SPORTS

VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY
Beebe, Zamaites run to All-Conference 

The Elk boys look to have a great team future after a strong race at this year’s conference championships. Photo by Coach Cam Ward

Sarah Zamaites (far left) pacing the run on her way to all-conference honorable mention finish.  Photo by Coach Cam Ward

In perfect weather for a run, Lachlan Beebe finished in the number 13 spot (18:26) and Sarah Zamaites ran to a 12th place finish (22:33), giving both Elk runners all-conference honorable mention at the Lake Michigan Conference cross country championships held last Saturday morning at Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls. 

Elk runner Charlie Ward narrowly missed all conference honors with a number 15 place finish of 18:34.67, just behind the final 14th place honors position of 18:27.93. The 1 through 7 place finishers are awarded all-conference, followed by the 8 through 14 place finishers, who take home all-conference honorable mention honors. 

The Elk boys squad finished in fourth place among the eight teams competing with 113, 10 behind Kalkaska in fourth place (103). The meet was won by St. Francis (35), followed by Harbor Springs (66) and Charlevoix in third (83). The remaining top five Elk finishers were Brad Fitzpatrick (21-18:46), Seth Brown (29-19:25) and Christian Kerfoot (35-19:48). Also finishing with strong showings were Skylar Davenport (36-19:42) and Caleb Kerfoot (40-20:18). There were 55 runners competing in the boys race.
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The girls did not have enough runners to compete as a team but turned in some solid individual performances from Eva Pray (25-23:48) and Adrian Noecker (26:47). The Elks competed in the MHSAA Division 3 pre-regional at Mancelona on Wednesday, with the results too late for press deadline. The top four teams and the top seven individuals not on a top-four team advance to the Division 3 regional meet held at East Jordan on Halloween (10/31).

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VARSITY FOOTBALL
Elks shutout in Charlevoix 55-0 

Caden Loose (24) brings down the Rayder ball carrier short of the goal line preventing a touchdown. Photo by Kim Eardley Photography

The Elks took the road on Friday, traveling north to battle Charlevoix, currently ranked number 7 in the Division 7 football rankings. This COVID season has been a rough ride for Elk Rapids, although the team did show signs of improvement against the Rayders despite losing 55-0. 

The Elk first series on offense was three plays and a punt that was blocked by Charlevoix, giving the Rayders the ball on the Elk 30. In four plays they had moved to the 15 and tried a run up the middle. A jarring tackle knocked the ball loose and Caleb Melton pounced on it for the Elks. The turnover pumped the Elks up, and they went back to work on offense with Max Irelan at quarterback, taking over for injured senior Gordie LaFontaine, listed as out for the season with a dislocated kneecap. Irelan competed a third down pass to Ethan Huhn for an Elk first down and a boost of confidence. The drive stalled there, and the Elks punted for the second time.

Charlevoix marched 45 yards in seven plays for a touchdown. The Elks next offensive series was back to a three and out, bringing in Kadin Patterson for his third punt of the night. The snap sailed over Patterson’s head, the ball was recovered by the Rayders with a first and goal at the Elk four. The Elk defense held strong for three straight running plays, but a fourth down dash into the middle crossed the line for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead as the first quarter ended.

Charlevoix added a third touchdown early in the second quarter just before a lightning bolt was spotted by a referee, requiring an automatic 30-minute delay and sending both teams to the locker rooms. The game resumed with the Elks on offense, and after three plays had to punt.

Luke Fazio intercepted a Rayder pass, the Elks went back on offense, again fired up from the Rayder turnover. The first play was a run into the middle, and the ball was fumbled and recovered by Charlevoix. The Rayders scored five plays later, they would tack on one more TD for a 35-0 halftime lead. The third quarter started with a running clock and a heavy rain, combined with a brisk wind that caused trouble for both teams. The Rayders scored late in the third and added two more touchdowns in the fourth for the 55-0 final.

Irelan connected on 4 of 13 passes for 13 yards with one interception, and ran 13 times for 30 yards, Jamison Starr had two catches for eight yards. Irelan and Brad Fitzpatrick both had four tackles to lead the defense. The Elks offense struggled, but did have positive yards against the Rayders, and the defense had several stops in key situations. 
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The Elks will have a week of practice and look for continued improvement as they travel to Kalkaska on Friday to take on the Blazers in the regular season finale. Both teams are struggling this season, and both are seeking their first win of the season on Friday, guaranteeing an exciting battle on the gridiron! 

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VARSITY VOLLEYBALL
Elks snap five game losing streak at Boyne 

Emma Macaluso winds up for a well-placed kill shot. Photo by Kim Eardley Photography

The Elks battled in Boyne City on Tuesday night, shaking off a five-game losing streak to sweep the Ramblers and secure sole possession of third place in the final Lake Michigan Conference standings. A loss to Boyne would have left the two teams tied for third in the conference, a good reason both squads wanted the win on Tuesday. The Elks came out on top, winning the first set in a tight back and forth 25-22, gaining confidence to take the remaining two sets 25-21 and 25-19. Lili Hoberg and Grace Mischel both had 18 digs, Nevada Molby tallied nine kills, Logan Reasoner notched six aces and Kate Henderson totaled 38 assists. The Elks finished 5-2 in the LMC, St. Francis was second (6-1) and Charlevoix was first (7-0).

