Trine University sophomore and Zeeland West High School graduate Rylee Smith sends a shot out of a sand trap during a tournament this past spring. Smith was recently named the MIAA’s Most Valuable Golfer and also earned All-Region honors.
Photo courtesy Trine University Athletics
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Trine (Ind.) University sophomore and Zeeland West High School graduate Rylee Smith put together an outstanding season on the links.
Smith was recently named the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s Most Valuable Golfer and was also named All-Region by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association, becoming the first Thunder golfer to achieve both of those honors. She was also named to the All-MIAA first team for the second consecutive season.
Smith was the season medalist, posting an average round of 74.67 over four Jamborees in the fall and the 36-hole Spring Finale in April. She finished six strokes ahead of her nearest competitor for the season.
Smith set a school record on the first day of the Spring Finale with a 3-under-par 69, becoming the first Trine women’s golfer ever to break 70.
Smith claimed four tournament wins on the season, including medalist honors at MIAA Jamboree #3 in the fall with a then-school record round of 70, and eight top-three finishes.
Smith established new Trine program records for 18- and 36-hole scoring average. Her 75.50 and 152.00 stroke averages surpassed her previous season records from a year ago. She also owns the program’s career scoring records with averages of 76.18 (18 holes) and 152.55 (36 holes). She finished the season as the 68th-ranked golfer in Division III, and the seventh-highest in Region IV.
17th Annual Zeeland Zoom 5k Set for Next Tuesday
Zeeland Record
Trine (Ind.) University sophomore and Zeeland West High School graduate Rylee Smith put together an outstanding season on the links.
Smith was recently named the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s Most Valuable Golfer and was also named All-Region by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association, becoming the first Thunder golfer to achieve both of those honors. She was also named to the All-MIAA first team for the second consecutive season.
Smith was the season medalist, posting an average round of 74.67 over four Jamborees in the fall and the 36-hole Spring Finale in April. She finished six strokes ahead of her nearest competitor for the season.
Smith set a school record on the first day of the Spring Finale with a 3-under-par 69, becoming the first Trine women’s golfer ever to break 70.
Smith claimed four tournament wins on the season, including medalist honors at MIAA Jamboree #3 in the fall with a then-school record round of 70, and eight top-three finishes.
Smith established new Trine program records for 18- and 36-hole scoring average. Her 75.50 and 152.00 stroke averages surpassed her previous season records from a year ago. She also owns the program’s career scoring records with averages of 76.18 (18 holes) and 152.55 (36 holes). She finished the season as the 68th-ranked golfer in Division III, and the seventh-highest in Region IV.
17th Annual Zeeland Zoom 5k Set for Next Tuesday
Former Cornerstone University national champion runner and Baltimore Marathon champion Zach Ripley was the first runner to the finish line at last year’s Zeeland Zoom 5K Foot Race & Walk.
File photo
File photo
Holland High School All-State runner Johanna Mulder was the fastest female runner at last year’s Zeeland Zoom 5K.
File photo
File photo
By Esbehidy Hernandez
Zeeland Record
The city of Zeeland will host the 17th Annual Zeeland Zoom 5K Foot Race & Walk next Tuesday, starting from 21 S. Elm St.
Hundreds of runners, walkers, and Little Zoomers are ready to kick off the summer with a 3.1-mile run through historic downtown Zeeland. The Little Zoomers race will begin at 6:30 p.m., while 5K participants will start at 7 p.m.
The course is flat, fast, and scenic, making it a beginner- and family-friendly experience. Young runners are encouraged to get outside and become more involved in the community while creating unforgettable memories in the heart of downtown Zeeland.
The 5K race is sponsored by local businesses and organizations from across the community, with Corewell Health serving as the title sponsor for this year’s Zeeland Zoom 5K.
The event’s partnership with myTEAM TRIUMPH West Michigan promotes inclusivity for individuals with disabilities who would like to participate. A volunteer aide, known as a “Captain,” rides in a specialized racing chair, and an “Angel” is a group of runners who team up (typically in groups of three) to guide and push the Captain’s chair, making the event more accessible.
Registration to volunteer as a 5K Captain or Angel is available online through the RunSignUp website at runsignup.com/Race/MI/Zeeland/ZeelandZoom5k. Registration fees will increase on Monday.
Packet pickup will take place at the Howard Miller Community Center, 14 S. Church St., on Monday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Zeeland Record
The city of Zeeland will host the 17th Annual Zeeland Zoom 5K Foot Race & Walk next Tuesday, starting from 21 S. Elm St.
Hundreds of runners, walkers, and Little Zoomers are ready to kick off the summer with a 3.1-mile run through historic downtown Zeeland. The Little Zoomers race will begin at 6:30 p.m., while 5K participants will start at 7 p.m.
The course is flat, fast, and scenic, making it a beginner- and family-friendly experience. Young runners are encouraged to get outside and become more involved in the community while creating unforgettable memories in the heart of downtown Zeeland.
The 5K race is sponsored by local businesses and organizations from across the community, with Corewell Health serving as the title sponsor for this year’s Zeeland Zoom 5K.
The event’s partnership with myTEAM TRIUMPH West Michigan promotes inclusivity for individuals with disabilities who would like to participate. A volunteer aide, known as a “Captain,” rides in a specialized racing chair, and an “Angel” is a group of runners who team up (typically in groups of three) to guide and push the Captain’s chair, making the event more accessible.
Registration to volunteer as a 5K Captain or Angel is available online through the RunSignUp website at runsignup.com/Race/MI/Zeeland/ZeelandZoom5k. Registration fees will increase on Monday.
