What it’s like to sit the bench

Alyssa Alger ’15
Staff

He doesn’t play. He gets water for his teammates. He watches the clock drift to zero. He sometimes forgets what it feels like to stand out on the court. Kyler Marble ’14 has had his fair share of court withdrawals.

“It’s been really tough not being able to play in any games for the first [part] of the season,” says Marble.

After transferring from Kent City, Marble is unable to participate in a portion of his basketball season. He has been allowed to practice everyday, but he has to sit out eleven games before he can participate.

“As I go into each practice, my mindset is to improve my individual skills and to be an asset to the team,” states Marble.

Without a game to look forward to until later in the season, Marble is able to focus on his own things and prepare for upcoming games. He feels that missing out on games has helped him understand what he needs to do as a player to better help his team.

“It’s really tough just watching and not being able to play or dress for the games, but I’m almost to the point where I can play. I have three games left [to sit] and then my first game is against Wyoming Park,” states Marble.

Marble has been practicing, building friendships, and preparing for his first game of the season. While his teammates have been playing out on the court since before winter break, Marble has been waiting for his first opportunity to play. He has enjoyed being able to work with the team and further his skills but he is ready to be able to finally play. He is glad for the chance to gain relationships with his teammates on and off the court.

Marble says, “Being able to practice with the team has helped me build some chemistry with my teammates, which will be very helpful by the time I can finally play.

I’m really enjoying my high school basketball experience [at Cedar Springs] and I hope I can contribute to the team.”

Cheer season kicks off

Alyssa Alger ’15
Staff

The CSHS Competitive Cheerleading team was encouraged to combine JV and varsity after fewer girls tried out this year than in years before. In competitive cheer, there are three rounds. The second round is for tumbling skills and precision, and the required amount of girls on the mat in the division is ten without a penalization. In order for the girls to keep from losing the points for penalty, having a JV team and a varsity team separate, the teams would have almost no leeway in the case of injuries, eligibility, and other issues.

Now that they have combined JV and varsity, the Cedar Springs High School Competitive Cheerleading team will be hosting their own competition on Saturday, Jan 12. The competition will begin at 1:00 pm following the middle school competition that starts at 10:00 am. Some of the schools competing in the competition in the girls’ division are Sparta, Mason, and Union.

Just Dance: CSHS Dance Team prepares for upcoming season

Allie Veltkamp ’13

Editor-in-Chief

Dancing is not Cheerleading. It’s not like any other sport. Your movements have to be loose and relaxed but precise. The demanding techniques test your skill. One step in the wrong direction can be detrimental to the routine.

“I hope to help dance gain more popularity like other sports,” comments Brittney Robinson ’14. Robinson, along with others who have past dancing experience is excited to put her talent in the spotlight during half-time at basketball games. Other girls joined the team for different reasons.

“I want to have fun. We are not competing, and I just love to dance,” says Tiffany Tozer ’13. For Tozer, transitioning from cheerleading to dance has been a challenge.

“You have to have tight movements [when cheerleading]. In dance, you should be loose and relaxed,” comments Tozer.

Heather VanLangen ’13 faces the same challenges.

“I have been a cheerleader all my life, and even though cheer and dance are similar in looks, they are [completely] opposite,” explains VanLangen.

The dance team provides an outlet for all the girls to escape from school and the challenges they face, and instead, focus on something they are passionate about.

“I get to do what I love and make new friends while I’m at it,” says Robinson.

“It’s a friendly environment, and I look forward to it. Everyone gets along, and the coach is nice. It’s a fresh start for me,” Tozer comments.

The girls mesh together and have gotten along from the start.

“I really enjoy the different people. There are a handful of different groups that most sports don’t get to have,” says VanLangen.

Even though the dance team won’t compete in any competitions, they still have to work hard to create an entertaining show for half-time at basketball games.

“I enjoy that our practices are fun, but [we] also [get] stuff accomplished,” explains VanLangen.

Just like any other sport, the dance team has to abide by all the handbook and eligibility rules. Dance team coach, Mrs. Megan Ellison, submitted the proposal to athletic director, and each girl who joined had to pay a $100 dollar fee to cover the costs during the season. They will be performing to a variety of music such as: country, hip-hop, and jazz. Their first performance will be to the country songs: “Country Girl” by Luke Bryan, “Gunpowder and Lead” by Miranda Lambert, and “Good Girl” by Carrie Underwood. Make sure to support the CSHS Dance Team at these upcoming varsity basketball home games:

Friday, Jan. 11 5:00

Friday, Jan. 25 5:00

Friday, Feb. 15 5:00

Friday, Feb. 22 5:30

Tuesday, Feb. 26 6:30

Just Dance: The dance team’s first performance is this Friday. The girls posed for the camera during their team photo-shoot.
Photo by Rebecca Klompstra

 

 

Attention all football players

Kendra Coons ’14
Staff

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2:45-4:00, there is weight training for all levels. All football players who are not participating in another sport this winter are expected to show up and get ready for next season. Contact Cameron Klompstra or Jordan Johnson for further information.

