By Bruce Rolfe

One Climax-Scotts High School senior achieved his goal of placing first in a competition he has been thriving in all season while two other members of the track team reached their goal of earning all state medals as well at the MHSAA Division 4 State Finals May 30 at Baldwin Middle School.

Climax-Scotts senior Gabe Walliczek was the Division 4 State champion in the discus competition, sophomore Maximus Wurtzel earned an all-state medal in the 400-meter run and junior Annabelle Edwards recorded a top eight finish in the high jump to earn an all state medal.

Walliczek, who owns the school record in the discus, recorded a throw of 170’9”, 11 feet, three inches more then second place finishing Jabari Falls of Colon.

Walliczek’s throw of 170’9” was the fourth best throw out of all four divisions at the May 30 State Finals. Otsego’s Alex Robbins had a throw of 172’0” at the Division 2 State Finals; New Baltimore Anchor Bay’s Cameron Gramzow recorded a throw of 172’1” in the Division 1 State Finals; and Cooperville’s Will Decker had a throw of 171’10” at the Division 3 State Finals.

Maximus Wurtzel, who competed in the 400-meter run for the first time earlier in the season and went on to break his uncle’s school record in the event May 22, placed  sixth at the State Finals with a time of 51.47.

Edwards earned an all-state medal with a sixth place finish in the high jump with a leap of 5’0”.

C-S also had athletes competing in nine other events but were unable to secure a top eight finish for an all-state medal.

Max Wurtzel qualified in the 100-meter dash, but was unable to advance out of the preliminaries, posting a time of 11.50 in the preliminaries.

Wurtzel also joined Alexander Albarran, Elijah Bowron and Easton VanMiddlesworth in the 4x200-meter relay, finishing in 30th place with a time of 1:43.38.

Alex Wurtzel was a member of the state qualifying 4x200-meter relay team but he played in C-S’ district baseball game at Centreville the same day.

The 4x100-meter relay team made up of Tyler Peck, Alexander Albarran, Elijah Bowron and Maddox Wyman placed 23rd with a time of 46.14.

Senior Liam Lasala competed in the discus throw and finished 17th with a throw of 128’10”.

Walliczek, also the school record holder in the shot put, finished 12th in the event at the state finals with a throw of 44’10.25”.

C-S senior Hunter Lasala also competed in the shot put, finishing 19th with a throw of 41’9.25”.

Edwards, Paige Amos, Nina Garcia-Delgado and Sophie Braithwaite helped the 4x200-meter relay team to a 22nd place finish with a time of 1:55.98.

Braithwaite, who owns the school record in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.91, did not make it out of the preliminaries, finishing 25th with a time of 13.53.

C-S senior Paige Amos also qualified for the state finals in the 200-meter dash but she was unable to advance out of the preliminaries, posting a time of 26.92 in 11th place.

Addy Reeves, also a member of the C-S softball team who hosted the district tournament May 30, did not compete at the track state finals where she qualified in the long jump.

Division 4 State Finals (At Baldwin Middle School)
C-S Results
100 Meters D4 - Prelims: 11. Maximus Wurtzel, 11.50a (-0.7); 400 Meters D4 - Finals: 6. Maximus Wurtzel, 51.47a; 4x100 Relay D4 - Finals: 23- Climax-Scotts (Tyler Peck, Alexander Albarran, Elijah Bowron, Maddox Wyman, 46.14a; 4x200 Relay D4 - Finals: 30-Climax-Scotts (Alexander Albarran, Elijah Bowron, Easton Vanmiddlesworth, Maximus Wurtzel), 1:43.38a;  Shot Put - 12lb D4 - Finals: 12. Gabe Walliczek, 44’ 10.25”, 19. Hunter Lasala, 41’ 9.25”; Discus - 1.6kg D4 - Finals Field Series: 1. Gabe Walliczek, 170’ 9”, 17-Liam Lasala, 128’ 10”
Women
C-S Results
High Jump D4 - Finals Field Series: 6. Annabelle Edwards, 5’ 0”; 4x200 Relay D4 - Finals: 22-Climax-Scotts (Sophie Braithwaite, Paige Amos, Nina Garcia-Delgado, Annabelle Edwards), 1:55.98a; 200 Meters D4 - Prelims: 11. Paige Amos, 26.92a (3.8); 100 Meters D4 - Prelims: 25. Sophie Braithwaite, 13.53a (0.0)

Climax-Scotts graduate Jeanelle Pontoni has been named the new varsity volleyball coach according to a release issued by the local school district May 29.

