Fall sports #1 2015

2015

Fall

SPORTS LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS |WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2015 | inside: mason co. eastern, PENTWATER & MANISTEE CATHOLIC

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Ludington daily newS/FALL SPORTS

| WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26, 2015

www.ludingtondailynews.com

Mason County Eastern volleyball

LaPrad moves up to varsity job Will stay on as junior varsity coach, too

By DAVID BOSSICK Daily News Sports Editor CUSTER — Mason County Eastern will have a vastly different lineup this year from last year, and that includes the coach on the bench.

Sara LaPrad takes over for Pam Bentley as the varsity volleyball coach after being the junior varsity coach for the Cardinals a season ago.

“We have a pretty awesome relationship. A lot of the girls have been working out all summer long,” she said. “I have a good relationship with a lot of the parents. I have a lot of girls who are used to my coaching technique.”

LaPrad grew up playing throughout the calendar as a youth near Bay City in Bangor Township. She attended Bay City John Glenn and graduated from high school in 2009. She went on to coach at the middle school and junior varsity level in the Comstock school system before getting married and moving to Ludington.

That led to last season where she worked with the junior varsity team. Many of those players are making the move up to the varsity team this season. Others, such as Lauren McCumber, Tammy Campbell and Dejna Babcock are holders from last season.

“Lauren is going to be awesome out there. She’s our setter. She’s the rock,” LaPrad said. “She’s our captain. The whole nine yards. She sets a great example for the girls and she’s very enthusiastic.”

The Cardinals moved up Erin Wittlieff, Frances Knizacky, Kaitlyn Maciag, Brooke Lee and Zeressa

DAVID BOSSICK | daily news

Members of the Mason County Eastern varsity volleyball team are, front row, from left, Erin Wittlieff, Tammy Campbell, Lauren McCumber and Frances Knizacky; see volleyball, page 3 back row, Kaitlyn Maciag, Brooke Lee, Dejna Babcock and Zeressa Cregg.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26, 2015

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volleyball: LaPrad takes over for Bentley From page 2

Cregg to the varsity team.

The varsity numbers are at seven for the season, with the junior varsity having just six.

LaPrad will be coaching both the varsity and junior varsity teams this fall for Mason County Eastern. It’s a tall order, but she relates it to coaching a pair of middle school teams in Comstock at the same time.

“It’ll be all right. There will be some days where they’ll practice together and there will be some day sphere they practice (apart),” she said.

“It’ll work.”

Because LaPrad was there to see her junior varsity team play against most of the Western Michigan D League, she’s not going into the season completely blind to the capabilities of the teams in the conference.

“There’s a few teams we were really close with last year, and we came home with a loss,” she said, referring to a handful of fivegame losses the Cardinals suffered.

LaPrad was unsure about

HENDRICKS FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC

‘It’ll be all right.

There will be some days where they’ll practice together and there will be some day sphere they practice (apart). It’ll work.’

Sara LaPrad Mason County Eastern volleyball coach defending league champion Pentwater — the Falcons didn’t have a junior varsity last year — but felt her Cardinals could get past teams like Manistee Catholic and Walkerville.

The Cardinals’ varsity team opened the season at McBain Northern Michigan Christian with a tournament and they followed it up with the Frankfort Tournament on Tuesday. Western Michigan D League play starts at Walkerville Sept. 17.

PADNOS PERE MARQUETTE

Dr. John Hendricks

david bossick | daily news

Members of the Mason County Eastern junior varsity volleyball team are, front row, from left, Mckenna Lake, Harley Smakal and Emma Howell; second row, Chelsea Gage, Jenny Appledorn and Taylor Dykman.

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Mason County Eastern cross country

Cardinals could soar to state meet

By DAVID BOSSICK Daily News Sports Editor CUSTER — As with any team getting the season going, the Mason County Eastern cross country teams have designs of reaching the state meet at Michigan International Speedway in November.

The Cardinals, though, very well could have a large contingent of red-and-yellow clad competitors there.

Both the boys and girls cross country teams return several key runners for the season, and that bodes well for those plans. The girls cross country team returns two state qualifiers: Jordan Goodman, now a junior, and Cammie Shoup, a sophomore, who got there last year. Shoup was 33rd, just outside of All-State honors as the top 30 get it. Goodman was 109th in the 237-girl field.