Bowling team strives for state

Buddy Shepard ’13
Staff

A hush befalls the crowd and teams alike. All eyes are trained on the 15 pound ball that creeps ever so slowly down the 60 foot lane. This is the stage, on which the winner of the MHSAA OK Bronze division will be determined. The lucky bowler is none other than Tyler Ruark ‘13. As Ruark stands and watches, the ball at first is on a straight shot for the six pin; however, at the last moment, the ball changes direction and diagonally rolls right for the space between the first and third pins. Ball meets pins, and a strike is born. The Red Hawks explode in cheers, and the crowd follows suit. The final score: Cedar Springs 903, Forest Hills Eastern 895.
This sport, along with others, requires one key piece of information to succeed.

“Stay positive no matter what, strive for success and persevere,” states Ruark.

This is true for every sport, including bowling.

“[You need to] handle the pressure and just enjoy the game,” states Quintin Heath ’13.

These lessons and others are a bowler’s bread-and-butter for each and every problem they might face on the lanes.

“Strikes are good, but spares make the game,” states former coach  Harper.
The chances of the Cedar Springs Bowling Team making it to state this year versus previous years have grown exponentially.

“We are more connected, we all get along together very well,” states Ruark.

After constantly practicing off-season, Ruark states, “Our chances are pretty high. Last year I was only 6 pins away.”

“I have no doubt in my mind we’re going to state, and I know [this] because we’ve been practicing very hard and we’re ready,” states Heath.

Talk about the bowling team making it to state this year has been thick through the team.

“[All] it takes is concentration and decompartmentalization,” states Jarod Plank ‘16.

Many professional and minor league bowlers alike will agree with Josh Austin’s ‘14 piece of advice, “You just need to take everything you’re worried about, leave it at the door, and just have fun.”

Devoted athletes take commitment to a new level

Cameron Klompstra ’14
Staff

To many coaches and players, devotion is the name of the game. Along with dedication comes heart, with heart comes passion, and with passion comes hard work. Whether that means hours upon hours in the local gym, running mile after mile to places somewhat unknown, or practically giving up an entire summer and social life devoting for sports. For many, fitting athletics, family time, jobs, and schoolwork in an everyday schedule is very difficult.

“I go to the turf almost everyday in the summer,” says Mitchel Hanmer ‘14. “I love soccer.”

Hanmer is very commited to soccer, and it is sometimes difficult to make time for it in his everyday schedule. Hanmer poses a love for the sport and his team unparallel to most.

“I have lots of friends in soccer, and it’s something I’ve done forever,” explains Hanmer. The surface goal of most athletic clubs is to win, and while winning is fun and exhilarating, there are underlying life lessons and achievements to be discovered and conquered.

“[I’ve learned] how to be a leader and how to communicate,” admits Hanmer. Hanmer’s mom started him in AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) at the ripe age of five.

“I quit because I was lazy,” admits Hanmer. Nowadays, his day is consumed with Advanced Drama projects, athletics, academics, and family time. “I usually get home from school around nine and go to bed,” says Hanmer.

“I would accept any [soccer] scholarship that was given to me,” explains Hanmer. “I would love to [go pro], but I don’t have the ability.” Hanmer played other sports in middle school, but soccer proved to be his favorite.

“I’ve always wondered if I would be good at football,” Hanmer confesses. “Maybe wide receiver or cornerback. I’ve wondered about tennis, too.”

Hanmer is not the only person who is crazy about their sport. “I run three miles four times a week, workout my abs, and use eight pound weights,” says soccer player Madison Phelps ‘13. “My off-season is crazy between conditioning, training for soccer, work and academics.”

“I like working together to accomplish the same goal, and it shows that hard work pays off,” says Phelps.“[I’m going to play] soccer at the intramural level in college.” Phelps ran cross country in middle school and two years in high school. Phelps’s mom enrolled her into the AYSO program at age four, and she has played ever since.

“I’ve always wondered if I’d be good at other sports but I don’t have any hand-eye coordination,” explains Phelps.

Another athlete who is extremely dedicated, and sometimes goes under the radar, is Mitchell Hawes ‘14. Hawes plays hockey, not for the school, but for a special travel team in which he has the opportunity to play the top teams in the nation, playing in the legendary Joe Louis Arena and even in Chicago. “I play hockey for the constant competition, being able to be physical, and for finesse,” explains Hawes. “Also, the brotherhood you [create] while being on a team.”

