Zeeland West senior Marshall Johnson (8) catches a pass in front of a Niles defensive back during a first-round playoff game on Oct. 31, 2025. Johnson turned the catch into a 42-yard touchdown play, his first career touchdown, putting the Dux in the lead as they went on to defeat Niles 30-21.
Photo credit Angela Howe Creations
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Zeeland West senior Marshall Johnson will continue his football career at the collegiate level next fall.
Johnson, who helped lead the Dux to a district championship last season, announced last week that he has committed to playing football for Madonna University, an NAIA school in Livonia, in the western suburbs of Detroit.
The 220-pound Johnson played tight end, H-back, defensive end and linebacker for West last season, after starting as a two-way lineman during his sophomore and junior seasons. He was also one of the team captains for the Dux.
A highlight of Johnson’s senior year took place in a first-round playoff game against Niles. With the Dux trailing 21-14 early in the fourth quarter and driving, Johnson caught a deep pass from quarterback Drew Albrecht, then outran the Vikings’ secondary for his only career touchdown, a 42-yard reception.
West converted the ensuing two-point conversion to take the lead and went on to win the game, 30-21.
Madonna competes in the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League. Other member colleges in the league include Lawrence Technological University from the Detroit area, Indiana Wesleyan University, Taylor (Ind.) University and Defiance (Ohio) College. The Crusaders were 1-10 last fall.
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Zeeland West senior Marshall Johnson will continue his football career at the collegiate level next fall.
Johnson, who helped lead the Dux to a district championship last season, announced last week that he has committed to playing football for Madonna University, an NAIA school in Livonia, in the western suburbs of Detroit.
The 220-pound Johnson played tight end, H-back, defensive end and linebacker for West last season, after starting as a two-way lineman during his sophomore and junior seasons. He was also one of the team captains for the Dux.
A highlight of Johnson’s senior year took place in a first-round playoff game against Niles. With the Dux trailing 21-14 early in the fourth quarter and driving, Johnson caught a deep pass from quarterback Drew Albrecht, then outran the Vikings’ secondary for his only career touchdown, a 42-yard reception.
West converted the ensuing two-point conversion to take the lead and went on to win the game, 30-21.
Madonna competes in the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League. Other member colleges in the league include Lawrence Technological University from the Detroit area, Indiana Wesleyan University, Taylor (Ind.) University and Defiance (Ohio) College. The Crusaders were 1-10 last fall.
Zeeland Boys Swimming Downs HC, EGR
The Zeeland boys swimming team won a pair of dual meets last week at the Zeeland West natatorium, defeating East Grand Rapids 105-78 Jan. 13 and Holland Christian 96-83 last Thursday.
Against EGR, junior Branton Posthumus won two individual events and swam on a winning relay to lead Zeeland. Posthumus won the 50-yard freestyle with a personal-best time of 22.50 seconds, nearly a half-second faster than his previous best. He also took the 100-yard backstroke with a season-best time of 57.07.
In addition, Posthumus teamed up with classmates Hudson Kosten, Andrew Skaggs and Carson Durham to win the 200-yard medley relay in 1:41.51.
Sophomore Brady Vroegindewey led a 1-2-3 sweep for Zeeland in the 200-yard individual medley, touching the wall first in 2:09 flat. Kosten was second and sophomore Duncan Stack third.
Zeeland went 1-2 in the 100-yard butterfly, as junior Andrew Pyle won in 57.50 and junior Dylan Streeter took second with a personal-best time of 58.35, just about a full second faster than his previous best.
Kosten won the 500-yard freestyle in 5:01.76, while Skaggs took first in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:00.77.
In the 200-yard freestyle relay, the team of junior Gibson Meyering, Skaggs, Durham and Vroegindewey won in 1:32.28.
In the meet against Holland Christian, Meyering won two individual events, taking the 50 free in 22.19 and the 100 butterfly in a season-best time of 53.62.
Pyle won the 200 individual medley by more than six seconds in 2:01.77, slashing more than four seconds off his previous best time in that event. Posthumus took the 100 free with a personal-best time of 49.92. Vroegindewey swam away from the field in the 500 free, winning that race by more than eight seconds in 5:03.91.
