High school spring sports in Michigan feature a lot of action packed in a short window, provided the weather cooperates.
This story features 2024 spring sports finalists for the CatchMark SportsNet West Michigan Conference Players of the Year, and a lot of info is packed into it.
Below are capsules on three finalists from seven spring sports, plus fan polls where readers will decide who will be Players of the Year.
A CatchMark panel comprised of CatchMark SportsNet lead Scott DeCamp and Durga Insurance Group partners Jordan Durga and Justin Durga determined the finalists in each sport, but it’s up to you to decide who wins the awards.
Fan polls opened at 7 a.m. Monday, May 20, and they will close at 7 a.m. on Friday, May 31.
Readers will be allowed to vote once per hour in each poll.
CatchMark called an audible for the Player of the Year banquet in the 2023-24 school year. Rather than hosting a smaller banquet after each of the three sports seasons, we’re putting together one bigger banquet. It’s set for 5-7:45 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, at Whitehall High School with the meal in the Viking Center and awards ceremony in the auditorium.
All Player of the Year finalists from the fall, winter, and spring sports seasons will be invited to the banquet.
Trophies and laminated certificates will be awarded at the banquet. A trophy that stays in our CatchMark office in Whitehall will have the names of all Players of the Year engraved on it.
For each spring sport, below is a graphic of the three Player of the Year finalists followed by capsules and the fan poll:
Baseball
RYNE CHRISTENSEN, Whitehall
The senior pitcher, infielder, and No. 2 hitter in the Vikings lineup is having a really big season. Through Thursday’s action (May 16), Christensen was batting .471 (41-of-87) with nine doubles, two triples, and one home run to go along with 31 runs scored, 23 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases. He also had 19 walks to boost his .573 on-base percentage. On the mound, the right-hander was 6-1 with one save, a 1.36 ERA, and 59 strikeouts against 15 walks in 46 innings. Christensen will play baseball at Muskegon Community College. Through May 18, Whitehall’s overall record was 20-10.
RYAN DELORA, North Muskegon
The senior pitcher and infielder has been highly productive on the mound and at the plate for the Division 3 top-ranked Norsemen. Through games played May 16, the right-handed Delora was 6-1 with one save and a miniscule 0.627 ERA. He has allowed 13 runs this season, only four of which have been earned. Delora has totaled 62 strikeouts against 16 walks in 44 2/3 innings with an .828 WHIP and .134 opponents batting average. At the plate, Delora is hitting .432 (38-for-88) with 15 doubles, one home run, 42 RBIs, 30 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases. DeLora will play baseball at Lansing Community College. Through May 18, North Muskegon’s overall record was 29-4.
BEN MEYERS, North Muskegon
The senior catcher and shortstop is the reigning CatchMark SportsNet West Michigan Conference Player of the Year for baseball. A four-year varsity starter, Meyers continues to produce at a very high level. Through May 16 games, he was hitting .439 (43-for-98) with nine doubles, three triples, and three home runs with 36 RBIs and 45 runs scored. His on-base percentage is .545. Meyers has been hit by pitches 10 times and he’s 30-for-30 in stolen bases. Defensively, he’s caught 106 innings with only four passed balls. In 223 total chances, he’s got 39 assists, 181 put-outs, and an eye-popping .987 fielding percentage. Meyers has signed to play baseball at Division II Davenport University. Through May 18, North Muskegon’s overall record was 29-4.
Also nominated: Brody Jennings (Oakridge), Gage Jones (Ludington), Evan Miller (Oakridge), Kyle Stratton (Whitehall), Michael Wambaugh (Oakridge), Blake Weirich (Hart).
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Softball
ADDISON GILLARD, Ravenna
The lanky Bulldogs junior is arguably the toughest pitcher in the West Michigan Conference. She also plays first base and, despite a slow start offensively, she’s been heating up at the plate. Through May 16 games, the right-handed Gillard was 12-3 in the pitcher’s circle with a 1.41 ERA. She had 116 strikeouts against only 13 walks in 69 2/3 innings and 15 games started. At the plate, Gillard was batting .370 from the cleanup spot with five doubles, one triple, two home runs, 28 RBIs, and 26 runs scored. She sported a .422 on-base percentage, .548 slugging percentage, and .970 OPS. Ravenna is ranked No. 4 in the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association Division 3 poll.
EMMA HERREMANS, Ravenna
The junior third baseman and reigning CatchMark SportsNet West Michigan Conference Player of the Year in softball saw her season come to an end May 4, when she suffered a torn ACL in her right knee in a first-base collision in the GMAA Tier 1 tourney title game against Reeths-Puffer. A first-team all-stater as a freshman and sophomore, Herremans was having another monster season: .717 batting average (33-for-46) with eight doubles, two triples, three home runs, 25 RBIs, 26 runs scored, 1.174 slugging percentage, and 1.971 OPS. Herremans is committed to Division II Ferris State University. Through May 18, Ravenna was 21-8 overall – 16-4 with Herremans in the lineup the entire game.
