Celebrating Excellence: The 2024 Fall Player of the Year Awards
On December 7th, 2024, the local sports community gathered in a grand celebration at the 2024 Fall Player of the Year Awards Banquet. The event was not just a showcase of individual talents but an outcry of support for our athletes and their accomplishments.
Hosted in the amazing Playhouse at White Lake, the awards banquet recognized the stellar achievements of student-athletes across a variety of fall sports, from soccer and cross country to tennis, golf, volleyball, and football. These young athletes were not only celebrated for their outstanding performances but also for their leadership, character, and the inspiration they provide to their peers and communities.
The evening kicked off with heartfelt thanks to the families, coaches, friends, and especially the sponsors who played crucial roles in nurturing the talents of these young athletes.
- Gnarly Heifer
- Shoreline Restoration and Construction
- Lakeshore Golden Cards and Collectables
- Montague Foods – The deserts were top notch! Check them out for your baking needs!
- The Playhouse at White Lake – As already stated, the venue was in pristine condition, if you need to host an event, head here!
- iPrint Solutions – Special thank you here! The awards were the absolute best! Check them out below, they were amazing!
- CatchMark Technologies
- Artman Outdoor Rentals
- Infinity Staffing Proffesionals
The awards presentation was the pinnacle of the evening, with athletes from various sports being honored for their exceptional contributions:
Soccer: Known as “Mr. Goals,” Trevor had a historic season, leading the Wildcats to their first-ever district championship. With a knack for scoring in the most crucial moments—including the game-winning goal against Fremont—Trevor has cemented his legacy as one of Montague’s great alumni. Totaling 38 goals, 6 assists he was phenom this season.
Girls Cross Country: Valerie’s senior season was extraordinary. She claimed the Division 1 regional championship and delivered an All-State performance at the state finals, finishing 14th with an impressive time of 17:54. Valerie’s resilience and determination have been nothing short of inspiring.
Boys Cross Country: Luka dazzled us all with his personal best of 15:19.9 at the Division 1 state finals, earning All-State honors and leading his team to an eighth-place finish. With victories like the Allendale Falcon Invite, Luka has proven he’s one of Michigan’s fastest.
Boys Tennis: Competing at No. 1 Singles, Johnson performed well at the Division 1 regional tournament, advancing to the semifinals in the No. 1 singles flight. He was instrumental in Grand Haven’s 4th-place finish at that event.
Girls Golf: Rowan has been nothing short of phenomenal. From shooting a career-best 78 at the O-K Green Midseason Tournament to leading her team to a GMAA finals victory, Rowan has consistently delivered under pressure. Congratulations, Rowan!
Volleyball: The future Buckeye has had an incredible career at Shelby. Navea broke the state record for career kills, doing so with 905 kills this season alone. She led her team to their fourth consecutive district championship. She was a versatile and dominant player, contributing 498 digs, 92 aces, and 44 blocks over her stellar season. Her incredible talent and dedication have earned her a spot at Ohio State University. What an amazing career, Navea—congratulations!
Football: Bryce has been a powerhouse this season, leading his team to the Division 7 state semifinals. His impressive stats speak for themselves: Bryce completed 133 of 204 passes for 2,213 yards, achieving an outstanding 23 touchdowns with just 2 interceptions and a 65.2% completion rate. He also contributed on the ground with 27 rushes for 66 yards and 1 rushing touchdown. Standout performances, such as his 253-yard, three-touchdown game against Ravenna, further highlight his leadership and skill. Well done, Bryce—congratulations on an incredible season!
The 2024 Fall Player of the Year Awards Banquet was more than just an event; it was a powerful reminder of the role sports play in shaping young lives, fostering community ties, and celebrating the human spirit’s resilience and determination. As we look forward to another exciting season, last night’s memories will undoubtedly fuel the aspirations of many budding athletes.
Thank you to all those who came and supported at the event as well as those who voted on our polls and interacted. None of this would be possible without you.
~ Conner Raeth, CatchMark SportsNet, Digital Content Lead
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