Tag Archives: West Michigan Aviation Academy

Aviation Academy students connect with International Space Station astronaut

Aviation sophomore Keira Amis asks astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi a question while he’s traveling overhead in the International Space Station.

By Cris Greer

greer@wktv.org


While orbiting Grand Rapids about 250 miles overhead last Thursday, International Space Station astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi answered questions from 15 West Michigan Aviation Academy students in their high school gym on the grounds of Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

With help from local amateur radio enthusiasts, the conversation was loud and clear between the astronaut and the students … even while traveling overhead at a speed of 17,500 miles per hour. 

Neyadi, of the United Arab Emirates, is the second Emirati astronaut to go to space and the first Emirati astronaut to make a long duration space flight.  He is a member of the SpaceX Crew-6 and ISS Expedition 68/69 and arrived at the space station on March 3, 2023.

West Michigan Aviation Academy students spoke with astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi while he orbited overhead in space Thursday. (Courtesy, NASA/WMAA)


Sophomore Keira Amis was one of the 15 Aviation students who asked astronaut Neyadi a question. She explained her “super rare opportunity” of talking to him in space.

“Nobody my age, except for my other 15 schoolmates here will get to talk to an astronaut like this, ever,” said Amis, who plans to get her pilot’s license at WMAA. “It was kind of scary in front of all these people, but it was incredibly worth it.”



WKTV Managing Editor Cris Greer interviews Aviation sophomore Keira Amis.



There were many moving pieces that made this contact possible, which took about a year to come to fruition. Specifically, the ARRL (National Association for Amateur Radio) and ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) played the main roles in the event. 

“ARISS is the organization that made this contact possible; they built the ham station on the space station and arrange the school contacts with NASA,” said Doug Papay, team lead for radio equipment setup. “Our mentor was Gordon Scannell … who facilitated the live stream for the event.”





The amateur radio team for this contact consisted of Papay, Tom Bosscher (audio) and Mike Wolthuis (loaned the equipment).

“Mike, Tom and I, with the help of Pioneer Construction, set up the station at the school the week prior to the contact,” said Papay, Lead Radio Frequency Design Engineer and Manager of Electromagnetic Compatibility Design at Gentex. “This involved assembling the antennas and lifting them up to the roof of the school, routing coax and cabling and connecting radios and audio equipment for a test run.

“I estimate that I have 60-80 hours of work into getting the station prepared for deployment and assembled at the school.” 


West Michigan Aviation students line up to ask astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi questions while he’s traveling overhead on the International Space Station. (WKTV)

All in the family

Papay said he “grew up with amateur radio.”

“I spent hours with my father at the workbench, in the yard building towers and antennas, in his radio shack listening to DX, attending hamfests, field day events and club meetings, but it was his hobby not mine. My interest at the time was 8-bit computers.”

Although he had little interest early on, his father’s love of radio eventually became his own.

“After becoming licensed in 2005, I quickly discovered the world of amateur satellite and ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) and started to pursue this aspect of the hobby. During the last 17 years of being in the hobby, I have made over 17,000 2-way amateur radio contacts, several of which have been with astronauts or space flight participants that were aboard the ISS.”

This was Papay’s second time facilitating an ARISS contact; both at WMAA. His daughter Grace, also a licensed amateur radio operator, made the contact to the space station at this event. A junior at Holland Christian High School, Grace holds an Amateur Extra Class license, which is the top level license assigned by the FCC for amateur radio operators.

Grace Papay and dad Doug Papay were instrumental in the International Space Station contact at West Michigan Aviation Academy. (WKTV)

“I encouraged her to pursue the amateur radio license in order to honor and celebrate her grandfather (my dad, John Papay) on his 60th year of amateur radio,” Papay added.

Aviation science teacher Bryan Forney said it was a really cool opportunity.

