It’s time again to vote for the West Michigan Conference Player of the Week, sponsored by Complete Restoration & Cleaning Services, Inc.
The nominees have been selected and the fan poll created. We need your votes.
Six fall sports athletes from the conference who stood out in competitions Sept. 25-30, 2023, have been nominated by CatchMark SportsNet.
Time for you to vote, over and over. The poll can be found at the bottom of this story after brief capsules on the nominees. The poll closes at noon Friday, Oct. 6.
Athletes are listed alphabetically:
EVAN ATKINSON-MILLER, North Muskegon cross country
The North Muskegon senior established a personal record with a time of 17 minutes, 16.12 seconds Saturday at the Allendale Falcon Invite. Atkinson-Miller placed 12th in the “Small” schools division of the meet. He beat his previous season-best time by more than 33 seconds. Atkinson-Miller’s previous PR was a 17:29.4 that he ran in last year’s regional at Allendale.
TJ BYARD, North Muskegon football
North Muskegon quarterback James Young distributes the ball well to a bevy of good receivers. In Friday’s 34-7 victory over visiting Montague, it was TJ Byard’s turn to have a big night. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound junior made seven receptions for 157 yards, including a touchdown covering 50 yards. Byard was a big-play threat through his sophomore season.
AVA GARCIA, Whitehall golf
Last week, the Vikings senior finished runner-up in two of her team’s biggest events of the season. In Wednesday’s Greater Muskegon Athletic Association tournament at Oak Ridge Golf Club, Garcia shot an 80 as Whitehall placed second as a team. In Friday’s West Michigan Conference championship event at Lincoln Golf Club, she shot 81 to again take second and lead the Vikings to a runner-up team finish.
KADEN KOTT, Manistee football
The 5-foot-7, 140-pound junior was the biggest factor in Manistee’s 44-23 victory over rival Ludington Friday night. Kott rushed for a game-high 202 yards and four touchdowns on 15 carries as the Mariners reclaimed the Dad’s Trophy. He also notched four solo tackles as Manistee improved to 5-1 overall on the season and 3-1 in the WMC Lakes.
EMMA MCKINLEY, Ludington golf
The Orioles senior shot a 3-over 75 to capture medalist honors at the West Michigan Conference championship tournament Friday at Lincoln Golf Club. McKinley led Ludington to the team title. She finished No. 1 in the WMC for the league season. It was the fourth time in as many years that McKinley earned medalist honors at a conference tourney.
MADDY VAARA, Ludington volleyball
The 6-foot outside hitter helped Ludington get past Montague in a key WMC Lakes Division volleyball match last Tuesday. Vaara, a Ferris State University commit, packed the stat sheet with 21 kills, 16 digs, four blocks, two assists, and one ace. The Orioles defeated the host Wildcats in four sets, 21-25, 25-15, 25-22, 25-12.
