Category Archives: Kentwood Public Schools

East Kentwood hosts qualifying tournament for robotics competition on March 29 and 30

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kentwood Public Schools, Kids Activities, West Michigan, , ,
(Courtesy, East Kentwood Red Storm Robotics)



By Cris Greer

WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org



Building LEGOs as a child jump-started East Kentwood junior Eva Mei into the world of robotics.

“I became interested in robotics and these competitions because I was really into building LEGOs as a kid, and when FIRST LEGO League started at my elementary school I was really interested,” said Mei, a Project Lead on Red Storm Robotics 3875 team. “That eventually led me to joining FIRST Tech Challenge (middle school) and FIRST Robotics Competition (high school). 


Eva Mei, project lead on Red Storm Robotics 3875 team. (Courtesy, East Kentwood Red Storm Robotics)



“I have learned how to cooperate as a team and be really communicative with others, as well as learn how to go through the engineering process of brainstorming, prototyping, setting priorities, and building a robot. I find it really cool to belong in a team that I could find a community in.”

Mei will compete with her team this weekend at East Kentwood’s eighth FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics qualifying tournament on Friday and Saturday, March 29 and 30 at the high school (6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood). The competition is free and open to the public.

“We expect 40 teams from across Michigan to compete, and 2,000 people to come to this fun, free, open to the public event,” said Wendy Ljungren, event coordinator of FIRST Robotics Competition and founder of Red Storm Robotics in 2010. “This year’s competition theme is CrescendoSM. Two alliances of three teams each compete against each other to shoot foam rings into an overhead bin or a smaller slot earning the alliance points. At the end of each match, the robots climb onto the stage chain to earn additional points.”

Opening ceremonies for Day 1 begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 29 and on Day 2 at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 30 at East Kentwood High School. The complete agenda and more details on the competition can be found here.

Back in 2015, Ljungren volunteered to start and lead the competition with a game called Recycle Rush. She has been the Red Storm coach from Day 1 up until last year, when Trista Vandervoord took over. 

Now a team mentor for Red Storm, Ljungren has been in the aviation business for 40 years, working in high profile roles in engineering for GE Aviation and AiRXOS. After funding was cut at GE, she formed a company called Anzen Unmanned in 2021 with three others.



Photo from a previous FIRST competition. (Courtesy, East Kentwood Red Storm Robotics)



“Get more girls passionate about engineering”

“I got involved in robotics as the leader of GE women in technology group,” Ljungren said. “We wanted to get more girls passionate about engineering, so adopted the FIRST robotics program for not just Kentwood, but all schools in the area. Red Storm has grown to two high school FIRST Robotics Competition teams, eight middle school FIRST Tech Challenge, and 32 elementary FIRST Lego League teams.

“It is very satisfying to see the difference we have made in student’s lives.”


Similar to playing on a sports team?

“FIRST was started to encourage students, and parents, to be as excited about STEM as they are about sports,” Ljungren explained. “Unlike sports, most FIRST students can go professional.”

New head coach and longtime mentor Trista Vandervoord said the robotics model of FIRST directly emulates a sports model, with district competitions, regional championships and a world championship event celebrating the best of the best. 

“Under the guidance of volunteer professional mentors, students create a robot from nothing in a short span of two to three months. Students practice skills in design, manufacturing, assembly, programming, marketing and teamwork to get the job done.”



Red Storm Robotics Coach Trista Vandervoord. (Courtesy, East Kentwood Red Storm Robotics)



The FIRST Robotics website states, “Combining the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. We call FIRST Robotics Competition the ultimate Sport for the Mind. High school student participants call it ‘the hardest fun you’ll ever have.’”

Vandervoord began as a volunteer mentor

Unlike Ljungren, Vandervoord had a career non-related to robotics.

“My education was in statistics and psychology, and I worked doing statistical reporting for an insurance company directly out of college until my children were born and I became a full-time at-home parent,” Vandervoord explained. “I started my involvement with Red Storm Robotics eight years ago as a volunteer mentor with my son’s middle school robotics team. I enjoyed it so much that when he moved on to the high school robotics team, I stayed with the middle school program volunteering as mentor, then eventually became program coordinator for that level.

“Two years ago, it became a mission of Red Storm Robotics and Kentwood Public Schools to grow the program across the district, and I proposed the position of Red Storm Robotics Program Coordinator K-12 (the role she’s currently in).


There are over 600 FIRST Robotics Competition

high school teams in Michigan this year

Photo from a previous FIRST competition. (Courtesy, East Kentwood Red Storm Robotics)



From 75 to 350 members in just two years at EK

When Vandervoord began two years ago, there were 75 students involved across the district. This year, some 350 Kentwood Public School kids participated on a robotics team.

There are 56 Red Storm Robotics East Kentwood high school students participating in the East Kentwood Competition this weekend broken down into team teams:


East Kentwood’s two high school teams: Red Storm Rookies 9566 (left) and Red Storm Robotics 3875. (Courtesy, East Kentwood Red Storm Robotics)

Red Storm Robotics 3875: 10th through 12th grade students who specialize in an aspect of robotics which began 14 years ago. Led by Team Captain Nate, who manages the day-to-day aspects of the project and motivates the team to do its best under the guidance of Coach Alyssa Luna. Project Leads Eva, Ethan and Kailey are all experienced mechanical students who lead the design and building of different functions of the robot (intake, hopper, shooter, climber). Programming Captain Lindsay works with the programming subteam to make sure all programming tasks are completed. Marketing Captains Emma and Zander make sure their subteams complete all award submissions, prepare a presentation for judging, manage all branding and maintain the team’s relationship with their sponsors.

Red Storm Rookies 9566: A new team of 8th and 9th grade students who have just graduated from the middle school robotics program in the fall. They learn all aspects of robotics: design, prototype, build, wire, program and compete. Team Captain Leah works closely with Coach Nick Baribeau to organize the students and manage the workflow of the project.

Leah Bernstein, team captain of Red Storm Rookies

“I became interested after receiving an email from our school in seventh grade that brought many people to introduce our community to our robotics program,” said Leah Bernstein, East Kentwood ninth-grader. “I stayed in robotics through the years because I loved the community, everything I learned from robotics and the amazing experiences and opportunities I got through robotics.”



East Kentwood ninth-grader Leah Bernstein, team captain of Red Storm Rookies. (Courtesy, East Kentwood Red Storm Robotics)



“I have learned many things through Red Storm Robotics like basic programming and building, how to be a part of a team, how to communicate with adults and ask for help better, as team captain I also learned how to lead the team.”

Red Storm generally top 25% in the state

Vandervoord said Red Storm generally finds itself in the top 25% statewide.


“Red Storm students traditionally design, build and program robots that are well-equipped to play the season’s game,” she explained. “We are especially proud of our growing number of female participants; currently 44% of the participants on our high school teams are women.”

Vandervoord said Robotics is an excellent application of STEM skills, and attracts students with an interest in evaluating a problem, proposing solutions, trying the solutions and creating a final product to solve the problem. 

“Our well-rounded students are involved in many extra-curriculars, including STEM-related clubs, but we are often delighted by the creative solutions that our artistic/musical students offer.”

College scholarships available as well

 As far as college scholarships go, Vandervoord said they are definitely available in Michigan.

“Red Storm alumni have received scholarships to Kettering University, Grand Valley State University and scholarships through FIRST sponsors,” she explained.

East Kentwood senior Nate Moxey, team captain for Red Storm 3875

“I became interested in robotics at one of Red Storm Robotics’ many demos at a club showcase,” Moxey said. “They had a robot much larger than I expected driving around quickly, so it was exciting to watch. Joining the team became very enticing to me, so I signed up shortly after.”



EK senior Nate Moxey, team captain for Red Storm Robotics 3875. (Courtesy, East Kentwood Red Storm Robotics)



“By being on the Red Storm Robotics team, I have learned effective communication and cooperation skills, while also improving my time management. RSR imitates the industry in many key areas, so I feel more than ready to succeed in college and beyond. It is genuinely awesome to belong to Red Storm Robotics because it feels like its own family.”

Vandervoord talked about the growth of the students.

“I love to see the personal growth in each student as they develop STEM skills such as manufacturing, building and programming as well as interpersonal skills like leadership and teamwork,” Vandervoord explained. “I’ve seen students decide a career path because of their involvement with Red Storm Robotics. It is truly a blessing to do something I love.”

Next Round: State Championship at SVSU

Every team’s goal is to advance to the FIRST in Michigan State Championship on April 4-6 at Saginaw Valley State University. From there, the best teams move on to the World Championship  from April 17-20 in Houston.

The Red Storm Robotics teams are sponsored locally by Dematic, GE Aerospace, Anzen Unmanned, Trane Technologies, Argosy, DTE Foundation, Members First Mortgage, NDIA Michigan STEM Sponsorship, Savant Automation, and Cascade Engineering.

For more information on Red Storm Robotics and FIRST Robotics Competition:
Website
Facebook
FIRST Robotics Competition

WKTV Friday Night Highlights brings you local high school sports every week!

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Going Local, Kent County, Kentwood Public Schools, Our Cities, Recreation, Sports, West Michigan, WKTV Featured sports, , , ,
WKTV features local high school football and basketball games each week (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Greg Yoder, host of WKTV Friday Night Highlights, prepares for the weekly show (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

The WKTV Friday Night Highlights show features many area high school teams in action during the basketball and football seasons.

Every Friday, we bring you several high school boys and girls sports clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood areas, highlight some top performers and give a snapshot of the latest conference standings.


Every Friday game will be aired that night on WKTV Comcast 25 at 11 p.m. The games will repeat Saturday at 11 a.m.

Each Tuesday game will be broadcast that night on WKTV Comcast 25 at 11 p.m. The games will repeat on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

Highlight clips can be found on our WKTV YouTube channel.

If you are interested in volunteering on WKTV’s sports crew, contact Davin at davin@wktv.org or Cris at greer@wktv.org!

Kentwood family provided first schools for the local community

architecture, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Education, Going Local, Kentwood Public Schools, Local History, Our Cities, West Michigan, , ,
Bowen School built in 1905 (Courtesy, Kentwood Historic Preservation Commission)

By Kentwood Historic Preservation Commission

Bowen School, September 1950 (Courtesy, Kentwood Historic Preservation Commission)

Some of the City’s most important links to the past are from the history, lifestyle and contributions of the Bowens.

The Bowens were involved in the construction of four Bowen Schools built over several decades. Early settlers Bostwick and Hattie Bowen were particularly interested in the educational affairs of the community. Both served as director of the school board. They hired teachers and some even boarded at the Bowen’s home.

The first school was built on the Bowen property. A second one, known as Bowen 2, was built off property but nearby Brake’s Blacksmith Shop and an abandoned train depot.

Bowen 2 tragically burned down in 1904. After the school fire, the blacksmith donated part of the shop for classes for the rest of the year. When located in the blacksmith shop, the school was known as Bowen 3.

The Bowen School being torn down in 1962 (Courtesy, Kentwood Historic Preservation Commission)

The next year, the depot was destroyed, and materials were used to build a new school, Bowen 4, which was completed in 1905. The new two-room school was built of cement blocks with a large archway at the entrance.

The idea of two rooms – one where younger children could be taught and another for older students – was that of Bostwick. There was much opposition, but the idea won out. It was the first two-room schoolhouse in the area and also the first local school to be made out of brick.

The building was used until 1952 when the current Bowen Elementary School was built on the same lot but further back. The two-room building was then demolished in 1962.

To learn more about the Historic Preservation Commission, visit kentwood.us/HPC

East Kentwood marching band sparks love of music in students, creates lasting relationships

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Going Local, Kentwood Public Schools, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, , , , ,
Drum major Sofia Daniel directs the band during a school day rehearsal (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

East Kentwood High School (EKHS) band directors Mike Gozzard and Sho Dembinski strive to make music a memorable and welcoming experience for each of their 200 students.

“Even if kids don’t continue in music after high school, we’re just trying to make their experience as good as possible while they’re here, making sure they know they are welcome and that they have fun,” said Dembinski.

A love of music instilled in the next generation

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_7910-scaled-e1696341806203-1024x903.jpg
Students practice their show outside each day (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

The last two years have brought heartache and necessary adjustments to the EKHS band family.

In May 2022, Kentwood Bands lost their beloved director, Marshall Werling, to cancer. Through his time at EKHS, Werling passed on a lasting love of music to the students.

“Music has always been a very big part of my family, but also the teachers who have led me here,” said Sofia Daniel, drum major and junior at EKHS. “Especially Mr. Werling. He and Ms. [Natalie] Sears were a very big part of why I love music.”

Daniel went on to say that she has always had a positive experience with the EK band program, whether that experience came from new friends or a connection with a teacher.

Bringing a community together

Directors Gozzard and Dembinski continue to bring students of all backgrounds and activities together through the band program.

“The thing I like the most is that [the program] is diverse in the typical meaning of diverse, but also in other meanings,” said Dembinski. “For example, we have kids that do cheer, football, and do other clubs and robotics and things like that. It’s cool to see them come together and do one thing.”

Jennifer Pham enjoys all genres of music (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Daniel agrees, saying she enjoys being in a class where everyone likes music. “It’s a kind of family of people doing what you love as well,” said Daniel.

EKHS junior and flute/piccolo player Jennifer Pham says sharing her love of music is important to her.

“Music has always been a big part of my life,” said Pham. “I love listening to it in my free time, so the chance to be able to play something and share my love of music is something that I like.”

Pham participates in marching band, concert band, jazz band, and combo groups. Though flute is her main instrument, Pham recently learned bass for jazz band.

“I like that there are so many opportunities we are given,” said Pham. “Although you have to pick an instrument, just because you pick something now doesn’t mean that you can’t learn another one later.”

Pham says she will keep music in her life even if she does not choose it as a career path.

Finding the right niche

Raul Aquino-Gonzalez, trumpet player and EKHS senior, joined band because his brothers had also been in the program. But Aquino-Gonzalez didn’t feel a connection to music right away despite saying the atmosphere was inviting.

Aquino-Gonzalez plans to study jazz in college (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

“Last year is when I really began to get into it, and I really started trying to get better,” said Aquino-Gonzalez. “I just loved it from then on.”

The catalyst for that change of heart?

“I joined jazz band, and I think that was the spark,” Aquino-Gonzalez said. “That’s when I would spend hours every day playing and trying to get better.”

Aquino-Gonzales recently formed a jazz group outside of school that performs for different events, including the school’s fall play.

