By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
ALLEGAN
Coach: Chris Newburn (first year)
Returning letter winners: Drew Ellis (sprints, mid-distance), sr.; Titus Smith (hurdles, sprints), sr.; Eli Festerling (hurdles), sr.; Ezra Demann (throws), sr.; Joel Antkoviak (throws), sr.; Luke Ellis (sprints, long jump), jr.; Dominik Bury (sprints, long jump), jr.; Austin Zoch (pole vault), jr.
Season outlook: “New” just might be the operative word for Allegan.
Because not only are the Tigers beginning a new season, but they are also entering a new conference with a new head coach.
After competing in the Wolverine Conference for decades, Allegan will enter the SAC under the leadership of first-year coach Chris Newburn.
“We’re excited to get to compete with new teams and see how we stack up in the new conference,” said Newburn, who coached the middle school track teams last season and the middle school cross country team last fall.
Newburn inherits a team that includes a defending regional champ in the 400 in junior Luke Ellis. Ellis was also part of the regional-title-winning 4×400 relay team, that also included returning seniors Drew Ellis and Titus Smith.
“The boys team last year had lots of individual success by some of our athletes,” Newburn said. “This year we are looking to put together a collective team effort. Our athletes and coaches believe we have enough talent and leadership to not only make some noise in our new conference, but hopefully compete for a conference title.”
In addition to his work in the 4×400 relay, Smith will also head up the Tigers’ hurdlers along with classmate Eli Festerling.
“There is a lot to be excited about this season with this group of guys,” Newburn said. “We have lots of returning juniors and seniors with great aspirations and goals for this year’s team. And along with all of the up-and-coming talent that our freshman and sophomore classes have to offer, what’s not to be excited about?
“I am looking forward to getting my first-year coaching under my belt and I couldn’t ask for a better group of guys to do it with.”
Newburn said shoring up the distance events will be an area of focus early in the season.
“We have a lot of young, driven athletes in that distance group and I’m looking forward to seeing their improvement.”
FENNVILLE
Coach: Adam Nottoli (first year)
Returning letter winners: Mason Gardea, jr.; Miro Greensmith, jr.; Braden Henritz, jr.; Mitchell Shippy-Thrash, jr.; Bryce Trinklein, jr.; Tyler Warnock, jr.
Season outlook: It’s been said that patience is a virtue.
And first-year Fennville coach Adam Nottoli knows patience will be a key for him this season as he inherits a young team that returns only six letter winners: juniors Mason Gardea, Miro Greensmith, Braden Henritz, Mitchell Shippy-Thrash, Bryce Trinklein and Tyler Warnock.
The remainder of the team is comprise of newcomers to the sport, including the senior duo of Michael Adams and Rosalio Ruiz.
“This year, we’re focused on growth for all our athletes,” Nottoli said. “We want our returning athletes to set their own goals and continue to strive to better themselves and their performances, while we want our new athletes to learn and set their own goals as we progress.”
Nottoli sees the distance events as the strengths of his squad.
“We have a lot of athletes who also ran cross country in the fall and who all excel at distance,” he said. “I think our biggest area of concern is how new our team is overall. We have a lot of athletes who have not competed before who are looking to learn the sport.”
As a first-year coach, Nottoli said he isn’t sure who the top teams in the SAC will be this season. Rather, he plans to have his athletes as prepared as possible for each meet with the hope of making steady progress throughout the course of the season.
HAMILTON
Coach: Kevin Spotts (25th season)
Returning letter winners (partial list): Abatu Dykstra (distance), soph.; Josh Langland (mid-distance), jr.; Jeremy Matthews (pole vault), sr.; Rory Miller (hurdles), sr.; Alec VanDyke (throws), sr.; Max VanHuis (distance), sr.; Parker Matheny (mid-distance), sr.
Season outlook: Many coaches talk about the importance of team chemistry when it comes to the success of a team.
And if chemistry does, in fact, play a key role in determining a team’s fortunes, then this should be a fun season for Hamilton.