The C-S graduate and decorated four-sport athlete, brings a deep passion for Panther athletics, a strong volleyball background, and years of coaching experience to the position. 

During her collegiate volleyball career at Glen Oaks Community College, she served as Team Captain while playing defensive specialist and libero.

Coach Pontoni has already dedicated eight years to the Climax-Scotts volleyball program, coaching at both the junior high and junior varsity levels. 

Her commitment to developing student-athletes and building a positive team culture has made a lasting impact throughout the program. 

In 2024, she was recognized with the All-Area Assistant Coach Award.

In addition to coaching, Pontoni serves as a 4th grade teacher at Climax-Scotts Elementary School, where she works daily to support and encourage students both 
academically and personally. Her involvement across both school buildings has allowed her to build meaningful relationships with students and families throughout the community.

“I believe strong communities are built when people invest in one another,” said Pontoni. “I’m committed to giving back to the community that has given so much to me by helping our athletes grow, compete, and succeed both on and off the court.”

“Climax-Scotts administration is excited to see Coach Pontoni lead the varsity volleyball program and continue building upon the strong tradition of Panther athletics. Her dedication to students, commitment to the community, and passion for the game make her an excellent fit for the role,” the school district release states.

Pontoni replaces Angela Gilbert, who stepped down from the varsity head coach position after holding the role for nine years.

Panthers finish regular season strong

A strong pitching performance and an 11-hit attack helped the Climax-Scotts varsity baseball team to a 14-0 win over Athens at Athens May 26 in the regular season finale/
The win gives C-S a regular season finish of 14-6.

A trio of Panthers teamed up on the mound  on a two-hit shutout.

Starting and winning pitcher Bryce Birkam pitched the first three innings without giving up a hit. He struck out four Indians and walked three batters.

Alex Wurtzel followed with a one hit performance over one and two third innings with three walks and three strikeouts and Jonathan Vincent pitched the final one-third of 
an inning by allowing one hit with one strikeout.

Eight Panthers had hits, with Brody Vosburg, who had one RBI, Nyle Sattler, who had a double and one RBI and Jackson Knickerbocker, who had two RBI, each producing two hits.

Climax-Scotts 104 63 - 14-11-2
Athens             000 00 -   0- 2-3
C-S hits: Brody Vosburg 2 (1 RBI), Nyle Sattler 2 (double, 1 RBI), Jackson Knickerbocker 2 (2 RBI), Ben Nelson 1 (4 RBI), Hunter Piper 1, Lincoln Dzwik 1, Bryce Birkam 1 (1 RBI), Bryce Srackangast 1 (1 RBI)
Other C-S RBI: Kai Brown 1
C-S stolen bases: Brody Vosburg 3, Ben Nelson 1, Jackson Knickerbocker 1, Nyle Sattler 1, Blake Wechsler 1, Jackson Knickerbocker 1
Winning pitcher: Bryce Birkam - 3 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts
Alex Wurtzel - 1.2 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts
Jonathan Vincent - 0.1 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 strikeout

Lady Panthers win regular season finale
behind Langs’ one-hitter

Climax-Scotts freshman Alyse Langs pitched a one-hitter and eight Panthers had hits at the plate, leading the Lady Panthers to a 16-0 win over Athens May 26 in the regular season finale at Athens.

C-S entered the district tournaments with a 20-5 record.

After opening the bottom of the first inning with a walk, Langs set down the next eight batters. A two out single on a bunt in the bottom of the third inning was the lone hit the C-S freshman gave up.

Langs, who struck out six and walked one batter, set down the next six batters.

Olivia Bolt had three hits and Battle Creek St. Phil’s Quinn Dzwik, playing for C-S in a co-op arrangement, had two hits including a double.