KAELINN JOZSA, Oakridge
The Eagles’ powerful leadoff hitter is having another monster season when it comes to driving the ball. Through games played May 16, Jozsa was batting .475 (38-for-80) with eight doubles, one triple, and 12 home runs. She had totaled 30 RBIs and scored 43 runs with a .566 on-base percentage, 1.050 slugging percentage, and 1.616 OPS. Playing shortstop and third base defensively, Jozsa was sporting a strong .950 fielding percentage with only three errors in 60 total chances, notching 24 assists and 34 put-outs. In the pitcher’s circle, the right-hander is 2-0. Jozsa, who was Division 2 all-state honorable mention the last two seasons, has signed to play softball at Division II Ferris State University.
Also nominated: Abbie Fowler (Holton), Abby Hicks (Hart), Kelcey Osborne (Oakridge), Ryann Robins (Holton).
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Boys Golf
KILLIAN PREWITT, Fremont
The Packers senior is the reigning CatchMark SportsNet West Michigan Conference Boys Golfer of the Year. In statistics provided by Fremont’s golf program on May 9, Prewitt was averaging 38.3 in nine-hole events and 80.8 for 18-hole rounds. Fremont’s golf program has not provided any updates or any more details about Prewitt, who signed to golf at Spring Arbor University of the NAIA. Prewitt also played soccer for the Packers’ historic 21-2-1 squad in the fall and he wrestled in the winter.
JACOB SCHARP, Manistee
The Mariners senior was a CatchMark SportsNet West Michigan Conference Boys Golfer of the Year finalist in 2023. The left-handed Scharp is following up with another strong season. Entering action last week, he was averaging 35.75 in nine-hole events and 75.6 in 18-hole rounds. At the time his statistics were submitted on May 9, Scharp finished as low round at all four WMC jamborees. He also was medalist at the Benona Shores Invite and runner-up at the Tawas Bay Invitational. Manistee is the top team in the WMC and has sights set on a top-five finish at the MHSAA Division 3 state finals.
MAX SCHARP, Manistee
This sophomore is the younger brother of Jacob Scharp, and he’s also a talented left-hander. Like his brother, Max Scharp was a CatchMark SportsNet WMC Boys Golfer of the Year finalist in 2023. Entering action last week, he was averaging 38.5 in nine-hole events and 80 in 18-hole rounds. He was runner-up behind his brother in two WMC jamborees, as well as third and fourth in other jamborees. Scharp finished as a first-team honoree at Tawas Bay. Manistee is the top team in the WMC and has sights set on a top-five finish at the MHSAA Division 3 state finals.
Also nominated: Titan Carter (Shelby), Avery Freeland (North Muskegon), Brady Tate (Whitehall).
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Girls Soccer
MADDY BILLINGS, Ludington
The Orioles’ junior outside/attacking midfielder has modest stats with seven goals and five assists, but coaches in the West Michigan Conference still consider her one of the top players who is able to impact games without scoring. As a team, Ludington is 6-7-4 overall and the Orioles finished 6-0-4 in the WMC, playing champ North Muskegon to a scoreless tie in the league finale.
MIA CLEMENCE, Fremont
The junior forward is the most prolific goal-scorer in the West Michigan Conference. Entering the May 8 match at North Muskegon, Clemence had tallied 24 goals and 10 assists. In a 9-4 win over Montague on May 13, she tallied five goals and two assists. As a team, Fremont entered this week 13-3-1 overall and finished 8-2-0 in the WMC.
EMMY CREED, North Muskegon
The speedy sophomore forward has taken on a heavy scoring load this season. In fact, with 19 goals and 11 assists entering the May 15 match at Ludington, Creed has the most goals by a Norse player since all-stater Hope Johnson in the 2021 state championship season. North Muskegon is ranked No. 3 in Division 4. The Norse enter this week with a 13-2-1 overall record and finished 9-0-1 atop the WMC standings.
Also nominated: Jayna Edmondson (Manistee), Alex Johnson (North Muskegon), Maddie Mater (Fremont), Ava Pelton (Montague), Kate Utzinger (Oakridge).
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Boys Track and Field
TRANNON AYLOR, Whitehall
Aylor and fellow senior Malcolm Earvin are the top two point-getters for Whitehall’s track team. Aylor, a senior, is reigning MHSAA Division 2 state champion in the 400-meter dash. He posted a personal-record time in the event in last week’s regional in 48.49 seconds. He ran legs on 4×200 and 4×400 relays that also won regional titles and earned spots in the June 1 state finals at Hamilton. Aylor finished fourth in the 200 at the regional with a season best of 22.68. Two years ago, he was part of Whitehall’s state champion and school-record 4×200 relay team. Aylor helped Whitehall run way with team titles in Greater Muskegon, WMC Lakes Division, and regional meets.