Hawes stays busy, especially in the off-season with working out five times a day and practicing his skating skills on his off days. “My dad put me in ‘Learn to Skate’ as a kid, and I fell in love with the game,” says Hawes. “[I’ve learned that] times can be tough, but you just have to persevere and overcome the adversity, whether it’s sports or in real life.”

“I’ve always wanted to play football and I played soccer last year for Big Rapids,” admits Hawes. “I play lots of sports; I just don’t do it competitively.” Hawes plays different sports with the neighborhood kids during the summer, and when he’s not working out, he’s spending time with his family.

“The ultimate goal is college, but if the opportunity (playing professional hockey) presents itself, I will definitely accept the offer,” says Hawes.

When the time comes for the regular season for any particular sport, the athletes who are working in the off season rise to the top and excel above all. The hard work, long nights, blood, sweat, tears, and dedication pay off, and every athlete knows that the time spent in the weight room, on the field, on the court, or on the track is not time wasted wasted.

Mora finishes XC career in California sun

The Final Countdown: Connor Mora ’13 is introduced along with his accomplishments. He jogged to the start to join his regional team.

Katie Weiler ’13
Sports Editor

All-conference, all-area, all-region, all-state, conference champion, regional champion, state champion, Mr. Cross Country, Foot Locker National Finalist. Those are a few of the things Connor Mora ’13 accomplished during his senior cross country season. The most recent is qualifying and competing at the Foot Locker National Championships this past weekend.

The Foot Locker National Championship consists of ten girls and ten boys from each of the four regions in the U.S., adding up to a total of 40 boys and 40 girls competing in the races. In order to qualify, a runner must place in the top ten at regionals. Once they qualify, they are flown out to San Diego, California, for an all-expenses-paid trip to race at nationals. Many runners become professional in the years after this race, proving that it is the most prestigious field of high school runners in the nation.

It was a chilly 28 degrees when Mora ran to an eighth place finish at the Foot Locker Midwest Regional in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Nov. 24. For nationals on Saturday, Dec. 8, the temperature was hovering around 70 degrees with clear skies and sun at race time.

“There’s not much you can do about the temperature change and not a ton you can do to train for it,” comments Mora. “I actually enjoyed it a lot; it’s great getting to run in warmer weather again.”

In preparation for the event, Mora trained specifically for the national course. The 5K course is made up of a loop the elites run twice. There is grass and dirt throughout the course, with a steep hill that they run up and circle around before coming down a long, steep downhill.

“I’ve run a lot of hills practicing my downhill for the big downhill on the course,” explains Mora.

Along with the physical preparation comes the mental preparation and focus that is essential in the competitive atmosphere. The elite runners Mora competed against included the defending Foot Locker national champion, the 2012 Nike Cross Nationals champion, numerous state champions, and other boys with impressive track and cross country credentials leading into the race.

“It [took] a lot of focus,” expresses Mora. “Getting ready, knowing that you’re not going into the race being the best one, that you’re racing the best of the best.”

Each runner was introduced by name and accomplishments before they jogged to the start line, confirming that any one of the 40 boys had a shot at the crown. After all of the runners were introduced, the boys lined up by region on the start line. This is when it hit Mora that this race is a special event to be a part of.

“This is the biggest race I have ever run in my life,” recalls Mora. “It’s a pretty awesome experience and an honor to compete out in California against the best guys.”

Mora got into a good starting position after the gun went off. He did not have a strategy going into the race because he knew anything could happen in the fast field of guys. He instead went in with an open mind, ready to adjust to anything. This allowed Mora to run to a 29th place finish with a time of 15:58 on the tough course.

“I wasn’t 100% satisfied (with my time and place), but I was satisfied with the experience that it gave me and the opportunity to learn a little bit more about racing at this level,” explains Mora. “Overall, I was satisfied with everything I took away from it.”

Mora is in the process of deciding on a college to continue his running career. He has taken official visits during the cross country season.

“Right now I am still undecided,” says Mora. “I have narrowed it down to a few colleges, but have yet to decide.”

As for his accomplishments this season, Mora humbly credits others for helping him get to where he wanted to go. “Without the support that I have had and my team, my coach, my parents, and all of my friends; my successes would not have happened. I am really thankful for all of them.”

Working Hard: Connor Mora ’13 running at the Foot Locker National Championships. He placed 29th in the elite field.

Zach Wamser: A wrestler in the making

Katie Weiler ’13
Sports Editor

He started wrestling when he was four years old. His favorite NFL team is the Atlanta Falcons. His favorite band is ACDC. His biggest role model is his brother. His favorite candy is Twix. Zach Wamser ’15 now wrestles on the varsity squad and holds high aspirations for the upcoming season.