Climax-Scotts 401 65 - 16-11-0
Athens             000 00 -   0- 1-4
C-S hits: Quinn Dzwik 2 (double), Alyse Langs 1, Addi Dzwik 1 (double, 3 RBI), Addy Reeves 1 (2 RBI), Ashlynn Gilbert 1 (double, 1 RBI), Holly Talbert 1 (2 RBI), Chloe Czuk 1 (1 RBI), Olivia Bolt 3 
Other C-S RBI: Kyla Etheridge 3
C-S stolen bases: Alyse Langs 2, Addi Dzwik 2, Olivia Bolt 1, Quinn Dzwik 1, Kyla Etheridge 1
Winning pitcher: Alyse Langs - 5 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts

C-S golf team competes at regionals

There were no individual state finals qualifiers for the Climax-Scotts golf team at the Division 4 Regionals May 27, ending the season for the Panthers.

C-S finished with a 413 at the 18-team regionals, played at the Medalist Golf Course in Marshall May 27.

Lansing Christian were regional champions with a 309. Springport (336) and Byron (351) also qualified for the Division 4 team state finals.

Senior Ryan Pejakovich was low scorer for C-S with a 95, followed by Gixxer Blair (97), Cooper Dinse (108), Easton VanMiddlesworth (113), and Aiden Klusman (118).
Division 4 Regionals (at Medalist Golf Course - Marshall)

C-S Results
Ryan Pejakovich 95, Gixxer Blair 97, Cooper Dinse 108, Easton VanMiddlesworth 113,  Aiden Klusman 118

By Bruce Rolfe

While Climax-Scotts varsity baseball coach Brandon Haynes was disappointed his team didn’t advance out of the district semifinals following a 5-1 loss to Constantine May 30 at Centreville, the Panther coach was upbeat about the growth he saw from the team in his first year as head coach at C-S.

C-S finishes the season with a 14-7 record.

Haynes first pointed to the leadership that was provided by the seven seniors on the team - Demarion Taylor, Kai Brown, Jackson Knickerbocker, Ben Nelson, Carter Dzwik, Lincoln Dzwik, Jackson Dzwik.

Haynes said his team never complained, starting early in the season when he had them outdoors practicing, at times in uncomfortable temperatures.

“I couldn’t ask for a better group to coach my first year. It was a lot of fun. I was just telling them, I made them practice in the cold weather outside, and they didn’t complain one bit. I remember they were all shaking. So this is one gritty ball club that really came together at the end. You can’t win them all. There’s only one winner at the end of it. 

We’ve just got to hug the seniors tight, and let them move on,” said Haynes. 

Five hit batters and two errors gave the Falcons extra outs and Constantine capitalized on three of the miscues in the district semifinal loss.

Constantine pushed three runs across in the top of the fourth inning.

A single, hit batter and another single loaded the bases.

The Panthers nearly got out of the inning unscathed.

A fielder’s choice to shortstop Jackson Dzwik, who threw a runner out at the plate on a force out, left the bases loaded.

However a two-out single scored two runs, and an error on the next play scored a third run.

C-S responded with its only run in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Ben Nelson opened the inning with a single to left field.

A balk sent pinch runner Jonathan Vincent to second base. Vincent advanced to third base on a ground out.

A ground ball out to shortstop by Alex Wurtzel scored Vincent for C-S’ lone run.

A hit by pitch in the top of the seventh inning followed by a two-run home run by Constantine’s Mick Smead stretched the Falcon lead to 5-1.

“We don’t live or die on one play. It is what it is. There’s other things we can execute. There’s things that they didn’t execute. And that’s the beauty of baseball, right? The guys played hard. They battled every at bat. It’s not like we were just giving up at bats and giving them runners. It was a gritty baseball game. I don’t think the score reflects how tough we played, but it was a lot of fun,” said Haynes.

Starting pitcher Nyle Sattler absorbed the loss. He pitched all seven innings and gave up six hits and five runs, but four were earned. He struck out five batters and did not issue a walk.

