SPORTS

VARSITY TENNIS 
Tennis wraps up season at State finals 

Ella Croftchik and Ines Latorre flank both sides of the State finals banner in Portage. Courtesy photo

The Elk varsity girls tennis players have now gone where no team in the program had ever gone before, a trip to play the State finals.

The Elks tallied five points to finish at number 17 of 24 teams competing at the Division 4 State finals in Portage last Thursday (6/3).

“I have coached at the State finals before, I knew what to expect, but I didn’t tell that to the team. I wanted them to see what kind of talent would be there on their own. It was an eye-opener for them,” said Elk girls tennis coach Keith Schulte.

The points came from Ines Latorre, earning two points playing at the number one singles flight with a bye followed by a win over Wixom St. Catherine (6-0, 6-3), the number three singles flight Ayva Johnstone took a point with a victory over Wixom St. Catherine (6-4, 6-2) and number four singles flight Lily Brown won a point with her win over Clarkston Everest (6-0, 6-0). Brown’s win was the first State final victory in the history of Elk girls tennis.

One point was earned in doubles play, coming from the number four doubles flight duo of Portia Beebe and Jasmine King, defeating Saginaw Nouvel in a hard-fought match (6-3, 5-7, 6-4). 

Those that did not earn points still played strong, winning sets and matches. No team or player from Elk Rapids left the meet without a battle. Ella Croftchik lost in number two singles flight battle to Schoolcraft (6-4, 6-4).

Caroline Ducharme and Jillian Acker in the number one doubles flight fought back from an opening set loss to win the second set before falling in a third set fight to Saginaw Nouvel (3-6, 6-2, 6-3). Morgan Bergquist and Jadia Schulte played the second doubles flight also losing the opening set but then fought back to take the second set, but lost the third against Saginaw Hackett (3-6, 6-2. 6-0). In the three doubles flight, Kelly Mindis and Lexi Kempisty lost in two sets but forced a tiebreaker in the second before bowing out (6-1,7-6).

“We went match point and had third set losses many times, we had chances, but we still did very well. It was around 88 degrees, it was hot. I was proud of the way we played, we did not give up anywhere. When you think about how far we have come in one season, half the girls had not played tennis before going out this year,” Schulte said. “There are four things I want the team to remember, look for your opponent’s weakness, take what they give you, worry about the next point, not the last one and make them earn it.”

The Elks received a sendoff from the Lakeland Elementary School after practicing on Tuesday. The team left on Wednesday after school, stopping at Big Rapids to practice for an hour and break up the ride down to Portage. Up and going on Thursday for warm-ups by 8:00 a.m., the team headed out to four different areas around Portage to play at 10:00 a.m. 

“Normally the State finals would be played at Kalamazoo College, but due to COVID rules we went to four different places in Portage. I had someone at every place, then made the rounds myself,” Schulte said. The Elks stayed to watch the semi-finals and finals on Friday. “I wanted the girls to see the quality of play, they were amazed. They also know what it will take to get back and go further. This is a great group, hardworking and coachable, and we have a good chance to be back at states again,” Schulte said.

The Elks will lose only Latorre, an exchange student from Barcelona, who played number one seed singles all season. Schulte wants the team to continue to play in the off season to gain experience and improve. The Cherryland tennis club has players coming to the high school next season that have shown some talent, giving the Elks high hopes for an even better year 2022.
​
Congratulations to the Elk girls tennis players and coaches on an exciting season - nothing can tear up a court like an Elk!

---

VARSITY SOFTBALL
Elks fall in district opener

Arianah Starkey, playing second base, handles a pop-up for an out. Photo by Kim Eardley Photography

Finishing with their best regular season record of 18-7 during the 11 years Erin Merchant has been the Elk varsity softball coach, the Elk Rapids softball team was ready to make some noise in the post season. Facing the Lady Ironmen in the Division 3 district semi-final game on Saturday, the Elks struggled to hit the ball, losing 4-0 and bringing their season to an end. The district games were played in Mancelona.

Reagann Merchant pitched for the Elks giving up seven hits and striking out 10. The Ironmen scored once in the first inning, then added three more runs in the third to secure the victory. The Elks scattered three singles in the game from Emma Eckerdt, Morgan Wirtz and Ryleigh Yocom. 