“I think we get so used to picking up a cell phone and being able to talk to anybody anywhere, and we don’t really think about the complexity of what it takes to do that,” said Forney, who teaches chemistry and AP physics at Aviation and is a retired Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. “We didn’t even get into half of the complexity of just how hard it is to track and communicate with an object that’s moving 17,000 miles per hour across the sky. It’s a pretty amazing thing and I thought it was super cool.”

WMAA science teacher Bryan Forney.

Interest in the ISS contact began with a few WMAA teachers several years ago, which led to a proposal from Aviation flight instructor Les Brown, who’s also an amateur radio operator. 

“All the teachers were writing content and presenting lessons related to the space station and space travel,” Forney explained. “Every academic department found a way to tie this into the curriculum.”

Forney said WMAA is the place to study if you’re thinking about being an astronaut.

“I’d say that just about any one of the students that goes here is getting the academic background they need to prepare themselves for a career in space if they want one.”

An image of the International Space Station. (Courtesy, WMAA/NASA)

Space Station Facts (Courtesy, nasa.gov)

• An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the International Space Station. Learn more about visitors to the space station by country.

• An international crew of seven people live and work while traveling at a speed of five miles per second, orbiting Earth about every 90 minutes. Sometimes more are aboard the station during a crew handover.

• In 24 hours, the space station makes 16 orbits of Earth, traveling through 16 sunrises and sunsets.

• The space station is 356 feet (109 meters) end-to-end, one yard shy of the full length of an American football field including the end zones.

• The station’s orbital path takes it over 90 percent of the Earth’s population, with astronauts taking millions of images of the planet below. Check them out at https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov.

• The space station travels an equivalent distance to the Moon and back in about a day.

• More than 50 computers control the systems on the space station.

Potter's House, Anyieth Nhial

Potter’s House turns to defense, grabs league win against West Michigan Aviation

By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor


From left, Joy McClendon, 5, and Ivy Andreas, 2, from Potter's House (WKTV)
From left, Puma team members: Joy McClendon, 5, and Ivy Andreas, 2. (WKTV)

Defense was the name of the game as Potter’s House Christian defeated West Michigan Aviation 54-23 in an Alliance League girls basketball game.

The Pumas took command of the game with their lock-down defense right from the opening tip allowing just a single point in the first quarter and a single field goal in the second period enroute to taking a commanding 25-3 halftime lead.

“We got our full-court press working pretty well,” said Potter’s House Christian coach Jake Hoogstrate. “Our pressure forced a lot of turnovers.”

Ivy Andreas was one of the ringleaders of the Puma defense.

“Ivy was all over the place defensively,” Hoogstrate said. “She was a big key in limiting them to three points in the first half. She also had a lot of assists on offense and played a great game.”

Playing strong defense is a point of pride for the Pumas who improved to 8-4 overall for the season and 2-0 in the Alliance League.

“We pride ourselves in how we play defense,” Hoogstrate said. “Playing strong defense is definitely a focus of our team over the years. We definitely didn’t play great defense on Tuesday at Saugatuck so we wanted to come out tonight and play great defense.”

Potter's House, Emmonne Craig
Potter’s House’s Emmonne Craig helped with the Puma’s defense. (WKTV)

Potter’s House extended the lead to 37-10 at the end of the third quarter and outscored West Michigan Aviation 17-13 in the final quarter.

“We got off to a hot start which was fun,” Hoogstrate said. “It’s always good to see the ball go in the basket early.”

Anyieth Nhial led the way on offense for the Pumas with 23 points. Joy McClendon added eight points while Annie Winkle, Emily Baez and Emonne Craig added six points apiece.

Potter’s House Christian returns to action Tuesday when it hosts Muskegon Oakridge.

West Michigan Aviation was led on offense by Ava Bazuin who scored 13 of the Aviators 23 points. West Michigan Aviation fell to 5-7 overall for the season and 1-1 in the conference. The Aviators are off until Jan. 25 when they travel to Grand Rapids Sacred Heart.

Aviators start strong, beat host Kalamazoo Christian 77-61

(pxhere.com)



By Cris Greer

WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org



The West Michigan Aviation boys basketball team made its first trip to Kalamazoo Tuesday night well worth it with a 77-61 win over Kalamazoo Christian.