A legacy of lasting relationships

While Dembinski and Gozzard work to ensure a certain level of proficiency in all students – and they see improvement in musicianship each year – Dembinski said the first week of band camp is his favorite part of every year.

A family atmosphere forms strong ties between students (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

“My favorite time of year is the first week of band camp when all the freshmen come here for the first time,” said Dembinski. “We work a lot with the section leaders and the leadership, trying to make everyone feel welcome. We do a bunch of games during camp to make sure all sections of the band are one big family.”

Dembinski said that he sees close ties form between students, and knows many of them will last.

“There are a lot of lasting relationships,” Dembinski said. “I see it all the time. Most of my closest friends are friends from high school band or college band.”

A show all ages can enjoy

That sense of relationship is demonstrated in the Home title and theme of the EKHS 2023 marching band show.

There is still time to see the 2023 marching band performance (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Featuring artists from Michigan, the show incudes “Lose Yourself” and “Not Afraid” by Eminem, “Juice” by Lizzo, “Bring It On Home To Me” arranged by Roy Hargrove, and “I Wish” and “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder.

Dembinski said some college marching band shows have also recently featured a home theme.

“We liked the idea, we just wanted to put our own spin on it with the music we picked,” said Dembinski.

Picking music everyone enjoys, however, is not easy.

“If you pick new music, students like it but parents don’t,” said Dembinski. “If you pick ‘old music’ from the 70s and 80s, parents like that but students don’t. This show has a bit of both.

“I’ve heard band parents say they really like the Eminem section, and every time I leave class, students are playing Stevie Wonder,” Dembinski continued. “It surprised me a bit. But I think this show has something that everyone can jam out to.”

Experience the magic of music

The EKHS marching band show can be seen at the Hastings Invitational Oct. 7, the EKHS home football game Oct. 13, and the East Kentwood Invitational Oct. 21.

Dembinski encourages the community to attend the invitational and experience performances from schools all across Michigan.

“You get to see our band, but also a bunch of other sweet bands too,” said Dembinski. “It’s nice to see a bunch of different sized schools, different demographics and different show ideas.”

To learn more about Kentwood Bands, visit www.kentwoodbands.org.

East Kentwood hosts annual FIRST robotics competition

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Kids Activities, Recreation, , , , ,
A competition at the FIRST Robotics event at East Kentwood. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)

By D.A. Reed
WKTV Contributor

GRP Titans Nikolai Nigersoll demonstrates how the team’s robot works. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)

Battery issues were the challenge that Grand Rapids Prep Titans FIRST robotics team faced on Saturday, but they did not have to go far to find support.

“We are a team here,” GRP Titans mentor Matt Stewart said of all the 39 participating robotics teams at Kentwood’s FIRST Robotics competition. “All of robotics is a community-oriented thing. We’ve learned so much from all of the other teams.”

Multiple teams reaching out to give GRP Titans tools to help them test their battery, offering their team’s batteries, and offering to let the Titans charge in their pits.

“Everyone is so graceful and helpful,” said Stewart. “In the pits, it’s a community. Once you’re on the field, then you (have to) compete.”

“The Hardest Fun You’ll Ever Have”

The East Kentwood Red Storm Robotics Team (3875) hosted the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) qualifying tournament March 31-April 1, 2023. The competition was sponsored by Dematic, a supplier of materials handling systems, software and services based in Grand Rapids. It gave the teams an opportunity to qualify for the state competition, which is April 6-8 at Saginaw Valley State University.

FIRST Robotics Competition is designed to combine the excitement of sport with the precisions of science and technology. FIRST Robotics’ website calls their competitions “the ultimate Sport for the Mind,” while high school participants have labeled it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have.”

Michigan Robotics teams strive to teach students a multitude of skills, including mechanical engineering, computer-aided design, electrical engineering, programming, systems integration, website building, animation, and fabrication/machining skills.

“You see the kids mature, and one of the big things is all the technical skills,” said event coordinator Wendy Ljungren, adding that the program has opened the college door for many students. “It’s been great to see our kids going into the STEM fields. We’ve had people become doctors, and lawyers, and professionals in engineering and STEM fields, and really see them transition.”

Teaching Life Skills

Sara Robarge, mother of EK teammate Kailey Robarge, said she has seen strong leadership skills taking hold in her daughter over the last year.

Red Storm Robotics teammates Mo Otajagic and Kailey Robarge carry the team’s robot Terence off the field. (WLTV/D.A. Reed)

“I have seen her take on leadership that I hoped I had instilled in her, but I have seen her put it into practice this year,” Robarge said. “As a freshman, she stepped out and tried out for the Drive Team. She also stepped up and said, ‘I’ll lead a robot build.’”

EK robotics mentor Mark VanderVoord said he has seen growth in many students, this year being current team captain Sarah Shapin.

Since Shapin joined the team in sixth grade, “she has learned a lot of technical skills. She’s going to U of M (University of Michigan) next year to do computer programming. Outside of that, she has a high-level view of how it all fits together and how everybody should be working together.

“All of the kids look up to her at this point,” said VanderVoord. “And she was the goofy one when she started!”

VanderVoord emphasized that robotics students are learning far more than how to build a robot.

“It’s about all the life skills,” VanderVoord said. “The teamwork and the technology stuff, but there are kids on our team who are learning marketing and there are kids who are learning all sorts of disciplines. We’re teaching kids to learn (everything).”

Growing the team is a large part of Red Storm Coach Trista VanderVoord’s focus.

“This year we focused a lot on recruitment,” Trista VanerVood said. :We wanted to grow our numbers, but mostly grow our numbers of girls, of females in the program.” 

The Building Blocks

That recruitment doubled the size of the Red Storm team overall, with now over 40% of the team consisting of females—quadrupling its female percentage from last year.

East Kentwood’s Red Storm Robotics team stand next to their robot, Terence. The team competes at the state championship this weekend. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)

“It’s been awesome to see the growth, and it’s been awesome to see the sub-teams that have developed there and really come together and take on their part of the team,” Trista VanderVoord said.

 

EK’s Red Storm finished the tournament 20 out of 39 with a ranking score of 1.66, 5-7-0, 20 ranking points, and earned the Team Sustainability Award. The team already had earned a spot at the state competition by winning the highest award, the Impact Award, at the Lakeshore competition in March.

Other teams at this weekend’s state competition are Hopkns’ Tech Vikes (2054), West Catholic’s Enigma Robotics (2075), Forest Hills’ Comets (3357) and Code Red Robotics the Stray Dogs (2771), which is a community team based out of Byron Center High School.

The state competition action starts at 5 p.m. today. For more, FIRST in Michigan State Championship site.

Wyoming’s Demons

Wyoming’s Demons Robotics team. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)

Abby Strait, high school senior and part of Wyoming High School’s Demons Robotics (858) team, has no trouble taking ownership of her role on the team.

“I’ve always been one of the people who has their hands all over the robot,” Strait said. “By the time we get to the competition, I know the robot inside and out. The more you put into the program, the more you get out of it.”

Demons Robotics finished the tournament 15 out of 39 with a ranking score of 1.83, 7-5-0 (wins-losses-ties), and 22 ranking points.

GRP Titans

Grand River Preparatory High School participated in the EK tournament with its first robotics team in ten years, the GRP Titans (9206), due to grants received from FIRST Robotics.

Stewart said that all students participating have been very invested in the program.

“Some of them had no prior experience, some of them only had building, yet every student has been all hands on deck with everything, and it’s been really cool to see,” Stewart said. “They all know what they do best, what they need to work on, so it’s been really fun to see them all working together.”

Though the Titans currently have approximately 15 team members, Stewart sees that number growing and sustaining since the team is composed mostly of underclassmen.

The GRP Titans finished the tournament 28 out of 39 with a ranking score of 1.50, 4-8-0, and 18 ranking points.

For complete competition results, click here: East Kentwood FIRST Competition.



D. A. (Deborah) Reed is an award-winning author of young adult novels and a creative writing instructor from the Grand Rapids area. To find out more about D.A. Reed, visit her website: D.A. Reed Author

Kentwood’s Red Storm advances to state, hosts local competition this weekend

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Kentwood Public Schools, , ,

By Troy Best
Red Storm Robotics

On March 28, East Kentwood’s Red Storm Robotics won Impact Award, which secures the team a spot at the state competition. (Courtesy, Red Storm Robotics)

Terence and the Red Storm Robotics Team qualified for the state tournament on Monday, March 28, at the Battle Creek Lakeview #2 tournament after winning the judge’s Impact Award.

The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Impact Award is the most prestigious award in a FIRST Robotics Competition. The award recognizes a team that reflects sustained excellence and impact within the FIRST community, in its own community and beyond.

 

Terence and the team had another fine performance on the field as well. The team finished 12th in the qualifying rounds and was selected for the #6 Team Alliance before being knocked out in the first two rounds of the finals with their alliance partners. Winning the Impact Award sends the Red Storm Robotics team to the First in Michigan FRC State Competition at Saginaw Valley State University on April 6-8, but before they go to state Red Storm hosts its own qualifying tournament this weekend in Kentwood.

Robots from all over the state will be rolling into Kentwood’s home tournament on March 31 and April 1 to take on 37 other FIRST Teams’ robots for a chance to advance to the state tournament. In this Charged UpSM competition, the Red Storm Robotics team reimagines the future of sustainable energy and powers its ideas forward to victory.

The Kentwood Tournament is a free event for everyone starting at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 31. The public is encouraged to attend. WKTV Community television crews will be at East Kentwood both days providing television coverage of the FIRST Robotics competition. WKTV’s coverage will be available for broadcast on WKTV and streamed via WKTV’s on demand service in the month of April.

Please come cheer our Red Storm Robotics team as they demonstrate “gracious professionalism” through their application of mechanical engineering, computer-aided design, electrical engineering, programming, systems integration, website building, animation, and fabrication/machining skills.

Red Storm Robotics’ Terence utilizes autonomous and driver-assisted modes, optical sensors to help guide it to targets, an elevator arm with a mechanical cone-grabbing claw, and gyroscope-assisted balancing to help it perform in this year’s 2022-2023 competition. The KPS FRC Team #3875 is made up of approximately 40 high school students, four coaches, and four mentors from the Kentwood Public Schools and nearby communities.

The Red Storm Robotics with Terence robot. (Courtesy, Red Storm Robotics)
The Red Storm Robotics team cheers on its teammates. (Courtesy, Red Storm Robotics)

Two Kentwood teams bring home top honors

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Kentwood Public Schools, ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Members of the K Falcon Obyssey of the Mind team (Courtesy, Kentwood Public Schools)

Two teams from Kentwood Public Schools earned top honors n March.



The EK Falcon Odyssey of the Mind team received a first place at the State Finals on March 18 and are headed to the World Competition in May at Michigan State University.



The team is made up of sophomores Brooklynn Bueche, Alexia Dault, Ko Montalvo, Avery Ringstrom, Abrielle Woodard and freshman Julia Woodard. The team is coached by Kristina Ringstrom.

Last week, several members of the Falcon News Network traveled to Lansing for the Great Lakes Media Show & Michigan Association of Broadcasters Awards Ceremony. The FNN team took first place in the Sports PSA Category for the school’s sportsmanship submission. This was the teams first year entering the MAB Awards.

Falcon News Network team members with State Rep. Phil Skaggs (second from right) (Courtesy, Kentwood Public Schools)

Following the day-long event, the team was treated to a private tour of the House Chamber at the Capitol Building by State Rep. Phil Skaggs.

The team included Zy’Aire Davis, Jaiysa Sepulveda, Jason Yosifovski, Kerim Suleman, Yanissa Ambrose, and Diego Saldivar.

To follow the EK news, visit Instagram, Twitter, and subscribing to our YouTube Channel.

Kentwood schools seek volunteers for tutoring program

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Kentwood Public Schools, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

The high dose tutoring program is currently a pilot at the district’s Townline Elementary School. (Courtesy, Townline Elementary)

Following the proverb that “It takes a village to raise a child,” the Kentwood Public Schools has reached out to the community seeking volunteers for its new high dosage tutoring program.

Superintendent Kevin Polsten in a communication to families and the community stated the district has designed plans to support a comprehensive student recovery program due to the impacts of COVID and the school shutdowns. Through that, the district has sought out evidenced-based practices from research and best practices from the field.

 

“Our strategy for academic recovery has been multifaceted and in addition to sound core instruction has included a robust K-12 summer school, after school learning, instructional coaching and high quality professional learning for educators, parent engagement, and tiers of intervention for students,” Polston said in a statement.

As part of that plan, the district recently added high dosage tutoring to its approach in partnership with the Michigan Education Corps. High dosage tutoring is usual a one-to-one or one-to-two mentor-student ratio.

Expanding program

The program is a pilot at Townline Elementary School with district officials hoping to scale the strategy across the district.

“Partnerships are key to our success at Kentwood Public Schools and we have been fortunate to have so many long standing partners across sectors of our community,” Polsten stated, adding that the district is seeking assistance from business, non-profits and individuals interested in volunteering to help expand the tutoring program.

Tutor volunteers are asked to serve at least three hours a week at a consistent time. It could be three hours in one day or broken up across multiple days. Volunteers must attend training on academic strategies and pass a background check.

Volunteers could be college students, retirees, individuals from businesses or non-profits participating in a corporate social responsibility program.

Those who are interested in participating, or simply want to learn more, should contact Jason Lawson, executive director of elementary education at Jason.Lawson@kentwoodps.org.

East Kentwood Golfer Elise Fennell takes second in state in Division 1

City of Kentwood, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, West Michigan, ,
East Kentwood Golf Coach Mike Ketelaar and Elise Fennell at the MHSAA State Finals. (Courtesy, Josh Fennell)



By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org


East Kentwood golfer Elise Fennell finished second in state in Division 1 at the MHSAA State Finals held Oct. 14 and 15 at the Bedford Valley Golf Course in Battle Creek.

Fennell finished one stroke behind state champion Kate Brody (Grand Blanc), who grabbed her second title in three years.

Brody took the top prize with a score of 73-72 (145), while Fennell placed second at 76-70 (146).

An inch short of a playoff

“I was so close to tying it up on the last hole to go into a playoff,” said Fennell, a junior who placed fourth and seventh, respectively, in the previous state finals. “I had a 12-to-15 foot putt for birdie, while Kate had a tap in for par and I left it an inch short.

“I am very happy overall to finish second. I played really well the whole event and did everything that I could. I was just trying to enjoy my last high school event of the year.”

Fennell said she will play in the Notah Begay Jr. Golf National Championship the first week of November in Louisiana and will then “take a month off to relax.”