“I want to make it to state,” explains Wamser.

In order to qualify for state in wrestling, he will need to place top four at districts and top four at regionals to advance. He prepares in the off-season for this by participating baseball and football as well.

Before a match, he listens to music and thinks about what he is going to do. This motivates him to go into the match with the attitude that he is always going to win.

In order to come away with a victory, Wamser goes through vigorous workouts in practice. He has learned to never give up and always try his hardest through wrestling. Wamser’s focus is getting the win for the team because he does not plan on pursuing wrestling after high school.

“The team is young; we have a lot of freshman,” comments Wamser. “I think we will be better than we were last year.”

His senior teammates agree and have big expectations for him.

“He’s a good wrestler [and] only a sophomore,” says Allen Slagter ’13. “I think he’ll go far.”

They expect Wamser to win his matches during tournament and believe he has improved his strength and cardio from last year.

“I think he is a skilled wrestler and will get us the team points we need,” expresses Cody Oehme ’13.

Wamser advises younger wrestlers to stick with it because it will pay off in the long run.

Ai Sakura: She may be bettering her English, but she already knows the game of basketball

Hannah Wight ’13
Staff

Most people don’t get to experience living in a different country, let alone play a sport at the highest level a school has.  Ai Sakura ‘13, from Kyoto, Japan, is able to do just that.  For many, it’s hard to imagine the difference of two cultures; for Sakura, it’s nothing new.

Coming from parents of international love, she experienced the best of both worlds.  Her mom, as an exchange student from the U.S., decided to study abroad in Japan.  Never did her mother expect to fall in love with the man she’d spend the rest of her life with.  Since she returned to the U.S. for college, the two let their love flourish through letters keeping them in touch.  Once she finished school, Sakura’s mother moved to Japan to start a family.

After growing up in Japan, Sakura decided to come to America to learn English and attend college somewhere in Canada.  Because her mother is from the U.S., she had the opportunity to move in with family.  Leaving her parents and two younger brothers, she now lives with her grandma.

Ai Sakura: Sakura likes basketball better here than Japan. Sakura moved past her nerves and enjoyed her first game at Lowell on Tuesday, Nov. 27.a.

“I miss family, friends, and the city,” says Sakura.  But with the support, it’s been an easier transition.

School is much different in Japan than here.  She attended year round with short breaks in between.  Sakura wore a uniform, and was a part of a program where she couldn’t play a sport; she could only study.

“Classes are long, and teachers are slow,” explains Sakura, about the education here at Cedar Springs High School.

Moving here was her last opportunity to play basketball again; however, basketball is much different in Japan than here.  Coaches are able to hit their players.

“Parents don’t react.  It’s normal,” says Sakura.  She appreciates her teammates and coach here.  Patience is important when Sakura still struggles with learning English.

“I can listen good, but it’s hard to talk,” states Sakura.  She knows that it will come with time, and spending the next four months with her varsity basketball team, it’ll be no problem.

The CSHS cheer team struggles to move forward with missing talent

Hannah Wight ’13
Staff

Moving on.  Moving on from lack of commitment.  Moving on from vague excuses.  Moving on without those who didn’t care.  For the Cedar Springs girls cheer program, this was what they had to do.

With the competitive season quickly approaching, the cheerleaders kicked it off with a nine-hour practice on Nov. 9.  Due to the aggravating fall season, the team consists of only one varsity team of 22 girls.  This was not anticipated, but they’re going to take advantage of what they have.

“We laid out expectations, we stuck to the rules, and we’re staying consistent,” says Dakotah Dombak, assistant coach.  With no control of outside influences, this was the coaches’ approach to avoiding any future problems.

Starting the practice off with a meeting, the cheerleaders discussed concerns for the season.

“We have little potential, and it’s not what I’m used to,” explains Nicki Luevano ’13.  Many are frustrated that some girls get to walk on the team without great skill level. To some, the varsity letter isn’t such an honor anymore.

Individual and team goals were set among the girls to agree on what was expected.  Things such as strong stunts, leadership, positive attitudes, three solid rounds, and coming together as a team are aspirations shared by many of the girls for this upcoming season.

Even though it will be tough to get everyone to the same skill level, the coaches have noticed their hard work.

“They want to be successful, and I want that for them,” states Ms. Anna Ramirez, head coach.  The cheerleaders know they have to step it up to be successful this year, and they’re prepared to take on the challenge.

Briana Pierson ’13 has overcome some of the challenges from this fall by trying to remain positive. “I have to remind myself that I love cheer. It doesn’t matter what other people think, just what I do.”