Skaggs swam a season-best time in the 100 breaststroke in 58.75, while Pyle had another season best with a 54.43 in the 100 backstroke.
Zeeland won the 200 medley relay as the foursome of Posthumus, Skaggs, Streeter and Stack swam a 1:43.64, and the 200 free relay as Posthumus, Meyering, Kosten and Durham posted a time of 1:30.54.
Against EGR, junior Branton Posthumus won two individual events and swam on a winning relay to lead Zeeland. Posthumus won the 50-yard freestyle with a personal-best time of 22.50 seconds, nearly a half-second faster than his previous best. He also took the 100-yard backstroke with a season-best time of 57.07.
In addition, Posthumus teamed up with classmates Hudson Kosten, Andrew Skaggs and Carson Durham to win the 200-yard medley relay in 1:41.51.
Sophomore Brady Vroegindewey led a 1-2-3 sweep for Zeeland in the 200-yard individual medley, touching the wall first in 2:09 flat. Kosten was second and sophomore Duncan Stack third.
Zeeland went 1-2 in the 100-yard butterfly, as junior Andrew Pyle won in 57.50 and junior Dylan Streeter took second with a personal-best time of 58.35, just about a full second faster than his previous best.
Kosten won the 500-yard freestyle in 5:01.76, while Skaggs took first in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:00.77.
In the 200-yard freestyle relay, the team of junior Gibson Meyering, Skaggs, Durham and Vroegindewey won in 1:32.28.
In the meet against Holland Christian, Meyering won two individual events, taking the 50 free in 22.19 and the 100 butterfly in a season-best time of 53.62.
Pyle won the 200 individual medley by more than six seconds in 2:01.77, slashing more than four seconds off his previous best time in that event. Posthumus took the 100 free with a personal-best time of 49.92. Vroegindewey swam away from the field in the 500 free, winning that race by more than eight seconds in 5:03.91.
Skaggs swam a season-best time in the 100 breaststroke in 58.75, while Pyle had another season best with a 54.43 in the 100 backstroke.
Zeeland won the 200 medley relay as the foursome of Posthumus, Skaggs, Streeter and Stack swam a 1:43.64, and the 200 free relay as Posthumus, Meyering, Kosten and Durham posted a time of 1:30.54.
Kouw Wins Again at Russo Tournament
Zeeland West junior Emmaline Kouw posted another gold-medal finish last Saturday at the Ron Russo girls wrestling tournament at Kalamazoo Central High School.
Kouw took first place in the 125-pound weight class with three wins, including a pin of Mattawan’s Cory Grimm in the championship match in 1:58. She improved her record on the season to 25-5.
Amaya Brott posted a 2-2 record for the meet at 125 pounds, with both of her wins coming by fall, while Audrina Knoper was 2-2 at 120 pounds.
Kouw took first place in the 125-pound weight class with three wins, including a pin of Mattawan’s Cory Grimm in the championship match in 1:58. She improved her record on the season to 25-5.
Amaya Brott posted a 2-2 record for the meet at 125 pounds, with both of her wins coming by fall, while Audrina Knoper was 2-2 at 120 pounds.
East Wrestlers Defeat Holland, Northview
The Zeeland East wrestling team had a successful night on the mat, earning two dual meet victories.
The Chix defeated Holland 42-34 in an exciting, hard-fought match that came down to key performances across the lineup. They followed that up with a strong 51-21 win over Northview, showcasing depth and consistency throughout the dual.
It was a great overall team effort, with wrestlers stepping up in important moments and contributing to a memorable evening of wrestling.
The Chix defeated Holland 42-34 in an exciting, hard-fought match that came down to key performances across the lineup. They followed that up with a strong 51-21 win over Northview, showcasing depth and consistency throughout the dual.
It was a great overall team effort, with wrestlers stepping up in important moments and contributing to a memorable evening of wrestling.
West’s Ulberg Wins 100th Career Match
Zeeland West senior wrestler Austin Ulberg won his 100th career match Saturday at the 63rd Jim Mooney Williamston Classic.
