East Boys Defeat Maroons
The Zeeland East varsity boys basketball team came up with a big road win on Jan. 14, topping Holland Christian 73-62 at the Heeringa Holland Civic Center Place.
The win was the third straight O-K Black Conference win for the Chix, who raised their conference record to 3-1 and their overall mark to 7-6. The Maroons fell to 2-1 in conference play and 7-4 overall.
The Chix started out slowly in the game, falling behind the Maroons 13-5 before East coach Jeff Carlson called a timeout. Out of the timeout, East stormed back with a 12-4 run to close out the first quarter, pulling even at 17-all.
The second quarter was just about even, as the Chix outscored the Maroons by one point to take a 34-33 halftime lead.
East asserted its will in the second half to pull away for the win. The Chix put 21 points on the scoreboard in the third quarter to take a 55-48 lead, and tacked on 18 more points in the final eight minutes to secure the victory.
Four players scored in double figures for the Chix, with sophomore guard Will Drnek stepping up with another big performance. Drnek scored a career-high 24 points, and also had three steals and three assists. Junior forward Caleb Claerbaut also had a career night with 23 points, six rebounds, five blocked shots and three steals.
Senior forward BJ Walker contributed 10 points, and fellow senior Quincy Thome came off the bench to score 10 points and grab five rebounds. Titus Spencer led the Maroons with 23 points.
The win was the third straight O-K Black Conference win for the Chix, who raised their conference record to 3-1 and their overall mark to 7-6. The Maroons fell to 2-1 in conference play and 7-4 overall.
The Chix started out slowly in the game, falling behind the Maroons 13-5 before East coach Jeff Carlson called a timeout. Out of the timeout, East stormed back with a 12-4 run to close out the first quarter, pulling even at 17-all.
The second quarter was just about even, as the Chix outscored the Maroons by one point to take a 34-33 halftime lead.
East asserted its will in the second half to pull away for the win. The Chix put 21 points on the scoreboard in the third quarter to take a 55-48 lead, and tacked on 18 more points in the final eight minutes to secure the victory.
Four players scored in double figures for the Chix, with sophomore guard Will Drnek stepping up with another big performance. Drnek scored a career-high 24 points, and also had three steals and three assists. Junior forward Caleb Claerbaut also had a career night with 23 points, six rebounds, five blocked shots and three steals.
Senior forward BJ Walker contributed 10 points, and fellow senior Quincy Thome came off the bench to score 10 points and grab five rebounds. Titus Spencer led the Maroons with 23 points.
West Boys Fall to Spring Lake
The Zeeland West varsity boys basketball team had a late rally fall short on Jan. 14 as the Dux dropped a 50-46 decision on the road at Spring Lake.
The Dux got off to a strong start in the game, taking a 15-8 lead after one quarter. But the Lakers came back to dominate the next two quarters, outscoring West 14-5 in the second quarter and 15-9 in the third to take a 37-29 lead.
West fought back in the fourth quarter, but Spring Lake was able to hold on for the win.
The Dux got off to a strong start in the game, taking a 15-8 lead after one quarter. But the Lakers came back to dominate the next two quarters, outscoring West 14-5 in the second quarter and 15-9 in the third to take a 37-29 lead.
West fought back in the fourth quarter, but Spring Lake was able to hold on for the win.
West Girls Edged by Lakers
The Zeeland West varsity girls basketball team lost a defensive struggle against O-K Black Conference rival Spring Lake on Jan. 14, falling to the Lakers 27-25.
Senior center Hannah Stroebe led the Dux with eight points.
The loss dropped West to 1-3 in the O-K Black and 6-4 overall. The Dux have lost four of their last five games after starting the season 5-0.
Senior center Hannah Stroebe led the Dux with eight points.
The loss dropped West to 1-3 in the O-K Black and 6-4 overall. The Dux have lost four of their last five games after starting the season 5-0.
Zeeland Boys Swimmers Defeated by Byron Center in Dual Meet
The Zeeland boys swimming team was defeated by Byron Center in a Jan. 14 dual meet, 109-76.
Senior Owen Stevens won two individual events, taking the 200 individual medley in 1:56.12 and the 500 freestyle in 4:40.25. Stevens also swam the lead leg on Zeeland’s first-place team in the 400 freestyle relay, joined by Gibson Meyering, Eli Elders and Hudson Kosten, which posted a time of 3:22.12.