Despite the early post season exit Coach Merchant was pleased with the team play this season. “In districts we couldn’t hit, it was really windy there and that plays against us. We still had a great season, it was exciting although we could have used a few more games! We lose three seniors, Sierra Molby, Cassidy Sincic and Tilda Nolin and will return a solid group of experienced veterans, along with a few first time varsity players that move up from our first JV team in 10 years. There are some talented players at Cherryland that might play varsity next season or will at least be on the JV team. I’m really looking forward to an even better season next year.”

Opposing team fans and players noted how the Elks had improved this season, many commenting how hard the team was hitting the ball. “From the beginning of the season these players improved in communicating, especially between the outfield and infield, and just in their overall knowledge of the game,” Merchant said. “We didn’t have 10 players that had to learn the game this season, as we have had in the past. These players came in knowing how to play, and we have a JV and middle school program to teach the game to players at the earlier years. Next season we return with talent and experience, and we should really make some noise.” 

The Cherryland softball program was put on hold due to the pandemic this year but will return next season. Congratulations to the Elk softball players and coaches on an exciting and much improved season - nothing handles a diamond like a Lady Elk!

---

VARSITY BASEBALL
Elks end season in district final

The Elks opened Division 3 baseball districts on Saturday in an exciting semi-final game, earning a come from behind 9-8 victory over Traverse City Christian, then fell 16-0 against St. Francis in the district title game. Districts were played in Traverse City at St. Elizabeth. 

Facing TCC, the Elks batted first and scored three runs, the Sabres countered with three runs for a 3-3 tie after one inning. The Elks had a productive second inning banging out four singles and drawing two walks to add four runs to their total for a 7-3 lead. TCC came back in the bottom of the third with a five run output, taking the lead for the first time at 8-7.

In the fourth inning, Mark Meade was awarded first after being hit by a pitch and would score on a sacrifice fly to centerfield by Mack Barnhard to tie the game. Batting in the fifth the Elks regained the lead at 9-8 after a RBI double by Izaak Huhn, scoring Chase DeArment who had drawn a walk. The Sabres made their final at bat an exciting one, putting a man on first with one out after an Elk error. The next Sabre went down swinging, followed by a walk. The runner on second stole third and moved into position for the tie. The next TCC batter popped up for the third out and the Elk 9-8 district win, advancing the team to the district final. DeArment pitched a complete game of seven innings, allowing 10 hits, one walk and fanning eight. The Elks had four errors leading to five unearned runs, the Sabres committed three errors resulting in one unearned run. Huhn had two hits, two RBIs and scored twice, Barnhard had a hit, two RBIs and scored twice, James Gorno had one hit and RBI, Riley Swank-Mendyk had two singles, an RBI and scored two runs, DeArment had a hit and scored twice.

The Elk season ended quickly against the number 14 ranked Gladiators in the championship game as they fell 16-0 in a mercy game. St. Francis scored 11 runs in the first and added five in the second. The Elks were held to just one baserunner when Swank-Mendyk was hit by a pitch in the second inning then was caught stealing. The Elks sent nine batters to the plate in the three inning game, tallying no walks or hits. Barnhard threw 1.1 innings giving up 16 hits and five walks, Meade finished on the mound with one strikeout. The Elks had five errors leading to nine unearned runs.

​The Elks (9-17) will lose seniors Huhn and Swank-Mendyk from the team and will a group of experienced veterans next season. Stay tuned for an exciting season of Elk Rapids baseball coming soon! 

---

VARSITY TRACK
Relay team medals at State finals 

Representing Elk Rapids at the track State finals are Coach Luke Johnson, Sierra Molby, Lila Rubert, Paige Fosdick, Nevada Molby and Coach Jamie Somerville. Courtesy photo

The Elk Rapids girls 4x100 relay team finished first in all six meets they competed in this season, setting a new school record along the way. 

