Zeeland West junior Brandon Holman won the boys long jump at the April 14 meet against Zeeland East with a leap of 21 feet, 7 inches.
Photos courtesy Angela Howe Creations
Zeeland East sophomore Adalyn Raab (1) leads the pack during the girls 1,600-meter run at the April 14 meet against Zeeland West, as Dux senior Evie Kleinheksel (2) pursues. Raab won both the girls 800-meter and 1,600-meter races.
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Dominance in the distance events turned out to be the difference for Zeeland West in its Bird Bowl boys track and field meet April 14 at Zeeland Stadium, while Zeeland East won all but two events in the girls meet.
The Dux won the boys meet, 76-61, while the Chix took the girls meet, 100-37.
West took first place in the 800-meter, 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter runs and also won the two longest relay events, the 4x400 and the 4x800.
Senior Rob Dodd led the way for the Dux, winning the 800 in 1:59.98 and the 3,200 in 10:08.15, leading a West sweep of the top five places in the 3,200. The Dux also took the top three places in the 1,600, with senior Sam Taylor first to the tape in 4:40.46.
In the 4x400 relay, the West team of Garrett Kapenga, Reid Cousins, Keagan Smith and Ethan Dalman won in 3:30.99, while the Dux foursome of Joshua Dodd, Cousins, Weston Grewell and Bryson Hassevoort took the 4x800 in 9:07.49.
East senior Sam Sietsema was a double winner in the field events, taking the shot put with a toss of 49 feet, 4 inches and the discus with a throw of 160-1.
The Chix also had a school record performance from junior Austin Lee, who broke a 15-year-old record in the pole vault as he cleared 14 feet, 4 inches. Lee broke the record of 14-3 that had been previously set by Tyler Keelen at the 2011 Division 2 state finals.
The 4x100 relay was the most exciting race of the day, as East edged West by .007 second in 43.922. The Chix team consisted of Sam Manning, Alex Stephens, Kameron Compagner and Isaiah Boonstra while the Dux had Clayton Ramsdell, Cam Brouwer, Xane Herrygers and Kapenga. East won the 4x200 relay as Compagner, Levi Bannach, Isaiah Strom and Manning posted a time of 1:29.76.
West’s Brandon Holman won the long jump with a leap of 21-7, while Ramsdell took the high jump with a jump of 6-6.
In the sprints, Manning won the 100-meter dash for East in 11.12, while Kapenga led a 1-2-3 sweep for West in the 200 in 22.94. Bannach won the 400 meters for the Chix in 51.75.
In the hurdles, West’s Diego Valdez won the 110-meter hurdles in 16.96 while Compagner took the 300-meter hurdles for East in 42.42.
In the girls meet, East had a pair of double winners. Sophomore Adalyn Raab took the 800 meters in 2:21.44 and the 1,600 meters in 5:29.73, while junior Bri Cole won the 100-meter dash (13.65) and the high jump (5-4). Cole led a Chix sweep of the first three places in the 100.
Senior Amaya Brott was a double winner for West, sweeping the hurdles events. Brott won the 100-meter hurdles in 18.78 and the 300-meter hurdles in 51.81.
In other sprint races, East’s Terra Schuberg won the 200 in 27:12, while teammate Meredith Cook took the 400 in 59.11.
The Chix won all four relays:
• 4x100: Cole, Kamilla Munoz, Rogue Kraker, Schuberg, 51:17
• 4x200: Schuberg, Munoz, Emily Graves, Cook, 1:49.05
• 4x400: Schuberg, Graves, Raab, Cook, 4:07.57
• 4x800: Libby Post, Graves, Cook, Raab, 10:03.33
East also swept all the field events. Besides’ Cole’s win in the high jump, Lily Huizenga won the shot put (38-10-1/2), Laura Maartense took the discus (109-11), Kate Murphy won the pole vault (9-6) and Kraker took the long jump (16-2).
Zeeland Record
Dominance in the distance events turned out to be the difference for Zeeland West in its Bird Bowl boys track and field meet April 14 at Zeeland Stadium, while Zeeland East won all but two events in the girls meet.
The Dux won the boys meet, 76-61, while the Chix took the girls meet, 100-37.
West took first place in the 800-meter, 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter runs and also won the two longest relay events, the 4x400 and the 4x800.
Senior Rob Dodd led the way for the Dux, winning the 800 in 1:59.98 and the 3,200 in 10:08.15, leading a West sweep of the top five places in the 3,200. The Dux also took the top three places in the 1,600, with senior Sam Taylor first to the tape in 4:40.46.