East Kentwood golf standout Elise Fennell at the State Finals.(Courtesy, Mike Ketelaar)



East Kentwood Coach Mike Ketelaar said he couldn’t be happier for Fennell.


“I have been very blessed with memorable experiences throughout my own high school and college golf career, and these were easily my favorite days ever on a golf course watching Elise in her element,” Ketelaar said. “I have never been so proud of a student-athlete before.

“Elise is fearless on the golf course. When she made a clutch par putt on Hole 17, I had a gut feeling she was going to tap into another level and give everything she had to make a run at the current leader at that point, who she was playing with.

“She put together her A-game on the remaining four holes. It was truly special to watch her play those four concluding holes to near perfection.”

From left; Kate Brody, Grand Blanc, state champion in Division 1 (73-72 — 145); Elise Fennell, East Kentwood, second place (76-70 — 146) and Jessica Jolly, Rockford, tied for third with Grace Wang, Rochester Adams, not pictured (72-77 — 149). (Courtesy, Mike Ketelaar)

Two girls remove a robot from the field during the Grand Rapids Girls Robotics competition

For local robotics event, its about showing girls they ‘can do it’

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kentwood Public Schools, Kids Activities, Our Cities, Recreation, Tech Trends, , , ,
Wyoming’s Demon Robotics and East Kentwood’s Storm Red battle during the Grand Rapids Girls Robotics Competition on Oct. 8. (WKTV/Jodi Miesen)

By Jodi Miesen
WKTV Contributor

It was an intense battle for bragging rights for two local all-girls high school robotics teams that took part in a competition that focused on their abilities in a very male-dominated field.

The 2022 Grand Rapids Girls Robotics Competition was held at Wyoming High School over the weekend. Most high school robotics teams are co-ed but for this unique annual STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) event, only the girls were allowed to compete. GRGRC event coordinator Mallorie Edwards said the event was founded in 2016, by Wyoming High School teacher Richard Budden. Budden taught STEM and noticed female students were not as interested in it.

Edwards, who has been with the organization since 2017, said she’s passionate about the organization’s mission and was excited GRGRC could bring the competition back this year. This is the first time they’ve been able to hold the all-day event since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Turnout was lower this year than in the past with only 14 teams. The event is capped at 24 teams.

“I am hoping to grow the numbers that participate in the competition next year,” Edwards said. “A challenge I heard from many coaches that I reached out to was that they didn’t have enough girls on the team to compete. That is the exact reason why we are doing this event. To show girls that they can do these roles, be successful, and have fun.”

The key to success: the willingness to learn

The event drew robotics teams from high schools all over the state with two local teams, Red Storm (Team 3875) from East Kentwood High School and Demon Robotics (Team 858) from Wyoming High School.

Abby Strait stands next to her team's robot at the Grand Rapids Girls Robotics competition
Team Captain Abby Strait from Wyoming High School’s The Demons, stands next to the team’s robot. (WKTV/Jodi Miesen)

Through out the competition, teams form alliances with other teams to battled in complex two-minute games against other alliances. This all done with robots that the students have built and program. Wyoming’s The Demons and East Kentwood’s Red Storm ended up being on the same alliance and were fierce competitors, losing by just two points.

“You can do it! You don’t have to be super smart to be in robotics, you just have to be willing to learn,” said Abby Strait, a Wyoming High School senior and team captain. “Your team will teach you all that you need to know.”

Strait, who has been on robotics teams since 8th grade, was excited that her school was hosting an event that promotes girls to pursue science and math fields. She said she felt that far too often girls shy away from robotics thinking it will be too hard, but she hopes events like this will draw more female interest. 

“I’m hoping to go to college for some sort of engineering, something really hands on, as opposed to just math behind the desk,” Strait said as she reflected on what career she might want to pursue in the future. “But this has definitely made me more interested in the STEM career field.”

Taking STEM by storm

Red Storm team captain Sarah Shapin, a senior at East Kentwood High School, is in her seventh year participating in the robotics program. Shapin said she started in middle school and plans to continue her interest in the STEM field in the future.

Sarah Chapin shows off the shirt she designed for the Grand Rapids Girls Robotics competition
Team Captain Sarah Chapin from East Kentwood’s Red Storm stands by her team’s robot and displays the logo she designed for this year’s event. Casa Calvo Marketing designed the t-shirt. (WKTV/Jodi Miesen)

Shapin she too believes that women are under-represented in this area but said events like this can help bridge that gap.

“A lot of times women are on it,” Shapin said as she relayed an analogy told to her by her mentor. “And then a guy kind of takes a screwdriver out of her hands and doesn’t give it back. So, it’s not necessarily that women are blocked from it. However, it’s very male-dominated and so therefore, giving this opportunity like this competition allows for women to really get in there, get involved and push through.”

Shapin said she hopes to attend Michigan State University, double majoring in computer science and music. Her goal is to be a software engineer and continue playing the clarinet.

Breaking the stereotypes

According to Edwards, all that hard work pays off on competition day after seeing the students’ reactions and from the correspondence she receives after the event is over.

“The Grand Rapids Girls Robotics Competition is important to me, because of the letters I receive after the competition; expressing how happy they were to be able to participate in a role that usually a male teammate would be in,“ Edwards said. “And also, during the competition, I get to see the excitement exude from these kids. They love what they’re doing! They love STEM!”

The competition also featured a panel of guest speakers, “Ladies in Tech,” made up of women successful in the STEM fields. 

To learn more about the Grand Rapids Girls Robotics Competition go to it’s official website, www.girlsrobotics.org or by e-mail GrandRapidsGirlsRobotics@gmail.com.  They can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GRGRComp/.

Girls move robot off field during Grand Rapids Girls Robotics competition
Wyoming Team Captain Abby Strait gets help moving the Demons’ robot off the field. (WKTV/Jodi Miesen)
Students gather together during the Grand Rapids Girls Robotics competition
The alliance of the Wyoming, East Kentwood, and Marysville teams gathers before the final competition. (WKTV/Jodi Miesen)

East Kentwood golfer Elise Fennell excels on and off the course

City of Kentwood, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, West Michigan, , , ,
East Kentwood golfer Elise Fennell has finished twice in the top 10 in Division 1 and currently has a 3.99 GPA. (Courtesy, Josh Fennell)


By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org


At age 9, East Kentwood golf standout Elise Fennell figured out she was talented.

“I was playing Jr. PGA with boys four years older than me and beating them,” said Fennell, a junior at EK and All-State golfer two years straight. 

As a freshman, Fennell finished tied for fourth place at the Division 1 state finals with a score of 74, followed by a seventh-place finish last year with a two-round score of 148 (74-74).

Her determination shined through early on as well.

“My first few words as a baby were ‘no help,’ when I was around 6 months old,” said Fennell, whose favorite food is chicken quesadillas. “I also would always play different sports with my neighbors and would always try my absolute best to beat them.”

Watching golf with dad as a youngster

Fennell said her interest grew while watching golf on TV with her dad, Josh.

“I wanted to try it, so my dad bought me a three-club set,” explained Fennell, whose favorite movie is Shrek. “I was 6 when he bought the set and I got hooked a few months after that. I would hit, and if I didn’t pass my dad’s shot I would pick up and go to his ball.

“I learned how to swing the club just by watching on TV for the most part. I watched and learned from Tiger (Woods) the most.”

Her best golf accomplishment?

Winning the GAM (Golf Association of Michigan) 15 and Under Stroke Play in 2019.

EK golf standout Elise Fennell. (Courtesy, Josh Fennell)

“It was my first GAM win and my first big tournament win.”

EK Coach Mike Ketelaar said though her demeanor is “extremely calm, relaxed and sort of laissez-faire, Elise is the fiercest and most prepared competitor I have ever coached.

“She is truly a complete player,” continued Ketelaar, who’s coached the EK boys and girls golf teams for five years. “This season, she shot 69 twice and 70 twice, and in my opinion, she did not play her “A-game” on those occasions. I am excited to watch her continue striving towards her full potential.”

Her state finals expectations?

“To put up two very solid rounds at the state finals,” Fennell said. “Ideally, I would like to shoot somewhere around 69 or 70 for both rounds and see what happens.

East Kentwood golfer Elise Fennell was OK Red All Conference for a third-straight year. (Courtesy, Mike Ketelaar)

“I think I am very capable of winning this year, but I know there are some amazing players that’ll be there as well.”


Ketelaar said she is no different from most elite players.


“She wants to compete at the highest level, perform her best, and win the state finals as an individual.”  


This year’s MHSAA State Finals are Friday and Saturday, Oct. 14 and 15 at the Bedford Valley Golf Course in Battle Creek.


Fennell, who has a GPA of 3.99, would like to play college golf and major in engineering, but is undecided where.


Fennell was OK Red All Conference for a third-straight year, and teammate Camryn Kolzow was honorable mention.

“Elise is undoubtedly the leader of EK’s team,” Ketelaar said. “Elise would probably not refer to herself as a leader, nor desire the role, as most elite high school athletes typically do. Elise leads by her example.

“Players on the team are very aware Elise is one of the best players in Michigan, and they pay attention to Elise and her game.”

Kentwood Public Schools receive two honors

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Education, Kentwood Public Schools

Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

The Kentwood Public Schools recently received two awards recognizing its commitment to its community.

Heart of West Michigan United Way 2021-2022 Top Campaign trophy. (Courtesy, Kentwood Public Schools)

In September, the district was presented with the Heart of West Michigan United Way 2021-2022 Top Campaign trophy. According to Superintendent Kevin Polston, the impact the staff has made in the community this past year through the district’s campaign was significant.

“You (KPS) have gone the extra mile to advocate for our mission and for those struggling in our community,” according to The United Way. “On behalf of the United Way team, we are incredibly grateful for all support and efforts to create a thriving community for all.

“Thank you for being someone our community can count on!”

Challenger Elementary was the recipient of the MI Heart Safe School award. Challenger was recognized for its efforts to help prevent sudden cardiac death by creating a safer learning environment for students and staff.

Polston noted that with help from its partnerships with Spectrum Health, the students and staff demonstrated knowledge of our cardiac emergency response plan, ability to identify symptoms of cardiac arrest, CPR, and the use of defibrillators.

The award is given on behalf of the Michigan Department too Health and Human Services, Michigan Department of Education, American Heart Association, Michigan High School Athletic Association, and Michigan Alliance for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young.

“Sugar” McLaughlin aims for FREE basketball camp at East Kentwood

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, West Michigan, , , ,

A photo from a past Melvin “Sugar” McLaughlin All-Star Basketball Camp at East Kentwood. (Courtesy)

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

This year, camp is free!

At least that’s the goal of the Melvin “Sugar” McLaughlin All-Star Basketball Camp, which takes place Aug. 2-4 at East Kentwood High School.

Giving back

“He’s always wanted to give back to the community,” said Bobbie McLaughlin, brother of the area’s biggest basketball star who set records in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s at Creston High School and Central Michigan University.

Nothing but net

Considered the best high school basketball player in Grand Rapids history, Melvin “Sugar” McLaughlin averaged 33 points a game his junior and senior seasons at Creston High School in the late 1970s and then went on to score more than 2,000 career points at Central Michigan University. He is a member of the Central Michigan Athletics Hall of Fame and in 2005 was inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame.

The camp has been shut down since 2019 because of Covid, and, with “all the crazy things going on for kids in the inner city,” organizers wanted to offer a chance to offer something at no cost.

“Everywhere he goes, the kids are asking about the camp,” said Bobbie, who attended Grand Rapids South High School back in the day. “They’re really thirsty. So we put our heads together and said, ‘Let’s give them a free camp.’ Let’s show them some love.”

Campers practice their skills at the Melvin “Sugar” McLaughlin Basketball All-Star Camp at East Kentwood. (Courtesy)

A fundraising campaign is going on right now to help the McLaughlins raise money to make it happen. The goal through the social media platform Vertical Raise is $10,000. They are more than halfway there, he said, as local businesses such as Brann’s Restaurants have contributed, as well as individuals.

The three-day camp is for boys and girls grades 5-12.





Hours are 8-11:30 a.m. for grades 5-8, and from 1-4 p.m. for grades 9-12 from Aug. 2-4.

“All the area kids, inner city kids, just come out and have a good time… We’re just looking for people to help make this happen,” Bobbie McLaughlin said.

Guest speakers

Along with learning basketball skills with drills and instruction, Bobbie McLaughlin said camp organizers are arranging guest speakers to help educate and motivate the kids to learn more than just basketball.

“(Mel) said we need to show some positive love for the kids. Everything’s been a little crazy, not just in Grand Rapids, but all over. We just said, ‘What can we do to help these kids out?’”

The camp has been a staple of summers in Grand Rapids for about 25 years. It originally took place at Ottawa Hills High School, but moved to East Kentwood in 2018 when attendance swelled to more than 200 campers, said Bobbie McLaughlin, who lives in California but looks forward to returning to see old friends and relatives. (He was a pretty good baseball player back in the day.)

Some notable campers

The camp has produced some notable players over the years, including Kobe Bufkin (Michigan),  Marcus Bingham (Michigan State University) and Xavier Tillman (Michigan State, Memphis Grizzlies), just to name a few.

“We know it’s working, we know these kids are learning and having fun,” McLaughlin said.

“We’re so proud of them. A lot of the parents come up to us after the last day of camp and say,  ‘Where are you gonna be next week? This is such a good thing for these kids.’”

McLaughlin said he is in the middle of finalizing a gift bag each player will receive during the camp, which includes a T-shirt, wristband, hat and hopefully a book, which was written about his brother’s life.

Check out “Sweet Shot”

“Sweet Shot: The Basketball Life and Legacy of Melvin ‘Sugar’ McLaughlin,” which was released in 2021, looks at the player’s life on and off the court, from his early childhood in Ann Arbor to today.

“Sweet Shot,” a book about local basketball star Melvin “Sugar” McLaughlin, was released in 2021. (Courtesy)

Author Vernon E. Wendt — a theology professor at Concordia University-Chicago, ordained pastor in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and East Grand Rapids native, is expected to be in attendance at the camp, Bobbie McLaughlin said.

“It’s a really cool book,” McLaughlin said. “We want to make an impact.”

In addition, players can compete in contests for trophies, he said. And camp organizers will present sportsmanship and MVP awards.

It’s all about spreading joy, and a message, he said.

“We teach them, sports is like life…you have to learn to play together, to work together, to be a team. Take that home. Spread it. That’s our concept.”

And don’t be surprised to see Sugar put his skills on display.

He still “balls,” his brother said. “He’s always doing something for kids.”