Then throw in a healthy Megan McCormick, and the prospects look pretty good not just individually, but potentially as a team.

“The top three are studs,” Eastern coach Ben Knizacky said.

“We’re hoping for Liz (Singer) to get here and help us out.

Sam (Goodman) will help us out some.”

The Cardinals do have a complete team, with Lauren Golembiewski coming along, too.

Golembiewski attends Manistee Catholic, and runs through the cooperative agreement between the two schools.

“She’s run through the summer.

And, she’s already finished ahead of the pace she was at last year,” Knizacky said.

Having two state qualifiers, though, will be a huge help.

“Cammie will lead us, but the other two girls will be right there tight. Megan and Jordan have been running some (5-kilometer races) over the summer. They’ve been 30 seconds of each other,” Knizacky said. “That first three is going to be strong.”

david bossick | DAILY NEWS

Members of the Mason County Eastern cross country teams are, front row, from left, Lauren Golembiewski, Cammie Shoup, Samantha Goodman, Megan Mcsee cross, page 5 Cormick and Jordan Goodman; back row, Daniel J. Busch, Joey Mickevich, Mason Callesen, Ben Cossette, Abe Shoup and Preston Kelley.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26, 2015

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2015 Mason County Eastern fall schedules cross country (Co-op with manistee catholic) Mon., Aug. 24, at Orchard View Invitational, 5 p.m.

Sat., Aug. 29, at Benzie Invitational, 9 a.m.

Sat., Sept. 5, at Buckley Invitational, 9 a.m.

Wed., Sept. 9, at Western Michigan D League jamboree at Walkerville, 4:15 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 12, at Briggs Invitational at West Shore Community College, 9 a.m.

Wed., Sept. 16, at Western Michigan D League jamboree at Bear Lake, 4:15 p.m.

Wed., Sept. 23, at Western Michigan D League jamboree at Big Rapids Crossroads, 4:15 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 26, at Oakridge Invitational, 8:30 a.m.

Tue., Sept. 29, at Kelder Invitational at Scottville, 4 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 3, at LeRoy Pine River Invitational, 9 a.m.

Wed., Oct. 7, WMD championship Wed., Oct. 14, Cardinal Classic

varsity volleyball DAVID BOSSICK | DAILY NEWS FILE

Mason County Eastern’s Preston Kelley (bib 779), Mason Saya and Mason Callesen are in a pack of runners during the MHSAA Div. 4 regional at Grand Traverse Resort, October 2014, in Acme. All three runners return for the 2015 season.

cross: MCE aiming to qualify both boys, girls teams from page 4

Knizacky figures Bear Lake’s co-op with Onekama will continue to be strong.

The Lakers are dominant within the Western Michigan D League and won the regional championship a season ago. But, they also graduated several of their top runners.

“If the three can finish in the top five in the league, it can help. I think on both sides, it can be really close,” he said, of both the boys and girls teams.

The boys cross country team should be in good shape, too. Preston Kelley qualified for the state meet two seasons ago, but this team isn’t driven by one breakout star.

“I don’t think there’s an established top guy, yet,” Knizacky said. “I’m not too sure that Mason Callesen,

might not challenge those boys. He’s been working hard this summer and he’s been developing the body strength.”

Beyond Kelley and Callesen, Abe Shoup, Joey Mickevich, Daniel Busch, Ben Cossette and Mason Saya all return to the team from last year. The team may add Calvin Grant.

“Previously, Preston, Joe, Abe and Mason Callesen, I’m not sure that it couldn’t happen to any one of those that they become the frontrunner,” Knizacky said. “I’m not too sure that it could be a different one could be the front runner.

“My top five, I suspect by the end of the season, might be inside a minute tight.”

Having a grouping that close together could pave the way for some great things for the entire group, Knizacky said.

“That’s what it takes.

We’ve got to be tight,” he said. “We just don’t have a Zac (Benham, from Mason County Central). I remember three years ago, Benzie (Central) won state without any All-Staters… They were all 30 and above.

“We can accomplish things, just so long as we keep it tight.”

And like the girls, the boys team will aim to challenge the Bear Lake/Onekama powerhouse for the Western Michigan D League.

However, Knizacky has his eyes set on another potential spoiler to their plans.

“I’m not downplaying Walkerville. They had some young kids last year, and they ran pretty good,” he said. “They’re pretty hungry.”

