GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A rainy stretch is set to close out the month of April, but the wet weather hasn’t been able to totally dampen the efforts of Grand Rapids’ best athletes, as we move into the second half of the spring sports season.
With that in mind, we’re taking a look at the local athletes that spent last week excelling on the diamond, the pitch, the court and the track for our third installment of the Grand Rapids-area Athlete of the Week series.
Among those that stood out between April 22-27 were pitchers from Wyoming and Hudsonville that threw perfect games, plus two more hurlers from Holland Christian and Hamilton that tossed no-hitters.
Follow along to see who else made the cut and cast your vote for the athlete that impressed the most.
Readers have unlimited voting until 9 a.m. Friday, May 3, 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 Patrick Nothaft at pnothaft@mlive.com with that athlete’s stats and recent accomplishments.
If the poll does not appear at the bottom of the story, click here to view it.
Dean Armock, GR Catholic Central baseball
The sophomore first baseman played a big role in Catholic Central going 5-2 last week, including a doubleheader sweep over state-ranked Forest Hills Central, as Armock went 10 for 20 at the plate with a double, 10 RBIs and seven runs scored, highlighted by a three-RBI effort in a 5-3 victory over FHC.
Megan Beemer, Hudsonville softball
The senior centerfielder and University of Michigan signee enjoyed another tremendous week at the plate for the 14-0 Eagles, going 13 for 17 with three doubles, two triples, eight RBIs and 16 runs scored, while also drawing four walks without striking out.
Alana Bracey, East Kentwood girls track
After winning the 300-meter hurdles and the 800 relay at Wednesday’s OK Red meet against Caledonia, the sophomore standout took first in both hurdling events and the 800 relay at Friday’s Janke Track Invitational, with her 100 hurdles time of 14.99 seconds setting a personal best and ranking sixth in Division 1.
Hannah Brinks, Hopkins softball
The junior pitcher went 5-0 last week from the circle, collecting 45 strikeouts and allowing a total of five earned runs on 20 hits and nine walks in 31 innings, including a 15-strikeout one-hitter in a 4-0 win over Covenant Christian. Offensively, she helped her cause by going 11 for 19 at the plate with two doubles, eight RBIs and five runs scored in five games.
Jayden Brock, Byron Center boys track
The senior set a pair of personal bests and helped his team win Saturday’s GR Elite Challenge by taking first in the long jump with a distance of 23 feet, 1.5 inches and the high jump with mark of 6 feet, 8 inches, with both measurements ranking among the state’s five best so far this season.
Alexa Brott, Zeeland West softball
The senior pitcher threw a three-inning no-hitter and broke Zeeland West’s career strikeouts record in last week’s doubleheader sweep over rival Zeeland East. Brott rang up a total of 13 batters in the two games, including four in the 15-0 Game 2 win, after opening the series with nine strikeouts and three hits allowed in six innings of the 12-1 Game 1 victory. Offensively, she combined to go 3 for 10 last week with a double, a triple, five RBIs and three runs scored for the 7-6 Dux.
Mill Coleman III, GR Catholic Central boys track
The senior hurdler won four races and set three personal-bests last week, highlighted by a 14.64-second time in the 110-meter hurdles at the GR Elite Challenge, which is currently the state’s fastest time in Division 2.
Seth Conner, Jenison boys track
The junior distance runner covered nearly four miles between his four events – the 800-meter run, the 1,600 run, the 3,200 run and the 3,200 relay – during last week’s dual meet against Rockford, and Conner managed to win them all, then set a personal best of 4:15.92 seconds at Saturday’s GR Elite Challenge, which was good for third place.
Owen Dennings, Lowell baseball
The junior pitcher took a hard-luck loss in a 4-3 defeat to Greenville, in which he struck out nine and allowed two earned runs on four hits in seven innings. He didn’t let that result impact his approach at the plate, however, as Dennings combined to go 8 for 13 with two doubles, three RBIs and four runs scored in four games.
Olivia Dolan, Byron Center softball
The sophomore slugger played a big role in Byron Center’s 4-1 week by going 10 for 16 at the plate with four doubles, a triple and a home run, while driving in nine runs and scoring six more for the 10-2 Bulldogs.
