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Aug 16, 2023

Vicksburg's Michael Wright celebrates after taking first in the 200m dash at the D2 track and field state finals at Forest Hills Eastern in Grand Rapids on Saturday, June 3, 2023. (Drew Travis | MLive.com)Drew Travis | [email protected]

KALAMAZOO, MI – The first week of June is upon us and that means Michigan high school spring sports state finals season is here, too.

All around the state, athletes from track, golf, tennis, lacrosse, softball, baseball, soccer and more put it all on the line in hopes of advancing on in their respective tournaments – or in some cases, winning individual state championships.

Several Kalamazoo-area track athletes walked away from last weekend's state finals with state titles or all-state honors, while tennis players did the same as well. All that has culminated to 50 athletes, the most ever this spring, to select from in this week's installment of MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette's Athlete of the Week.

Readers have unlimited voting until 9 a.m. Friday, and we’ll publish the winner later that day. Voting has no bearing on postseason honors, such as the all-conference or all-state teams.

The Athlete of the Week series will continue throughout the spring sports season, and to nominate a standout performer, you can email Matthew Ehler at [email protected] with that athlete's stats and recent accomplishments.

If the poll doesn't appear at the bottom of the story, click here to view it.

Vicksburg's Michael Wright leads in men's 100 meter race at Wolverine Conference Championship high school track and field meet at Plainwell High School in Plainwell, Michigan on Friday, May 12, 2023. (Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com)Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com

Michael Wright, Vicksburg track

After breaking his leg last season, the senior sprinter capped off his Vicksburg track career with a state championship at last weekend's Division 2 state finals. Wright won the 200-meter dash in a time of 21.72 seconds, and nearly won another in the 100-meter, finishing runner-up with a personal-best 10.57 second time – a mere .03 seconds away from Berrien Springs’ Jake Machiniak's winning time.

Wright also earned all-state honors as part of the 800-meter relay team (1:29.91).

Sturgis's Keyanna O'tey runs in women's 100 meter race at Wolverine Conference Championship high school track and field meet at Plainwell High School in Plainwell, Michigan on Friday, May 12, 2023. (Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com)Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com

Keyanna O’Tey, Sturgis track

The sophomore sprinter put the entire state on notice last weekend, winning a pair of state titles in both the 100-meter (11.84) and 200-meter (24.61) dashes – both personal-bests, too. O’Tey also earned all-state honors in being a part of both the 400-meter relay (49.94) and 800-meter relay (1:46.08) teams.

Otsego's Haley Guerrant launches the shot at the D2 track and field state finals at Forest Hills Eastern in Grand Rapids on Saturday, June 3, 2023. (Drew Travis | MLive.com)Drew Travis | [email protected]

Haley Guerrant, Otsego track

The senior went home with a state championship at last weekend's Division 2 track state finals after a 136-foot, 11-inch throw in the discus. Guerrant also earned third-place in the shot put (39pfeet, 10-inches).

Ethan Tiller, Portage Central golf

The senior shot the best round of the regional tournament at Sunnybrook Country Club, carding an even par 72 to help his Mustangs win the tournament and qualify for this weekend's state finals.

Will Thomas, Portage Central golf

The junior shot a two-over 74 at last week's regionals, which was tied for second-best in helping the Mustangs win the tournament and qualify for this weekend's state finals.

Matthew Novak, Mattawan golf

The junior shot a two-over 74 at last week's regionals, which was tied for second-best in helping the Wildcats earn runner-up at the tournament and qualify for this weekend's state finals.

Parchment's Brady Caswell (23) and Tyler Laske (12) run to home base at the Hackett vs. Parchment baseball game in Parchment, Michigan on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com)Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com

Brady Caswell, Parchment baseball

The sophomore barreled up a full-count pitch and ripped an emphatic walk-off double for a 3-2 district semifinal victory over state-ranked Galesburg-Augusta on Saturday, leading to the Panthers’ eventual district title.