Beyond the league, Knizacky said the boys team should take one of the

top three slots at the regional and qualify for the state meet.

“We’re going to have Bear Lake there. We’re going to have Frankfort there. Frankfort is going to have a decent squad back,” he said. “I think we can certainly challenge for that other spot.

They feel they can, and that’s half the battle.”

What helps the team is they get along very well. The team went to Rapid River in the Upper Peninsula to do some preseason training.

And part of that training took them to Paradise to jog back and forth between the upper and lower Tahquamenon Falls.

“They know they’re juniors now, and they’re pulling for each other,” Knizacky said. “It’s time to prove it. It’s time for them to produce, and I think they know it.”

Sat., Aug. 22, at McBain Northern Michigan Christian Invitational, 9 a.m.

Tue., Aug. 26, at Frankfort Invitational, 9 a.m.

Thur., Aug. 27, at Bear Lake Invitational, 9 a.m.

Thur., Sept. 10, Manistee, 6 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 17, at Walkerville, 6 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 22, at Bear Lake, 6 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 24, at Brethren, 6 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 26, at Pentwater Invitational, 9 a.m.

Tue., Sept. 29, Manistee Catholic, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 1, at Baldwin, 6 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 3, at Brethren Invitational Thur., Oct. 8, Pentwater, 6 p.m.

Tue., Oct. 13, Big Rapids Crossroads, Manistee, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 15, Onekama, 6 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 17, at Western Michigan D League Tournament at Walkerville, 6 p.m.

Mon., Oct. 26, at Buckley, 5:30 p.m.

Tue., Oct. 27, Kent City Algoma Christian, 6 p.m.

Junior varsity volleyball Thur., Sept. 10, Manistee, 6 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 12, at Brethren Invitational, 9 a.m.

Thur., Sept. 17, at Walkerville, 6 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 22, at Bear Lake, 6 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 24, at Brethren, 6 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 26, at Bear Lake Invitational, 9 a.m.

Tue., Sept. 29, Manistee Catholic, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 1, at Baldwin, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 8, Pentwater, 6 p.m.

Tue., Oct. 13, Big Rapids Crossroads, Manistee, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 15, Onekama, 6 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 17, West Shore Community College Invitational, 9 a.m.

Mon., Oct. 26, at Buckley, 5:30 p.m.

Tue., Oct. 27, Kent City Algoma Christian, 6 p.m.

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Ludington daily newS/FALL SPORTS

| WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26, 2015

www.ludingtondailynews.com

GREG GIELCZYK | DAILY NEWS

Members of the Manistee Catholic Central football team, front row, from left, Nicholas Hansen, Jordan Kuenzer, Chad Robke, Preston Picardat and Greg Bender; back row, from left, coach Phil Kroll, Blake Robke, Jacob McComb, Juan Hernandez and Justen Kuenzer. Not pictured: John Slivka, Chris Chesebro and Ashton Solus.

Manistee Catholic football

Sabers adjusts to 8-player game

BY GREG GIELCZYK DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

the 11-on-11 as they have since their inaugural season back in the 1960s, and they MANISTEE — Heading into are being led by a new coach the pre-season scrimmage in alumnus Phil Kroll.

Kroll, the boys’ basketball at Webberville, Aug. 19, the Manistee Catholic Central coach last winter, played on football team boasted 12 the Sabers’ state champiplayers on the roster with onship team back in 1969 the possibility of one or two when Manistee Catholic more coming on board prior was a Class C school and there were no post-season to the season opener.

The Sabers are embark- playoffs with the four state ing on a new adventure this champions (one in each season because of their low class) decided by a vote of numbers and will be playing the United Press Internation8-man football rather than al sports writers.

Considering his football pedigree, and coaching experience in the Grand Rapids area before retiring and moving back to Manistee a couple of years ago, Kroll appears to be a perfect fit to lead the Sabers into a new era.

Although he’d prefer to have 16 players which would give the team a lot more depth, Kroll will settle for 12. It still allows for some substitution, if only minimally, and a chance to rest some of his offensive players when the team is on de-

fense.

With such small numbers, any injuries will create problems.

“I’m optimistic,” Kroll said after the first week of practice. “We have some people that I can plug into the right spots. Like we always say, injuries will be the death of us.

But, the guys I have plugged into the spots I’m very optimistic that they’ll be able to play their positions.