On Saturday, the team ran in the Division 3 track State finals, held at Jenison High School near Grand Rapids, and recorded a 7th place finish. A pair of freshmen in Paige Fosdick and Lila Rubert joined veteran runners senior Sierra Molby and junior Nevada Molby combining for a time of 52.02 and earned medals in the relay event. Medals are awarded for the top eight finishers in each event. A team from St. Charles High School won the 4x100 with a time of 50.62. 

The weather was a hot 80 plus degrees at the State final meet, a stark contrast to the cold weather that cancelled the first three track meets of the season for the Elks. Nevada Molby also qualified for states in the 100m, finishing just short of qualifying in the preliminaries despite setting a personal record of 13.05. 

The Elk track team had a strong season this year and will lose two seniors from the boys in Bradly Fitzpatrick and Lachlan Beebe and Sierra Molby from the girls. 

“We had the largest girl’s team, 12 total, that we have ever had in my time here at Elk Rapids. Our guys team had roughly 20 athletes and, like the girl’s team, they were quite young and inexperienced,” said co-coach Luke Johnson. “We had some great success over the season. Today was a good day! I coached my last track meet at Elk Rapids High School and our girls did us proud!” Johnson is leaving to become the East Jordan High School/Middle School assistant principal and athletic director. 

A strong Cherryland track team will send several promising athletes to the Elk varsity track team next season, making the future of Elk track very promising! Congratulations to the Elk coaches, State final girls and all the track team athletes on a great season - nothing can run like an Elk!

---

VARSITY GOLF
Golfers advance to State finals

The Elk Rapids varsity golf team after a first-place tie at regionals. Josh Lavely, Spencer Ball, Mitchell Emke, Preston Ball, Gabe Lavely and Coach Larry Lavely. Courtesy photo

A third straight trip to the State finals for the Elk Rapids golf team became reality as the Elks finished in a first place tie with Big Rapids at the Division 3 regionals last Wednesday (6/2) in Boyne Falls. 

The two teams both finished with a 329, Big Rapids was awarded regional first place as a result of the tiebreaker fifth golfer’s score, Elk Rapids came in second, and Boyne City finished third with a 333. The top three teams out of 17 squads competing at the regionals meet moved on to the Division 3 State finals.

Josh Lavely led the Elks with a 77, the third best score at regionals, joined by Preston Ball with an 83, Spencer Ball shooting 84 and Gabe Lavely with an 85. Mitchell Emke was the fifth Elk golfer, coming in with a 97. This will be the third trip to the State Finals for senior Preston Ball, and the second for senior Emke and junior Josh Lavely. The Elks finished in sixth place at the 2019 State Finals, the best finish in school history. The 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID-19.

The Division 3 State Finals will be played at The Meadows located at Grand Valley State University in Allendale on Friday and Saturday (6/11 and 6/12) with 18 teams in competition. Best of luck to the Elk golfers at the State Finals - nothing handles a club like an Elk!

---

VARSITY SOFTBALL
Lake Michigan All-Conference Awards

Reagann Merchant earned Lake Michigan All-Conference honors. Photo by Kim Eardley Photography

Aubrey Sincic earned Lake Michigan Conference Honorable Mention. Photo by Kim Eardley Photography

Ryleigh Yocom earned Lake Michigan All-Conference honors. Photo by Kim Eardley Photography

Morgan Wirtz earned Lake Michigan Conference Honorable Mention. Photo by Kim Eardley Photography

Four Elks have earned conference honors for the 2021 season. A pair of sophomores, Ryleigh Yocom and Reagann Merchant were selected Lake Michigan All-Conference. Yocom led the team in batting with a .641 average, hits (50) and triples (6) and was second in fielding percentage (.841). Merchant was the Elk primary pitcher, finishing with a 9-4 record with three saves and 74 strikeouts and was second in batting average (.584), hits (39) and first in home runs (7). 
​

All-Conference Honorable Mention went to junior Morgan Wirtz and sophomore Aubrey Sincic. Wirtz was third in batting (.500) and hits (31) with three dingers. She was the secondary pitcher with a 7-3 record with 28 strikeouts and played several other positions on defense. Sincic finished with a .371 average, 23 hits, led in doubles (7) and rocked three homers. All-District honors went to Wirtz for outfielder, and All-District-at-Large was awarded to Yocom for shortstop.

---

---