MALCOLM EARVIN, Whitehall
The Vikings’ top sprinter captured an MHSAA Division 2 regional title in the 200-meter dash and he’s the school record-holder in the event with a time of 21.70 seconds at the Greater Muskegon meet. Earvin also qualified for the state finals in the 100 and his PR in that event is the 10.84 he ran at the Greater Muskegon event. Additionally, Earvin runs legs on Whitehall’s 4×200 and 4×400 that won regional titles at Fremont. To top it off, he won the 300 hurdles the only two times he ran that race this season. Earvin helped Whitehall run way with team titles in Greater Muskegon, WMC Lakes Division, and regional meets. He is taking his talents to Muskegon Community College, where he’ll run for the Jayhawks.
JERRY WIEGERS, North Muskegon
The reigning MHSAA Division 3 state champion in the 200- and 400-meter dashes has not lost a step this season. In Saturday’s Division 3 regional at Montague, Wiegers took first place in the 100 (11.07), 200 (22.01), and 400 (personal-record 48.24), and he anchored the 4×400 relay as the Norsemen captured their first regional title in about 50 years. He’ll be returning to Kent City for the state finals on June 1 and trying to add more state titles to his collection. Wiegers will be continuing his track and field career at Division II Ferris State University.
Also nominated: Isaiah Atchison (Montague), Bobby Jazwinski (Hart), Caius Johns (Manistee), Sean Pettis (Fremont), Daniel Romero (Fremont), Daniele Tomasi (Holton).
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Girls Track and Field
ADDI HOVEY, Hart
The Pirates junior was an All-American in high jump last season with a leap of 5 feet, 11 inches, standing at 5-10. Hovey has not reached that height yet this season, but she seems to be winning everything in sight. In Saturday’s Division 3 regional at Remus Chippewa Hills, won by Hart, she took first place in the 100 with a season-best 12.40, first in the 200 with a personal-record 25.51, first in the high jump (5-3), and anchored the Pirates’ first-place 4×100 relay. Hovey will be competing in all four of those events in the June 1 state finals at Kent City, where the Pirates will be looking for a third straight team title.
JESSICA JAZWINSKI, Hart
This junior phenom is a two-time All-American runner in cross country and equally talented on the track, although this season was cut short for her for illness-related reasons. Jazwinski, who was an all-stater in four events last season as Hart won a second straight team state championship, took first in basically every individual event this season before being shut down in late-April. In addition to her traditionally strong 1600 and 3200 events, Jazwinski ran 1:01.15 in the 400 and also participated in the 100 and 200. She has committed to the powerhouse N.C. State cross country and track programs.
ANNABELLE LOWMAN, Ludington
This freshman was voted the CatchMark SportsNet West Michigan Conference Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year in the fall and she’s continued to run well this spring. In Saturday’s MHSAA Division 2 regional at Shepherd, Lowman placed runner-up in the 3200 with a time of 11:26.64 to earn a spot in the June 1 state finals at Hamilton. She also ran a leg on the Orioles’ second-place 4×800 relay team, which will be competing at the state finals as well. During the regular season, Lowman finished first several times in the 1600 (PR of 5:15.38).
Also nominated: Audrey Huizinga (Manistee), Catherine Karboski (Ludington), Cami Kraai (Whitehall), Madalyn Wayward (Manistee).
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Girls Tennis
MARILYN GASTON, North Muskegon
The Norse senior was a CatchMark SportsNet West Michigan Conference Player of the Year finalist in 2023 as well. Entering Friday’s Division 4 regional, Gaston had fashioned a 19-2 record at No. 2 singles. She was champion in Greater Muskegon and West Michigan Conference tournaments and seeded No. 1 in the regional. Last season, Gaston earned first-team all-state honors and she looks to have made a strong case to repeat those honors.
HANNAH GLANVILLE, Ludington
The Orioles senior was a CatchMark SportsNet West Michigan Conference Player of the Year finalist last season as well. Glanville finished this season with an 19-8 record at No. 1 singles, facing some of the top competition in the area and across the state. She lost to the eventual regional champion. Glanville won the West Michigan Conference championship and led Ludington to the team title.
FIA LINDSAY, North Muskegon
The Norse senior was voted the CatchMark SportsNet West Michigan Conference Girls Tennis Player of the Year last spring and she’s continued her strong play this season. Entering Friday’s Division 4 regional, Lindsay had posted a 17-4 record at No. 1 singles. She was the West Michigan Conference runner-up and top seed in the regional. Last year, Lindsay earned all-state honorable mention accolades.
Also nominated: Grace Higley (Ludington), Grace McDowell (Whitehall), Mia Pung (Ludington), Jennah Skiba (Ludington).