“We’ve got to keep contact to a minimum, because (of) so few guys. We’re going to

be a very fit team because we do a lot of running. The heavy contact we do once, maybe twice a week. By rule it’s only twice a week anyway, but we may only be able to do it once a week. We can’t take a chance.

“The first two days of contact I had two guys go down, and they’re still not 100 percent. This is such uncharted water. We’ll see if we can do what we hope, or are we going to have to come back (after the pre-season scrimmage at Webberville that

was scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 19) and revamp everything? I’m hoping that’s not the case.”

Manistee Catholic’s roster: SENIORS: Jordan Kuenzer, Greg Bender, Chad Robke and Blake Robke.

JUNIORS: Chris Chesebro, Jacob McComb and Juan Hernandez; SOPHOMORES: Nicholas Hansen; FRESHMEN: Preston Picardat and Justen Kuenzer. see football, page 8

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26, 2015

| Ludington daily newS/FALL SPORTS www.ludingtondailynews.com

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Manistee Catholic volleyball

Ozimac works with inexperience

BY GREG GIELCZYK DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER MANISTEE — Starting from scratch with only three girls returning from last year and a team comprised of players moving up from the junior varsity, secondyear Manistee Catholic Central volleyball coach Taylor Ozimac finds herself faced with yet another challenge.

But, she does have one advantage over last year when she came on board only a few days before practice started, and just one year of coaching experience. Not only does she have a better handle on things from a coaching perspective, but she’s had more time to become familiar with the players which is especially important this season with so much turnover.

With such a young and inexperienced squad, Ozimac is naturally going to rely on the leadership of seniors Katylin Heck, Shelby Papes and Meghan Miller to help bring the younger players up to speed.

Ozimac faces a tall order making things work despite a small number of girls, the majority of whom are making the difficult adjustment from junior varsity to varsity where the speed of the game is considerably more challenging.

The low numbers has forced the Sabers to bring up a large number of eighth graders to fill the junior varsity roster. Everett McLinden is coaching the junior varsity this season, with Ozimac serving as his assistant and then two will switch roles on the varsity.

Manistee Catholic’s roster: SENIORS: Meghan Miller, Kaytlin Heck and Shelby Papes; JUNIORS: Juia Borucki, Kyria Rowe, Molly McLinden and Elizabeth Slivka; SOPHOMORES: Emma Smart, Sarah Bialik, Elizabeth Nelson, Johnna Hansen and Ali Stocki.

Instead of practices separately, GREG GIELCZYK | DAILY NEWS the varsity and junior varsity will Members of the Manistee Catholic Central girls volleyball team are, front row, from left, Elizabeth Nelson, Kaytlin Heck, Shelby Papes and Molly McLinden; see sabers, page 8

middle row, Elizabeth Slivka, Johnna Hansen and Kyria Rowe, Ali Stocki; back row, head coach Tyalor Ozimac and assistant Everett McLinden. Not pictured: Meghan Miller, Sarah Bialik, Julia Borucki and Emma Smart.

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Ludington daily newS/FALL SPORTS www.ludingtondailynews.com

| WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26, 2015

football: Switching to 8-player with new coach in 2015

sabers: Young team

from page 6

from page 7

Kroll admits he’s “old-school stubborn.” He’d rather execute the play, run it right and let people know what the Sabers are going to do, and use the philosophy that the other team has to stop the play from succeeding.

Chad Robke, one of four seniors on the team, will start at quarterback although he hasn’t played the position since Pop Warner but is excited for the chance. Behind him is freshman Preston Picardat, who Kroll hopes can be brought along gradually so he’s ready to take Robke’s place next season.

One of the linemen from last year, junior Juan Hernandez, has been moved to running back. Kroll says he’s strong and runs hard, making him a challenge to tackle. He would be designated as a fullback if the Sabers run out of the ‘I’.

Another senior, Blake Robke, and senior Greg Bender (Mason County Eastern) will be the starting receivers. Nicholas Hansen, a sophomore, is expected to catch some passes coming out of the backfield and also serve as a running back.

Up front junior Chris Chesebro will anchor the offen-

work out together, which Ozimac hopes will help aid in the learning process as she continues to run a more complex rotation system which she instituted last year.

“They handled it pretty well, and it worked well for us,” Ozimac said of the rotation system. “We had a lot of close games. They like it, they enjoy it, so we’re going to stick with that and sort of perfect it.