Ulberg won the consolation bracket at 138 pounds for the meet, posting a 4-1 record for the day and is now 34-7 on the season.
Senior Aiden Chavez finished fourth at 113 pounds after posting a 3-2 record for the day, raising his season record to 23-3.
Sophomore Nolan Overway finished sixth at 215 pounds, while senior Samuel Taylor won the consolation bracket at 132.
Ulberg won the consolation bracket at 138 pounds for the meet, posting a 4-1 record for the day and is now 34-7 on the season.
Senior Aiden Chavez finished fourth at 113 pounds after posting a 3-2 record for the day, raising his season record to 23-3.
Sophomore Nolan Overway finished sixth at 215 pounds, while senior Samuel Taylor won the consolation bracket at 132.
East Boys Winning Streak Ends at Seven
The Zeeland East varsity boys basketball team saw its winning streak end at seven last Friday as the Chix fell to Holland Christian 63-43 at home.
The loss dropped the Chix to 3-1 in the O-K Black Conference and 8-3 overall.
East trailed 15-14 after one quarter. The visiting Maroons outscored East 19-14 in the second quarter for a 34-28 halftime lead, then dominated the third quarter 16-8 for a 50-36 lead.
Junior Josiah Norman led the Chix with 15 points and six rebounds. Senior Caleb Claerbaut hit three 3-point baskets in finishing with 13 points. Junior Will Drnek scored 10 points and dished out four assists.
East defeated Holland High Jan. 13 56-47 for its seventh win in a row.
The game was close nearly all the way. The Chix trailed 13-11 after one quarter, but limited the Dutch to six points in the second quarter to take a 22-19 halftime lead.
East led 36-34 heading into the final eight minutes, but pulled away on the strength of its free throw shooting. The Chix missed only one of their 16 charity tosses for the game.
Drnek led the Chix with 20 points, 12 of them in the final quarter. Drnek was a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line in that fourth quarter. Norman had another double-double with 12 points, a team-high 11 rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.
Sophomore Isaiah Beckum scored 11 points and Claerbaut chipped in 10.
The loss dropped the Chix to 3-1 in the O-K Black Conference and 8-3 overall.
East trailed 15-14 after one quarter. The visiting Maroons outscored East 19-14 in the second quarter for a 34-28 halftime lead, then dominated the third quarter 16-8 for a 50-36 lead.
Junior Josiah Norman led the Chix with 15 points and six rebounds. Senior Caleb Claerbaut hit three 3-point baskets in finishing with 13 points. Junior Will Drnek scored 10 points and dished out four assists.
East defeated Holland High Jan. 13 56-47 for its seventh win in a row.
The game was close nearly all the way. The Chix trailed 13-11 after one quarter, but limited the Dutch to six points in the second quarter to take a 22-19 halftime lead.
East led 36-34 heading into the final eight minutes, but pulled away on the strength of its free throw shooting. The Chix missed only one of their 16 charity tosses for the game.
Drnek led the Chix with 20 points, 12 of them in the final quarter. Drnek was a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line in that fourth quarter. Norman had another double-double with 12 points, a team-high 11 rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.
Sophomore Isaiah Beckum scored 11 points and Claerbaut chipped in 10.
East Romps Over Holland in Girls Hoops
The Zeeland East varsity girls basketball team rolled to a road victory over Holland Jan. 13, 59-17.
Three players scored in double figures for the Chix, led by junior Lizzie Risdon with 14 points. Freshman Olivia Mannes came off the bench to score a career-high 12 points, and senior CC Kuras added 10.
The Chix dropped a 53-38 decision to Holland Christian last Friday. East is now 1-3 in the O-K Black Conference and 4-7 overall.
Three players scored in double figures for the Chix, led by junior Lizzie Risdon with 14 points. Freshman Olivia Mannes came off the bench to score a career-high 12 points, and senior CC Kuras added 10.
The Chix dropped a 53-38 decision to Holland Christian last Friday. East is now 1-3 in the O-K Black Conference and 4-7 overall.
Dux Boys Drop Two
The Zeeland West varsity boys basketball team dropped two games last week, falling to West Ottawa 73-24 on Jan. 14 and 45-43 to Spring Lake last Friday.