Sugar McLaughlin said in a video message that he wants kids to grow, learn and be the “best version of themselves.”

“Come and join us for this very beautiful and positive experience,” Sugar McLaughlin said. “This is something that is true to my heart and very special to me.”

Learn more about the camp by calling 616-222-6126.

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

High school sports participation up 6.6 percent after COVID-19 pandemic

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, West Michigan, , ,
Wyoming Potter’s House Christian’s Lezawe Osterink (left) was a state champion in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs at last spring’s Division 4 track and field finals, and was a member of the winning 3,200-meter relay with teammates Ian Palacios, Jackson Rodriguez and Logan Swiney. Osterink also won the D-4 boys cross country individual title last fall. The boys team placed third at the track and field finals and 12th in cross country. (Courtesy of MHSAA)

By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org



Participation in Michigan High School Athletic Association sports rebounded tremendously during the 2021-22 school year, despite a slight decline in enrollment among the MHSAA’s 750-member high schools.



Big decline during COVID-19

The onset of COVID-19 during the spring of 2020 was followed by a significant decline in participation in sports during 2020-21. However, participation for the most recent school year concluding last spring saw an increase of 6.6 percent from 2020-21 to a total of 260,542 participants across the 28 sports for which the MHSAA sponsors postseason tournaments – even as statewide enrollment fell nearly 1 percent to 440,728 students this past school year.



Girls participation increased 6.8 percent to 109,128 athletes, while boys participation was up 6.5 percent at 151,414. The overall MHSAA participation totals count students once for each sport in which they participate, meaning students who are multiple-sport athletes are counted more than once.



“We’re excited to see participation beginning to rebound, and in a big way in a number of sports,” said Geoff Kimmerly, MHSAA communications director. “Something reaffirmed during the months of COVID-19 shutdowns and delays was the value of sports in our school communities, and we expect those participation numbers to continue to rise as more families feel comfortable and we continue to learn more and more about best practices for living and competing while the coronavirus remains with us.



“Something else to consider is how our participation has begun to bounce back even as enrollment in our member schools has continued to decline slightly. Michigan generally ranks higher in participation nationally than for student-aged population, and while we may not be at our pre-COVID levels yet, we do anticipate our numbers to keep growing during 2022-23.”

The Forest Hills Northern girls tennis team won the Division 2 state championship last spring. (Courtesy of MHSAA)

Track and field, boys skiing lead way

A total of 23 sports saw increases in participation during 2021-22 compared to 2020-21. Ten sports saw double-digit percentage increases, led by boys track & field (27.2 percent to 22,120 participants), girls track and field (22.4 percent to 15,594 participants), and boys skiing (22.4 percent to 1,001 participants).



Wrestling (17.1 percent) and boys bowling (16.2 percent) also saw double-digit increases, along with girls tennis (11.4 tennis), girls bowling (11.2 percent), girls competitive cheer (10.6 percent), boys golf (10.5 percent) and girls lacrosse (10 percent).

Girls boost wrestling numbers

Wrestling’s major boost came in part because of a nearly 300-percent increase in girls participants with 620 taking the mat for the first season of the MHSAA offering a girls championship division at its Individual Wrestling Finals.

Also enjoying increases in participation during 2021-22 from the previous year were girls golf (8.1 percent), girls skiing (7.6 percent), boys basketball (6.4 percent), girls soccer (6.3 percent), boys swimming and diving (6.1 percent), boys lacrosse (5.8 percent), softball (3.6 percent), girls basketball (3.1 percent), baseball (3 percent), boys tennis (2.8 percent), football (2.4 percent), girls volleyball (2 percent) and girls swimming and diving (1.2 percent).

Decreased participation

Five sports saw decreased participation in 2021-22, including boys soccer (0.21 percent with 28 fewer participants), girls cross country (1.4 percent), boys ice hockey (1.2 percent), boys cross country (3.9 percent) and girls gymnastics (4.6 percent).

Football highest participation

Football, with a combined 33,284 participants over the 11- and 8-player formats, remained the most-played sport during the 2021-22 school year. Boys track and field (22,120) and boys basketball (20,017) were next for total participants, followed by girls volleyball (18,798), the most popular girls sport, baseball (16,528) and girls track and field (15,594).

Golf and skiing enjoy high participation

While the majority of sports are still building back to their pre-COVID participation totals, golf and skiing posted some of their highest totals in some time. Boys golf (6,829) had its most participants since 2012-13, and girls golf (3,875) its highest total since 2003-04. The boys skiing total (1,001) was its highest since 2002-03, and the girls skiing total this past season (837) was the highest for that sport since 1998-99.

The participation figures are gathered annually from MHSAA member schools to submit to the National Federation of State High School Associations for compiling of its national participation survey. Results of Michigan surveys from the 2000-01 school year to present may be viewed on the MHSAA Website


	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			East Kentwood varsity dance team gets noticed nationally
		

		
		

			3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Kentwood Public Schools, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection					

	


		

		


By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor






After overcoming some obstacles this season, the East Kentwood varsity dance team rose to the top with many awards and honors.






Soon before their national championships in February in Orlando, the students learned their flight was overbooked and it was time for Plan B. With no other options, the team drove 18 hours to Florida to make it just in time for the semifinals and compete with the nation’s best teams in the 2022 Dance Team Union National Championship.






Both the jazz and hip hop teams reached the finals, and earned 15th and fourth place, respectively. 







Coach Kat Albertson (far left) and her East Kentwood varsity dance team proudly show off their two trophies at the 2022 Dance Team Union National Championship in February in Orlando. (courtesy)





“It was a great feeling to be recognized among the best teams in the country,” said EK coach Kat Albertson, who coached the Falcons for four years and is now pursuing coaching at the collegiate level. “Luckily, this was the most hard-working and determined group of student-athletes I’ve ever had the privilege of coaching. They were all so eager to prove to themselves, and to their school, that not only is the dance team at East Kentwood one of the best in Michigan, but also that dance team is a sport.






“We had incredible success this past year due to the team’s hard work, dedication and the positive team culture we built together. We were undefeated in hip hop this year, won the grand champion award at every local competition (registered the highest scoring dance in the entire competition), and won two regional championships for the first time in program history.”






Albertson said her team captain, junior Saniya Harvey, is an “exceptional dancer and leader.”






Check out the dance team’s performance at the national championship by clicking here.





“We lost five incredible seniors in 2021 and only had five returning members for the new year,” continued Albertson, whose assistant coach was EK dance alum Brooklyn Smithers, a freshman at GVSU. “We were uncertain if we’d be able to have ample time to create a family-like bond with so many new members, get our technique where it needed to be, and to reach the level of excellence that our past teams had been able to do. 






“It’s taken a really long time for us to get the recognition that we deserve, and I think that has truly been the most fulfilling thing that we’ve seen come out of this year.”

	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			Robotics competitions kick off at GVSU, WKTV gets ready for E. Kentwood event
		

		
		

			3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Faces, Recreation, Tech Trends, , 					

	


		

		

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org 






Kentwood’s Redo Storm Robotics will hosts its first competition since 2019 on April 1 and 2. (WKTV)





FIRST Robotics competitions kick off this weekend when 36 teams, two from Wyoming, competed in the district event at Grand Valley State University.






The teams from the Wyoming area competing are Lee High School’s robotics team and Potter House’s Tactical Hams robotics team. 






Opening ceremonies are set for 10:30 a.m. with matches running from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m .on Friday. Saturday, opening ceremonies are set for 9 a.m. with matches beginning at 9:30 a.m. and playoff rounds running from 2-5 p.m. Teams are guided by teachers and industry mentors. Under strictrules, limited time and resources, teams are challenged to raise funds, design a brand, hone teamwork skills and build and program competitive, industrial-size robots. 






All events take place at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena on the Allendale campus. Events are free and open to the public, however per GVSU and FIRST Robotics COVID-19 guidelines, participants, volunteers and visitors must wear face masks.



Next week, WKTV will be filming the FIRST Robotics competition at East Kentwood High School. The free event follows the same rules and guidelines of the GVSU one. 






There will be 33 teams at this event including the local teams of Potter House’s Tactical Hams, Kentwood’s Red Storm Robotics, and Wyoming High’s Demons. Events will start on Friday with play-offs taking place on Saturday. 

	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			District basketball action: WKTV has your up-to-date schedule of girls finals and boys openers
		

		
		

			3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, 					

	


		

		

Grand Rapids South Christian’s girls basketball, shown here from a Feb. 9 home game, will be battling for a District title Friday, March 4. (WKTV)





By WKTV Staff





ken@wktv.org






The 2021-22 high school basketball post-season is in full swing with three local girls teams heading into MHSAA District tournament finals Friday, March 4, and all the local boys teams set to open District play next week.






In the only girls District tournament on a Wyoming-Kentwood high school home floor, the East Kentwood High School girls (12-9 overall) look to continue their post-season run against Byron Center (18-2) in the D1 Girls District 12 finals at East Kentwood. Tipoff will be at 7 p.m.






The Falcons girls, who closed the regular season winning of 10 of 13 games after a slow start, rolled past Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, 81-14, to open District action Feb. 28; then defeated Caledonia, 50-36, on March 2. Byron Center enters the District finals 18-2 and with an OK Conference White title after a 14-0 conference season.
 





In other District finals action involving local teams, Grand Rapids South Christian (18-3) will challenge Grand Rapids Christian (15-6) in the D2 Girls District 44 finals at Grand Rapids Christian, while Wyoming Potter’s House (16-5) will play Grand Rapids Covenant Christian (11-8) in the D3 Girls District 76 finals at Fennville. Both tip-off at 7 p.m.






To get both the District finals, the Sailors girls defeated Wyoming Kelloggsville (7-15 final overall record), 54-27, on March 2. (For a WKTV feature on South Christian visit here.)






The Pumas of Wyoming Potter’s House girls, in early District games, first defeated Holland Black River, 50-25, on Feb. 28, and then defeated Saugatuck, 44-33, on March 2.





Boys Districts begin with big games at Kelloggsville





Kelloggsville High School will be the place to be in the local area for boys District play, beginning with opening night action Monday, March 7, as OK Conference Silver foes Wyoming Godwin Heights (9-7 overall, with a “stay sharp” game schedule for March 3) and Kelloggsville (12-8) play the deciding third game in their 2021-22 season in D2 Boys District 44 opening round action with tip off at 5:30 p.m. (See a WKTV feature on the two teams here.)






Kelloggsville high boys basketball team senior Damario Montgomery during a game Feb. 25 at Kelloggsville. (WKTV)





The District 44 tournament at Kelloggsville is loaded with quality local teams as well. In addition to the Wolverines and the Rockets, Grand Rapids West Michigan Aviation Academy (13-6) will open play on March 7 at 7 p.m. against Kentwood Grand River Prep (6-8). Then, set to start play Wednesday, March 9, Grand Rapids Christian (15-4) will play the winner of the first opening round game, while Grand Rapids South Christian (15-5) await the winner of the second opening round game. The finals will be Friday, March 11, at Kelloggsville at 7 p.m.






Two local teams, Wyoming high and East Kentwood, will be in action at Caledonia in the D1 Boys District 12 tournament. The Falcons (6-14) will open play Monday, March 7, against Byron Center (5-14). The Wolves (13-6 overall, with a “stay sharp” game at home against Benton Harbor March 3) get a first-round bye and are set to play the winner of Monday’s game between Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills and host Caledonia on Wednesday, March 9, at 5:30 p.m.






Wyoming Lee (4-13 overall with at least one game scheduled this week at the Battle Creek Academy Tigers Tournament) will play in the D2 Boys District 43 Tournament at Grand Rapids West Catholic, starting opening night, Monday, March 7, against the host school at 5:30 p.m.






Wyoming Potter’s House (14-5 overall, with a “stay sharp” game at North Muskegon March 3) will play at the D3 Boys District 76 Tournament at Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, starting with an opening round game Monday, March 7, at 5:30 p.m. against Saugatuck (8-11).






And Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (14-5, with a “stay sharp” game scheduled at Grandville Calvin Christian March 3) will play in the D4 Boys District 114 Tournament at Climax-Scotts, with a semifinal game scheduled for Wednesday, March 9, against Kalamazoo Phoenix (10-5). 





WKTV coverage and schedule/scores 





Complete local basketball schedules as well as up-to-date scores of previous night’s games are also available at wktvjournal.org/sports-schedules-scores.






WKTV featured games covered throughout the season, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand at wktvlive.com. You can also follow all WKTV sports programing at wktk.org/sports.


	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			With long history in GR, local curling club and Kentwood Ice Arena team up to offer classes, leagues
		

		
		

			3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, Going Local, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Local History, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Projects, , 					

	


		

		

  • The sport of curling in action at the Kentwood Ice Rink. (GR Curling Club)
  • The sport of curling in action at the Kentwood Ice Rink (preparing to throw the stone). (GR Curling Club)
  • The sport of curling in action at the Kentwood Ice Rink (giving instructions on placement of stones into the house). (GR Curling Club)
  • The sport of curling in action at the Kentwood Ice Rink (throwing the stone). (GR Curling Club)
  • The sport of curling in action at the Kentwood Ice Rink (notice the sweeper helping the stone’s movement). (GR Curling Club)
  • The sport of curling in action at the Kentwood Ice Rink (who has the shot for point?). (Kristina King)





By D.A. Reed, WKTV Contributing Writer






Continuing a local history of the sport of curling which the Grand Rapids Curling Club “didn’t even know” about initally, the club is bringing a taste of the Winter Olympics to West Michigan by offering curling lessons and leagues at the Kentwood Ice Arena.






“We are getting more and more people who want to try curling,” said Greg Robinson, president of the Grand Rapids Curling Club. “They see it on the Olympics and want to try it. … We have seen curlers as young as 8 and as old as 90. It is an approachable sport that you can play for a long time.”






Curling has a strong history in Grand Rapids. Robinson said the club discovered records in the Grand Rapids Public Library archives that show a curling club was started in 1897 and was very successful until it dissolved slowly in the late 1920s.






“We are standing on history we didn’t even know we had,” said Robinson. “We aren’t starting a new club, we are restarting one that had gotten lost to history. We want to build upon that.”