“We’ve got our setters setting from the back row now, where they were running kind of a very simple rotation before where whoever was in that position on the floor was the setter. Now, we have designated setters and they have to move around more. It takes a lot of the guess work out of it.”

After only three days of practice — since the Sabers don’t open the season until Sept. 15, Ozimac took the opportunity to let the girls enjoy more of their summer — Heck and Papes have locked up the setting positions, which isn’t surprising, since they were the main setters a year ago.

Defense is still under construction, and just who will be the front row attackers is also being evaluated with so many new players. The seniors will be rotating all over the court to help strengthen all of those positions, Ozimac said.

“Even the setters are going to be playing back row and up in the front row,” Ozimac added. “I’m really counting on them for a lot of stuff. We have some height, which certainly is useful in the front row.

“I was just telling them yesterday, it doesn’t matter how tall you are. If you can jump, you can make it work. I want them to bring back the same drive and fight that they had last year. Honestly, that’s really my only strategy right now is to make sure they fight hard. I’ll take a well fought loss over an easy win each and every day. You don’t really get anything out of an easy win.

“It’s kind of like a blank slate again. We’re still gauging everything out right now, and seeing how it’s going to work.”

The Sabers didn’t run with a libero last year, and Ozimac doesn’t expect to have anyone playing the position this season.

“It’s a small team, a small school, and everyone is pretty well versed in all the positions and all the skills,” Ozimac said. “So, there’s no reason they can’t handle it. I want them to be well-rounded players. If they’re strong all around, the whole team is going to be strong.

“Everybody is going to be playing every position with this kind of rotation, so they need to do know. The only position they might not be playing is the setter, but if need be I should be able to pull them into the position and they should know how to do it.”

Ozimac expects Brethren to be one of the major contenders in the Western Michigan D League this season after making great strides a year ago, and she’s anxious to see how the Sabers compete against the Bobcats.

jeff kiessel | daily news file

Manistee Catholic’s Jordan Kuenzer chases down a Mesick player during last season. Kuenzer and his Sabers teammates played 11-player football last season and are transitioning to the 8-player game for this fall. sive line at center, with junior Jacob McComb and freshman John Slivka at the guards.

Everyone is coming around to the new system, Kroll says.

“It’s a couple less guys, but everybody knows where they’re going,” Kroll said.

“We’re trying to be as simple as we can on our blocking schemes, so there’s no guess work. When they get to the line, if the defense keeps shift-

ing they’ve got a basic rule. “(Defense) is where I’m still looking at some guys. I’ve got a freshman, Justen Kuenzer, (that) I’m probably going to use at nose tackle. He’s a big boy, and I think he’s going to be able to cover it very well for us.”

Kroll added that Bender and Chesebro will probably start at the defensive ends, with Slivka and Hernandez at the

linebacker spots. The defensive backs will either be Blake Robke, Chad Robke and Jordan Kuenzer playing the corners with Hansen at safety.

“We’ll probably start out in a 3-2-3,” Kroll said. “Hopefully, we’re tough enough to cover the outside. With a 40-yard wide field, it’s going to be a little easier. Nick is a fast kid, and if we can keep him at safety (we’ll be okay).”

2015 Manistee Catholic fall schedules Football (co-op with mason county eastern) Fri., Aug. 28, Big Rapids Crossroads, 7 p.m.

Fri. Sept. 4, at Marion, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 11, at Bellaire, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 25, at Big Rapids Crossroads, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 2, at Lawrence, 6 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 9, Marion, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 23, at Mesick junior varsity, 8 a.m.

Manistee Catholic JV/varsity volleyball Tue., Sept. 15, Traverse City Christian, 6 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 17, at Big Rapids Crossroads, 6 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 22, Walkerville, 6 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 24, Pentwater, 6 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 26, at Onekama tournament, 9 a.m.

Tue., Sept. 29, at Mason County Eastern, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 1, Brethren, 6 p.m.

Tue., Oct. 6, at Onekama, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 8, at Baldwin, 6 p.m.

Tue., Oct. 13, Big Rapids Crossroads, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 15, at Buckley, 6 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 17, at Western Michigan D League tournament at Walkerville, 9 a.m.

cross country (Co-op hosted by mason co. Eastern) Mon., Aug. 24, at Orchard View Invitational, 5 p.m.

Sat., Aug. 29, at Benzie Invitational, 9 a.m.