Bella Duimstra, Unity Christian softball
The junior outfielder continued her red-hot hitting by going 9 for 24 last week with a double, two triples, a home run, four RBIs and seven runs scored to help the Crusaders go 5-1, including wins over state-ranked Jenison, Coopersville and Calvin Christian.
Drew Duthler, Coopersville baseball
After opening the week with a loss to Reeths-Puffer, Coopersville swept league foe Unity Christian, with Duthler earning the decision in a 5-2 Game 3 victory by striking out eight and allowing one run on two hits and three walks in six innings. Offensively, the star junior went 6 for 11 at the plate with two doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored.
Kayla Finlaw, East Kentwood softball
The junior slugger had a solid week against a trio of tough teams in Rockford, Hudsonville and Byron Center, finishing the three-game stretch going 6 for 10 at the plate with a double, four RBIs and two runs scored, including a lead-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning against Byron Center, which set the table for Emily Visser’s walk-off two-run homer in the 7-5 win.
Natalie Formsma, Byron Center
The versatile junior athlete won six of her eight events last week, including a season-best time of 15.71 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles at the GR Elite Challenge and a season-best high jump of 5 feet, 4 inches at Monday’s conference meet against Greenville and Lowell. Formsma also logged a pair of second-place finishes in the high jump and 1,600 relay at the GR Elite Challenge.
Peter Heintz, East Grand Rapids baseball
The senior catcher was dialed in at the plate last week, going 10 for 15 with two doubles, two triples, eight RBIs and five runs scored during a three-game sweep over Northview and a pair of close losses to Rockford.
Julia Herzog, Kenowa Hills softball
Rain limited Kenowa Hills to three full games last week, but Herzog, a senior catcher, made the most of her opportunities by going 5 for 7 at the plate with a double, a home run, three RBIs and five runs scored for the 6-6 Knights, who have already surpassed last year’s win total of five.
Adam Huff, Wayland boys track
The junior won all four of his throwing events last week placing first in the shot put and discus at the Hastings Co-ed Relays, after setting personal bests of 53 feet, 3.5 inches in the shot put and 174 feet, 4 inches in the discus at Tuesday’s conference meet at Ottawa Hills.
Kendall Johnson, Sparta girls soccer
The junior center midfielder and future Grace Christian University student-athlete tallied five goals and an assist during a 2-1 week for the Spartans, including two goals in a 2-1 upset win over Big Rapids.
Kelly Koole, Covenant Christian softball
The senior slugger led the Chargers to a 6-1 week that included an 18-7 win over state-ranked Delton Kellogg by going 14 for 25 at the plate with four doubles, a triple and two home runs, while driving in 15 runs and scoring 10 more.
Elly Koopman, Hudsonville softball
The senior pitcher and future Saginaw Valley State Cardinal continued her stellar season last week by throwing a pair of one-hitters and tossing a five-inning perfect game with six strikeouts in an 11-0 win over conference foe East Kentwood. In three starts, Koopman struck out 14 and allowed two hits and no runs in 10 innings, while also going 10 for 16 at the plate with five doubles, nine RBIs and five runs scored.
Grace Lorenz, Coopersville girls track
The junior sprinter won four races last week and set personal bests in three, highlighted by a time of 59.00 seconds in the 400-meter dash at Saturday’s GR Elite Challenge, which is currently the state’s fourth-best time in Division 2.
Madi Ludema, Wayland softball
Wayland went 7-0 last week thanks in large part to the play of Ludema, as the sophomore standout threw complete-game wins against state-ranked Ravenna and Grand Haven among four starts, in which she tallied 20 strikeouts, while allowing five runs – one earned – on 12 hits and two walks in 24 innings. Offensively, Ludema went 8 for 22 at the plate with two doubles, a triple, 10 RBIs and seven runs scored.
Lauren Merritt, Greenville softball
The senior slugger led Greenville to a 2-2 week by going 9 for 13 at the plate with two doubles, a triple, four RBIs and four runs scored in a doubleheader sweep over Sparta and a pair of losses to Lowell.
Kelsey Mersman, Hamilton softball
The sophomore pitcher threw a six-inning no-hitter in last week’s 11-0 win over Holland Christian, striking out 15 and finishing one walk away from a perfect game.
Claire Mitchell, Lowell softball
The hard-hitting junior enjoyed another solid week offensively, going 5 for 11 at the plate with two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored to lead the Red Arrows to a 3-2 record against a tough slate that included games against Hudsonville, Vicksburg and Grandville.