“Thus far, our team has been working hard and building each other up as people and athletes,” said Hamilton coach Kevin Spotts, who enters his 25th season with the program.
When it comes to specific areas of strength, Spotts expects the distance and mid-distance crews to produce plenty of points this season. And that should come as no real surprise, given the fact that the Hawkeyes’ boys cross country team competed in the State Finals.
Senior Max VanHuis and sophomore Abatu Dykstra lead the distance crew, senior Parker Matheny and junior Josh Langland among the team’s top mid-distance runners.
“For our sprints and jumps, we need some of our new athletes to step it up for us,” Spotts said.
Junior Ben Boehm and sophomore Jeren Bronkhorst are two of the newcomers who should help out with sprints.
“We expect all our athletes to have great work ethic in practice, to encourage their teammates to continually improve and to be great sports. We hope to be competitive in all our meets and send a number of athletes to the individual state meet,” Spotts said.
Last season, the Hawkeyes placed fourth in the OK Blue Conference standings before taking sixth place at the Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association Meet.
“This year, we hope to be in the top half of a competitive conference,” Spotts said.
HOPKINS
Coach: James Kiss (15th season)
Returning letter winners: Noah Corneille (long jump, sprints), sr.; Aiden Janowsky (throws), sr.; Nathan Onderlinde (hurdles), sr.; Mason Tomes (throws), sr.; Kaden Edwards (mid-distance), jr.; Landen Klinge (pole vault, sprints), jr.; Isaac Koperski (hurdles, jumps), jr.; Alex Chavez (sprints), soph.; Jacob Helder (hurdles, sprints), soph.; Joshua Maule (throws), soph.
Season outlook: Last season, Hopkins finished third in the OK Silver final standings behind Belding and Sparta.
And while the team’s participation numbers are a tad lower this season compared to normal, longtime Vikings coach James Kiss believes his team could make a move up the standings one—or even two—spots.
“Our numbers are a little lower than typical, but I feel that with our returning talents along with some athletic newcomers, we are expecting to be able to compete at a high level,” Kiss said. “We are looking for a top-three finish in the conference with the possibility of contending for a team title.
“Belding and Sparta will be top contenders again, but I think our team will be right there in the mix.”
Kiss views the field events and hurdles as the primary strengths of his team.
“We’ll be the strongest in those technical events, so we hope to be competitive in those,” Kiss said. “And we have some new upperclassmen who are adding to our depth in the sprints, so I’m excited about that.”
Senior Mason Tomes leads the way in the field events. Competing in the throws, Tomes is the defending conference champion in the shot put.
The distance events will be a work in progress.
“We’re young and inexperienced in those events, but the kids are working hard,” Kiss said.
A trio of new coaches—Phil Moerdyke for sprints, Trent Feven for distance and Mike Maule for throws—should help the Vikings in their development this season.
MARTIN
Coach: Damon and Caryn Blackburn (fifth and third season, respectively)
Returning letter winners: Drake Buell (pole vault), sr.; JR Hildebrand (hurdles), sr.; James Blackburn (long jump, mid-distance), sr.; Sam Jager (sprints, 400), sr.; Taegan Harris (sprints, 400), jr.; Tanner Bird (throws), sr.; Cody Long (throws), sr.; Bryce Robinson (sprints), jr.; Jackson Robinson (sprints), jr.; Malakai VanVolkinburg (mid-distance, discuss), jr.; Carson Cameruci (throws), soph.; Gavin Meyers (mid-distance), soph.; Alex Morin (distance), soph.; Jonathan Owen (throws), soph.
Season outlook: The return of five state qualifiers headlines a roster that Martin co-coach Caryn Blackburn believes as the potential to finish near the top of the SAC standings.
Seniors Drake Buell (pole vault), JR Hildebrand (300 hurdles) and James Blackburn (long jump) have all competed in the state finals in individual events. Blackburn, meanwhile, also competed in the 4×400 relay at the final last year along with returning senior Sam Jager and returning junior Taegan Harris.
