SPORTS
VARSITY VOLLEYBALL
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Tori Wilkins and Kenzie Huber are All-Conference Honorable Mention this season. Courtesy photo
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Madison Hall and Anna Rottman earned Lake Michigan All-Conference honors. Courtesy photo
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All-conference awards were handed out at the Lady Elks volleyball banquet held on Sunday night. A pair of seniors Anna Rottman and Madison Hall earned Lake Michigan All-Conference honors.
Rottman was named All-Conference last season and earned All-Conference honorable mention during her sophomore season. Playing the libero position, Rottman finished her career with 2150 digs, and was presented with an engraved shovel to honor the accomplishment.
Hall was named All-Conference honorable mention last season as a junior. She ended her career with 1713 total assists and was given a large letter “A” with her assist tally boldly listed.
Seniors Tori Wilkins and Kenzie Huber were awarded All-Conference Honorable Mention.
The Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association (MIVCA) Individual All Academic Award was given to six varsity senior players, Rottman, Hall, Lillia Brookshire, Sarah Campbell, Alea Wilkins and Tori Wilkins. The award is given to seniors achieving a grade point average of 3.70. “We were great on both the court and in the classroom,” said Elk varsity volleyball coach Connie Gorno.
The team finished the season with a record of 28-9-1, tying with Boyne City for second place in the LMC tournament. The Elks fell to St. Francis in the district finals. “I wanted a tougher schedule this season, to play more Class A and B schools so when we got to conference play we would be up for the challenge. We played in the Petoskey Invite and finished third, losing to Midland Dow, a Class A school. We were second in our pool at the TC Central Invite, then lost two to Grandville, another Class A school. Six of our losses came against Class A schools, but we played them close. This team came together and played very well, there was no drama, no problems on the court or off,” said Gorno. Fighting back tears, Gorno thanked the “Elite Eight” a name given to the eight seniors on the squad.
“I will miss these seniors; they are like my daughters. Next season will be somewhat of a rebuilding year, but we have five good players returning, the “lone five.” I am looking forward to next year.”
Later in the month the volleyball regional, dream team and all state awards will be announced. Congratulations to the Lady Elk conference honorees, and all the players and coaches on a giving the fans a great season!
Rottman was named All-Conference last season and earned All-Conference honorable mention during her sophomore season. Playing the libero position, Rottman finished her career with 2150 digs, and was presented with an engraved shovel to honor the accomplishment.
Hall was named All-Conference honorable mention last season as a junior. She ended her career with 1713 total assists and was given a large letter “A” with her assist tally boldly listed.
Seniors Tori Wilkins and Kenzie Huber were awarded All-Conference Honorable Mention.
The Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association (MIVCA) Individual All Academic Award was given to six varsity senior players, Rottman, Hall, Lillia Brookshire, Sarah Campbell, Alea Wilkins and Tori Wilkins. The award is given to seniors achieving a grade point average of 3.70. “We were great on both the court and in the classroom,” said Elk varsity volleyball coach Connie Gorno.
The team finished the season with a record of 28-9-1, tying with Boyne City for second place in the LMC tournament. The Elks fell to St. Francis in the district finals. “I wanted a tougher schedule this season, to play more Class A and B schools so when we got to conference play we would be up for the challenge. We played in the Petoskey Invite and finished third, losing to Midland Dow, a Class A school. We were second in our pool at the TC Central Invite, then lost two to Grandville, another Class A school. Six of our losses came against Class A schools, but we played them close. This team came together and played very well, there was no drama, no problems on the court or off,” said Gorno. Fighting back tears, Gorno thanked the “Elite Eight” a name given to the eight seniors on the squad.
“I will miss these seniors; they are like my daughters. Next season will be somewhat of a rebuilding year, but we have five good players returning, the “lone five.” I am looking forward to next year.”
Later in the month the volleyball regional, dream team and all state awards will be announced. Congratulations to the Lady Elk conference honorees, and all the players and coaches on a giving the fans a great season!
VARSITY SOCCER
Elks earn post season honors at all levels
The season officially over, the Elk Rapids soccer team is racking up the post season honors for their year on the pitch. Kadin Patterson earned Division 3 All State First Team for his play at the center back position.
Preston Ball was awarded All State Second Team as a forward and All State Honorable Mention went to senior Josh Vandeveer for forward, Mahaney VandeKerkhof for defender, Terran Peterson as midfielder and Jack Spencer for goalie. This was the second straight season the Elks had six players earn All State recognition.
Lake Michigan All-Conference honors went to Patterson, Preston Ball, Spencer, VandeKerkhof and Vandeveer. All Conference Honorable Mention was awarded to Spencer Ball, Peterson, Mason Travis and Gunnar Keaton.
The Elks had ten players named All-District First Team, Patterson, Preston Ball, Vandeveer, Peterson, VandeKerkhof, Cooper Kerkhof, Travis, Keaton, Spencer Ball and Spencer. All District Honorable Mention went to Ben Loznak, Drake Collins and Landen Knight.
Elk varsity head coach Nate Plum was presented with District Coach of the Year.
All Region honors went to Patterson, Preston Ball, Vandeveer, VandeKerkhof, Peterson and Spencer. All Region Honorable Mention was earned by Keaton, Kerkhof, Travis and Spencer Ball.