In the 4x400 relay, the West team of Garrett Kapenga, Reid Cousins, Keagan Smith and Ethan Dalman won in 3:30.99, while the Dux foursome of Joshua Dodd, Cousins, Weston Grewell and Bryson Hassevoort took the 4x800 in 9:07.49.
East senior Sam Sietsema was a double winner in the field events, taking the shot put with a toss of 49 feet, 4 inches and the discus with a throw of 160-1.
The Chix also had a school record performance from junior Austin Lee, who broke a 15-year-old record in the pole vault as he cleared 14 feet, 4 inches. Lee broke the record of 14-3 that had been previously set by Tyler Keelen at the 2011 Division 2 state finals.
The 4x100 relay was the most exciting race of the day, as East edged West by .007 second in 43.922. The Chix team consisted of Sam Manning, Alex Stephens, Kameron Compagner and Isaiah Boonstra while the Dux had Clayton Ramsdell, Cam Brouwer, Xane Herrygers and Kapenga. East won the 4x200 relay as Compagner, Levi Bannach, Isaiah Strom and Manning posted a time of 1:29.76.
West’s Brandon Holman won the long jump with a leap of 21-7, while Ramsdell took the high jump with a jump of 6-6.
In the sprints, Manning won the 100-meter dash for East in 11.12, while Kapenga led a 1-2-3 sweep for West in the 200 in 22.94. Bannach won the 400 meters for the Chix in 51.75.
In the hurdles, West’s Diego Valdez won the 110-meter hurdles in 16.96 while Compagner took the 300-meter hurdles for East in 42.42.
In the girls meet, East had a pair of double winners. Sophomore Adalyn Raab took the 800 meters in 2:21.44 and the 1,600 meters in 5:29.73, while junior Bri Cole won the 100-meter dash (13.65) and the high jump (5-4). Cole led a Chix sweep of the first three places in the 100.
Senior Amaya Brott was a double winner for West, sweeping the hurdles events. Brott won the 100-meter hurdles in 18.78 and the 300-meter hurdles in 51.81.
In other sprint races, East’s Terra Schuberg won the 200 in 27:12, while teammate Meredith Cook took the 400 in 59.11.
The Chix won all four relays:
• 4x100: Cole, Kamilla Munoz, Rogue Kraker, Schuberg, 51:17
• 4x200: Schuberg, Munoz, Emily Graves, Cook, 1:49.05
• 4x400: Schuberg, Graves, Raab, Cook, 4:07.57
• 4x800: Libby Post, Graves, Cook, Raab, 10:03.33
East also swept all the field events. Besides’ Cole’s win in the high jump, Lily Huizenga won the shot put (38-10-1/2), Laura Maartense took the discus (109-11), Kate Murphy won the pole vault (9-6) and Kraker took the long jump (16-2).
East Baseball Romps Over Whitehall
The Zeeland East varsity baseball team entered the week with a 7-2 record after a doubleheader sweep of Whitehall last Friday, 11-4 and 12-0.
In game one, Peyton Davis sparked the Chix offense with four hits, four runs scored and two RBIs. Ethan Campbell added three hits and a pair of RBIs, while Ryan Kuzma knocked in a pair of runs with two hits.
Gavin Weighmink picked up the pitching victory, scattering five hits over 5-1/3 innings, striking out six and not allowing an earned run.
In game two, Mason Raade drove in five runs with three hits, including a double, to power the East offense. Kuzma added a double and scored three runs.
Sawyer Klaasen went the distance for the shutout for East, striking out nine and allowing just two hits over five innings. He did not walk a batter.
Last Thursday, East dropped a tough 4-3 decision to Rockford. The Chix jumped out to an early 3-0 in the third inning, with Campbell supplying the key blow, a two-run double.
The Rams rallied for three runs in the fourth to the tie the game, then scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh on a seeing-eye single with two out.
In game one, Peyton Davis sparked the Chix offense with four hits, four runs scored and two RBIs. Ethan Campbell added three hits and a pair of RBIs, while Ryan Kuzma knocked in a pair of runs with two hits.
Gavin Weighmink picked up the pitching victory, scattering five hits over 5-1/3 innings, striking out six and not allowing an earned run.
In game two, Mason Raade drove in five runs with three hits, including a double, to power the East offense. Kuzma added a double and scored three runs.