“We jumped out on them,” said Aviators Coach Austin Riebel, whose team improved to 2-2 overall. “The story in the first half is that we shot really well.”

Riebel’s son Luke scored 20 points before the half and ended up leading his team with 25. A junior and third-year varsity member, Riebel played alongside older brother Joey last year while dad coached. Joey is now playing JV basketball at Spring Arbor University.

Joseph May chipped in 14 points and 12 assists, while Ethan Dyksterhouse added 13 points and 10 boards.

“This was a great rebound win for us after a tough loss to Hopkins last Thursday,” Coach Riebel said. “They really shared the ball well tonight.

“We talked before the game about building our brand of basketball which is three things: physical, fast paced and playing together. They took a huge step in cementing this brand.”

It was the Aviators first time playing the Comets, which was Matt Dyksterhouse’s idea, a Kalamazoo Christian basketball alum and father to Ethan Dyksterhouse.

“It was cool for us to go there and play them,” said Riebel, of the 2-2 Comets.

As far as the Alliance League goes, Riebel said they’ve been very close the past two years, but Tri-unity and Potter’s House are “thorns in our side. We’ve had close battles with them.

“We’re definitely in that mix, but those two teams are very good, and Wyoming Lee is very good this year, too. We’ve got our work cut out for us.”

Tri-unity won the Alliance League at 8-0, followed by Potter’s House, 7-1 and West Michigan Aviation, 6-2.

Kentwood school makes top one percent of top Michigan schools

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

While the big news of the day is that Grand Rapids City High Middle School ranked No. 1 in Michigan on the U.S. News & World Report’s annual high school rankings, a school in the Kentwood area landed in the top one percent of those same rankings.

West Michigan Aviation Academy, located the Gerald R. Ford International Airport at 5363 44th St. SE, was ranked 26th in Michigan. According to the U.S. News & World Report, schools are ranked on performance on state required tests, graduation and how well the schools prepare students for college. For West Michigan Aviation Academy, it was noted the school offers Advanced Placement course work and participation in AP courses was about 68 percent.

Also landing in the top one percent were East Grand Rapids High School, which was ranked No. 13; Forest Hills Northern High School, which was ranked No. 21; Byron Center High School, which was ranked No. 24; and Forest Hills Central High School, which was ranked No. 28.

Of course, the big news from the report was that City High Middle School took the top spot for Michigan schools along with ranking No. 18 in the nation. According to the U.S. News & World Report, students have the opportunity to take International Baccalaureate coursework and exams. The IB participation rate at City High Middle School is 100%. City High Middle School was the first school in the area to offer the International Baccalaureate Middle Years and Diploma Programme.

“We could not be prouder of our scholars, staff, district, and community for this achievement,” said City High Middle School Principal Ryan Huppert. “The inspiration that this accomplishment provides is worth so much to our community right now.

“These rankings reflect all the hard work that scholars and staff put forth to succeed here

. Seeing those efforts translate into such a high level of success and recognition means the world to our school.”

There is around 1,700 high schools in Michigan. Of those schools, 660 Michigan schools made the U.S. News & World Report rankings. For a Michigan high school to be ranked it much complete the three-part Michigan Merit Exam in 11th grade. It includes the SAT college entrance exam, the ACT WorkKeys assessment, as well as online assessments via the Michigan Student Test of Education Progress in science and social studies, accord to the Michigan Department of Education. For a school to receive a state ranking, it must have earned a national silver or gold award.

West Michigan Aviation Academy advances to state Science Olympiad competition

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org


About 700 middle and high school students competed in 46 different events for the Regional 12 Science Olympiad competition which was at Grand Valley State University. (Supplied)

West Michigan Aviation Academy beat out 46 other teams to snag one of six high school spots to advance to the Michigan Science Olympiad state competition.