Parchment's Aaron Jasiak (1) pitches at the Hackett vs. Parchment baseball game in Parchment, Michigan on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com)Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com

Aaron Jasiak, Parchment baseball

The senior pitcher was brilliant in the Panthers’ district title journey, tossing two complete games that included a 1-0 shutout win over Kalamazoo Christian. In total, Jasiak finished with 20 strikeouts while allowing 14 hits, two runs and no walks over 14 innings pitched.

Kobe Carpenter, Centreville baseball

Carpenter flexed ice water in his veins over the weekend, delivering a pair of clutch late game heroics to help deliver Centreville's district championship. Carpenter laced a walk-off single against Union City in the semis, and came up with a bases-clearing double against Constantine to complete a four-run rally in the seventh in securing a 7-6 district title game win.

Cecilia Conforti, Decatur softball

Conforti was arguably the area's best softball hitter of the week, mashing a trio of homers to go along with 11 RBIs that included three doubles and a two-homer game against Martin on Tuesday – all good for an eye-popping .818 batting average. Conforti also pitched three times in the circle, allowing just one run, no walks and seven hits to 22 strikeouts in 10 and two thirds innings pitched.

Josiah McClelland, Vicksburg golf

The senior carded the best score of last week's regionals, turning in an even 72 score, which spurred Vicksburg to winning the tournament and qualifying for this weekend's Division 2 state finals.

Luke Malocha, Vicksburg golf

The junior carded the second best score of last week's regionals, turning in a one-over 73, which spurred Vicksburg to wining the tournament and qualifying for this week's Division 2 state finals.

Justin Tyler, Kalamazoo Hackett golf

The freshman carded the best score of last week's regionals, turning in a four-over 76, which spurred Kalamazoo Hackett to a third-place finish and qualifying for this week's Division 4 state finals.

Drew Vanderlaan, Kalamazoo Christian golf

The senior carded the third best score of last week's regionals, turning in a nine-over 81, which spurred Kalamazoo Christian to winning the tournament and qualifying for this week's Division 4 state finals.

Jennaya Decker, Three Rivers softball

Decker pitched a brilliant complete game shutout in allowing just five hits, no runs and no walks with seven strikeouts to help Three Rivers secure a 1-0 win over Coldwater on Saturday and a district championship.

Macy Searles, Portage Central softball

The right-hander was the only Mustang who pitched during their district title run over the weekend, allowing two runs, seven hits and three walks with 11 strikeouts over 11 innings pitched.

Claire Yager, Mattawan softball

Yager hit the go-ahead two-run single in the sixth inning of Mattawan's district final 7-2 win over Portage Northern – she finished with four total hits in two games on the weekend.

Peyton Smith, Vicksburg softball

The junior belted a walk-off, extra inning three-run homer in Vicksburg's 6-3 win over Otsego, finishing with two hits and four RBIs in helping the Bulldogs win Saturday's district championship.

Rowan Allen, Mendon softball

Allen pitched a no-hitter in Mendon's 16-0 district semifinal win over Howardsville Christian, allowing one walk and adding nine strikeouts over four innings pitched – she’d also add four hits and two RBIs at the plate.

Mattawan defeated Portage Central, 4-1, to win its second consecutive district championship on Saturday.(Matthew Ehler / MLive.com)

Brendan Garza, Mattawan baseball

The junior pitched in each of the Wildcats’ three district games, allowing seven hits, three runs and six walks with 13 strikeouts over nine and a third innings to help clinch their district championship. Garza also added three hits and four RBIs at the plate.

Colin O’Reilly, Mattawan baseball

The senior catcher amassed five hits over the Wildcats’ three district games, including three doubles and three RBIs as he’d lace a pair of doubles in Mattawan's 23-3 rout over Portage Northern last week.