The win snapped a five-game losing streak that saw the Elks fall below .500 for the first time this season. On Monday, the Elks competed in the Petoskey Quad, losing to Kingsley 20-25,18-25) and Sault Ste. Marie (18-25, 25-23, 27-26). The tiebreaker set against the Blue Devils had a cap of 27 instead of the usual win by two. The Elks were dominated by Petoskey (11-25,6-2) to leave the meet with three losses. On the day, Mischel had 31 digs, Ryleigh Yocom chipped in 24 digs and seven aces, Molby set over nine kills, Henderson amassed 48 assists, four digs, four kills and three aces.

Last Thursday in the season home final the Elks faced North Bay, a co-op team of Suttons Bay and Northport. The Elks looked to be in good shape after winning the first two sets (25-23, 25-29), but North Bay was not ready to leave, taking the final three sets (24-26, 13-25, 11-15) for a 3-2 match win. Mischel had 25 digs, Hoberg smacked 13 kills, Henderson set up 47 assists with five aces. “We are letting mistakes get to us mentally. I have to remind them volleyball is a game of mistakes and they are going to happen, once a point is awarded move on to the next. We are just young and inexperienced, and it comes out at times,” said Elk volleyball coach Connie Gorno. 

The Elks (10-10-2, 4-2 LMC) will play at Mancelona on Monday (10/26) then close out the regular season with a quad meet at Suttons Bay on Wednesday (10/28).

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VARSITY SOCCER
Elks shut out Chiefs in district semifinal 

Landen Knight (3) goes low with a kick as the defender goes high. Photo by Kim Eardley Photography

The Elks finished the regular season ranked number one in Division 3, and hosting Cheboygan in their Division 3 district semifinal game on Monday. The Elks looked like a number one team coming away with a 7-0 win. The Elks held their composure against a physical Cheboygan team, advancing to face Traverse City Christian on Wednesday in a district final game, played in Boyne City. On Monday, Mason Travis scored the first two goals for the Elks, the first from 25 yards out 10 minutes into the game, followed by his second goal four minutes later on a tapper in front of the net after a stutter step caused the Chief keeper to dive the wrong way. Landen Knight scored from the left side on a ball sent across the front of the net, giving the Elks the 3-0 lead at halftime. In the second half the Elks tacked on four more goals, courtesy of Preston Ball on a penalty kick, followed by Spencer Ball, Terran Peterson and Mark Meade. Credited with assists in the game were Travis and Alex Smith; Preston Ball and Avery Kellogg both had two assists. Zac Bolde played the first half in net getting two saves. Jack Spencer was in net for the second half with one save. 
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The Elks (16-2-4) faced Traverse City Christian (16-2-2) for the district title on Wednesday, too late for press time this week. A win would give the Elks their third straight district title and advance the team to regional play next Wednesday (10/28) in Clare. The Elks defeated the Sabres 2-0 during the regular season in Elk Rapids.

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VARSITY SOCCER
Coach Plum gets win number 200 

The soccer team surrounds Coach Nate Plum with a cake to celebrate win number 200 for the coach on Monday night. Courtesy photo

A large cake was resting on a table behind the soccer field dugout on Monday night, anticipating an Elk victory over Cheboygan. “Congratulations Coach Palm” in orange and black icing decorated the cake, a reminder to always check your personalized baked goods for accuracy before leaving the store. The spelling error could be overlooked, because the achievement was correct, the victory over Cheboygan was win number 200 for Elk varsity soccer coach Nate Plum.

“I was surprised to learn this. I was very honored,” Plum said. “Dean Veliquette told me on Sunday; he keeps great records from the first days of Elk Rapids soccer back in the late 80s. He is an avid fan, has been from the beginning. He’s had sons play for the Elks, grandsons and nephews. The soccer program and I are very honored to have a man like him show up to watch and give his time with the stats and such great support over the years.”

Plum has many memories over his 13 years as head coach, trips to regionals, games won and games lost, rain cancellations, holding his young son who begged to come watch, and many more. “There are many experiences that stand out, but what really means a lot are the people. I have gotten several texts tonight from kids, some who are no longer kids, from teams from 10 years ago. The people, players, the coaches that have helped, the fans and parents, these are what I will remember. Players become family, and they return after they graduate to watch, sometimes to help out, they come back and that is what is special.”

Plum looked around thanking his players holding the cake and laughing, and told them in a clear voice, “200 is nice, but I want 201!” 
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The Elks hoped to get that win for their coach on Wednesday, followed by about four more wins to close out this year undefeated! Congratulations Coach Plum, and to all those that helped reach this milestone.

Elk Rapids boys soccer coaches (Lords of the Pitch)
Nate Plum    (2008-present)    200-93-27
Al Gredlein    (1993-2007)          249-64-11
Dan Coats     (1990-1992)          54-9-4
Jack Pasney     (1989)                    21-2-1
Pat Ballew     (1987-1988)          27-11-2

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