Malachi Mosley, East Kentwood boys track
The junior and 2022 400-meter dash state champ won all five of his races last week and set a personal best of 48.11 seconds in the 400 at Wednesday’s conference meet against Jenison. That time is currently the state’s second fastest in all of Division 1.
Blake Peasley, Belding baseball
The junior pitcher tossed a seven-inning gem in Tuesday’s 6-3 win over Comstock Park, striking out nine and allowing one earned run on five hits and a walk, while also contributing three hits at the plate. Peasley finished the week going 6 for 12 with an RBI and five runs scored to help the Black Knights win 3 of 5, including a doubleheader sweep over Breckenridge.
Megan Pefley, Comstock Park softball
The junior slugger led Comstock Park to a 3-2 week by going 9 for 14 at the plate with a home run, five RBIs and nine runs scored, while also drawing three walks and stealing six bases without getting caught.
Matt Perkin, Calvin Christian baseball
The senior slugger went 3 for 9 last week with two doubles, a home run, four RBIs and two runs scored, with his two-run dinger helping the Squires pull out a 9-8 comeback win over Hopkins. Perkin also pitched four strong innings in an 8-3 win over Hopkins, striking out four and allowing one run on three hits.
Evie Pylman, South Christian softball
The junior leadoff hitter has played a big role in South Christian’s 10-game winning streak, and that continued last week, when Pylman combined to go 11 for 16 at the plate with five doubles, a home run, eight RBIs and 11 runs scored.
Trevor Raade, Zeeland East baseball
The senior and future Western Michigan Bronco couldn’t pitch last season due to an injury, but he showed no ill effects in last week’s start against rival Zeeland West, in which he struck out nine and allowed one run on one hit and five walks in six innings of the 7-2 victory. Offensively, he went 4 for 8 at the plate with two doubles, five RBIs and three runs scored in the three-game series against the Dux.
Owen Raap, Comstock Park baseball
The Panthers played just three games last week, but managed to take 2 of 3 from Belding thanks to some strong play from Raap, who went all seven innings and struck out seven, while allowing one run on six hits and two walks in the 3-1 series finale win. Offensively, he combined to go 7 for 10 at the plate with a double, two RBIs and three run scored in the three OK Silver contests.
Logan Richardson, East Kentwood girls track
The freshman phenom won seven races last week, including the 200-meter dash, the 400 relay and the 800 relay at Friday’s Charlie Janke Invitational, and her second-place time of 12.22 seconds in the 100 dash was good for second place and currently stands as the state’s second fastest time in Division 1 behind only defending state champ Keyanna O’Tey, of Sturgis.
Jacob Robertson, Forest Hills Central baseball
The senior pitcher tossed a complete-game gem to start last week’s series against Byron Center, as he struck out eight and allowed two runs on four hits and two walks in the 4-2 victory. Offensively, Robertson went 6 for 11 at the plate last week with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored.
Semaj Robertson, Ottawa Hills girls track
The speedy junior won four of her five races last week, including a pair of first-place finishes at the prestigious GR Elite Challenge, where her 100-meter dash time of 12.47 seconds was a season best and her 400 relay time of 49.56 seconds stands as the ninth-best in the state.
Robby Russo, Jenison boys track
The senior pole vaulter has made great strides this season and set a personal best by clearing 14 feet at Wednesday’s OK Red meet against Rockford, which earned Russo his third first-place finish in the event.
Charlie Schreur, South Christian baseball
The senior made his debut on the mount last week by striking out three and allowing three hits, a walk and one unearned run in four innings of a 19-1 win over Ottawa Hills. Offensively, he combined to go 6 for 11 at the plate with three doubles, three RBIs and nine runs scored for the 10-5 Sailors.
Trent Sikkema, Wayland baseball
Wayland endured a tough week, winning just once in six games, but it wasn’t for lack of production from Sikkema, who went 8 for 18 at the plate with two doubles, a home run, six RBIs and four runs scored.
Payton Skarda, Rockford baseball
The senior slugger and future Davenport Panther played a big part in Rockford’s 7-0 week by going 12 for 20 at the plate with two triples, two homers, nine RBIs and 11 runs scored, while also providing three quality innings from the mound, where he struck out four and allowed three hits, a walk and one run in a 10-2 win over Grand Ledge.