Elders was the other individual winner for Zeeland, taking the 100 freestyle in :50.70.
Senior Owen Stevens won two individual events, taking the 200 individual medley in 1:56.12 and the 500 freestyle in 4:40.25. Stevens also swam the lead leg on Zeeland’s first-place team in the 400 freestyle relay, joined by Gibson Meyering, Eli Elders and Hudson Kosten, which posted a time of 3:22.12.
Elders was the other individual winner for Zeeland, taking the 100 freestyle in :50.70.
Meijer Sports Complex Expansion
A focal point of 2025 will be constructing the $13.5 million expansion of the Meijer Sports Complex, which broke ground in October 2024.
Approximately $500,000 remains to raise to expand the complex, which will generate an estimated additional $1 million in annual visitor spending through 200 more teams that can be accommodated.
The complex improvement and expansion project includes a new championship softball field for youth, amateur and collegiate softball; two flexible-use diamond fields for youth and amateur baseball and softball plus collegiate softball; 20 pickleball courts (including a championship court); resurfacing of the Miracle Field; a new playground; bleacher canopies; synthetic turf on the championship baseball field; new concession and restrooms; and 350 more parking spaces.
The improvement phase began following the 2024 season with installing synthetic turf to the championship baseball field and resurfacing Nate Hurwitz Miracle Field, providing 10 more years of play for more than 130 children with physical and cognitive disabilities annually. The expansion portion of the project began this month and is estimated to be completed in January 2026.
Owned and operated by the WMSC and opening in 2015 with eight baseball and softball fields (including a championship baseball field), the Meijer Sports Complex has cumulatively attracted 190 events, 8,851 teams and 287,657 visitors for a total economic impact of $69.3 million in visitor spending.
Approximately $500,000 remains to raise to expand the complex, which will generate an estimated additional $1 million in annual visitor spending through 200 more teams that can be accommodated.
The complex improvement and expansion project includes a new championship softball field for youth, amateur and collegiate softball; two flexible-use diamond fields for youth and amateur baseball and softball plus collegiate softball; 20 pickleball courts (including a championship court); resurfacing of the Miracle Field; a new playground; bleacher canopies; synthetic turf on the championship baseball field; new concession and restrooms; and 350 more parking spaces.
The improvement phase began following the 2024 season with installing synthetic turf to the championship baseball field and resurfacing Nate Hurwitz Miracle Field, providing 10 more years of play for more than 130 children with physical and cognitive disabilities annually. The expansion portion of the project began this month and is estimated to be completed in January 2026.
Owned and operated by the WMSC and opening in 2015 with eight baseball and softball fields (including a championship baseball field), the Meijer Sports Complex has cumulatively attracted 190 events, 8,851 teams and 287,657 visitors for a total economic impact of $69.3 million in visitor spending.
Chix Fall to HC in First-Place Battle
Zeeland East junior guard CC Kuras (3) drives the lane to score a basket in the Jan. 14 game against Holland Christian, as Kate Van Appledorn (left) and Kierea Smits (right) defend.
A slow start proved to be too much for the Zeeland East varsity girls basketball team to overcome in its first-place showdown with Holland Christian on Jan. 14 at home.
The Maroons jumped out to an 11-point first quarter lead and held off a late rally by the Chix to post a 53-41 victory to move into sole possession of first place in the O-K Black Conference.
The loss dropped East to 3-1 in the O-K Black and 8-3 overall, while Holland Christian improved to 3-0 in conference play and 8-1 overall.
The Chix held leads of 2-0 and 4-2 in the game’s opening minutes, but the Maroons’ press soon created problems for East, resulting in several turnovers that led to points for Holland Christian. Camryn VandenBosch scored seven points, including a pair of layups off of steals, during a 15-2 run that gave the Maroons a 17-6 lead.
East responded with a layup by senior center Emily Wierenga and a 3-point basket by sophomore guard Lizzie Risdon to cut the HC lead to 17-11 at the end of one quarter.
The Maroons continued to keep the Chix at bay in the middle two quarters, taking a 32-21 lead at halftime and 40-32 after three quarters.
East pulled to within five at 40-35 when Risdon nailed a 3-pointer in the first minute of the fourth quarter, but that would be as close as the Chix would get in the game. A Kate Van Appledorn basket and a 3-pointer by Brooklyn Phelps ignited a 9-2 Holland Christian run that sealed the game.