  • The original Grand Rapids Curling Club’s Arch Founders, (front) David Forbes, William Miller, John Paul; (standing) George McInnes, John McNabb, Henry Sherwood; (inset) Alex Reeves, James MacGregor.
(Image courtesy of Grand Rapids Public Library Digital Collection and Grand Rapids Public Museum Collection)
  • Grand Rapids Curling Club’s Arch Ladies from 1908. The note included with it in the GR Public Library read 
“The city at the time boasted the first curling club in the country composed of women.” Their names are, from left, Mrs. John Brower, Miss Helen Barstow, Mrs. F.E. Hill, Mrs. Stuart Foote, Miss Rosetta Leitelt, Mrs. H.B. Snyder. (Image courtesy of Grand Rapids Public Library Digital Collection and Grand Rapids Public Museum Collection)
  • The original Grand Rapids Curling Club’s rink, circa 1905, located on the Southeast corner of the intersection of Lake Drive and Norwood Avenue.(Image courtesy of Grand Rapids Public Library Digital Collection and Grand Rapids Public Museum Collection)





While the history of curling in the Grand Rapids area goes back a century, the modern history of the sport started just last year as the Kentwood Ice Arena, a part of Kentwood Public Schools, reached out to the GR Curling Club in the summer of 2021 with an offer to host curling lessons and leagues for the club.






It is the first time the ice arena has been used as a venue for curling, and Philip Sweeney, KPS manager of campus operations and events, said that configuring a schedule to ensure the ice is ready for curling while also hosting hockey and other ice events was a challenge.






“Hockey ice versus curling ice is very different,” Sweeney said. “We need an hour to get the ice ready for curling.”






The challenge, however, did not deter the rink or the curling club. They began by offering Learn to Curl classes on Saturday nights and then began developing leagues on Sunday mornings.






“This is a process that is now starting to come to fruition,” Sweeney said. “We now offer corporate events as well.”






Robinson said that the two-hour “Learn to Curl” classes have been a hit with community members, with many saying they want to do it again.






“We hope curling will become more of a hobby than a curiosity,” he said.





A fun sport for old and new





West Michigan resident Kristina King recently began curling after a recommendation from a co-worker who is also a member of the GR Curling Club. “She talked me into joining the league with her and it all progressed from there,” King said.






Like many others, King watched curling as part of the Winter Olympics over the years — with shouts of “Sweep!” at the television screen being her only engagement with the sport.






After trying it, however, King found she enjoys curling.






Susan Yaw (left) and Kristina King (right) have taken up the sport, and taken lessons. (Kristina King)





“It seemed like a sport that I could get better at slowly without being too hard on myself for not being good at it the first time I tried,” she said. “You definitely have to give yourself some grace when learning a new sport on such a slippery surface.






“It has been somewhat of a life lesson being able to laugh at my ‘newborn fawn’ stature on the ice and having everyone around you show support and encouragement.”






King has also been impressed with both Kentwood Ice Arena and the GR Curling Club, mentioning the friendly and inviting atmosphere, staff willingness to answer questions, and easy to use facilities.






“The instructors do a great job of teaching at a level of the crowd,” King said. “I feel as though they balance the class very well and don’t overwhelm you with the technicalities on the very first try.”






Like her co-worker, King has begun recruiting friends to try out the sport.






“My friend, Kristina, was looking for a fourth teammate for an upcoming bonspiel (tournament). I thought, why not?” said Susan Yaw, a Learn to Curl class member. Yaw admitted that she never really gave curling a thought up until that point, but that she is “always willing to try (almost) anything once.”






Yaw said that she found her time at Kentwood Ice Arena and with GR Curling Club members to be enjoyable, even planning to join a Sunday league to get more time on the ice and hone her skills.











“They were very well organized from the registration process through the time I walked out the door,” Yaw said. “The instructors did a wonderful job breaking down the throwing and sweeping motions and teaching the rules and scoring of the game.”






Yaw urges others to try the sport as well.






“I would highly recommend anyone who thinks they might be remotely interested in learning about curling to attend the next Learn to Curl. A couple of tricks to make it more enjoyable … dress warmly and make sure you use rubber bands on your shoes for traction!”





Current and future home in Kentwood





Sweeney believes curling will be a mainstay at Kentwood Ice Arena.






“We envision a 5-year plan where curling becomes a major portion of our ice arena and our business,” Sweeney said. “We have a great partnership with the Grand Rapids Curling Club. They are great people who are excited to grow enthusiasm for the sport.”






Robinson agrees that curling is here to stay in West Michigan.






“This is our first year…and we are over 70 members strong,” Robinson said. “We have had eight classes since the start of the season in October, and all have sold out.”






Part of Robinson’s hopes include the possibility for starting up a junior program since their partnership with KPS has been so successful. “We have had their full support,” Robinson said. “It’s been wonderful.”






Interested community members can sign up for curling lessons on the Grand Rapids Curling Club website: grcurling.com, and also their Facebook page: facebook.com/GRcurling.
 





Health and COVID protocols for Kentwood Ice Arena and the GR Curling Club are outlined in the registration process.


	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			WKTV to spotlight Lee high basketball feature games, Legends and Wolves Hall of Fame nights 
		

		
		

			3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports					

	


		

		









By WKTV Staff





ken@wktv.org







The WKTV Feature Game coverage crew will pay a visit to Lee High School Friday, Feb. 18, as both the boys and girls teams will be in action in an evening which will also be the athletic department’s Hall of Fame night. (See a preview story on the Lee high Hall of Fame night here.)






While the truck crew will be at Lee, we will also have cameras at Wyoming high on Feb. 18, as the Wolves athletic department also holds its Hall of Fame night at the halftime of a girls basketball game and as part of a special community night celebration. (See a preview story on the Wyoming high Hall of Fame night here.)






The Wyoming Lee games, when Byron Center Zion Christian comes to the Legends home court for an Alliance League doubleheader, will feature a girls basketball game at 5:30 p.m., and boys game at 7 p.m.






The WKTV Feature Game coverage crew will wrap up the 2021-22 basketball regular season with planned coverage of East Kenwood boys basketball on Tuesday, Feb. 22, against Caledonia, and then a boys and girls basketball doubleheader Friday, Feb. 25, when Wyoming Tri-unity Christian visits Wyoming Potter’s House Christian.





A look-in at Wyoming/Kentwood area basketball





The Grand Rapids South Christian girls won a big game Wednesday, Feb. 9, 42-39, over visiting Grand Rapids Catholic Central — and then avoided a letdown on Friday, Feb. 11, with a home win over Wayland, 51-38 — to run their record to 13-3 overall and take control in the OK Conference Gold conference race with a 9-1 record. (The Cougars are also 9-1, but are 12-4 overall). (For a game story and a WKTV video, visit here.)






The Wyoming high boys (9-6, 6-4 OK) won an early week contest last week, defeating Holland, 81-36, at home Feb. 8, before falling to state powerhouse and OK Green leader Muskegon on Feb. 11. (For an on-demand recording of the Wyoming-Holland game, visit here.)






The South Christian boys (10-5, 7-3 OK) went 2-1 last week in a stretch of three-straight OK Conference Gold road contests, bouncing back from a Feb. 8 loss at GR Central Catholic to score wins over Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, 59-45, on Feb. 9, and then defeating Wayland, 71-44, on Feb. 11.






The West Michigan Aviation Academy boys (10-4 overall) saw their six-game win streak come to an end in their only game last week, a 57-50 loss to Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, on Feb. 8. The two teams are still at the top of the Alliance League standings, however, as Wyoming Potter’s House Christian (10-4) leads the league title chase at 5-0, with Tri-unity at 4-0, and the Aviators at 5-1. In addition to the win over WM Aviation Academy, Tri-unity also defeated Byron Center Zion Christian, 72-31, on Feb. 11.





WKTV coverage and schedule/scores 





Complete local basketball schedules as well as up-to-date scores of previous night’s games are also available at wktvjournal.org/sports-schedules-scores. (You can also just just bookmark WKTVjournal.org on your phone or other device and click on the blue banner at the bottom of the screen.)






WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of basketball and other winter prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.






All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.


	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			WKTV’s Feature Game crew this week will spotlight Wyoming boys’ continued run at OK title, tournament 
		

		
		

			3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, 					

	


		

		

Wyoming High School boys basketball in action Jan. 21 against Zeeland East. (WKTV) 





By WKTV Staff











The basketball season is winding down for local Kentwood and Wyoming area high school teams, with key conference games and tournament seeding at stake. So the WKTV Featured Game coverage crew will pay a visit to Wyoming High School Tuesday, Feb. 8, as the Wolves boys basketball team continues its push to the postseason with a home game against Holland.











Replays will be available the night of the game (and later as scheduled on our cable channels) on WKTV.org and hit the “Watch Live” button, and later on-demand at WKTVlive.org.






Wyoming enters the game 9-5 overall and 5-3 (and tied for second in the standings) in OK Conference Green. The Wolves won their only game last week, at Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (8-6, 5-3 OK), 58-53, and avenged an early season loss. Holland will enter the contest with a 4-9, 2-6 OK record, but won twice last week in conference action. (For a recent WKTV Sports report on the Wyoming Wolves boys basketball team, visit here.)





A look-in at Wyoming/Kentwood area basketball





The Grand Rapids South Christian girls continue on their roll of now six-straight wins  and enter the week 11-3 overall and 7-1 in OK Gold games after another convincing win last week at Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg, 41-31. The Sailors only conference loss came at OK conference leader Grand Rapids Central Catholic (currently 11-3, 8-0 OK), with the rematch coming this week, Wednesday, Feb. 9, on the Sailors’ home court.






The South Christian boys also won last week, over Middleville TK, 76-55, to push their record to 8-4 overall and 5-2 in OK Conference Gold. The Sailors play at OK Gold leader Grand Rapids Catholic Central (13-1, 8-0 OK) this week, on Tuesday, Feb. 8.
 





The West Michigan Aviation Academy boys won twice last week, over Saugatuck and Wyoming Lee in non-Alliance League action, and now have won six straight to push their record 10-3 overall and 5-0 to lead the Alliance League. But the Aviators face a league showdown this week with the Wyoming Tri-unity Christian boys team which will enter the Tuesday, Feb. 8, game at 7-4, 2-0 in the Alliance.





WKTV coverage and schedule/scores 





Complete local basketball schedules as well as up-to-date scores of previous night’s games are also available at wktvjournal.org/sports-schedules-scores. (You can also just just bookmark WKTVjournal.org on your phone or other device and click on the blue banner at the bottom of the screen.)






The tentative WKTV Feature Game schedule for February is as follows:






Friday, Feb. 18, boys and girls basketball, Zion Christian at Wyo. Lee (HOF night)





Tuesday, Feb. 22, boys basketball, Caledonia at East Kentwood





Friday, Feb. 25, boys and girls basketball, Tri-unity Christian at Potter’s House






WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of basketball and other winter prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.






All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.


	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			WKTV’s Feature Game crew to showcase Falcons hockey Wednesday, then Potter’s House basketball doubleheader Friday 
		

		
		

			3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, 					

	


		

		






By WKTV Staff





ken@wktv.org







WKTV Featured Game winter coverage of local Kentwood and Wyoming area high school usually focuses on basketball, but each season we pay a visit or two to East Kentwood High School to catch up on the Falcons hockey team — so this week, Wednesday, Feb. 2, will have have our cameras at the Mainstee vs. East Kentwood match.






WKTV will cover high school hockey this week. (WKTV)





The hockey match, set for puck drop at 4 p.m., will find the Falcons playing a non-OK Conference Red foe from up north in the second half a home-and-home series. Manistee defeated East Kentwood on Jan. 28.






Then, on Friday, Feb. 4, WKTV will be at Wyoming Potter’s House Christian for an Alliance League basketball doubleheader as the Pumas host Grand River Prep, with the girls playing at 5:30 p.m., and the boys playing at 7 p.m.






In the girls game, Potter’s House will enter the game 7-5 overall and 1-0 in league, including a win Jan. 28 over Lee and a cancelled game against Grand Rapids Wellspring Prep originally scheduled for Feb. 1. Grand River Prep enters the week at 0-5 and 0-2 in Alliance, but has two early-week games on the schedule before visiting Potter’s House.






In the boys game, Potter’s House enters the week at 6-4, 1-0 in Alliance games, following a win over Lee Jan. 28. The Pumas are scheduled to play Wellspring Prep on Feb. 1. Grand River Prep will enter the week with a 3-6, 2-4 league record.





A look-in at Wyoming/Kentwood area basketball





The Grand Rapids South Christian girls continue on their roll of now five-straight wins  and enter the week 10-3 overall and 6-1 in OK Gold games after convincing wins last week at Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (63-32) and at home over Cedar Springs (52-22). The Sailors only conference loss coming at OK conference leader Grand Rapids Central Catholic (currently 10-3, 7-0 OK), with the rematch coming Feb. 9 on the Sailors’ home court.






The South Christian boys also won twice last week, over Ottawa Hill (69-51) and Cedar Springs (76-49) to push their record to 7-4 overall and 4-2 in OK Conference Gold. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (12-1, 7-0 OK) and Forest Hills Eastern9-3, 6-1 OK) currently lead the conference and are the two teams to have beaten the Sailors; but rematches with both are looming in February.






The Wyoming boys team (7-5) split OK games last week, with a 73-50 home win over Muskegon Mona Shores on Jan. 28, to stay near the top of the OK Conference Green standings at 4-3. This week, in a rescheduled game Feb. 3, the Wolves get a chance to avenge an early-season OK loss to Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (8-3, 5-2 OK).






The East Kentwood girls (4-7, 4-3 OK Conference Red) won early last week, 55-51 over Caledonia, to push their winning streak to four games and then gave state power Rockford (11-2, 7-0 OK) all it could handle in a 66-63 overtime loss on Jan 28.






The West Michigan Aviation Academy boys won twice last week, and now have won four straight and six of seven, to push their record 8-3 overall and 5-0 to take over the lead in  Alliance League action.






The Wyoming Tri-unity Christian boys team won for the fight time in six games, pushing their overall record to 6-4, with a 78-52 win over Godwin Heights on Saturday, Jan. 29. In the game, it was reported on other media that senior Brady Titus set a school record for the Defenders by scoring 44 points.





WKTV coverage and schedule/scores 





Complete local basketball schedules as well as up-to-date scores of previous night’s games are also available at wktvjournal.org/sports-schedules-scores. (You can also just just bookmark WKTVjournal.org on your phone or other device and click on the blue banner at the bottom of the screen.)






The tentative WKTV Feature Game schedule for February is as follows:






Tuesday, Feb. 8, boys basketball, Holland at Wyoming





Friday, Feb. 11, boys hockey, Petoskey at East Kentwood





Friday, Feb. 18, boys and girls basketball, Zion Christian at Wyo. Lee (HOF night)





Tuesday, Feb. 22, boys basketball, Caledonia at East Kentwood





Friday, Feb. 25, boys and girls basketball, Tri-unity Christian at Potter’s House






WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of basketball and other winter prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.