“We had a very strong season last year, finishing toward the top of the conference and sending some athletes to the state finals,” Blackburn said. “We have high hopes going into this season. Although we lost several key graduates, we have a few newcomers and some returners whom we expect to step up and perform well.”
Blackburn, who is in her third season with Martin at the high school level, coaches alongside husband Damon Blackburn. The pair also coaches the girls team.
“We coach the two teams as one family, and we have strong numbers out this year,” Caryn Blackburn said.
Newcomers who could make an impact include junior Logan Kent and sophomore Cameron Cameruci.
“Logan moved to Martin and is athletic and looking good in practice to fill some holes left by last year’s graduates in relays and mid-distance,” Caryn Blackburn said. “Cameron is throwing far without any training.”
The freshmen duo of Haylen Buell and Torryn Hrris are also expected to make an impact.
“Haylen is dual-sporting with baseball, but will be pole vaulting when he can,” Caryn Blackburn said. “Torryn had a great middle school career in sprints and relays.”
OTSEGO
Coach: Julie Tollas (second season)
Returning letter winners (partial list): Luke Aldrich, sr.; Seth Barck, sr.; Pierce Bentley, sr.; Andrew Chambers, sr.; Gavin Devine, sr.; Alex Foune, sr.; Tom Herbert, sr.; Tanner Hooker, sr.; Randy Hudon, sr.; Trevor Johnson, sr.; Jalen Radke, sr.; Ethan Raseman, sr.; Jacob Robbins, sr.; Zack VanderHulst, sr.; Gabe Cavazos, jr.; Ben Ernstes, jr.; Brevin Gabos, jr.; Matthew Schreiner, jr.; Zach Spence, jr.; Brendan Takace, jr.; Aidan Goodwin, soph.; Jialon Herbert, soph.; Holten Mulherin, soph.; Caleb Wesseldyk, soph.
Season outlook: The distance events have traditionally been among the strengths for Otsego.
This year should be no different for the defending Wolverine Conference champs.
Senior Pierce Bentley and sophomore Caleb Wesseldyk are among the top returning distance runners for the Bulldogs.
During the cross country season, Bentley won the Wolverine Conference title, was regional runner-up and was third at the Allegan County Meet. Wesseldyk was Allegan County runner-up, third at regionals and sixth at the league meet.
Other returning distance runners who competed at the cross country state finals—where Otsego placed sixth—include senior Luke Aldrich along with sophomores Aidan Goodwin and Holten Mulherin.
Senior Colin Wesseldyk and freshman Kenny Sheffer add to the strength of the distance crew. Colin Wesseldyk—who is dual sporting with baseball this year—was the regional and county champion in cross county before placing 16th at the state finals to earn All-State honors. Sheffer also competed at the state meet.
Junior Zach Spence leads the throwers following a solid sophomore season, while the sprinters are led by the likes of seniors Jalen Radke and Gavin Devine.
Seniors Seth Barck and Alex Foune should provide points in the hurdles for Otsego.
PLAINWELL
Coach: Scott Evans (16th season)
Returning letter winners: Michael Griffey (throws), sr.; Issac Veen (distance), jr.; Maddox Benn (sprints), sr.; Edwin Morales (mid-distance), sr.; Thai Nguyen (distance), sr.; Carter Monette (hurdles), soph.; Own Teachout (high jump), sr.
Season outlook: Having options is a good thing.
And Plainwell coach Scott Evans has plenty of options when it comes to filling out his lineup.
There are more than 70 athletes on the Trojans’ roster, including 23 freshman and 22 new runners.
“Numbers will be our strength,” Evans said.
But while having such a large team presents Evans with numerous options, it also presents some challenges.
“Our of our struggles will be my ability to put the best guys in the right place from the beginning of the season,” Evan said. “I believe that I will be learning something new every race and every meet.”
One athletes Evans doesn’t have to worry about finding a good fit for is senior Michael Griffey.
The regional champion in the shot put and an All-State performer in the discus, Griffey will spearhead the Plainwell throwing attack.