Around 700 middle school and high school students from Kent, Muskegon and Ottawa counties displayed their STEM-related work during the competition. at the Regional 12 Michigan Science Olympiad which was held Saturday, March 19, on the Grand Valley State University’s Allendale campus. Six middle school and six high school teams qualified for the state tournament, said tournament co-director Chelsea Ridge.

Besides West Michigan Aviation Academy, the other five high school teams were Grand Haven High School, Hudsonville High School, East Grand Rapids High School, Allendale High School and Forest Hills Central High School.

The middle school teams that qualified were Grand Haven’s Lakeshore Middle School, Forest Hills’ Northern Hills Middle School. Hudsonville’s Riley Street Middle School, Grand Haven’s White Pines Intermediate School, Chandler Woods Charter Academy in Belmont, and Allendale Middle School.

 

“The team dynamic helps students to foster a community at their school where they can dig deeper in STEM areas they are passionate about that may not be covered in a traditional science class,” Ridge said. “The tournament is an opportunity for them to showcase all they have worked so diligently to master throughout the season.”

Hosted by the GVSU’s Regional Math and Science Center, the 46 scheduled events included competitions involving airplanes, indoor bottle rockets, vehicles and more.

The state competition is set for April 30 at the Michigan State University campus, which is located in Lansing. 

On bench and on court, West Michigan Aviation boys basketball team running with the Riebels

Michigan Aviation Academy boys basketball team, with head coach Austin Riebel, at practice. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The West Michigan Aviation Academy boys basketball is not just a one-man — or one family — show, but the first two names on the roster are senior Joey Riebel and sophomore Luke Riebel, and the Aviators are led by first-year head coach (and father) Austin Riebel.

And as the Aviators have jumped out to a 6-3-1 (with the 1 being a cancelation/postponement), and 3-0 in Alliance League play, it is clear that the family and friends plan may well be working to perfection.

“Both of the boys” are starters and key players, Coach Riebel said to WKTV. “Luke is our leading scorer right now, averaging about 15 (points) a game right now. He’s got a gift and the gift is he can really shoot the ball.”

Joey, “my oldest, is our point guard. He plays a ton. He makes us go. … He is our third leading scores … averages six assists a game and only three turnovers a game, which is great for us.”

First-year head coach Austin Riebel and his Michigan Aviation Academy boys basketball at practice. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

But the team is more than just the Riebel boys, and coach Riebel was quick to mention junior 6-foot-6 big man Ethan Dyksterhouse. He is the team’s second leading scorer, averaging about 14 per game with nine rebounds per game. “He has great size inside.”

Coach Riebel also pointed out another big man in the Aviators rotation, 6-7 senior Jonas Bont, as well as senior Zakaria Mohamed, two of the team’s senior captains.

“Zakaria is a great shooter,” he said. “And Jonas does a lot of the intangible things for us … he is a great offensive rebounder.”

The other varsity players on the squad are seniors Eliot McNutt, Gabe Wade and Karsten Kotchenruther; juniors Nolen Sperring Heath Tamlyn and Ian Brown; and sophomore Braeden Mowry.

Michigan Aviation Academy boys basketball team, with head coach Austin Riebel, at practice. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“They get along really well, we have a great group of guys,” coach Riebel said. “And we actually have a fourth senior captain, Hayden Leenheer. He kind of leads our reserve squad.”

Coach Riebel is assisted by coach Joey Saladino.

But there is not doubt that the Riebels are the heart of this seasons’ Aviators.

And while it is a great experience to coach his sons, coach Riebel says, it might not always be that way for for his sons/players.

“It is pretty special to coach, not one but two of my boys,” coach Riebel said, but “we talked about it ad nauseam even before I decided to do this. … There are definitely hard times, being the dad and the coach, but we worked thorough it.”

Coaching background

While coach Riebel is new to the West Michigan Aviation head coaching job, he is not new to the program or to coaching in West Michigan.

Michigan Aviation Academy boys basketball team, with head coach Austin Riebel, at practice. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

He has 23 years of experience coaching high school basketball in West Michigan, including serving as assistant coach on the Aviators varsity team for the previous three years under Tyler Whitcomb, who left the program for an athletic director position.