Risdon led East with 14 points, including three 3-point baskets. Wierenga added 11 points and senior guard Mirra Fenlon contributed eight. VandenBosch led Holland Christian with 16 points and Phelps added 14.
The Maroons jumped out to an 11-point first quarter lead and held off a late rally by the Chix to post a 53-41 victory to move into sole possession of first place in the O-K Black Conference.
The loss dropped East to 3-1 in the O-K Black and 8-3 overall, while Holland Christian improved to 3-0 in conference play and 8-1 overall.
The Chix held leads of 2-0 and 4-2 in the game’s opening minutes, but the Maroons’ press soon created problems for East, resulting in several turnovers that led to points for Holland Christian. Camryn VandenBosch scored seven points, including a pair of layups off of steals, during a 15-2 run that gave the Maroons a 17-6 lead.
East responded with a layup by senior center Emily Wierenga and a 3-point basket by sophomore guard Lizzie Risdon to cut the HC lead to 17-11 at the end of one quarter.
The Maroons continued to keep the Chix at bay in the middle two quarters, taking a 32-21 lead at halftime and 40-32 after three quarters.
East pulled to within five at 40-35 when Risdon nailed a 3-pointer in the first minute of the fourth quarter, but that would be as close as the Chix would get in the game. A Kate Van Appledorn basket and a 3-pointer by Brooklyn Phelps ignited a 9-2 Holland Christian run that sealed the game.
Risdon led East with 14 points, including three 3-point baskets. Wierenga added 11 points and senior guard Mirra Fenlon contributed eight. VandenBosch led Holland Christian with 16 points and Phelps added 14.
Drenten Sets East Wrestling Record in Win Over Dux
Zeeland East senior wrestler Gavin Drenten put his name in the school’s record book on Jan. 15 as the Chix won a pair of dual meets at Zeeland West, defeating the Dux 51-21 and Grand Rapids Union 66-12.
Drenten won his 165th career match, moving him past former state champion Carter Hinson on the Chix’ all-time win list. Drenten, who wrestles in the 150-pound weight class, raised his career record to 165-20. Hinson, who won the 2021 Division 2 state championship at 140 pounds, won 164 matches for East during his career.
West honored its senior wrestlers at the Jan. 15 meet. The Dux won their other match against Wyoming, 48-35. Sam Taylor, Austin Ulberg, Daniel Lozano, Taylor Shoemaker and Aiden Chavez won both of their matches for the night for West.
Drenten won his 165th career match, moving him past former state champion Carter Hinson on the Chix’ all-time win list. Drenten, who wrestles in the 150-pound weight class, raised his career record to 165-20. Hinson, who won the 2021 Division 2 state championship at 140 pounds, won 164 matches for East during his career.
West honored its senior wrestlers at the Jan. 15 meet. The Dux won their other match against Wyoming, 48-35. Sam Taylor, Austin Ulberg, Daniel Lozano, Taylor Shoemaker and Aiden Chavez won both of their matches for the night for West.
West Michigan Sports Commission 2024 Highlights
The West Michigan Sports Commission tracked the following sports tourism economic highlights in 2024:
• Record economic impact with increased hotel nights and athletes/visitors – Last year, 112 sporting events generated $90.8 million in estimated economic impact, attracting 282,170 athletes/visitors while filling 49,975 hotel room nights. Below is the change from 2023 and 2019 (pre-COVID):
• Economic impact reached the highest level in the WMSC’s history, increasing 3.3 percent from 2023 ($87.9 million) and 65 percent from 2019 ($54.9 million). It also surpassed the WMSC’s previously best year in 2022 at $90.5 million.
• Hotel room nights booked increased 14.2 percent from 2023 (43,775) and decreased 1 percent from 2019 (50,245).
• Athletes/visitors increased 1.5 percent from 2023 (277,980) and 22 percent from 2019 (230,382).
• Events decreased 7.4 percent from 2023 (121) and increased 13 percent from 2019 (99).
• Meijer Sports Complex experienced the highest-ever estimated economic impact – The 2024 baseball/softball season was the strongest year yet in estimated economic impact at $9.3 million from hosting 20 tournaments and 31,194 athletes/spectators who booked 4,822 hotel nights – with most weekends full. Below is the change from 2023 and 2019:
• Estimated economic impact increased 7.4 percent from 2023 ($8.7 million) and 53 percent from 2019 ($6.1 million).