Ellie Hoeksema, Kalamazoo Christian softball

Hoeksema piled up four hits, five runs scored and two RBIs including a homer in K-Christian's 14-4 district semifinal victory over Parchment on Saturday. Hoeksema added a double in the Comets’ 10-6 district final win over Schoolcraft.

Hackett's Nick Verduzco (9) watches the game at Hackett Catholic Prep High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday, May 11th, 2023. (Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com)Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com

Nick Verduzco, Kalamazoo Hackett baseball

The senior finished the weekend leading the team in hits (5), average (.714), triples (1), homers (1) and runs scored (6), as his 3-for-3 day in Hackett's 13-1 district semifinal win included the big fly and a double.

Hackett's Andrew Rann (23) runs to first base at the Hackett vs. Parchment baseball game in Parchment, Michigan on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com)Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com

Andrew Rann, Kalamazoo Hackett baseball

Rann came through with runners in scoring position, leading Hackett with 11 RBIs in Friday's pair of district games to go along with two doubles, two singles and four runs scored.

Julian Harris, Gull Lake baseball

Harris set the table for the Blue Devils to go on and win a district championship over the weekend, tossing a complete game shutout in a 6-0 semifinal win over Wayland. He’d allow just two hits, no runs and no walks with 10 strikeouts over seven innings, while collecting a pair of hits with three RBIs in a 12-2 district final win over Otsego.

Adelie Chen, Portage Central tennis

The No. 3 singles freshman wasn't fazed by the bright lights, battling her way to earning her first-ever state championship at last weekend's Division 2 state finals. Chen's state glory was highlighted by a highly competitive, hard fought win over Hailey Miller in the semifinals, winning 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, before beating Jada Josifovski 7-5, 6-4 in the title match.

Sienna Watts, Mattawan tennis

The sophomore finished with a state semifinals appearance at last weekend's tennis state finals. Watts, Mattawan's No.4 singles player, earned victories in Rounds 2 and 3, beating Karina Chung 6-0, 6-1 and Keira Dumas-Knieper 6-3, 6-0.

Aly Aldrich, Otsego tennis

Aldrich made it to the Division 3 state semifinals in her No. 1 singles slot, earning victories over Bria Lampen and Ava Clogg.

Addy Fales, Allegan tennis

Fales made it to the Division 3 state semifinals in her No. 2 singles slot, earning victories over Mia Mojares and Eva VanKlompenberg.

Deshana Betala, Portage Central tennis

The No. 1 singles senior finished her Mustangs tennis career with a semifinals appearance at last weekend's Division 2 tennis state finals. Betala would cruise in the first two matches, beating Olivia Kowal 6-1, 6-0 and Madeleine Leo 6-2, 6-1 before dropping the semifinal match to Helaina Pietrowsky 6-4, 6-2.

Anna Dinsmore, Portage Central

The No. 2 singles senior finished her Mustangs career with a runner-up finish at last weekend's Division 2 state finals, tearing through the first three rounds, highlighted by a pair of straight set sweeps of both Charlotte Bruderly and Clara Bonnell. Dinsmore battled in a hard fought, competitive championship match with Birmingham Seaholm's Courtney Marcum, eventually falling, though, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.

Lawton's Mason Mayne holds the boys track school record in both the discus and shot put, and is looking to become a first-time state champion at the 2023 state finals.(MLive.com | Matthew Ehler)

Mason Mayne, Lawton track

The sophomore thrower earned all-state honors in both the shot put and the discus at last weekend's state finals. Mayne earned third place in both the shot put (55-feet, 11-inches) and the discus (164-feet, 2-inches).

William Winter, Parchment track

The senior runner earned a pair of all-state finishes at last weekend's Division 3 state finals, finishing fourth in the 800-meter (1:58.84) and fifth in the 1,600-meter (4:22.98).

Torren Mapes, Delton-Kellogg track

The junior hurdler took home a state championship last weekend, earning a personal-best in the 300-meter (40.01) and also finished second in the 110-meter hurdles with a personal-best time of 14.79 seconds.