The Dux have now dropped four in a row after a 5-3 start. They are 0-4 in the O-K Black and 5-7 overall.
West used some hot shooting from the outside in the early going against Spring Lake to take the lead. The Dux hit six 3-pointers in taking a 20-11 lead after one quarter. But the Lakers came back in the second quarter, outscoring West 13-3 to take a 24-23 halftime lead.
The Dux have now dropped four in a row after a 5-3 start. They are 0-4 in the O-K Black and 5-7 overall.
West used some hot shooting from the outside in the early going against Spring Lake to take the lead. The Dux hit six 3-pointers in taking a 20-11 lead after one quarter. But the Lakers came back in the second quarter, outscoring West 13-3 to take a 24-23 halftime lead.
Dux Win Streak Ends in Girls Basketball
The Zeeland West varsity girls basketball team dropped a pair of games last week, ending its season-opening winning streak at seven.
West suffered its first loss of the season Jan. 13, falling to Saugatuck 43-40 in a battle of unbeatens, then fell to Spring Lake last Friday 40-37.
Against Saugatuck, the Dux trailed by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter, but made a valiant comeback that fell just short. Junior Sadie Kragt and senior Bri Kamer led West with 13 points apiece.
Then against Spring Lake, West went on a 9-0 run in the fourth quarter to erase an eight-point deficit and take a 37-36 lead, but could not hold on down the stretch. Kragt and junior Jenna Hendricks led the Dux with 10 points apiece.
West suffered its first loss of the season Jan. 13, falling to Saugatuck 43-40 in a battle of unbeatens, then fell to Spring Lake last Friday 40-37.
Against Saugatuck, the Dux trailed by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter, but made a valiant comeback that fell just short. Junior Sadie Kragt and senior Bri Kamer led West with 13 points apiece.
Then against Spring Lake, West went on a 9-0 run in the fourth quarter to erase an eight-point deficit and take a 37-36 lead, but could not hold on down the stretch. Kragt and junior Jenna Hendricks led the Dux with 10 points apiece.
Youth Cheer Camps Set
Zeeland Recreation is accepting registrations for its youth cheerleading camps that will take place this summer. Please see the information below.
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Zeeland East & Zeeland West Summer Cheer Camp
• 5 Year Olds-6th Grade | Cost: $29 resident/$44 non-resident
• Coaches: Emillie Gort & Adrian Nichols (ZW & ZE Varsity Coaches)
• Date: Tuesday, July 14
• Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
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Toss & Tumble Cheer Camp
• 5 Year Olds-6th Grade | Cost: $29 resident/$44 non-resident
• Coaches: Emillie Gort & Adrian Nichols (ZW & ZE Varsity Coaches)
• Date: Tuesday, July 21
• Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
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Jumps & Chants Cheer Camp
• 5 Yr Olds-6th Grade | Cost: $29 resident/$44 non-resident
• Coaches: Emillie Gort & Adrian Nichols (ZW & ZE Varsity Coaches)
• Date: Tuesday, July 28
• Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
For more information on the camps or to register, visit zps.org/z-recreation/youth/cheerleading.
—————
Zeeland East & Zeeland West Summer Cheer Camp
• 5 Year Olds-6th Grade | Cost: $29 resident/$44 non-resident
• Coaches: Emillie Gort & Adrian Nichols (ZW & ZE Varsity Coaches)
• Date: Tuesday, July 14
• Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
—————
Toss & Tumble Cheer Camp
• 5 Year Olds-6th Grade | Cost: $29 resident/$44 non-resident
• Coaches: Emillie Gort & Adrian Nichols (ZW & ZE Varsity Coaches)
• Date: Tuesday, July 21
• Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
—————
Jumps & Chants Cheer Camp
• 5 Yr Olds-6th Grade | Cost: $29 resident/$44 non-resident
• Coaches: Emillie Gort & Adrian Nichols (ZW & ZE Varsity Coaches)
• Date: Tuesday, July 28
• Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
For more information on the camps or to register, visit zps.org/z-recreation/youth/cheerleading.
