Voting
- Every 1,000 public votes = 1 point
Final Score
- Panel Points + (Public Votes ÷ 1,000) = Final Score
In the event of a tie, the panel will determine the winner.
Now it’s time to make your voice heard. Cast your vote and help recognize the top student-athletes of the 2026 spring season.
Baseball
Dylan May (Ravenna)
Dylan May put together one of the most dominant pitching seasons in area history, leading Ravenna to a conference championship while posting a perfect 10-0 record with a 0.46 ERA and 116 strikeouts. He threw eight complete-game shutouts and three no-hitters while setting school records for single-season strikeouts (116), single-season ERA (0.46), and career strikeouts (326). At the plate, he also contributed with a .349 batting average, 28 hits, 21 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases.
Eli Petersen (Montague)
Eli Petersen established himself as one of the area’s premier two-way players, helping lead Montague to a Lakes Division championship. On the mound, he finished 9-0 with a 0.81 ERA, 94 strikeouts, and a 0.746 WHIP over 60.1 innings. Offensively, Petersen batted .303 with 27 hits, 19 RBIs, and 22 runs scored, providing leadership and consistency throughout the season.
Logan Slimko (North Muskegon)
Logan Slimko was a key contributor for Rivers Division co-champion North Muskegon, excelling both on the mound and at the plate. The First Team All-Conference pitcher finished 5-3 with a 2.05 ERA and 116 strikeouts in just 58 innings, while throwing both a no-hitter and a perfect game with 18 strikeouts. Offensively, he added a .338 batting average, 23 hits, 16 RBIs, 16 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases.
Softball
Natalie Rosel (Ravenna)
Natalie Rosel was one of Michigan’s top two-way softball players, leading Ravenna to an undefeated conference championship season and a trip to the state semifinals. In the circle, she went 25-0 with a 0.67 ERA and 248 strikeouts while surpassing 500 career strikeouts. At the plate, Rosel hit .556 with 69 hits, 55 RBIs, 8 home runs, and 44 stolen bases, making an impact in every phase of the game.
Jayna Burmeister (Shelby)
Jayna Burmeister delivered an outstanding sophomore season and helped lead Shelby to a district championship. She batted .598 with 64 hits, 18 home runs, 65 RBIs, 73 runs scored, and 27 stolen bases while posting a remarkable .669 on-base percentage. In the circle, she recorded 226 strikeouts over 126.1 innings, proving to be one of the area’s most dominant all-around players.
Emily Postema (Ravenna)
Emily Postema was a driving force behind Ravenna’s conference championship and state semifinal run. The standout catcher hit .585 with 72 hits, 74 RBIs, 14 doubles, 14 triples, 4 home runs, and 45 stolen bases. Defensively, she recorded a .996 fielding percentage behind the plate, combining elite offense with exceptional defensive leadership.
Soccer
Esther Vissia (Fremont)
Esther Vissia delivered a record-breaking season for Fremont, establishing herself as one of the area’s top offensive players. She scored 42 goals and added 13 assists while setting a new school record for goals in a season. Her 97 points also tied the school record, making her one of the most productive attackers in the region.
Emmy Creed (North Muskegon)
Emmy Creed was the engine of North Muskegon’s offense from her midfield position. She finished the season with 34 goals and 12 assists, consistently creating scoring opportunities while controlling play in the middle of the field. Her combination of scoring, playmaking, and leadership made her one of the area’s most complete players.
Monroe Wilde (Ravenna)
Monroe Wilde was the backbone of Ravenna’s defense and one of the most accomplished goalkeepers in Michigan. The senior captain surpassed 530 career saves during the 2026 season, finishing her career ranked fourth all-time in MHSAA history. Her ability to consistently make game-changing saves, provide leadership from the back line, and keep Ravenna competitive against top opponents made her one of the area’s premier goalkeepers. Wilde’s historic accomplishments and impact on the field helped cement her place among the state’s elite players and make her a deserving finalist for Soccer Player of the Year.
Golf
Titan Carter (Shelby)
Titan Carter continued his dominance as one of Michigan’s top golfers, capturing his third consecutive WMC Rivers Division individual championship. He posted a 7.242 iWR, recorded 88 birdies and 336 pars, and won the Benona Shores Invitational. Carter capped his season with a 14th-place finish at the Division 3 State Finals.
Luke Jones (North Muskegon)
Luke Jones was a key contributor for the WMC Rivers Division champion Norsemen and one of the area’s top golfers. He won a Division 3 Regional Championship, earned multiple medalist honors, and finished 12th at the Division 3 State Finals. Jones posted an 11.699 iWR while recording 50 birdies and 268 pars throughout the season.
Alec Rodenbeck (Ludington)
Alec Rodenbeck led Ludington to a Lakes Division championship and established himself as one of the area’s most consistent golfers. He posted a 9.964 iWR with 75 birdies and 359 pars while earning several medalist finishes, including a 71 (-1) at the Shelby Tiger Invitational and a 34 (-2) at Oakridge.
Girls Track
Eliza Schwass (Ludington)
Eliza Schwass enjoyed one of the most impressive freshman seasons in Michigan, helping Ludington capture a Lakes Division championship. She posted elite times of 2:08.61 in the 800-meter run, 4:40.24 in the 1600-meter run, and 10:13.02 in the 3200-meter run. During the season, she held the fastest 800m and 1600m times in the state while qualifying for the Division 2 State Finals in multiple events.
Aurora Pelham (Ravenna)
Aurora Pelham proved to be one of the most versatile athletes in the area, contributing in sprints, jumps, and relays for Ravenna. She recorded season-best marks of 12.42 in the 100-meter dash and 17’0.5″ in the long jump while helping power Ravenna’s relay teams. Her ability to score in multiple events made her one of the region’s most valuable competitors.
Addison Hain (Hart)
Addison Hain established herself as one of the area’s top sprinters with outstanding performances throughout the season. She posted season-best times of 12.66 in the 100-meter dash and 27.03 in the 200-meter dash while qualifying for the Division 3 State Finals in both events. Hain was also a key contributor on Hart’s relay teams and consistently scored points at major meets.
Boys Track
Robert Jazwinski III (Whitehall)
Robert Jazwinski III capped an incredible season by winning the Division 2 State Championship in the 3200-meter run with a personal-best time of 9:07.07. The Whitehall standout also posted season bests of 2:03.14 in the 800m and 4:20.66 in the 1600m while helping the Vikings’ 4×800 relay team break the school record and win a regional title.
Isaac French (Montague)
Isaac French became a Division 3 State Champion in the shot put and cemented his place among Montague’s all-time great throwers. He won conference and regional titles while recording a personal-best throw of 55’3″. French also broke a 21-year-old school record twice during the regional meet, highlighting an exceptional senior season.
Chase Lorenz (Hart)
Chase Lorenz was one of the fastest sprinters in West Michigan, excelling in three individual events throughout the season. He posted outstanding marks of 10.71 in the 100-meter dash, 21.68 in the 200-meter dash, and 49.10 in the 400-meter dash while qualifying for the Division 3 State Finals. His speed and versatility made him one of the area’s most dynamic athletes.
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