The Aviators were 12-6 in the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season, which ended with a playoff lost at Grand Rapids Christian.

“I have three sons playing basketball and, with two of them here, that’s why I came here” as an assistant coach, Riebel said. And now, (taking the Aviation Academy head coaching job) “is what works for me. … it just made sense.”

Before coming to the Ford Airport school, Riebel coached at Godwin Heights high, where he taught for 17 years, and spent 10 years in various coaching positions at Forest Hills Central, where he played prep ball and graduated.

He attended Hope College, played a little basketball there, and earned a degree. Now, he is vice-president of TrueSuccess — which, according to its website,  “provides research-based educational tools that simultaneously equip kids with behavior and literacy skills that are essential to unleash potential” — and is in his second year as director of the West Michigan Lakers, an AAU travel boys basketball team.

Young, very young, Aviators girls hoops program set to learn to fly with new coach at controls

West Michigan Aviation Academy 1st-year head coach Jasmine Hall coaches up her team during a timeout of a game Jan. 19. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The West Michigan Aviation Academy girls basketball team’s Jan. 19 home game against Holland Black River might be seen as a microcosm of the current struggles of a very young team with talent yet to take flight.

The Aviators, now 0-8 overall on the season (0-2 in Alliance League), played scrappy defense and were right in the game well into the second half before a few tough shots were made by the visiting Rats, a few easy shots were missed by the Aviators, and some missed opportunities from the foul line led to a 39-32 loss.

West Michigan Aviation Academy action during a game Jan. 19. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

The good news is that 1st-year head coach Jasmine Hall has a plan for her young team — a combined JV/varsity team this season with only one senior (who was out ill against Black River), five juniors and eight underclassmen in uniform.

“This year we have eight freshman and sophomores, we are pretty young, and my idea here is to keep them together, to let them get the experience,” Hall said. “This way, next year, I hope to put my more developed players onto a varsity team and then get a JV team with a few returning players, more kids coming into the program and the freshmen coming up.”
 

And coach Hall has a reputation and avocation of “developing” young basketball talent.

After starting out on the basketball sidelines at Grand Rapids Central High School as a statistician, she has been an assistant coach at many levels. She coached youth and school teams, spent two years coaching at Davenport College (now University), and mot recently coached both basketball and track in Grand Rapids Public Schools.

She holds degrees from Davenport, including an MBA, and is currently head coach and owner of the West Michigan Elite Stars, a women’s development basketball team which will be playing under the WABA league.

West Michigan Aviation Academy 1st-year head coach Jasmine Hall, with Aviators freshman standout Sofia Vandenhoek (11) and junior leader Caden Schifini (10) during a timeout of a game Jan. 19. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

A few of Hall’s current Aviator players are already making their mark on the Hall’s team, and setting themselves up as players to build a program around.

“Over the next couple, three years, one of them is definitely going to be Sofia (Vandenhoek, a freshman), she’s an all-around athlete — she’s six feet tall, she can shoot the ball, she can play inside and outside,” Hall said. “I have high expectations for her.”

Another freshman coach Hall is looking forward to developing is Lucy Lawrence — “She is a great ball handler.” And coach sees the ability of one or more of her juniors to step up and be team leaders in their senior years; they include Alondra Herrera, Ava Bazuin, Audrey Mileski, Caden Schifini and Addison Turk.

The only senior in the program is Kendal Springborn. The other sophomores and freshmen are Alayna Atkinson, Presley David, Amber Hilbrands, Meredith Jarchow, Abbie Ruis and Abigail Toonder. Coach Hall is assisted by Marco Vogel.

WKTV sports prep basketball coverage to feature WM Aviation, Potter’s House rivalry this week

West Michgian Aviation Academy boys, from an early season game. (WMAA Athletics)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

It is still early in a very strange prep basketball season, but after WKTV sports’ featured-game crew visited East Kentwood last week to open the delayed basketball season, a Friday, Feb. 19, boys and girls doubleheader at West Michigan Aviation Academy will feel like the season is in full swing.