Likewise, junior Issac Veen and senior Thai Nguyen will be the leaders of the Trojans’ distance crew.
When it comes to the Wolverine Conference, Evans sees defending league champion Otsego as the team to beat.
“Look for Otsego to be strong again,” he said. “They have a strong distance program and good field events. I would also look for Vicksburg to be up near the top as well.”
Evans believes his team—which finished runner-up to Otsego last year—will be in the top half of the standings when all is said and done.
“I think the first couple of meets will be a learning experience for everyone on the team,” he said. “But look for us to come on near the finish of the season.”
SAUGATUCK
Coach: Rick Bauer (16th season)
Returning letter winners: Luke Gorgas (pole vault), sr.; Charlie Stormer (distance), sr.; Will Doucette (sprints), jr.; Will Ayers (hurdles, pole vault), sr.; Landon Miller (sprints), jr.; Luke Barde (throws), jr.
Season outlook: Dominant.
That one word pretty much sums up Saugatuck’s performance in the SAC during the better part of the past decade as the Trailblazers enter the season having won eight straight league titles dating back to 2014. (No championship was awarded in 2020, as the season was cancelled due to COVID.)
But if Saugatuck is to continue the run of success, it will need several young team members to step up and contribute.
“We are extremely young this year, which means we have a lot of unknowns,” Bauer said. “We’re excited to see how the boys develop.”
Bauer, who is entering 16th season with Saugatuck, has led the program to three state titles and four runner-up showings at the state finals. One of those second-place finishes came last season, led by then-senior hurdler extraordinaire Benny Diaz.
“It is difficult to say what are strengths are going to be this season as we are so young and so little is known about this group,” Bauer said. “We have a lot of kids who are new to track, so we’re trying to figure out what events are best for them and for the team.”
Senior Luke Gorgas is one of the returning letter winners who will be relied on to provide leadership off the track and points on it. He won a regional title in pole vault last season.
Fellow seniors Charlie Stormer (distance) and Will Ayers (hurdles/pole vault) also return, as do juniors Will Doucette (sprints), Landon Miller (sprints) and Luke Barde (throws).
The rest of the team will be comprised of newcomers such as freshman Nik Petrik (sprints), freshman Brenna Nor (distance) and sophomore Jaxon Green (sprints).
“The goal is to improve throughout the course of the season,” Bauer said. “We hope to be competitive in our division of the SAC this year as we are also building for the future of the program.”
WAYLAND
Coach: Marty Howard (19th season)
Returning letter winners: Bronson Huyk (throws), sr.; Terry Sylvester (sprints, hurdles), sr.; Cam Mouketou (sprints), sr.; Devein Weaver (distance), sr.; Travis Koon (distance),sr.; Kaharrie Pureifoy (sprints), jr.; Austin Graham (hurdles), jr.; Aiden Reeder (sprints), jr.; Henry Oubier (mid-distance), jr.; Cainon Fenn (sprints), jr.; Bryce Drew (high jump), jr.; Dylan Pallett (distance), soph.; Adam Huff (throws), soph.
Season outlook: Longtime Wayland coach Marty Howard has high hopes for this season.
And who could blame him?
After all, the Wildcats are the defending OK Gold champions. And with several letter winners returning from that team, Howard believes his squad could be in contention for another conference crown.
“We have some quality kids back, including some All-State runners,” Howard said. “We expect to compete for conference and regional titles this season, with qualifying for the MITCA Team State Meet another goal.”
In addition to his team, Howard views Forest Hills Eastern as the team to beat in the league standings.
“Our depth at sprinters and hurdler as well as throwers are our strengths,” Howard said. “We need to find a couple of high jumpers and pole vaulters so we can maximize our points in those events.”
In addition to the returning members of the team, Howard expects to receive solid contributions from some of his newcomers. That includes the freshman trio of Maurgan Howard (jumps, 400), Henry Maass (sprints) and Eddy Oudbier (mid-distance).