This is Week 8 of the CatchMark Catch-Up for the 2023 spring sports season in the West Michigan Conference.
It’s Monday, May 29, and we’re hitting some of the highlights from last week.
Before we get into those things, please read these notes:
- Coaches: It’s very important that you submit your game scores and recaps/details/stats to us. We use that info in a variety of content at CatchMark SportsNet, including but not limited to our Scoreboard, Player of the Week fan polls, and the Catch-Up that you’re reading now. We are not receiving scores and info from a number of coaches across the league. Please help us out, which in turn will help your athletes get exposure.
- Coaches: Please email those game scores, recaps/details/stats in a timely fashion. We are asking you submit them the day/night of the game or event. And that info should be emailed to sports@catchmarkit.com. Multiple people at CatchMark SportsNet have access to the sports@catchmarkit.com email address as we all produce varying content from it.
TRACK AND FIELD
Whitehall boys fall just short in state-title bid
This seemed like the year when Whitehall’s boys track and field team was going to capture a state title. The Vikings had talent, depth, everything.
One thing they were missing, however, at least in Friday’s MITCA Division 2 team state meet at Berrien Springs, was a little luck.
Speedy and athletic senior standout Nate Bolley injured his hamstring during a routine warm-up for long jump and he was out for the meet. Whitehall finished with 1443.5 points and settled for runner-up for the third straight season behind Frankenmuth, which totaled 1509 points.
CLICK HERE for complete coverage, including photos, video and details.
Hart teams, plus Manistee girls, compete at Clare
Hart’s boys and girls track and field teams competed in the MITCA Division 3 team state meet Saturday at Clare.
The Pirates boys squad placed seventh, while the girls team took eighth. Manistee’s girls team was also there and the Chippewas finished 10th.
CLICK HERE for more details on that meet.
WMC athletes fare well at West Michigan All-Star Invitational
Several West Michigan Conference track and field athletes competed in Wednesday’s 44th West Michigan All-Star Invitational and they fared well.
CLICK HERE to see all of the top-eight finishers from the conference, as well as photos and video.
CLICK HERE to read the story and see the photos on North Muskegon’s Wiegers siblings.
BASEBALL
Montague, Oakridge split WMC Lakes doubleheader, share title
Montague and Oakridge split a WMC Lakes Division doubleheader last Tuesday at Montague, with the visiting Eagles winning 4-3 in the first game and the host Wildcats answering for a 12-1, six-inning victory in the second game.
With the split, Montague and Oakridge shared the WMC Lakes title with 9-3 records in divisional play.
CLICK HERE for more details and photos from the doubleheader.
Manistee sweeps Mason County Central in nondivisional action
CatchMark SportsNet student volunteer made the trip Friday to Manistee, where she captured photos and video of the host Chippewas’ sweep of Mason County Central in a WMC nondivisional doubleheader.
Manistee won 3-2 in the first game and 3-1 in the second game.
CLICK HERE for photos and video.
See district matchups and brackets for WMC teams
District play begins Tuesday (May 30) for some high school baseball teams with the tournament getting going in earnest on Saturday (June 3).
CLICK HERE for matchups and brackets for those districts involving West Michigan Conference teams.
SOFTBALL
Oakridge wins seventh straight conference title, puts on hitting display
Oakridge’s softball team left no doubt when it comes to WMC Lakes Division supremacy this season. The Eagles swept host Montague, 13-0 in six innings and 18-1 in three innings, on Tuesday.
In the second game, Oakridge hit six home runs in the second inning — two by Gracia Clark — and broke the program’s record for homers in a season. After three more dingers in a 15-1 and 19-0 sweep of Kenowa Hills Thursday, the Eagles have 50 homers as a team entering this week.
As far as WMC play is concerned, Oakridge is 101-1 in league contests during the seven-year reign.
CLICK HERE for more details, photos and video from the Oakridge-Montague doubleheader.
Don’t miss this heartfelt video on Montague softball coach Randall Mikkelsen and senior daughter Kiara Mikkelsen:
See district matchups and brackets for WMC teams
District play begins Tuesday (May 30) for some high school softball teams with the tournament getting going in earnest on Saturday (June 3).
CLICK HERE for matchups and brackets for those districts involving West Michigan Conference teams.
GIRLS SOCCER
First round of districts complete; district semis and finals this week
The first round of girls district soccer tournament play wrapped up on Friday. This week, it’s on to the district semifinals and finals.
CLICK HERE for updated scores and brackets for those districts involving West Michigan Conference teams.
BOYS GOLF
Manistee, North Muskegon win respective WMC divisions in boys golf
Manistee and North Muskegon boys golf teams put the finishing touches on their respective first-place standings in the West Michigan Conference Lakes and Rivers divisions last week.
Here are the final WMC Lakes standings from regular-season jamborees:
1. Manistee 1130
2. Fremont 1219
3. Whitehall 1233
4. Ludington 1293
5. Montague 1319
6. Oakridge 1375
7. Orchard View (did not field complete team)
Here were the top golfers in the WMC Lakes:
First team:
1. Max Scharp (Manistee) 226
2. Killian Prewitt (Fremont) 229
3. Jacob Scharp (Manistee) 231
4. Braydon Sorenson (Manistee) 241
5. Kaden Drozd (Fremont) 252
6. Jordan Bladzik (Manistee) 259
7. Landon Griffin (Whitehall) 262
8. Alec Rodenbeck (Ludington) 263
9. Brady Tate (Whitehall) 264
10. Ethan Hodges (Orchard View) 265
10. Alex Kortge (Fremont) 265
Honorable mention:
12. Corbin Vanderstelt (Whitehall) 267
12. Ben Schlaff (Manistee) 267
15. Braedon Bond (Whitehall) 269
15. Owen Raeth (Montague) 269
Here are the final WMC Rivers standings from regular-season jamborees:
1. North Muskegon 1314
2. Ravenna 1349
3. Mason County Central 1474
4. Holton 1521
5. Hart 1579
6. Shelby 1633
7. Hesperia 1637
Note: CatchMark is awaiting a list of first-team and honorable-mention individuals for the WMC Rivers Division.
Regional tournaments take place this week for boys golf. CLICK HERE for the MHSAA’s regional assignments and schedules.
GIRLS TENNIS
Ludington, North Muskegon repping conference at state finals
Ludington and North Muskegon will be representing the West Michigan Conference at the MHSAA girls tennis state finals this Friday and Saturday (June 2-3). The Orioles will be competing in the Division 3 finals at University of Michigan and Dexter High School, while the Norse will be competing in the Division 4 finals at Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University.
CLICK HERE for more details from the MHSAA site.