Sawyer Klaasen went the distance for the shutout for East, striking out nine and allowing just two hits over five innings. He did not walk a batter.
Last Thursday, East dropped a tough 4-3 decision to Rockford. The Chix jumped out to an early 3-0 in the third inning, with Campbell supplying the key blow, a two-run double.
The Rams rallied for three runs in the fourth to the tie the game, then scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh on a seeing-eye single with two out.
Alderink Transfers to Ferris State
For the second time in two years, former Zeeland West basketball standout Merritt Alderink is transferring.
Alderink, who just finished his sophomore season at Eastern Michigan University, will now play for Ferris State University and the Bulldogs’ new head coach, Brooks Miller.
Alderink played in 25 games as reserve for EMU this past season, averaging 1.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per contest. He had a season-high six points in three separate games – against Butler Dec. 2, against Kent State Jan. 24 and against Toledo Feb. 21. He grabbed a season-high five rebounds Nov. 21 against Oakland.
Alderink played his freshman season at Indiana State University, appearing 13 games for the Sycamores, averaging 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per game while shooting 59 percent from the field.
Alderink had an outstanding four-year career at Zeeland West, scoring more than 1,000 points. In his senior year, he led the Dux to the Division 1 state semifinals and was a finalist for the Mr. Basketball award given to the top high school player in the state.
Ferris State is coming off a 10-18 season from a year ago.
Alderink, who just finished his sophomore season at Eastern Michigan University, will now play for Ferris State University and the Bulldogs’ new head coach, Brooks Miller.
Alderink played in 25 games as reserve for EMU this past season, averaging 1.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per contest. He had a season-high six points in three separate games – against Butler Dec. 2, against Kent State Jan. 24 and against Toledo Feb. 21. He grabbed a season-high five rebounds Nov. 21 against Oakland.
Alderink played his freshman season at Indiana State University, appearing 13 games for the Sycamores, averaging 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per game while shooting 59 percent from the field.
Alderink had an outstanding four-year career at Zeeland West, scoring more than 1,000 points. In his senior year, he led the Dux to the Division 1 state semifinals and was a finalist for the Mr. Basketball award given to the top high school player in the state.
Ferris State is coming off a 10-18 season from a year ago.
Second-half Rally Lifts East Girls Soccer Over West
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
For about three-fourths of the April 15 varsity girls soccer game between Zeeland East and Zeeland West, the teams played on even terms.
But suddenly, the Chix exploded for three goals in a span of six minutes midway through the second half to break the game open, and went on to post a 4-1 victory on Community Night at the new Zeeland Sports Complex to improve their record to 5-1 on the season. The Dux fell to 1-4 with the loss.
East carried the play early on in the contest, but West’s defense, anchored by senior goalkeeper Izzy Terpstra, stymied the Chix attack. Terpstra made 15 saves on the night to keep the Dux in contention.
East junior Aubrey Gomez made a bid for the game’s first goal midway through the first half, but Terpstra dove to her right for the save, keeping the game scoreless.
A counterattack by West led to the Dux drawing first blood. Freshman Tessa Albrecht scored off a rebound to give West a 1-0 lead with just under 14 minutes remaining in the first half.
East responded with the equalizer a few minutes later. Sophomore Vanessa Putnam sent a left-footed shot from about 25 yards away into the top right corner of the net, tying the contest at 1-1 with 8:25 left in the half. That’s how the first half ended.
The Chix took their first lead at 2-1 when senior Natalie Bailey split two West defenders and drove a shot into the top left corner of the net with a little more than 21 minutes remaining.
East then put the game out of reach on two goals by freshman Tenley DeWitt in a span of one minute – the first after a defensive lapse by West, the second set up by a corner kick by Gomez – putting the Chix ahead 4-1 with 15 minutes to play.
“It was a good win, (a good) team effort,” East coach Emily Slagter said after the game. “It was exciting that we were able to get almost everybody on the field to play … The girls really pushed the tempo from the start and moved the ball well, and we got some good finishes.”
West coach Ben Hondorp praised the effort of his defense, particularly early on.
“I was proud of our kids for battling defensively. We had a game plan and stuck with it for about 60-65 minutes, and then they got the second goal, and then the third one, it kind of (got away),” Hondorp said.
Zeeland Record
For about three-fourths of the April 15 varsity girls soccer game between Zeeland East and Zeeland West, the teams played on even terms.