Packet pickup will take place at the Howard Miller Community Center, 14 S. Church St., on Monday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Unity Christian Wins Fourth Straight State Title in Girls Soccer
By Drew Ellis
Special for MHSAA.com
EAST LANSING – The unblemished championship run of Unity Christian High School continues.
The Crusaders completed their fourth consecutive playoff run without allowing a single goal last Saturday, defeating Bloomfield Hills Marian 2-0 in the Division 2 championship match at DeMartin Field.
“It’s a credit to the girls,” Unity Christian coach Randy Heethuis said of the recent run and 14th title in program history. “I know it is a cliché, but we just play one game at a time. Next game, next team up and let’s put our best foot forward and let’s do what we do, and what Unity soccer does. They know the prescription for success and they were able to carry it out, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Unity Christian (24-0) has claimed its second-straight D2 title after winning the Division 3 championships in 2023 and 2024. In all four cases, the Crusaders didn’t allow their opponents to get on the scoreboard throughout all six postseason matches.
This time, the Crusaders allowed just one goal for the entire season, matching an MHSAA record previously set by Livonia Stevenson in 1997.
On top of all that, Unity Christian has now gone 55 consecutive matches without being defeated, a run dating back to May 22, 2024.
Marian (21-3) knew the lore Unity Christian had created for itself, but the Mustangs were appearing in their 15th MHSAA Final, seeking their 10th title in program history. They survived an early charge from the Crusaders and started to turn the momentum of the match in their favor midway through the first half.
The Mustangs thought they may have had the first goal 30 minutes in when junior Nia Bordogna put a shot that went off the bottom of the crossbar and bounced near the goal line before Unity Christian senior goalie Payton Barendsen corralled it.
Just five minutes later, the Crusaders would get the first goal of the game. Senior Kiersten Witte made a run toward the net and collided with a pair of Mustangs, including keeper Caitlyn Curtis. The ball trickled over to the foot of junior Myla Obande, who casually put it into the back of a wide-open net to make it 1-0.
“I just knew that this shot had to go in and when I hit it, the ball was rolling so slowly, it felt like it took forever to go in,” Obande said. “When it went in, I was so relieved, and so happy. I just wanted to help the team get the job done.”
With three minutes left in the half, Unity Christian junior Kyla Kobrzycki got in open field and charged toward the Marian goal. She played a shot that hit the right-side post, but then landed on the foot of senior teammate Tessa Ponstein for another goal to make it 2-0.
In the second half, Marian made Unity Christian earn the shutout. Barendsen recorded five saves in the match, including a pair of diving saves during the final 40 minutes.
Avery Dekker, Ava Steen, Karli Rose, and Ruthie Hall handled the back-line defense for Unity Christian in yet another shutout, the program’s 23rd of the year.
“Our entire team, they bought into their roles, whether they are on the bench or whether they start,” Heethuis said. “They just do what is asked of them, and that’s a credit to them.”
Special for MHSAA.com
EAST LANSING – The unblemished championship run of Unity Christian High School continues.
The Crusaders completed their fourth consecutive playoff run without allowing a single goal last Saturday, defeating Bloomfield Hills Marian 2-0 in the Division 2 championship match at DeMartin Field.
“It’s a credit to the girls,” Unity Christian coach Randy Heethuis said of the recent run and 14th title in program history. “I know it is a cliché, but we just play one game at a time. Next game, next team up and let’s put our best foot forward and let’s do what we do, and what Unity soccer does. They know the prescription for success and they were able to carry it out, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Unity Christian (24-0) has claimed its second-straight D2 title after winning the Division 3 championships in 2023 and 2024. In all four cases, the Crusaders didn’t allow their opponents to get on the scoreboard throughout all six postseason matches.
This time, the Crusaders allowed just one goal for the entire season, matching an MHSAA record previously set by Livonia Stevenson in 1997.
On top of all that, Unity Christian has now gone 55 consecutive matches without being defeated, a run dating back to May 22, 2024.
Marian (21-3) knew the lore Unity Christian had created for itself, but the Mustangs were appearing in their 15th MHSAA Final, seeking their 10th title in program history. They survived an early charge from the Crusaders and started to turn the momentum of the match in their favor midway through the first half.
The Mustangs thought they may have had the first goal 30 minutes in when junior Nia Bordogna put a shot that went off the bottom of the crossbar and bounced near the goal line before Unity Christian senior goalie Payton Barendsen corralled it.
Just five minutes later, the Crusaders would get the first goal of the game. Senior Kiersten Witte made a run toward the net and collided with a pair of Mustangs, including keeper Caitlyn Curtis. The ball trickled over to the foot of junior Myla Obande, who casually put it into the back of a wide-open net to make it 1-0.
“I just knew that this shot had to go in and when I hit it, the ball was rolling so slowly, it felt like it took forever to go in,” Obande said. “When it went in, I was so relieved, and so happy. I just wanted to help the team get the job done.”
With three minutes left in the half, Unity Christian junior Kyla Kobrzycki got in open field and charged toward the Marian goal. She played a shot that hit the right-side post, but then landed on the foot of senior teammate Tessa Ponstein for another goal to make it 2-0.
In the second half, Marian made Unity Christian earn the shutout. Barendsen recorded five saves in the match, including a pair of diving saves during the final 40 minutes.
Avery Dekker, Ava Steen, Karli Rose, and Ruthie Hall handled the back-line defense for Unity Christian in yet another shutout, the program’s 23rd of the year.
“Our entire team, they bought into their roles, whether they are on the bench or whether they start,” Heethuis said. “They just do what is asked of them, and that’s a credit to them.”