In the Friday, Feb. 19, contests, WM Aviation will host The Potter’s House High School for a girls’ contest at 5:30 p.m., followed by a boys’ matchup at 7 p.m. WKTV will record both games and replay them Friday night at 11 p.m., with more replays to be scheduled, and make it available on-demand later. (See details at bottom of story.)

The WM Aviation boys will enter the contest with 3-1 record following a 39-31 win over Wellspring Preparatory on Feb. 17. Potter’s House (2-1) defeated Holland Calvary, 59-22. on Feb. 16.

In the two teams’ previous matchup, last season, Potter’s House defeated WM Aviation, 67-53. In the 2019-20 season, WM Aviation posted a 12-8 record and lost in the district opener to Ada Forest Hills Eastern. Potter’s House (13-7) made it to the district semifinals, falling there to Grandville Calvin Christian.

The WM Aviation girls will enter the contest with a 2-2 record, coming off a 50-44 win over Wellspring Prep this week. Potter’s House comes in 2-0, with wins over Muskegon Catholic Central and Muskegon Orchard View.

In the two teams’ last match up, last season, Potter’s House defeated WM Aviation, 40-22, to complete a 2-0 season sweep between the two teams. WM Aviation was 8-12 overall last season, falling in the district semifinals to Grand Rapids South Christian. Potters House was also 8-12, also ending their season in the district semifinals.

To see the East Kentwood vs. Caledonia boys basketball on WKTV on-demand visit WKTVlive.com. WKTV also has recent local prep bowling coverage on-demand.

WKTV featured games will be on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, 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 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.

March madness comes to East Kentwood as it hosts FIRST robotics competition

FIRST Power Up, the theme for this year’s FIRST challenge, is based on a Mario game.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

The energy in the gym is electric. Mascots lead the crowds in cheers as the teams take the field. Someone runs in front of the bleachers with a team flag with others in the stands holding up illuminated signs of team numbers. It only gets quiet as the match is about to start. The buzzer goes off and the place erupts with noise.

 

This is March Madness not for basketball, but for robotics, specifically FIRST Robotics. This Friday and Saturday, the madness comes to East Kentwood High School’s field house as the district for the fourth year hosts the First Robotics event.

 

“I have been superintendent for the district for five years, so I have really gotten the chance to see this event grow,” said Kentwood Superintendent William Zoerhoff, who added that watching the students work as a team to figure out a problem using their STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts, and math — skills is pretty amazing.

 

Color coordinated fans are ready to cheer on their team at GVSU’s FIRST Robotics competition.

Started in 1992, FIRST is an international high school robotics competition founded by inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen — the man behind the Segway — and MIT professor emeritus Woodie Flowers. In fact, Kamen often has stated that FIRST is the invention he feels most proud of.

 

The program began with 28 teams in a New Hampshire high school gym, according to the FIRST website. In 2018, it is estimated that more than 400,000 students across the globe will come together and within six weeks, design, build, and program a functional robot which is able to fulfill the unique and complex challenges specific to that year’s game.

 

“But it is much more than just building a robot, “ said Grand Valley State University’s Dean of Engineering Paul D. Plotkowski. GVSU was one of the first organizations to host FIRST Robotic competitions with the university having its event last weekend. “It’s about teamwork. It’s about students coming together and solving a problem with each student having a specific task in accomplishing the goal.”

 

Teams are not only required to build a robot, but they have to come up with a business plan to help cover costs for parts and travel. In the cast of Kentwood’s Red Storm Robotics, Zoerhoff said when funding for the school’s program was needed, the students pitched the team and event to Switch which signed on as a major community supporter.

 

In the end, it is not about winning either, according to Kentwood’s FIRST Robotics Competition organizer Wendy Ljungen, who is a chief consulting engineer for GE Aviation Systems. It is about getting students interested in the field of technology and in fact, there are a vast array of scholarships available to students who participate in FIRST.