Sat., Sept. 5, at Buckley Invitational, 9 a.m.

Wed., Sept. 9, at Western Michigan D League jamboree at Walkerville, 4:15 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 12, at Briggs Invitational at West Shore Community College, 9 a.m.

Wed., Sept. 16, at Western Michigan D League jamboree at Bear Lake, 4:15 p.m.

Wed., Sept. 23, at Western Michigan D League jamboree at Big Rapids Crossroads, 4:15 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 26, at Oakridge Invitational, 8:30 a.m.

Tue., Sept. 29, at Kelder Invitational at Scottville, 4 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 3, at LeRoy Pine River Invitational, 9 a.m.

Wed., Oct. 7, WMD championship Wed., Oct. 14, Cardinal Classic

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26, 2015

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| Ludington daily newS/FALL SPORTS www.ludingtondailynews.com

Pentwater boys soccer

Quinteros takes on Falcons soccer

By ANDY ROBERTS Shoreline Media Pentwater brings back a solid core of talent from last season’s team, which took its lumps at times. With a new coach, Miguel Quinteros, the Falcons hope that experience pays off in 2015.

Quinteros hasn’t coached at the varsity level before, but has a wealth of playing experience from his days in El Salvador. He’s also coached at youth levels in the past.

Quinteros is excited for his new opportunity and senses similar excitement from his Falcons.

“They are really working hard, and I can tell it’s going to be a good season,” Quinteros said. “I’m really getting the impression that they have a love for the sport.

Soccer is a newer sport in this country, and they seem more in tune with the sport than previous generations.

They’re soccer fans.”

Among the Falcons back are Iain Stewart, who had a four-goal game last year against Heritage Christian.

Experienced keeper Damon Martz also returns, and several other players with see soccer, page 12

andy roberts | shoreline media

Members of the Pentwater boys soccer team are, first row, from left: Jacob Emick, Stephen Boyko, Travis Franklin, William Sproul, Nate Combs, Jacob Veine and Dayton Gibson; second row, Connor Lipski, Wyatt Collins, Logan Smith, Semaj Collier, Damon Martz, Jacob Whitford, Max Stoneman, Austin Hofmann, Iain Stewart and coach Miguel Quinteros. Not pictured: Owen Knudsen and Austin Jubb.

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Ludington daily newS/FALL SPORTS

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Pentwater cross country

Falcons wealthy in experience

By ANDY ROBERTS Shoreline Media The Pentwater cross country team brings back almost its entire roster from last season, and with the ability to score in meets now on the table, coach Erika Fatura is excited for the possibilities this season brings.

Fatura took the job shortly before last season began on an interim basis, but enjoyed the experience and said she is now “in it for the long haul.”

Freshman Madi Wagner will lead the Falcons’ girls after qualifying for the Division 4 state meet last fall as an eighth-grader. Senior Sophia Nyberg is a cross country veteran and will provide needed leadership to a young team. Other runners back for the Pentwater girls include Madeline Reitsma and Brianna Adams. New to the girls team this year is Payton Patterson-Skuse.

On the boys’ side, the Falcons lose Dayton Gibson, who decided to concentrate on soccer this fall, but do bring back Julien Nyberg, Jake Quinn and Jackson Sheets.

Pentwater also brings in the Bromley twins, Dean and Justus, as well as Max Stoneman, the Falcons’ lone runner that’s also playing soccer, and Gannon McDonough.

“He is a very talented athlete, but has never ran cross country before,” Fatura said of Stoneman.

“His determination and work ethic are going to be a force to be reckoned with. It is important for the longevity of the program to continue to have new, young athletes be a part of the team.”

Fatura said her team will continue to work on making personal improvements each week, with hopes that the combined efforts put forth by the young Falcons will result in team gains.

“I want every athlete to feel success throughout the season and strive to meet their goals,” Fatura said. “To do this, it is important that we all support one another as a team. I am really looking forward to

andy roberts | shoreline media

Members of the Pentwater cross country teams are, front row, from left: Payton Patterson-Skuse, Gannon McDonough, Julien Nyberg and coach Erika Fatura; second row, Madi Wagner, Max Stoneman, Sophia Nyberg, Justus Bromley and Dean Bromley. Not pictured: Madeline Reitsma, Brianna Adams, Jake Quinn and Jackson Sheets. building the program. It’s really important for me to have a balance between challenging the athletes and making sure they are having fun.”