The Elks lose just three seniors, Vandeveer, Keaton and Kerkhof, making for a solid, experienced team next season.
The Elks handed out in-house awards that are voted on by the players. Preston Ball was given the “Most Dangerous Player on the Field” and “Strongest Attacker.” Peterson was voted “Impact Midfielder” and Patterson received “Strongest Defender. The final award went to freshman Spencer Ball for the “New Impact Player.”
Matthew Garrow and Zak Bolde were co-voted the most improved players.
Elk Rapids final record was 19-4-2, earning a conference and district championship before falling in the regional final to Ludington. They had 12 shutouts and gave up only 15 goals all season, fourth fewest allowed in school history.
Plum thanked his entire coaching staff at the team banquet and thanked the seniors for all they have given to the program and invited them to come back.
“I hope these men will come back. I enjoy seeing players come back and hang around. They help pass on the legacy for future generations,” Plum said.
Patterson earns football varsity letter
Kadin Patterson not only excelled on the soccer field, earning All State First Team honors, the junior also earned a varsity letter in football this season as the Elk kicker. Patterson played in six football games, connecting on 8-12 extra point attempts. Forced to punt in a game at the last minute due to an injury, Patterson kept his cool on a high snap into the end zone and scrambled to get off a punt against a raging defense from Benzie. Patterson put his leg into 19 kickoffs for 715 yards, with a longest kick of 60 yards.
Coach Plum joked that Patterson did not tally a goal or an assist in soccer but explained why he is important to the squad. “Kadin is not in a spot to score goals, but he is in a spot to prevent them. We had 12 shutouts, and on top of that never once did we get blown out of a game either in our four losses. He was just tough to beat. He more than likely led our team in minutes played, and that’s simply because I felt like he was doing something not many people could do. Kadin is obviously surrounded by strong players, but he is a leader, a work horse, and someone you want to build a team around. On a team where you have lots of talent, there are lots of guys that can change a game, but for us, Kadin kept us relevant in every game (winning a possibility) no matter who we played,” Plum said.
Congratulations to the entire Elk soccer program on great season. Soccer is strong in Elk Rapids, and next season will be a good one!
Preston Ball was awarded All State Second Team as a forward and All State Honorable Mention went to senior Josh Vandeveer for forward, Mahaney VandeKerkhof for defender, Terran Peterson as midfielder and Jack Spencer for goalie. This was the second straight season the Elks had six players earn All State recognition.
Lake Michigan All-Conference honors went to Patterson, Preston Ball, Spencer, VandeKerkhof and Vandeveer. All Conference Honorable Mention was awarded to Spencer Ball, Peterson, Mason Travis and Gunnar Keaton.
The Elks had ten players named All-District First Team, Patterson, Preston Ball, Vandeveer, Peterson, VandeKerkhof, Cooper Kerkhof, Travis, Keaton, Spencer Ball and Spencer. All District Honorable Mention went to Ben Loznak, Drake Collins and Landen Knight.
Elk varsity head coach Nate Plum was presented with District Coach of the Year.
All Region honors went to Patterson, Preston Ball, Vandeveer, VandeKerkhof, Peterson and Spencer. All Region Honorable Mention was earned by Keaton, Kerkhof, Travis and Spencer Ball.
The Elks lose just three seniors, Vandeveer, Keaton and Kerkhof, making for a solid, experienced team next season.
The Elks handed out in-house awards that are voted on by the players. Preston Ball was given the “Most Dangerous Player on the Field” and “Strongest Attacker.” Peterson was voted “Impact Midfielder” and Patterson received “Strongest Defender. The final award went to freshman Spencer Ball for the “New Impact Player.”
Matthew Garrow and Zak Bolde were co-voted the most improved players.
Elk Rapids final record was 19-4-2, earning a conference and district championship before falling in the regional final to Ludington. They had 12 shutouts and gave up only 15 goals all season, fourth fewest allowed in school history.
Plum thanked his entire coaching staff at the team banquet and thanked the seniors for all they have given to the program and invited them to come back.
“I hope these men will come back. I enjoy seeing players come back and hang around. They help pass on the legacy for future generations,” Plum said.
Patterson earns football varsity letter
Kadin Patterson not only excelled on the soccer field, earning All State First Team honors, the junior also earned a varsity letter in football this season as the Elk kicker. Patterson played in six football games, connecting on 8-12 extra point attempts. Forced to punt in a game at the last minute due to an injury, Patterson kept his cool on a high snap into the end zone and scrambled to get off a punt against a raging defense from Benzie. Patterson put his leg into 19 kickoffs for 715 yards, with a longest kick of 60 yards.
Coach Plum joked that Patterson did not tally a goal or an assist in soccer but explained why he is important to the squad. “Kadin is not in a spot to score goals, but he is in a spot to prevent them. We had 12 shutouts, and on top of that never once did we get blown out of a game either in our four losses. He was just tough to beat. He more than likely led our team in minutes played, and that’s simply because I felt like he was doing something not many people could do. Kadin is obviously surrounded by strong players, but he is a leader, a work horse, and someone you want to build a team around. On a team where you have lots of talent, there are lots of guys that can change a game, but for us, Kadin kept us relevant in every game (winning a possibility) no matter who we played,” Plum said.
Congratulations to the entire Elk soccer program on great season. Soccer is strong in Elk Rapids, and next season will be a good one!