 

“When GE got involved, it was looking at how to get more women involved in technology,” Ljungen said. “GE has been a strong force in creating a balance by encouraging girls and building a better pipeline.”

 

So nine years ago, a GE group, called Women in Technology,  began to look around to see what programs there were to encourage students and specifically pull girls into the pipeline of technology and engineering. They found FIRST and had about three months —which included the two-week Christmas break — to pull together a team. They did and Kentwood’s Red Storm Robotics team became the top seeded Rookie team that year.

 

Mentors work with the South Christian High School team

From there, GE branched out to help with establishing three middle school teams in Kentwood — one which went to the world competition last year — along with helping with the Wyoming High School’s team the Demons and this year, re-establishing the Ottawa Hills High School team. Those teams along with West Michigan Aviation’s Team Spitfire, Lee High School’s Rebel Robotics, and Potter’s House’s Tactical Hams are among the more than 40 teams that will be at this weekend’s event.

 

This year’s competition theme is based on a Mario game with the robots required to be able to pick up cubes that can be placed on a scale along with passing them out for stacking. Robots also need to be able to climb a structure with some able to load another team’s robot and climb.

 

The “game” floor has all the bells and whistles of the Mario game complete with a giant scoreboard showcasing who has the most points. There is a few minutes before a winner is announced as final scores are tallied.

 

Each team is required to attend two district competitions. Those teams that earn enough points or certain awards, then advance to the state competition which will be April 12-14 at Saginaw Valley State University.

 

“It has been quite a journey,” Ljungen said. “When we started there was about 200 teams. There are now more than 500 teams with the goal that ever listed high school in the state will have a team.”

 

The growth of FIRST is evident as to accommodate all the teams with Forest Hills Central High School added to the schedule this year as a new FIRST Robotics event site. That competition is next weekend.

 

For more on FIRST, visit firstinspires.org. For Saturday’s live coverage, tune into WKTV Channel 25 or visit wktv.viebet.com.

WM Aviation now 6-2 in league, prepares for WKTV feature coverage

By Tyler Whitcomb

West Michigan Aviation Academy

 

The West Michigan Aviation Academy boys basketball team avenged an early-season loss on Tuesday, Feb. 13, by edging out Alliance League rival Grand River Prep by a score of 69-61.

 

The Aviators continue their conference slate on Friday night at Zion Christian in Byron Center.

 

(And WKTV’s featured game coverage crew will be there covering it for cable and on-demand replay. For complete list of upcoming local sports and WKTV featured games see our weekly sports schedule.

 

The Aviators (6-2 in league; 9-5 overall) fell to the Titans, 55-41, early on in the season in a non-conference spat. But, with league implications on the line Tuesday night on the road, Micah Broersma and Sam Ver Steeg dialed up brilliant games from long range to power WMAA to a victory.

 

Broersma finished with a game-high 26 points. He was 8-for-14 from behind the 3-point line while Ver Steeg added 14 points, which included a 4-for-8 performance from deep. The Aviators finished 13-for-26 (50 percent) from long range and 26-for-50 from the field as a whole.

 

Darnell Frye added 10 points for West Michigan Aviation Academy, followed by eight points from Bakar Dadiri and seven points from Ryan Robertson. Dadiri also added eight assists while Robertson paced the rebounding effort for WMAA with 10 boards.

 

Both teams went into the locker room at half time gridlocked in a 29-all tie, but it was the Aviators that stormed out in the second half to take control of the game. WMAA outscored the Titans 21-10 in the third frame and held on the rest of the way.

 

WKTV Note: Are you a student, parent, fan or coach of local high school sports interested in submitting stories to WKTV Journal for run on our website? Contact Ken at ken@wktv.org .

 

WKTV coverage of WMA vs. Lee doubleheader part of high school sports schedule

 

By Mike Moll

sports@wktv.org

 

The WKTV sports broadcast schedule will give you three games over two nights as our coverage truck makes visits to East Kentwood and West Michigan Aviation this week.