With that in mind, Fatura had her runners do something new to start the year that she hopes will evolve

into a new tradition.

“The team participated in a Midnight Madness run to the beach and back to kick off the season,” Fatura said. “We all wore glow attire and lit sparklers back at the school. We are predicting a very ‘bright’ season.”

The Falcons’ ability to score, provided it continues into the season, will put the teams in position to compete for the second spot in the West Michigan D League. The Bear Lake/Onekama co-op arrangement makes their annual WMD title a for-

mality, but the remainder of the standings are generally up for grabs.

In addition to the Falcons’ four scheduled league meets, they will also compete at the Manistee National Invitational one week prior to the regional meet.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26, 2015

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| Ludington daily newS/FALL SPORTS www.ludingtondailynews.com

DAVID BOSSICK | Daily news

Members of the varsity and junior varsity Pentwater volleyball teams are, front row, manager Glenn Miller; second row, from left, Kylee Patterson-Skuse, Taylor Ruggles, Emily Gebhart, Terra Cluchey and Chyanne Smith; back row, Anna Hofmann, Krista Coronado, Julia Hall, Linnea McDonough, Desirae Coronado, Jill Miller, Taylor Wilkinson and coach Kerry Newberg.

Pentwater volleyball

Big goals for volleyball squad

By DAVID BOSSICK Daily News Sports Editor

player from last year’s team that also won its second straight district championPENTWATER — Pentwa- ship. The Falcons, the past ter’s volleyball team got a two seasons, have lost in the MHSAA Class D regional taste of success in 2014. semifinals, and both times, The Falcons want more.

The co-defending Western it was to Mount Pleasant SaMichigan D League champi- cred Heart.

Those goals remain the ons return essentially every

same for the 2015 Falcons coach Kerry Newberg said.

“We’ve been very lucky to have the same core group of girls over the last couple of years,” Newberg said. “Now, I’m going to have a couple of seniors.”

The Falcons return setter Chyanne Smith and outside

hitter Emily Gebhart, both now in their senior year.

“I have to start training another setter because Chyanne is going to be leaving us,” Newberg said. “I’m working through some of the younger players. Emily is a big, outside hitter. So, we’re going to use her expe-

rience hitting and her experience passing.”

Gebhart was named to the first team of the Western Michigan D League’s all-conference honors. She also was named to the Daily News’ All-Area team last fall.

The Falcons also bring back Taylor Wilkinson, Linnea Mc-

Donough, Kylee PattersonSkuse, Anna Hofmann and Jill Miller. McDonough, like Gebhart, was named to the first team all-WMD for the second consecutive year and all-area by the Daily News. Wilkinson was a second team all-conference player. see falcons, 12

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Ludington daily newS/FALL SPORTS

falcons: To have junior varsity volleyball this season also from page 11

“Even some of my younger players, like Linnea is in her third year on varsity and Taylor is in her second year… With Anna Hofmann, it’ll be her fourth year on varsity and she’s only a junior. I really consider them veterans.”

The team is going to see some improvement as a couple of incoming freshmen will help. Newberg said, though, that the team will dip into the eighth grade.

The success of the varsity team the past two seasons also has helped to attract more girls to the program. For the first time under Newberg, there will be a junior varsity team as well as a varsity team. There will be eight girls on each team.

“That’s going to help our younger players. That way when they come up to my team, they know the offense and how to run the defense,” she said.

“That’s a good thing.”

The depth, though, is already tested, as it was at the end of last season. McDonough was injured toward the tail end of the year, forcing some changes in the lineup as the Falcons were about to go down the tournament trail. This year, Miller is out, and she could be out for the season.

“I don’t know when she’s going to come back. It could be a month. It could be a month and a half,” Newberg said. “Her kneecap is dislocated and it caused a bonechip.

“We hopefully won’t be fight-

son at the Bear Lake Invitational on Thursday, head to Shelby in October and host two tournaments themselves in September.

“Those Saturday tournaments are wonderful because you’re seeing teams you aren’t playing all the time,” Newberg said. “We get a lot of support from the community. They like to come out and watch the girls play. It’s nice to play at home or even just traveling to Shelby.

That’s not far away.”

Because of where the Falcons have finished these last couple of seasons, Newberg knows there is a big target on her charges every night.