• The number of tournaments was on par with past years, with one less tournament than 2023 and two less tournaments than 2019.
• Athletes/visitors increased 6.5 percent from 2023 (29,302) and decreased 8 percent from 2019 (33,943), mainly because of lower team participation rates.
• Hotel room nights increased 8.4 percent from 2023 (4,450) and decreased 25 percent from 2019 (6,407) due to a 40 percent decrease in travel teams, though overall average daily hotel rates were up in 2024, contributing to the increase in estimated economic impact.
• Meijer State Games of Michigan celebrated 15th anniversary, returned to pre-COVID levels – Celebrating its 15th year in 2024, the Summer and Winter Games held 63 cumulative events – attracting 8,085 athletes and generating $2.5 million in estimated economic impact, rebounding to pre-COVID levels.
Looking at 2025, the WMSC is focused on continuing to increase the number of traveling athletes and visitors, and related hotel revenue and visitor spending, plus bidding on more marquee events in 2025 and beyond. The WMSC also will be managing the Meijer Sports Complex expansion project as well as bidding on events that can be held at the new Amway Stadium when it opens in 2027.
• Record economic impact with increased hotel nights and athletes/visitors – Last year, 112 sporting events generated $90.8 million in estimated economic impact, attracting 282,170 athletes/visitors while filling 49,975 hotel room nights. Below is the change from 2023 and 2019 (pre-COVID):
• Economic impact reached the highest level in the WMSC’s history, increasing 3.3 percent from 2023 ($87.9 million) and 65 percent from 2019 ($54.9 million). It also surpassed the WMSC’s previously best year in 2022 at $90.5 million.
• Hotel room nights booked increased 14.2 percent from 2023 (43,775) and decreased 1 percent from 2019 (50,245).
• Athletes/visitors increased 1.5 percent from 2023 (277,980) and 22 percent from 2019 (230,382).
• Events decreased 7.4 percent from 2023 (121) and increased 13 percent from 2019 (99).
• Meijer Sports Complex experienced the highest-ever estimated economic impact – The 2024 baseball/softball season was the strongest year yet in estimated economic impact at $9.3 million from hosting 20 tournaments and 31,194 athletes/spectators who booked 4,822 hotel nights – with most weekends full. Below is the change from 2023 and 2019:
• Estimated economic impact increased 7.4 percent from 2023 ($8.7 million) and 53 percent from 2019 ($6.1 million).
• The number of tournaments was on par with past years, with one less tournament than 2023 and two less tournaments than 2019.
• Athletes/visitors increased 6.5 percent from 2023 (29,302) and decreased 8 percent from 2019 (33,943), mainly because of lower team participation rates.
• Hotel room nights increased 8.4 percent from 2023 (4,450) and decreased 25 percent from 2019 (6,407) due to a 40 percent decrease in travel teams, though overall average daily hotel rates were up in 2024, contributing to the increase in estimated economic impact.
• Meijer State Games of Michigan celebrated 15th anniversary, returned to pre-COVID levels – Celebrating its 15th year in 2024, the Summer and Winter Games held 63 cumulative events – attracting 8,085 athletes and generating $2.5 million in estimated economic impact, rebounding to pre-COVID levels.
Looking at 2025, the WMSC is focused on continuing to increase the number of traveling athletes and visitors, and related hotel revenue and visitor spending, plus bidding on more marquee events in 2025 and beyond. The WMSC also will be managing the Meijer Sports Complex expansion project as well as bidding on events that can be held at the new Amway Stadium when it opens in 2027.
Amway Soccer Stadium, WMSC Look at Booking Policy
In June 2024, the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority Board of Directors voted that ASM Global, who will manage the new Amway Stadium on the west side of Grand Rapids, will work with the WMSC on a booking policy for the $175 million, 8,500-seat soccer stadium scheduled to open in spring 2027. The WMSC will begin bidding on regional and national field sport tournaments that can be hosted at Amway Stadium when not used by the MLS NEXT Pro soccer team for its games.
Stadium developer Grand Action 2.0 estimates that 17 professional soccer matches can be hosted at the stadium annually, with the opportunity for an additional 50-plus events to be held there on an annual basis.
Stadium developer Grand Action 2.0 estimates that 17 professional soccer matches can be hosted at the stadium annually, with the opportunity for an additional 50-plus events to be held there on an annual basis.