All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.


	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			WKTV’s Feature Game crew at South Christian Tuesday, then Kelloggsville and Godwin Heights doubleheader on Friday
		

		
		

			3-bottom, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports					

	


		

		

Tipoff of a 2019 game at Wyoming high. (Curtis Holt)





By WKTV Staff





ken@wktv.org






WKTV Featured Game coverage of local Kentwood and Wyoming area high school basketball continues this week with one game Tuesday night, as the South Christian High boys host Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, and a boys/girls doubleheader of action on Friday as Kelloggsville visits Godwin Heights.






The early week game Jan. 25 will find the Sailors (5-4 overall) looking to go over .500 in OK Conference Gold standings — both teams are 2-2 in early conference action, but the Bengals are 2-6-1 overall. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.






The Friday night featured games are a backyard rivalry as Kelloggsville and Godwin Heights clash with the boys game set to start at 6 p.m. and the girls at 7:30 p.m.






In the boys game, the Rockets will enter the week with a 7-3 record, 4-1 in the OK Conference Silver, while the Wolverines enter 2-3, 1-2 in OK Silver (with the team having several canceled and postponed games shortening their schedule.)






On Tuesday, Godwin will be at Sparta (5-4, 2-3 OK), while Kelloggsville will be at home to face conference leader Grandville Calvin Christian (6-3, 5-0 OK).






In the girls game Friday, the host Wolverines begin the week at 4-5 and 1-4 OK, while the Rockets enter at 3-5 and 0-2 OK. On Tuesday, Godwin will be at home to face OK Silver leader Sparta (7-1, 3-0 OK), while Kelloggsville will be at Calvin Christian (3-6, 2-2).





A look around the Wyoming and Kentwood area courts





The East Kentwood girls team, after starting the season 0-6, have reeled off three straight wins including two last week, to push their OK Conference Red record to 3-1. After an early week game at home to Caledonia (5-6, 0-5) on Jan. 25, the Falcons will face state power Rockford (10-1, 4-1 OK) on Jan. 28.






The Wyoming boys team swept the OK Green Zeeland schools last week to push their record to 6-4, 3-2 in conference games. This week the Wolves will be at Grand Rapids Union (3-6-1 and 2-4 OK) on Jan 25 and then host Muskegon Mona Shores (5-6, 2-3 OK) on Jan. 28. Also, the Wyoming girls (4-7 overall) gained their first OK win last week, over Zeeland East.






The Grand Rapids South Christian girls won twice last week and enter the week 8-3 overall record and 4-1 in OK Gold games — with their only conference loss coming at league leader Grand Rapids Central Catholic (8-3, 5-0). The rematch with Central Catholic will be Feb. 9 on the Sailors’ home court.






The West Michigan Aviation Academy boys won twice last week to push their record 6-3 overall and 3-0 in Alliance League action. The Aviators have a huge league game this week for league leadership when Fruitport Calvary Christian (7-1, 1-0 Alliance) comes got the airport on Jan. 25.





WKTV coverage and schedule/scores 





Complete local basketball schedules as well as up-to-date scores of previous night’s games are also available at wktvjournal.org/sports-schedules-scores. (You can also just just bookmark WKTVjournal.org on your phone or other device and click on the blue banner at the bottom of the screen.)






The tentative WKTV Feature Game schedule for February is as follows:





Wednesday, Feb. 2, boys hockey, Manistee at East Kentwood





Friday, Feb. 4, boys and girls basketball, Grand River prep at Potter’s House





Tuesday, Feb. 8, boys basketball, Holland at Wyoming





Friday, Feb. 11, boys hockey, Petoskey at East Kentwood





Friday, Feb. 18, boys and girls basketball, Zion Christian at Wyo. Lee (HOF night)





Tuesday, Feb. 22, boys basketball, Caledonia at East Kentwood





Friday, Feb. 25, boys and girls basketball, Tri-unity Christian at Potter’s House






WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of basketball and other winter prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.






All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.


	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			At the Wolves den: Wyoming boys basketball host OK foe Zeeland East in WKTV’s Feature Game Friday
		

		
		

			3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, , 					

	


		

		

The Wyoming High School Wolves boys basketball team, from a 2019/20 season game. (Curtis Holt)





By WKTV Staff





ken@wktv.org






WKTV Featured Game coverage of local Kentwood and Wyoming area high school basketball continues this week with a key OK Conference Green boys basketball game as Zeeland East visits Wyoming high Friday, Jan. 21, for a 7 p.m. contest.






The Wolves enter the week with a 4-4 overall record, 1-2 in OK action, after a road loss to traditional power Muskegon (6-0, 3-0 OK) on Jan. 14. Prior to that game, Wyoming had won four of five games including a conference road win at Holland and tight loss to Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (5-2, 2-1 OK).






Early this week, on Jan. 18, Wyoming will host Zeeland West (5-2, 2-1) as both teams try to stay near the top of the conference standings. Zeeland East enters the week with a 1-5, 0-3 OK record, and will play an early-week game hosting Grand Rapids Union (1-5-1, 1-3 OK).





A look around the Wyoming and Kentwood area courts





The Grand Rapids South Christian boys (5-3) enter the week in a three-way tie at the top of the OK Gold standings with a 2-1 record, with the other two teams being Forest Hills Eastern and Ottawa Hills. The Sailors will play both of the teams this week, including a home game against Ottawa Hills on Friday.






The South Christian girls enter the week with a 6-3 overall record and are also 2-1 in early season OK games.






The Kelloggsville boys (5-3 overall) enter the week in the middle of the OK Silver race with a 2-1 conference record including two road wins last week at Comstock Park and at Sparta.






The Godwin Heights girls enter the week at 4-3 overall, 1-2 in OK Silver standings, with road games this week against two teams behind them in the conference: Belding and Hopkins.






The West Michigan Aviation Academy boys enter the week 5-3 overall and 1-0 in Alliance League action, tied with the Wyoming Tri-unity Christian boys (4-2 overall) and also 1-0 in Alliance.





WKTV coverage and schedule/scores 





Complete local basketball schedules as well as up-to-date scores of previous night’s games are also available at wktvjournal.org/sports-schedules-scores. (You can also just just bookmark WKTVjournal.org on your phone or other device and click on the blue banner at the bottom of the screen.)






The tentative WKTV Feature Game schedule for the remainder of January and February is as follows:










Tuesday, Jan. 25, boys basketball, Ottawa Hills at South Christian





Friday, Jan. 28, boys and girls basketball, Kelloggsville at Godwin Heights





Wednesday, Feb. 2, boys hockey, Manistee at East Kentwood





Friday, Feb. 4, boys and girls basketball, Grand River prep at Potter’s House





Tuesday, Feb. 8, boys basketball, Holland at Wyoming





Friday, Feb. 11, boys hockey, Petoskey at East Kentwood





Friday, Feb. 18, boys and girls basketball, Zion Christian at Wyo. Lee (HOF night)





Tuesday, Feb. 22, boys basketball, Caledonia at East Kentwood





Friday, Feb. 25, boys and girls basketball, Tri-unity Christian at Potter’s House






WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of basketball and other winter prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.






All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.

	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			Potter’s House girls basketball host Ravenna in WKTV’s Feature Game Tuesday, then a doubleheader at Kelloggsville Friday
		

		
		

			3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, , , 					

	


		

		






By WKTV Staff





ken@wktv.org






WKTV Featured Game coverage of local Kentwood and Wyoming area high school basketball will offer up three games this week, beginning with the Wyoming Potter’s House girls hosting Ravenna on Tuesday, Jan. 4, and a boys and girls basketball doubleheader on Friday, Jan. 7, at Kelloggsville when NorthPointe Christian visits.











WKTV was originally scheduled to cover a game at East Kentwood, with the girls team hosting Muskegon, on Jan. 4. But the non-conference game has been cancelled due to a pandemic safety issue.






The Potter’s House Pumas girls enter the week 2-4 in early season play, including a 43-36 win at Cedar Springs on Dec. 21 in their last game, while Ravenna enters 2-3.






On Friday, and opening the team’s OK Conference Silver schedule, the Kelloggsville boys will begin the doubleheader with a 6 p.m. tip-off. Starting the week, the Rockets are 3-2 and the in early season action, with NorthPointe at 1-4.






The Kelloggsville girls will tip-off their OK Silver schedule at about 7:30 p.m., and enter the week with a 2-3 record before a scheduled Tuesday, Jan. 4 home game against Covenant Christian. The NorthPointe girls come to Kelloggsville with a 5-0 record.
 





Complete local basketball schedules as well as up-to-date scores of previous night’s games are also available at wktvjournal.org/sports-schedules-scores. (You can also just just bookmark WKTVjournal.org on your phone or other device and click on the blue banner at the bottom of the screen.)






The tentative WKTV Feature Game schedule for the remainder of January and February is as follows:






Tuesday, Jan. 11, girls basketball, Holland at Wyoming





Friday, Jan. 14, boys and girls basketball, Calvin Christian at Godwin Heights.





Friday, Jan. 21, boys basketball, Zeeland East at Wyoming





Tuesday, Jan. 25, boys basketball, Ottawa Hills at South Christian





Friday, Jan. 28, boys and girls basketball, Kelloggsville at Godwin Heights





Wednesday, Feb. 2, boys hockey, Manistee at East Kentwood





Friday, Feb. 4, boys and girls basketball, Grand River prep at Potter’s House





Tuesday, Feb. 8, boys basketball, Holland at Wyoming





Friday, Feb. 11, boys hockey, Petoskey at East Kentwood





Friday, Feb. 18, boys and girls basketball, Zion Christian at Wyo. Lee (HOF night)





Tuesday, Feb. 22, boys basketball, Caledonia at East Kentwood





Friday, Feb. 25, boys and girls basketball, Tri-unity Christian at Potter’s House






WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of basketball and other winter prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.






All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.


	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			For school glory, and scholarship, East Kentwood esports players earn titles in emerging competitive sport
		

		
		

			3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, Education, Going Local, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, , 					

	


		

		

Video gaming on the big screen — the East Kentwood High School esports team in action. (Supplied)










By K.D. Norris





ken@wktv.org






It is unclear if letter jackets are still in style at high schools but, if they are, East Kentwood High School’s top esports players earned their letters recently as the Falcons won the Esports State Championship in League of Legends at Eastern Michigan University, beating Northville High School.






The title is the latest success story for the school’s new esports teams and players, who compete in the emerging competitions of electronic sports, also called competitive video gaming. Some of the games they compete in include Super Smash Bros, League of Legends, Valorant, Fortnite, and Rocket League.






State esports title team from East Kentwood High School League of Legends team, from left, are  Kha Di Le, Andrew Hua, Tony Truong, Jacob Le, Anna Ngo and Brandon Le . (Supplied)





The early December League of Legends matches were streamed on Twitch by PlayVS, with professional “shoutcasters” calling out the games.






East Kentwood’s League of Legends team members include Kha Di Le, Andrew Hua, Tony Truong, Jacob Le, Anna Ngo and Brandon Le.






The League of Legends team are the top players in the school, but coach Bill Dixon told WKTV that he and his fellow coaches expect as many as 100 students to compete at some level this school year.






“Only one of these kids is in athletics, so for the rest, Esports gives them an opportunity to connect with their school with something other than academics,” Dixon said.





A history of support and success





“Esports started for East Kentwood High School about 4 years ago,” Dixon said. “A group of four teachers and administrators (Dixon, Justin Michalowski, Chad Songer and Geoff Westman) decided to offer this opportunity to our students. The rationale was there is an underserved student population that needed an outlet to compete for their school outside of the traditional athletic model.






“We wanted to keep the important elements of athletics: eligibility standards, practices, team building and try outs. What separates Esports from traditional sports is that 90 percent of our student population are playing these games and have a chance to participate.”






The East Kentwood High School esports team, at right, in action. (Supplied)





The school’s esports program has produced back-to-back championships in both Valorant and League of Legends  levels, and compete in state leagues such as PlayVS, Michigan High School Esports Federation (MIHSEF) and Michigan High School Esports League (MHSEL).






“We have several Kentwood graduates that are competing at the collegiate level at schools like Michigan State (University), University of Michigan, and Grand Valley (State University),” Dixon said.






And, Dixon said in a previous announcement, at the recent League of Legends event, “I was also approached by three different college Esports coaches (Grand Valley, Oakland University and Davenport) that are trying to recruit our kids, offering scholarships.”






Dixon added that the East Kentwood program was “fortunate early on to get support, funding and vision from our principal, Omar Bakri.”






Since it’s beginning, the team has competed in more than 10 different competitions, “sometimes on a national/online format and sometimes with in person competitions,” he said. And East Kentwood has also hosted five events bringing in over a dozen different local high schools.






Bringing home the hardware — State esports title team from East Kentwood High School League of Legends team show off their medals. (Supplied)





“We’ve been fortunate to have excellent teams of great, committed students who have produced back to back championships in both Valorant and League of Legends,” Dixon said.






The East Kentwood program, in cooperation with the West Michigan Sports Commission, also helped run the “Rift Clash”, a League of Legends tournament, which was held live locally in 2019 and online in 2020.  That tournament had 15 colleges and 1 high school — the host Falcons — competing.  East Kentwood was able to beat several colleges and advanced to the semi-finals in 2020, before falling to MSU, the eventual winner of the tournament.

 





That team roster included Anna Ngo, Terry Pham, Ben Pham, Daniel Nguyen, Tony Truong and Scott Luu.


	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			Kentwood’s Endeavor Elementary one of two state schools to earn national honor
		

		
		

			3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, WKTV Projects, , 					

	


		

		




Video produced and offered courtesy of Kentwood Public Schools.





By WKTV Staff





ken@wktv.org






The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators recently announced that Kentwood Public School’s Endeavor Elementary School has been nationally recognized as a Distinguished School, according to an emailed statement from KPS administration.






The honor is only awarded to two schools within the state of Michigan. Selected schools must show excellence in education as evidenced by student achievement gains.






“The team at Endeavor Elementary demonstrates excellence and tenacity in their work on a daily basis,” KPS Superintendent Kevin Polston said in supplied material. “We are extremely proud of Endeavor’s achievement and commitment to academic achievement for all students.”
 





Endeavor Elementary won the award for excellence in serving English Learners. Schools are recognized for their approaches to teaching and learning, professional development opportunities, individualized programs and strong partnerships between schools, parents and the community.  The selection criteria for this award included the multilingual learners’ achievement on WIDA assessment and school accountability data.