But suddenly, the Chix exploded for three goals in a span of six minutes midway through the second half to break the game open, and went on to post a 4-1 victory on Community Night at the new Zeeland Sports Complex to improve their record to 5-1 on the season. The Dux fell to 1-4 with the loss.
East carried the play early on in the contest, but West’s defense, anchored by senior goalkeeper Izzy Terpstra, stymied the Chix attack. Terpstra made 15 saves on the night to keep the Dux in contention.
East junior Aubrey Gomez made a bid for the game’s first goal midway through the first half, but Terpstra dove to her right for the save, keeping the game scoreless.
A counterattack by West led to the Dux drawing first blood. Freshman Tessa Albrecht scored off a rebound to give West a 1-0 lead with just under 14 minutes remaining in the first half.
East responded with the equalizer a few minutes later. Sophomore Vanessa Putnam sent a left-footed shot from about 25 yards away into the top right corner of the net, tying the contest at 1-1 with 8:25 left in the half. That’s how the first half ended.
The Chix took their first lead at 2-1 when senior Natalie Bailey split two West defenders and drove a shot into the top left corner of the net with a little more than 21 minutes remaining.
East then put the game out of reach on two goals by freshman Tenley DeWitt in a span of one minute – the first after a defensive lapse by West, the second set up by a corner kick by Gomez – putting the Chix ahead 4-1 with 15 minutes to play.
“It was a good win, (a good) team effort,” East coach Emily Slagter said after the game. “It was exciting that we were able to get almost everybody on the field to play … The girls really pushed the tempo from the start and moved the ball well, and we got some good finishes.”
West coach Ben Hondorp praised the effort of his defense, particularly early on.
“I was proud of our kids for battling defensively. We had a game plan and stuck with it for about 60-65 minutes, and then they got the second goal, and then the third one, it kind of (got away),” Hondorp said.
West Softball Sweeps Holland Christian Doubleheader
Zeeland West swept a softball doubleheader from Holland Christian April 14 by scores of 17-1 and 10-0.
The Dux used big innings in both games to pull away from the Maroons. West exploded for 10 runs in the third inning of game one and had a seven-run uprising in the fifth inning of the second game.
Karissa Oetman highlighted the 10-run outburst in the opener with two home runs – a two-run shot over the center field fence and a three-run inside-the-park homer. Oetman finished the game with three hits and six RBIs.
Jenna Hendricks drove in five runs with a three-run inside-the-park homer and a two-run single. Kennedi Tiemeyer had three hits, including a two-run single.
Sadie Kragt threw a three-hitter and struck out nine in gaining the pitching victory. She also had three hits at the plate, including a two-run triple, and stole two bases.
In game two, Oetman fired a one-hitter over five innings, striking out seven. Bri Kamer’s two-run triple and Kragt’s two-run single were the key blows in West’s seven-run fifth that put the game away.
Hendricks, Megan Strabbing and Liberty Pyper also drove in two runs apiece for the Dux.
Last Thursday, West split a doubleheader with Rockford, pulling out the opener 12-11 and falling in the nightcap 10-5. The Dux trailed 11-7 going into the top of the seventh in the first game, but erupted for five runs, highlighted by Kamer’s three-run double, to pull out the win.
Kamer drove in four runs for the game while Oetman added a three-run double.
The Dux used big innings in both games to pull away from the Maroons. West exploded for 10 runs in the third inning of game one and had a seven-run uprising in the fifth inning of the second game.
Karissa Oetman highlighted the 10-run outburst in the opener with two home runs – a two-run shot over the center field fence and a three-run inside-the-park homer. Oetman finished the game with three hits and six RBIs.
Jenna Hendricks drove in five runs with a three-run inside-the-park homer and a two-run single. Kennedi Tiemeyer had three hits, including a two-run single.
Sadie Kragt threw a three-hitter and struck out nine in gaining the pitching victory. She also had three hits at the plate, including a two-run triple, and stole two bases.
In game two, Oetman fired a one-hitter over five innings, striking out seven. Bri Kamer’s two-run triple and Kragt’s two-run single were the key blows in West’s seven-run fifth that put the game away.
Hendricks, Megan Strabbing and Liberty Pyper also drove in two runs apiece for the Dux.
Last Thursday, West split a doubleheader with Rockford, pulling out the opener 12-11 and falling in the nightcap 10-5. The Dux trailed 11-7 going into the top of the seventh in the first game, but erupted for five runs, highlighted by Kamer’s three-run double, to pull out the win.
Kamer drove in four runs for the game while Oetman added a three-run double.
