The votes have been counted and the verdict is in. Fall of 2013 was HUGE for our PSTS Fall sport athletes. Many of them met their individual goals of being recognized for post-season awards.

All these athletes spent at least 3-months with us while many of them have been with us for over a year and their post-season honors were a long-time coming. The majority of them come from great programs with quality coaching that put them in position to excel and to help their teams be succesful on the field/court. We merely assisted them in some of their needs that they presented to us. THEY did the work and put in the effort.

These athletes never quit and made the sacrifices necessary to succeed. Many overcame adversity and MADE it happen. Jake Howe had a broken foot in April. Cameron White played through a lower back injury. Alex Kaminski had a broken ankle less than a year ago. Kenny Willekes was in a back brace last spring…. just to name a few.

We simply wanted to spread the word on their accomplishments and give them as much credit as possible. Proud of this TOUGH group of athletes.

What makes it even better is that these athletes bump shoulders on a daily basis with younger athletes who want to get to where they are- they are able to see firsthand the discipline and work ethic it takes to make it happen.

Progress occurs when you gather the “good” and find out which among them want to be GREAT.

Take a look at the list below.

The following Fall athletes were voted Football (unless specifified) All-Conference or All-Conference Honorable Mention by their coaches. Other accolades are listed if they received them.

• Jake Howe- FHN – All- Area Dream Team – All-State
• Wyatt Batdorff – FHN – All- Area Dream Team- All-State Honorable Mention
• Austin Labus – Portage Northern – All-State
• Steve Cress- Rockford- Water Polo – All-State
• Paige O’Connor – FHN – Volleyball – Second Team All-State
• Cailie Johnson- Cornerstone University– Volleyball – 1^st Team All-Region, Third Team All-American
• Dan Pittman- Hillsdale College– All-GLIAC Honorable Mention
• Kenny Willekes (Junior)– Northpointe Christian – All- Area Dream Team Honorable Mention – All-State Honorable Mention
• Marcus Matthews – FHN
• Bob Halso – FHN
• Max Mulder – FHN
• Trey Mitcham – FHN
• Matt Hoover – Reeths Puffer
• Cameron White – Saugatuck
• Alex Kaminski – Lowell
• Matt Reitsma- Lowell
• Colin Moran- Catholic Central
• Thomas Bowes- Northpointe Christian – Soccer
• Noah Weeda (Freshman)- Northview – Soccer

*I found it interesting and quite a coincidence that every high school varsity football player we had this year was on a playoff team. It was a fun year to follow along!

Here is our own list of ‘Super Sophomores’ to watch on the high school gridiron next year. All saw considerable time on Varsity this season as sophomores.

• Jake Martin – FHN
• Evan Macauley – FHN
• Spencer Peterson – FHN
• Ted Russo – Catholic Central
• Nolan Meekhof – Grandville

As we always say, COMPLACENCY KILLS. The energy in the gym has been raised this winter and the next crop is preparing while the competition rests.