“This is a whole team award. All of our staff have played a crucial role in loving and educating our multilingual learners,” Mark Bea, principal of Endeavor Elementary, said in supplied material. “From our KPS central office who provides clear direction, to our school EL program and EVERY teacher who creates the family environment and targeted instruction to make it happen; from our food service, custodial, and paraprofessionals who provide critical services, to our office and itinerant staff who offer unending support.






“Together with the efforts of students, parents, staff and a supportive community we can achieve true excellence!”
 





Out of the top nine Michigan schools, MDE identified two other Kentwood elementary buildings, Glenwood and Discovery, for their success with English Learners.






The Michigan Department of Education will cover the cost for travel, food and lodging for three staff members to be recognized at the National ESEA Conference. The conference, held in New Orleans, offers opportunities for staff members to learn from nationally recognized leaders and experts in education. Participants can also network with colleagues from all over the United States.


	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			East Kentwood to host Kent County Wrestling Championships Dec. 18
		

		
		

			Area Education, City of Kentwood, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, , 					

	


		

		

The East Kentwood Falcon Wrestling logo. (EKwrestling.com)





By WKTV Staff





ken@wktv.org






The best of Kent County’s wrestlers, many of them state-ranked in their weight classes, will be on the mats at East Kentwood High School as the Falcons wrestling program hosts the Kent County Wrestling Championships Saturday, Dec. 18, with matches starting at 9:30 a.m.






In addition to the East Kentwood wrestlers, other local schools expected to attend are  Wyoming, Godfrey Lee, Kelloggsville and Godwin Heights. In all, as many as 20 schools will have wrestlers on the mats.






The format, according to information supplied by East Kentwood wrestling coaching staff will have the top 16 in each weight class placed in “Championship Division” with double elimination format. The remaining Wrestlers will be placed in a “Beltline Division”. There will also be a bracket for female wrestlers.






The Championship Division will be pre-seeded based on Trackwrestling criteria including state tournament placement/qualification, regional qualification, and records.






The Beltline Division competitors are 1st or 2nd year wrestlers or the wrestlers who had a sub-.500 winning percentage the previous season.






Awards will go to teams, individual wrestlers and Most Outstanding Wrestler.
 





Championship finals, and third and fifth place matches will be wrestled starting at same time, 4:30 p.m.






Award ceremony will be at 5:30 p.m.


	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			A familiar face on East Kentwood courts, Roelofs takes varsity helm of Falcons boys basketball
		

		
		

			Area Education, City of Kentwood, Education, Going Local, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, , 					

	


		

		

  • East Kentwood High School varsity boys basketball head coach Robert Roelofs, left, at a varsity and junior varsity practice Dec. 3. (WKTV)
  • East Kentwood High School varsity and junior varsity boys basketball practice Dec. 3. (WKTV)
  • East Kentwood High School varsity boys basketball head coach Robert Roelofs, left, at a varsity and junior varsity practice Dec. 3. (WKTV)
  • East Kentwood High School varsity and junior varsity boys basketball practice Dec. 3. (WKTV)
  • East Kentwood High School varsity and junior varsity boys basketball practice Dec. 3. (WKTV)










By K.D. Norris





ken@wktv.org






Robert Roelofs may be new the boys varsity head coaching position at East Kentwood High School, but he is no stranger to the boys program, having served as the junior varsity coach since 2015, and no stranger to Falcons basketball fans having led the girls varsity team in the early 2000s.






So he knows the school, he knows the fan base and, maybe most importantly, he knows  the players on the varsity squad having coached many of them earlier. All of those things, plus a more normal off-season for the program, should help the Falcons rebound from a rough 2020-21 season.






“Obviously you have a pretty good idea of their skill sets, their strengths and weaknesses,” Roelofs said to WKTV as his varsity (and junior varsity) teams practiced recently. “It’s pretty advantageous for me to know the kids … I know them and they know me.”

  





Roelofs takes over the men’s program from Jeff Anama. The Falcons were 3-12 in last year’s pandemic impacted 2020-21 season.






The team opens its season Saturday, Dec. 11 vs. Lansing Sexton at Battle of I-96 at Ottawa Hills High School.






East Kentwood High School varsity boys basketball head coach Robert Roelofs at a varsity and junior varsity practice Dec. 3. (WKTV)





“We lost four starters from last year’s team, the one starter back is Marshaun Flakes,” Roelofs said. “He started for us as a sophomore, he played for me as a freshman on the JV team … very good basketball savvy. Competitor. Long, athletic kid.”






“We have a couple returning kids. Timmy (Leutrim) Sahitolli. Jack Scrimshaw, who played limited minutes last year. Timmy never played for me, but Jack played for me as a sophomore and had a good year. (Scrimshaw is a) good shooter, long kid. Timmy is kind of a workhorse, strong kid.”






“We have some kids from last year’s JV team,” Roelofs added. “Razah Townsend, 6-(foot)-3, about 225 (pounds) and strong, a linebacker type kid. We will look to him for some production in the post. Some guards who are coming through. Feng Logan, he played a little bit on the varsity, athletic, a quick guard.”





New coach has history of success





Roelofs is a graduate of Creston High School, and later Aquinas College. (He also has higher degrees from Central Michigan and Grand Valley State universities.)






He coached at West Catholic and Ravenna high schools in the 1980s, then was at Northview in the 1990s, where he had success with first the varsity girls and then the varsity boys teams.






He has been a social studies teacher and coach at East Kentwood since 1997, where he led the girls varsity team from 1999-2004, when his Falcons went 80-33 and made a trip to the final four one season. He got back onto the Falcons sideline again when he took over the junior varsity team in 2015.






Having run the East Kentwood girls varsity team for five years, and the varsity boys and girls programs at Northview, Roelofs experience in running a “program” and not just running a team will also help his transition to varsity this year.






“There is a lot of administrative things that you are responsible for when you are the head coach. It’s one of the things that has come back into my mind here, the last two weeks,” he said. “Young coaches ask that questions all the time — they are pretty good at the ‘Xs’ and ‘Os’ stuff but they do not understand the administrative stuff. Transportation, schedules, parent communication. All that stuff that goes on in the periphery that you are not really tuned into as a JV coach. It is a huge advantage.”
 





And is there any difference in coaching girls and boys basketball? Maybe just a little.






“The game is the same — it is organically the same game, right?” he said. “But from a standpoint of motivational techniques, there is definitely some changes (to the boys game). Some of them you have pat on the back and some of them you need a little kick in the butt. (But) I don’t really see the need to change anything in terms of the game.”





Bouncing back from an pandemic-altered season 





The varsity program struggled a bit last year, a very unusual year due to the pandemic. But Roelofs thinks a more normal off-season will greatly benefit the Falcons.






“The bad thing about the team last year really goes back into the offseason,” he said. “Most of the kids could not participate in AAU. We were very limited in what we could do relative to offseason workouts. Their individual prep, individual skill level, wasn’t there. There was a very limited preseason, they didn’t scrimmage anybody. It was almost like an AAU season — you jump right into the season and start playing.”






“In terms of the carryover to this year, we had a different preparation process. We had a summer program. We had a fall league we played in. There really wasn’t much of a carryover. … It maybe is impacting our younger players, they missed about a year in their development.”
 





And with only three games on the schedule before the end of the year, and the beginning of OK Conference Red play on Jan. 7, early on Roelofs is looking as much for improvement as wins.
 





“We don’t say we want to win X amount of games, that comes as a byproduct of maturation, of good luck sometimes,” he said. “We are just going to try to put a good group of kids together. Make sure they play hard, to play together. … That’s what we are looking for. If you do all those things, you win your fair share of games.”


	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			WKTV’s Feature Game crew to visit Lee, WM Aviation Academy as local prep basketball season takes flight
		

		
		

			Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports					

	


		

		

Godwin Heights High School’s girls basketball team in action, from previous year. (WKTV)





By WKTV Staff





ken@wktv.org






WKTV Featured Game coverage of local Kentwood and Wyoming area high school basketball — and an occasional prep hockey game — will kick into a full-court press in January 2022 when conference play starts.






But the crew will be out and about for a few pre-holiday-wbreak games beginning this week with girls basketball when Godwin Heights High School visits Wyoming Lee on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m., then boys basketball when West Michigan Aviation Academy hosts Grand River Prep on Friday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m.






Two other December games are on the WKTV Feature Game schedule, including the Wyoming high girls hosting South Christian on Tuesday, Dec. 14, and a boys and girls basketball doubleheader on Friday, Dec. 17, at South Christian when Unity Christian visits.






Complete local basketball schedules as well as up-to-date scores of previous night’s games are also available at wktvjournal.org/sports-schedules-scores. (You can also just just bookmark WKTVjournal.org on your phone or other device and click on the blue banner at the bottom of the screen.)






The tentative January and February WKTV Feature Game schedule is as follows:






Always looking for volunteers in front of and behind the cameras, WKTV Featured Game sports crew includes volunteer announcers, from a 2020 game at East Kentwood, Ron Schultz and Mark Bergsma. (WKTV)





Friday, Jan. 7 , Boys and girls basketball, NorthPointe Christian at Kelloggsville





Tuesday, Jan. 11, Girls basketball, Holland at Wyoming





Friday, Jan. 14, Boys and girls basketball, Calvin Christian at Godwin Heights.





Friday, Jan. 21, Boys basketball, Zeeland East at Wyoming





Tuesday, Jan. 25, Boys basketball, Ottawa Hills at South Christian





Friday, Jan. 28, Boys and girls basketball, Kelloggsville at Godwin Heights





Wednesday, Feb. 2, Boys hockey, Manistee at East Kentwood





Friday, Feb. 4, Boys and girls basketball, Grand River prep at Potter’s House





Tuesday, Feb. 8, Boys basketball, Holland at Wyoming





Friday, Feb. 11, Boys hockey, Petoskey at East Kentwood





Friday, Feb. 18, Boys and girls basketball, Zion Christian at Wyo. Lee (HOF night)





Tuesday, Feb. 22, Boys basketball, Caledonia at East Kentwood





Friday, Feb. 25, Boys and Girls Basketball, Tri-unity Christian at Potter’s House






WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of basketball and other winter prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.






All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.


	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			WKTV’s Turkey Bowl cable/on-demand football fest returns Thanksgiving Day
		

		
		

			3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Holidays, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, , 					

	


		

		

The Wyoming high Wolves responded to an emotional final home game of the season with a 33-17 win over Union. (WKTV)






By WKTV Staff





ken@wktv.org






WKTV’s sports coverage crew was back at work big-time this fall, following a shortened season in 2020 due to the pandemic, as our high school football Featured Game coverage was all over Wyoming and Kentwood — and even make a road trip to Hastings for a playoff game.






And as they can every year, high school sports fans can get their Turkey Day football fix this year as we broadcast 15 hours of football on our cable Channel 25.






The special day of games start at 9 a.m., and highlights the best of our high school football games from the season. The schedule of games (with link to the games on WKTV’s On-Demand video internet channel, at WKTVLive.org ) is as follows:






9 a.m. — Forest Hills Northern at Wyoming High. On-demand






11:15 a.m. — Middleville at South Christian. On-demand






1:25 p.m. — West Ottawa at East Kentwood. On-demand






4:10 p.m. — Kelloggsville at Godwin Heights. On-demand






6:20 p.m. — Union at Wyoming High. On-demand






8:50 p.m. — Cedar Springs at South Christian. On-demand






10:50 p.m. — MHSAA District final: South Christian at Hastings. On-demand






WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government cChannel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are give the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26).






For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.


	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			Kentwood schools’ Red Storm Robotics middle school teams shine at FIRST Tech Challenge
		

		
		

			3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, Education, Going Local, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Faces, , , 					

	


		

		

  • FIRST Tech Challenge Kentwood qualifier middle school robotics competition was hosted by Kentwood Public Schools’ Red Storm Robotics program on Nov. 6. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
  • The Red Storm Robotics middle school program’s Green team, getting some coaching. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
  • The Red Storm Robotics middle school program included the Green team, awaiting the beginning of competition. (WKTV/K.D. Norris) 
  • The Red Storm Robotics middle school program’s Green team, awaiting the start of competition. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
  • The Red Storm Robotics middle school program’s Green team’s robot, in action. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)










By K.D. Norris





ken@wktv.org






The Kentwood Public Schools Red Storm Robotics program has long been known as  having a model high school program at East Kentwood High School, both its students and the robots they build.






The Gunter family are Red Storm Robotics from head to toe: Timothy Gunter III with parents Tim and Cui. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)





And after a 2020 of virtual events due the pandemic, the East Kentwood team will be back before crowds this school year as it hosts the Kentwood FIRST Robotics competition, scheduled for April 1-2, 2022, with a many as 40 teams expected to compete in a “Rapid React” game challenge that will be announced in January.






But the success of the high school program begins with the steady stream of talent moving up from the its middle school ranks, talent already on display before a large crowd as Kentwood Public School’s middle school robotics program sent five teams against others schools at the FIRST Tech Challenge Kentwood qualifier, hosted by Red Storm Robotics, on Nov. 6.






Getting back to live competition “means everything to these kids, we haven’t been able to do this for two years … we are just so excited for this event today,” Trista VanderVoord, who works with the Kentwood Public Schools Red Storm Robotics program, said to WKTV at the event.






And for the students, the event was not only a chance to see and be seen by their family and friends, it was a chance to match up their robotic creations up against others schools and other robots inventions.






Kentwood middle schooler Giselle Triggs is part of the Red Storm Robotics middle school program’s Green team. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)





“It is really exciting to be able to see a bunch of these other robots,” said Giselle Triggs, a member of Kentwood’s Green Team and who is in her first year of being part of the Red Storm Robotics program.






“Everybody is really cool, and everybody is giving complements,” Christian Posthumus, a member if the Grey team, said. “The only problem is that there are so many people watching you … It’s just scary. If you mess up, everybody will see you mess up.”






The Kentwood teams did not “mess up” much at the FIRST Tech Challenge, however, as two of the five teams qualified for a state competition in December.





Two teams move on to state competition





In results of the competition, as detailed on the Red Storm Robotics Facebook page after the challenge, Red Storm Red team qualified for the state competition and earned the 2nd place Control Award, the 3rd place Think Award, and the 3rd place Inspire Award (Inspire is the highest award in FIRST Tech Challenge). Red Storm White team will be joining the Red Team, as the “Bot Tart” crew won the 2nd place Motivate Award and the Connect Award.






Kentwood student Christian Posthumus is part of the Red Storm Robotics middle school program. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)





Additionally, the Red Storm Green team “had a fun first competition” as the all-rookie 6th and 7th grade team were decked out in magician capes, top hats and magic wands.

