Welcome to the CatchMark SportsNet: Player of the Week, where we celebrate the unsung heroes and rising stars who light up the local sports scene! Each week, we put the spotlight on three extraordinary athletes who not only rack up impressive stats but also inspire their teammates and elevate their game.
At the end of this article, you’ll find a poll where you can cast your vote for the athlete you believe deserves the title of Player of the Week. The poll will be open for one week, starting today and ending on the following Friday (April 11th, 2025). Spread the word, share this article, and rally your friends and family to vote for their favorite athlete! Let’s make some noise and show our local sports stars the appreciation they deserve!
A huge shoutout to Harbor Light Credit Union for their incredible support of our athletes and programs! As a trusted financial partner in our community, Harbor Light Credit Union has always been committed to helping people reach their goals—whether it’s saving for the future or that new boat, check them out at harborlightcu.org. Again, thank you, Harbor Light Credit Union!
A huge shoutout to Shoreline Restoration and Construction for their incredible support of our athletes and programs! Whether they’re building homes, restoring properties after fires, their work helps keep our community strong—just like they do for our teams. Their commitment goes beyond construction; it’s about rebuilding lives and creating lasting foundations, both on and off the court. If you’re looking for expert craftsmanship and reliable service, check them out at shorelinerestorationmi.com. Again, thank you, Shoreline Restoration and Construction!
Huge shoutout to Park Place Sports for always having our backs! Their banner program is a game-changer, helping schools and athletic programs bring in much-needed funding for teams, equipment, and facilities. They’re all about supporting local sports and making sure our athletes have what they need to succeed. If your school or business wants to get in on the action and make a real impact, check them out on their Facebook page! Big thanks to Park Place Sports for keeping our programs going strong!
Mady Snyder, Senior, Reeths-Puffer Softball
The senior all-stater took the mound last week and pitched a complete game, giving up just two runs on five hits while striking out nine batters. Snyder also belted a homer in the opener and finished with three hits, including two singles. She propelled the Rockets to a doubleheader sweep over Zeeland East, 16-5 and 11-7.
Ben Goran, Freshman, Spring Lake Track
Goran, a pole-vaulter for Spring Lake, broke the state record with a 15-foot performance as a freshman. The previous record was 13 feet and 6 inches. In the Western Michigan Christan Pre-Spring Break Invitational, Goran vaulted a 14-footer and landed him first place.
Grace VanderKooi, Senior, Western Michigan Christian Track
In the Western Michigan Christan Pre-Spring Break Invitational, VanderKooi picked up two PR’s, including the 400-meter relay and the 800-meter. At the invitational, the senior added yet another first place win in the 800 with a time of 2:20.30 which was 25 seconds better than second place.
Myles Welch joined CatchMark in February 2024 as a CatchMark SportsNet Intern. He would like to become a sports broadcaster or analyst. He currently attends Whitehall High School and will graduate in 2025.