“The conference is shaken up a little bit. (Big Rapids) Crossroads has lost a lot of seniors,” she said. “They still have their big hitter in Miranda (Carlson). We have also Onekama and Brethren who were young last year and they’ve got some young kids. I’m interested to see, with those girls having one year of experience under their belt, I think it’s going to be us, Onekama and Brethren going 1-2-3.

“I think for the conference, we’re the team to beat this year.”

“We have our goals on regionals this year,” she said. “We’re going to be adding in some new DAVID BOSSICK | daily news file things to get to that next level, Pentwater’s Anna Hofmann receives a serve against Brethren during and playing some higher comthe MHSAA Class D district championship last season. Hofmann, a ju- petition.”

That Western Michigan D nior, returns this season for the Falcons.

League race will get underway ing off illnesses (and injuries) a tougher schedule for this fall quickly as Pentwater’s first this year.” for this group of experienced conference match is on the Pentwater continued to seek girls. The Falcons begin the sea- road Sept. 22 at Brethren.

soccer: Quinteros to guide Pentwater in first varsity position bring a team-oriented philosophy to Pentwater, encouraging seasoning, like William Sproul, his players to not rely on any Jacob Emick and Dayton Gib- one person but play together.

“I gave them the example son, return as well. The Falcons lost key scorer and leader Sam of Germany,” Quinteros said.

Wagner to graduation, but with “Germany won the (2014) significant talent back, they will World Cup, not because they hopefully be able to fill that gap. had (Lionel) Messi or (CristiaQuinteros said he wants to no) Ronaldo, but because they from page 9

| WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26, 2015

www.ludingtondailynews.com

played as a team. That’s what we’re going to work on this year. We want to build a team spirit rather than rely on this key player or that key player.”

The new coach said he is unfamiliar with the teams the Falcons will be going up against.

The schedule includes several of the usual sights, including

two games each against Manistee, Mason County Central, Big Rapids Crossroads, Heritage Christian and intra-county rival Walkerville. The Falcons will also battle against larger schools such as Grant, Shelby and Montague, and will face fellow Oceana school Hart, which is in the Falcons’ district.

2015 Pentwater fall schedules Boys soccer Tue., Aug. 25, Walkerville, 4:30 p.m.

Thur., Aug. 27, Grant, 3:30 p.m.

Mon., Aug. 31, McBain Northern Michigan Christian, 4 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 1, Manistee, 5 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 3, at Shelby, 4:30 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 10, Hart, 4:30 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 11, Cadillac Heritage Christian, 5:30 p.m.

Mon., Sept. 14, at Montague, 4:30 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 17, Mason County Central, 4:30 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 18, at Big Rapids Crossroads, 6:30 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 24, at Mason County Central, 4:30 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 26, at Hart tournament, 9:30 a.m.

Mon., Sept. 28, Walkerville, 4:30 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 29, at Manistee, 6 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 2, Big Rapids Crossroads, 5:30 p.m.

Mon., Oct. 5, at Cadillac Heritage Christian, 4:30 p.m.

Fri. Oct. 9, Buckley, 5 p.m.

Wed., Oct. 14, at Newaygo, 4:30 p.m.

Cross country Wed., Sept. 9, WMD jamboree at Walkerville, 4 p.m.

Wed., Sept. 16, WMD jamboree at Bear Lake, 4 p.m.

Wed., Sept. 23, WMD jamboree at Big Rapids Crossroads, 4 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 24, Manistee National Invite, 9 a.m.

volleyball Thur., Aug. 27, at Bear Lake tournament, 9 a.m.

Sat., Sept. 12, Falcon Tourney, 9 a.m.

Thur., Sept. 17, at McBain Northern Michigan Christian, 6 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 22, at Brethren, 6 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 24, at Manistee Catholic, 6 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 26, Falcon Tourney, 9 a.m.

Tue., Sept. 29, at Walkerville, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 1, Onekama, 6 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 3, at Brethren tournament, 9 a.m.

Tue., Oct. 6, Big Rapids Crossroads, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 8, at Mason County Eastern, 6 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 10, at Shelby tournament, 9 a.m.

Tue., Oct. 13, Baldwin, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 15, Bear Lake, 6 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 17, at Western Michigan D League tournament at Walkerville, 9 a.m.

Tue., Oct. 20, at Manistee triangular, 5 p.m.

Tue., Oct. 27, at Holton triangular, 5 p.m.