District Tournament (At Centreville)
Constantine     000 300 2 - 5-6-1
Climax-Scotts 000 010 0 - 1-4-2
C-S hits: Dane Sattler 1 (double), Jackson Knickerbocker 1, Ben Nelson 1, Lincoln Dzwik 1
C-S RBI: Alex Wurtzel 1 
Losing pitcher: Nyle Sattler - 7 IP, 6 hits, 5 runs, 4 earned runs, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts

By Bruce Rolfe

A 2-0 loss to Gobles in the district championship game May 30 at Climax-Scotts High School stung immediately after the game. But Lady Panther coach Janae Gibson was quick to point out her team did everything she and the coaching staff asked this year, making the season very enjoyable.

C-S finishes the season with a 21-6 record.

“I can’t say enough. We just talked about that. How they committed to our program and what our philosophy is as coaches. So this group has been very special. I told them that every day that I got to walk onto this softball field, they were a breath of fresh air, and just the type of young ladies that they are, they just bring an absolute joy and make coaching so easy. They’re an easy group to coach. I’m super proud of them and everything that they accomplished this year,” said Gibson. 

Freshman Alyse Langs only gave up one hit but that lone hit, a home run in the first inning, turned out to be the difference in the 2-0 loss.

Langs retired the first two hitters, however an error put a runner on first base for Gobles.

Gobles senior Daisy Jackson then smacked a 1-1 pitch over the leftfield fence for a 2-0 Tiger lead.

Langs and Gobles freshman Kelsee Sherrod settled into a pitchers dual the rest of the way.

Langs walked two batters and struck out nine Tigers.

Sherrod walked one batter and struck out three Panthers.

C-S, which went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position, just couldn’t get a key hit.

C-S had a good opportunity to tie the game in the bottom of the first inning when Addi Dzwik advanced all the way to third base on an error on a ball hit to rightfield.

However Sherrod recorded the first of her three strikeouts to end the inning.

C-S put another runner in scoring position in the bottom of the second when Kyla Etheridge singled and moved to second on a ground out, but she was stranded on a strikeout.

C-S’ best opportunity to score came in the bottom of the third inning. The Lady Panthers loaded the bases on one out singles by Quinn Dzwik, Langs and Addi Dzwik.

A strikeout and groundout ended the threat.

C-S had another runner reach scoring position in the bottom of the fifth inning when Langs singled to centerfield and advanced to second on the throw with two outs. A groundout ended the threat.

The Lady Panthers were unable to get a runner on base over the final two innings.

“Obviously, we would have liked things to be a little bit different. We probably could have done some things bunting wise, that I probably should have pulled the trigger on, that we didn’t. But we walk with our heads held high. We give Gobles (credit). That’s a good softball team. Their pitcher did a phenomenal job, too, and we just came up a little short,” explained Gibson. 

Gobles, now 30-6, topped Martin 13-2 in the other semifinal game to advance to the district championship game.

C-S Seniors playing in their last game were Holly Talbert, Adalynn Reeves, Natalie Smith, Chloe Czuk and Ashlynn Gilbert.
Strong Pitching, Offense Helps C-S to Win Over Hackett

Addy Reeves and Alyse Langs teamed up on a one-hitter and seven Panthers had hits, helping C-S to a 11-0 win over Hackett Catholic Prep in the district semifinal game played at C-S High School May 30.

Reeves, who pitched the first four innings and earned the win, gave up just one hit. She did not walk a batter and recorded five strikeouts.
Langs pitched a hitless fifth inning and struck out three batters without giving up a walk.

C-S totaled 10 hits. Addy Reeves, who drove in three runs, Ashlynn Gilbert, who had a double, and Olivia Bolt, each had two hits.

District Tournament (At Climax-Scotts)
Championship game
Gobles             200 000 0 - 2-1-1
Climax-Scotts 000 000 0 - 0-5-1
C-S hits: Quinn Dzwik 1, Alyse Langs 2, Addi Dzwik 1, Kyla Etheridge 1
Losing pitcher: Alyse Langs - 7 IP, 1 hit, 2 runs, 0 earned, 2 walks, 9 strikeouts

headlines The Climax Crescent

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