Ti’Anna Murphy-Ryan, Comstock track

The junior sprinter earned all-state honors in a pair of events at last weekend's Division 3 state finals. Murphy-Ryan finished runner-up with a personal-best in the 100-meter (12.37), and also grabbed eighth in the 200-meter (27.20).

Kendra Koster, Lawton track

The junior runner finished with a pair of all-state finishes at last weekend's Division 3 state finals. Koster finished in fifth in the 800-meter (2:19.17) and also was a part of Lawton's third place 1,600-meter relay team (4:12.58).

Brenna McDonald, Schoolcraft track

The sophomore thrower picked up an all-state finish in the discus at last weekend's Division 3 state finals, throwing 122-feet, 8-inches for a personal-best and good for fourth place.

Heidi Newhouse, Lawton track

The defending 2022 high jump Division 3 champion, Newhouse finished third in the same event this past weekend (5-feet, 4-inches), earning third place while also earning third as part of the 1,600-meter relay team (4:12.58) and finishing seventh in the 400-meter (1:00.02). All three events gave her all-state honors.

Kalamazoo Central's Kayenn Mabin competes in the boys 300 meter hurdles during the MHSAA division 1 track and field finals in Rockford, Michigan on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Main finished in first place with a time of 38.31 seconds. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com

Kayenn Mabin, Kalamazoo Central track

A 2022 Division 1 hurdling state champion, Mabin finished his K-Central track career with another championship – this time in the 300-meter, finishing with a winning time of 38.31 seconds. Mabin finished runner-up in the 110-meter hurdles (13.87) and also was part of a runner-up 400-meter relay team (42.05).

James Rocco, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix track

The senior earned an all-state honors at last weekend's Division 1 track state finals thanks to a fifth-place leap of 6-feet, 3-inches high jump.

Adalyn Liang, Portage Central track

The sophomore sprinter earned an all-state fhonors at last weekend's Division 1 track state finals thanks to a fourth-place finish in the 100-meter dash (12.06).

Aaron West, Paw Paw

The junior hurdler earned a pair of all-state finished at last weekend's Division 2 track state finals thanks to a third-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles (15.13) and a fifth-place finish in the 300-meter hurdles (40.32) – both personal-bests.

Avery Snook, Vicksburg track

The junior hurdler earned an all-state honors thanks to a third-place finish in the 300-meter hurdles (39.86), which was also a personal-best.

Michael Griffey, Plainwell track

The senior thrower finished runner-up in the shot put (52-feet, 10.25-inches) at last weekend's Division 2 track state finals, earning him all-state honors.

Kylin Griffin, Three Rivers track

The senior sprinter finished off her track career with a trio of all-state honors thanks to a second place finish in the 200-meter (57.22), a seventh place finish in the 200-meter (26.28) and a fourth-place finish in the 100-meter (12.33).

Megan Zahnow, Vicskburg track

The junior hurdler finished runner-up and earned all-state honors in the 100-meter hurdles (15.23) at last weekend's track state finals.

Liam Mann, Kalamazoo Hackett track

The senior sprinter earned a pair of runner-up finishes in both the 100-meter (10.86) and 200-meter (22.29) sprints, giving him an all-state nod in both events and also helping Hackett win the 2023 boys state title.

Marek Butkiewicz, Kalamazoo Hackett track

The sophomore runner earned his first all-state honoring after finishing third in the 3,200-meter run (9:55.33), helping Hackett win the 2023 boys state title.

Nathan Buchmann, Kalamazoo Hackett track

The senior thrower took home a state championship at last weekend's Division 4 state finals with a personal-best 157-foot, 1-inch throw in the discus.

Sasha Doll, Gobles track

The sophomore finished with all-state honors in the high jump (5-feet, 2-inches), which was good for third place at last weekend's state finals.

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