Ben Slagter, Jenison baseball
The junior pitcher led Jenison to a win in the series rubber match against Grandville by striking out four and allowing five hits in six shutout innings of the Wildcats’ 10-0 victory. Offensively, he combined to go 5 for 14 at the plate with three doubles, two RBIs and three runs scored for the 16-2 Wildcats.
Kyle Smith, Holland Christian baseball
The senior pitcher threw a five-inning no-hitter in last week’s win over Hamilton, striking out 10 and walking three in the 11-0 victory. Offensively, he combined to go 4 for 9 at the plate with a triple, seven RBIs and three runs scored.
Leigha Stoepker, Jenison girls track
The junior thrower won all four of her events last week, setting personal bests in the shot put (41 feet, 7.5 inches) and discus (129 feet, 2.5 inches) at Wednesday’s OK Red meet against Rockford, then placing first in both events at Saturday’s GR Elite Challenge.
Kalani Stowe, Wyoming softball
The senior pitcher is closing in on 600 career strikeouts after a pair of masterful performance last week against GR Union, in which she combined to fan 18 batters, while allowing one hit and one walk, including a three-inning perfect game in the doubleheader opener. Offensively, she went 5 for 5 with two doubles, a triple, four RBIs and six runs scored in two games against the Red Hawks.
Jessie Teesdale, Cedar Springs softball
The freshman enjoyed a breakout week for the Red Hawks by going 8 for 12 with three RBIs and five runs scored during a doubleheader sweep of Comstock Park and a loss to GR Catholic Central.
Landon Terry, Grandville baseball
The senior pitcher threw a gem in last week’s 2-0 win over Division 1 No. 11 Jenison, striking out seven and allowing one hit and two walks in seven innings, which gave the Bulldogs their second win this season against a state-ranked opponent, after defeating D1 No. 4 Zeeland East on April 13.
Becca Tuttle, West Catholic softball
The senior shortstop was a tough out all week, going 15 for 22 at the plate with five doubles, a triple, seven RBIs and eight runs scored for the 7-9 Falcons.
Colton VanderArk, NorthPointe Christian baseball
The senior pitched a pair of perfect innings with four strikeouts in relief last week, while also excelling at the plate, where he went 8 for 8 with eight RBIs and six runs scored in a pair of wins over Kelloggsville and another victory over Covenant Christian.
Mia VanderHeide, Jenison softball
The senior slugger went 9 for 18 at the plate with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored to lead Jenison to a 4-2 week against some tough competition, including state-ranked opponents Unity Christian and Grand Haven.
Parker Vaughn, Cedar Springs baseball
It was a light week for the Red Hawks baseball team, but the senior standout made the most of his opportunities by going 3 for 6 at the plate with two doubles, a home run, four RBIs and two runs scored, while also pitching six strong innings in a 4-2 win over GR Catholic Central, in which he struck out six and allowed two unearned runs on five hits and two walks.
Kianna Vork, Hamilton softball
Hamilton played just twice last week, but Vork made the most of the opportunities, as the junior pitcher led the Hawkeyes to a 1-0 win over Holland Christian by striking out 12 and allowing just two hits and a walk in seven innings. In the second game of the doubleheader against the Maroons, Vork went 3 for 4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored to power an 11-0 victory.
Trevor Walter, Caledonia baseball
The versatile junior played well during a tough week that saw Caledonia drop three games by three runs or fewer, with Walter going 7 for 19 at the plate with a double, a triple, six RBIs and four runs scored, while also throwing three innings of relief with two strikeouts and zero earned runs.
Garrett Weeden, Zeeland East boys track
The senior thrower placed first in the shot put at all four meets last week, including at Friday’s Charlie Janke Invitational, where his toss of 57 feet, 7 inches eclipsed his previous personal best by more than a foot and currently stands as the best throw in Division 1. Weeden also set a personal best in the discus at Saturday’s Throw Down in Trojan Town, where he launched the disc 166 feet, 3 inches, which was good for second place.
Brody Wiersma, Thornapple Kellogg baseball
The junior pitcher picked up a win over Wayland by striking out one and scattering six hits and three walks in 6 2/3 innings of an 8-5 victory, and he also swung a hot bat last week, going 8 for 19 with a triple, a home run, three RBIs and eight runs scored to help extend the Trojans’ winning streak to five games.