 





Red Storm Gray was another all-rookie 6th and 7th grade team, members of which shared their team spirit by distributing a dozen handmade shark awards to other teams throughout our competition.






The Red Storm Blue placed 12th in the qualifier and also received the Promote Award for their video submission on “If I could tell my younger self one thing about FIRST Robotics, it would be…” as well as winning the Motivate Award.





Goals of FIRST Tech Challenge





The FIRST Tech Challenge is a national program of FIRST Inspires where “students learn to think like engineers,” according to program material. Teams design, build, and code robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. Robots are built from a reusable platform, powered by Android technology, and can be coded using a variety of levels of Java-based programming.






This year’s tech challenge, Freight Frenzy, is presented by Raytheon Technologies and had students race against time to transport “essential goods and explore the future of transportation,” according to supplied material.






For more informant on the First Inspires program visit firstinspires.org/robotics.






For more information on the Read Storm Robotics program visit redstormrobotics.com.


	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			Kentwood schools’ Red Storm Robotics middle school program hosts FIRST Tech Challenge Nov. 6
		

		
		

			3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, design, Education, Going Local, Kentwood Public Schools, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, , 					

	


		

		

  • Kentwood Public School’s middle school robotics was in competition in this 2018 photo. (Supplied)
  • Kentwood Public School’s middle school robotics program during a recent “scrimmage” preparing for this weekend’s competition. (Supplied)
  • Kentwood Public School’s middle school robotics program during a recent “scrimmage” preparing for this weekend’s competition. (Supplied)
  • Two members of the Kentwood Public School’s middle school robotics program. (Supplied)
  • Kentwood Public School’s middle school robotics program during a recent “scrimmage” preparing for this weekend’s competition. (Supplied)





By WKTV Staff





ken@wktv.org






When it comes to getting young students engaged with robotics as part of their STEM technology education — including Kentwood Public Schools Red Storm Robotics program — it can’t wait for high school.






So Kentwood Public School’s middle school robotics program will send its teams, five of them, against others schools when it hosts the FIRST Tech Challenge Kentwood qualifier, hosted by Red Storm Robotics, on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.






The challenge will take place at the East Kentwood Freshman Campus, 6170 Valley Lane Dr. SE, and the public is invited to the free event. (There was no in-person challenge in 2020 due to the pandemic. There was a virtual challenge.)






“I’ve been impressed with the FIRST robotics programs,” Wendy Ljungren, Chief Operating Officer for Anzen Unmanned and one of the adult leader of Red Storm Robotics, said to WKTV. “The students that go through FIRST have the STEM and teamwork skills needed for our country to continue to advance.”






The FIRST Tech Challenge is a national program of FIRST Inspires where “students learn to think like engineers,” according to program material. Teams design, build, and code robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. Robots are built from a reusable platform, powered by Android technology, and can be coded using a variety of levels of Java-based programming.






This year’s tech challenge, Freight Frenzy, is presented by Raytheon Technologies and will have students race against time to transport “essential goods and explore the future of transportation,” according to supplied material.











For more informant on the First Inspires program visit firstinspires.org/robotics.






For more information on the Read Storm Robotics program visit redstormrobotics.com.


	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			City of Kentwood’s Trunk or Treat community celebration returns with long lines, lots — and lots — of candy 
		

		
		

			3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Holidays, Kentwood Public Schools, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Recreation, WKTV Projects, , 					

	


		

		









By WKTV Staff





ken@wktv.org






The City of Kentwood’s Trunk or Treat community event invited trick-or-treaters to don their costumes and come to the city’s Department of Public Works building Saturday, Oct. 23, where there were long lines of families and lots of kids in search of candy.






The free event went on for hours with hundreds of families waiting to take a stroll by city police, fire and public works vehicles, as well the of community groups — all with their vehicle’s trunks decorated and stationed inside the building handing out candy and other items.






WKTV was there, to capture some of the spooky happenings and cute costumes, and we asked a few of the trick-or-treaters “What’s their favorite candy?”
 





In addition to collecting candy, participants had the opportunity to vote for their favorite trunk. Children were encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and face coverings — and the kids did not disappoint, nor did many of their parents.





  • The City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department offered plenty of fun — and a few scares — for the community kids at the city’s Trunk or Treat event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
  • The City of Kentwood offered dress-up opportunity for all ages at the city’s Trunk or Treat event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
  • The City of Kentwood offered opportunity for dress-up for adults too at the city’s Trunk or Treat event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
  • Kentwood Public Schools’ robotics program had a display at the City of Kentwood’s Trunk or Treat event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			East Kentwood sophomore ready, physically and mentally, for run at state girls golf title this weekend
		

		
		

			3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Faces, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, , , 					

	


		

		




East Kentwood High School sophomore Elise Fennell talks about preparing for a run at a state title. (WKTV)










By K.D. Norris





ken@wktv.org






Even people in the know about the state of the State of Michigan high school girls golf might have overlooked East Kentwood High School sophomore Elise Fennell last year — until she finished her freshman season a solid fourth in the Division 1 individual finals.






And following her consistent, quality play this season, and with her dominating the field at a very tough Division 1 Regional 1 last week — shooting a 73 at Thompsonville’s Betsie Valley course, six stokes ahead of the second place individual finisher — she may well be the golfer to beat this week at the 2-day state Division 1 finals at Grand Valley State University.






East Kentwood High School sophomore Elise Fennell will be seeking a state title Oct. 15-16. (Supplied)





While the 15-year old speaks softly and humbly when asked about her approach to the state finals, to be held Oct. 15-16 at The Meadows, she sounds quietly confident in her game. And her Falcon coach, Mike Ketelaar, says the same thing, a little more loudly.






“Just trying to get ready, mentally, more than anything,” Fennell said to WKTV this week, as she prepared for a practice round at Stonewater Country Club in Caledonia. “Physically is not as important as your mental game. I’m just trying to prepare for what I am going to do. Course management decisions. Everything like that.”






Ketelaar, too, says his prize young player is “hungry” to prove herself to be among the best in the state while she is already establishing herself on the national stage in youth golf by playing in “a lot of serious tournaments in the summertime with some of the best players in the country.”






“Playing in the state finals last year … I got to watch every shot and she was very composed. She enjoyed herself,” Ketelaar said to WKTV.  “At the state tournament last year, there was a little bit of nerves but there was nothing she wasn’t used to. I think this year she is very excited for this state tournament coming up, because it is 36 holes, its at Grand Valley, where we’ve had a lot of events.






“I think she is hungry. Fourth place (last year) was really good for her but I think she has higher aspirations this year.”





Growing into her game, individual and team





Fennell has been playing since age six, and competing since she was about 10. And like a lot of young players, when she started there as a parent and a Tiger involved.






East Kentwood High School sophomore Elise Fennell is all smiles … until there is a club in her hands. (Supplied)





“I was like six, and my dad and I would watch Tiger (Woods) on TV, all those guys on TV, and he introduced me to the game,” Fennell said. Her first lesson, however, was later — “I was nine and it was here, (at Stonewater) from Jimmy (Wisinski).”






It was right about that time that she knew she could — and should — compete with the best in her age group, and higher.






“When I was 10, I was winning a lot of stuff in my age group, just because it was small, there was not a lot of girls in my age group,” Fennell said. “My scores were similar to the older girls, so I started moving up. And every time I moved up, all my scores were right there with them. … When I was like 12, I ended up playing with high schoolers and I said ‘Okay, this is where I am meant to be.’”






And that is about the time Falcon coach Ketelaar started hearing about the talent that would he would have the “privilege” and “responsibility” to be working with.






“I’ve had the privilege to work with Elise for the last two years, as her coach at East Kentwood High School,” he said. “But, prior to that, I knew about her pedigree and her ability. … Hearing about her name around the country club here and seeing her scores in different newspapers and stuff, I knew I had a huge responsibility as a coach to make sure I took care of that talent and help develop it to the best of my abilities.”






And despite her growth, physically, it is her mental game where she and her coach continue working to improve.






Her game changed, physically, she said as she grew from 10 to her current 15 years old “because I kept growing, so I needed new clubs, and my yardages changed, and but the same mentality stayed where I just wanted to focus on each shot, stay in the moment and not get too far ahead of myself. Otherwise it would be downhill from there.”






She has also grown both in her individual game and her team game, her coach said.






“I’ve noticed a huge growth in (her), she wants to do well individually still, she’s very hungry and competitive. But I think she is seeing the larger picture of the importance of helping team members,” Ketelaar said. “She obviously has more golf experience than a lot of girls on the team. She has really taken it upon herself to pass on that knowledge and teach them about course management. How to remain calm. Just to enjoy the moment.






“I know she knows high school golf is four years. I think the first year she was really concerned about learning about it and having success herself. It is very apparent now that it is not so much about her as it is about the whole team.”





Falcon team making improvements





While the East Kentwood girls golf team did not advance past the regionals, Fennell’s coach said her impact on the team this year and in the future is certain. Not only on the courses but at practice.






East Kentwood High School head girls golf coach Mike Ketelaar. (WKTV)





“I text and call Elise a lot to get a vibe on what’s the team thinking,” Ketelaar said. “Obviously I’m not a high school girl and I try my best to figure out the climate of the team is. But a lot of time I bank on her relationships, her friendships, with them all to say ‘Hey, are they enjoying themselves? Is there a practice we are doing, is it worthwhile?’ She comes back with really good advice of how she thinks we can improve our program.”






Looking at this year’s team, outride of Fennell, coach starts with his senior leader, Chandler Baillie — “She was a really a consistent player for us,” and then goes from there.






“Morgan Lee is a sophomore, she played our Number 2 this year — I know she is really excited to work in the off season, to improve. So, I’m looking forward to seeing what Morgan can bring to the table next year.






“And Aish (Aishwarya Kasaju) is a junior this year, she had huge improvements, she’ll be a senior leader. And Cam (Camryn) Kolzow came out as a freshman and never played school golf before and now has a real itch. So I think we have a great squad coming in for next year.”






 East Kentwood High School sophomore Elise Fennell at practice. (Supplied)

	

	
	

		
			



							


	

				

					

		
				

			Wolverines win rivalry game, Sailors on playoff hunt in WKTV’s Week 7 update of local teams’ prep football seasons
		

		
		

			3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, 					

	


		

		

Wyoming high will be at home this week for the WKTV Featured Game of the week, and a special stadium naming ceremony will precede the game. (WKTV)





By WKTV Staff





ken@wktv.org






With only two more weeks of the regular season remaining in the 2021 high school football season, results of Week 7 involving local teams found Grand Rapids South Christian High School (5-2 overall) all but assured a state playoff berth at the end of the month, and Wyoming Godwin Heights (3-3) kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating Kelloggsville.






The Sailors’ scored a 37-13 home win (at East Kentwood) over Ada Forest Hills Eastern. The Wolverines scored a 53-13 win in its annual rivalry game against the Rockets on a rainy night that was WKTV’s Featured Game of the week, with Wyoming and Kentwood cable television and on-demand replays available.











And talking about featured games, WKTV will be at Wyoming high this week as the Wolves host Grand Rapids Union and also a special celebration for the school’s new stadium being named in honor of Jack VerDuin, who rolled up a 243-118-6 record with the Wyoming Park Vikings before the school merged with Wyoming Rogers to become Wyoming high in 2012.






Then, in the final week of the regular season, on Friday, Oct. 22, WKTV will be at East Kentwood for South Christian’s season ending OK Conference Gold clash with current conference co-leader Cedar Springs.






Past WKTV Featured Games from this season available on-demand include the Aug. 26 Forest HIlls Northern at Wyoming High game, the Sept. 1 NorthPointe at Lee 8-man game, the Sept. 10 Middleville T-K at South Christian game (played at East Kentwood), and East Kentwood’s home win over West Otttawa on Sept. 24, South Christian’s win over Kenowa Hills on Oct. 1, and the annual Godwin vs. Kelloggsville rivalry game on Oct. 8.






WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.






All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.





Team-by-team update





East Kentwood






The East Kentwood Falcons (1-6, 1-4 in OK Conference Red) lost 6-44 on the road at Grandville (4-3, 3-2) on Oct. 8. Remaining on the Falcon’s schedule are a home game against Grand Haven (3-4, 2-3) on Oct. 15, then closing out the regular season at Jension (currently 2-5, 1-4) on Oct. 22.






After last week’s action, Rockford (7-0) sits alone in OK Red standings at 5-0 after defeating Caledonia (6-1, 4-1) with Hudsonville (4-3) also at 4-1 in conference.






Wyoming high






The Wyoming Wolves (0-7, 0-5 in OK Conference Green) were on the road again last week and lost 34-65 at Zeeland East (5-2, 4-1) on Oct. 8. This week’s game, on Oct. 15, is a home game against Grand Rapids Union (3-4, 1-4), and then the Wolves close out the season on the road at Mona Shores (currently 5-2, 4-1) on Oct. 22.






After last week’s action, Muskegon (6-1) is 5-0 and alone atop the OK Green after defeating Muskegon Mona Shores.






Grand Rapids South Christian






The South Christian Sailors (5-2, 4-1 in OK Conference Gold) will be the road for Week 8 with an OK Gold game against Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (2-5, 1-4) on Oct. 15.






After last week’s action, Grand Rapids Central Catholic (7-0) and Cedar Springs (6-1) are both 5-0 in OK Gold action, with the Sailors one game behind. South Christian played and lost to Catholic Central on Sept. 17, but still have a home game against Cedar Springs to be played to close the regular season Oct. 22.






Godwin Heights






The Godwin Heights Wolverines (3-3, 1-2 in OK Conference Silver action), after last week’s win over Kelloggsville (2-5, 1-3), could still make the playoffs by winning out in their road game at Belding (5-2, 2-2) on Oct. 15, and then winning at home to close out the season against Grandville Calvin Christian (currently 1-6, 0-4) on Oct. 22.






After last week’s action, OK Silver standings have Comstock Park (7-0) undefeated in OK Silver action at 5-0, with Sparta (5-2) at 3-1 in conference.






Kelloggsville






The Kelloggsville Rockets (2-5, 1-3 in OK Conference Silver action) saw their 2-game winning streak come to an end on a rainy night at Godwin Heights last week, and now have two tough games to end the season: at OK Silver leader Comstock Park (7-0, 5-0) on Oct. 15, and then at home to face Sparta (5-2, 3-1) on Oct. 22.






Lee (8-man football)






The Lee Legends are playing a non-conference 8-man schedule which includes both 8-man varsity and junior varsity games.