 

Tuesday night the truck and crew will be heading to East Kentwood for a boys basketball game against East Grand Rapids. Game time is 7 p.m. Friday night, the crew will be at West Michigan Aviation, where both the girls and boys teams will be hosting Wyoming Lee. The crew will then take the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day off before returning in the new year.

 

Currently, each Tuesday game will be broadcast that night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Each Friday game will be aired that night on WKTV 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

 

For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/

 

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

 

Monday, Dec. 18

Boys/Girls Bowling

Godwin Heights @ Hopkins

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee

Christian @ Wyoming

Girls Cheer 

East Kentwood @ Grandville

 

Tuesday, Dec. 19

Boys Bowling

Wellsprings Prep @ Godwin Heights

Wyoming @ Middleville T-K

Boys Basketball 

Wyoming Lee @ Tri-Unity Christian

South Christian @ Calvin Christian

East Grand Rapids @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Game

West Michigan Lutheran @ Barry County Christian

Grand River Prep @ West Michigan Aviation

Girls Basketball 

Calvin Christian @ South Christian

East Kentwood @ East Grand Rapids

Grace Christian @ Zion Christian

West Michigan Lutheran @ Barry County Christian

Manistee Catholic Central 2 tri-Unity Christian

 

Wednesday, Dec. 20

Girls Cheer 

Godwin Heights @ Muskegon Mona Shores

Wyoming @ Muskegon Mona Shores

Boys Basketball 

Catholic Central @ Godwin Heights

Boys Wrestling 

Wyoming Lee @ Comstock Park

Wyoming @ Holland

Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian

Rockford @ East Kentwood

 

Thursday, Dec. 21

Boys/Girls Bowling 

Wyoming @ Allendale

 

Friday, Dec. 22

Boys Basketball 

Wyoming Lee @ West Michigan Aviation – WKTV Featured Game

Wyoming @ Kenowa Hills

Cedar Springs @ Kelloggsville

Lansing Christian @ Potter’s House

Girls Basketball 

Wyoming @ Kenowa Hills

Lansing Christian @ Potter’s House

Wyoming Lee @ West Michigan Aviation – WKTV Featured Game

Boys Hockey

East Kentwood @ Catholic Central

 

Saturday, Dec. 23

Boys Wrestling 

Kelloggsville @ Martin

 

Monday, Dec. 25

CHRISTMAS DAY

 

Tuesday, Dec. 26

Boys Basketball 

Godwin Heights vs Covenant Christian @ Cornerstone University

 

West Michigan Aviation Academy boys start season with win

 

Supplied by WMAA

 

The West Michigan Aviation Academy boys basketball team kicked off a highly anticipated season on Friday night, securing a 63-54 victory over non-conference opponent Crossroads Charter Academy of Big Rapids.

 

Quentin Thompson led the way for the Aviators, dialing in from long range to finish with 21 points, as reported by WMAA boys coach and athletic Tyler Whitcomb. Thompson was 6-of-12 from the field, including a 6-of-11 performance from behind the 3-point arc. Thompson was also a perfect 3-for-3 from the charity stripe.

 

Micah Broersma also let it fly from deep in the win, finishing 4-for-10 from 3-point land for all 12 of his points. Ryan Robertson contributed 12 points for the Aviators, dropping in 10 of his 14 free throw attempts.

 

West Michigan Aviation Academy did not shy away from stiff competition in the season-opening contest. Combo guard Britton Angel returned to Crossroads this year as an All-State honoree last season.

 

Angel has already been on scoring tear this season, recording 36 points in the game 1 and 53 points in the game leading up to his visit to WMAA, but the Aviators were able to limit him to 22 points, which included a 9-for-14 performance from the field.

 

The Aviators slowly built their lead over the course of the game, gaining an 18-14 lead after the first stanza and holding on to a 26-23 lead at the break.

 

WMAA finished 17-for-43 from the field, 12-for-28 from 3-point land and 17-for-24 from the free-throw line. The Aviators grabbed a 27-24 advantage on the boards. Broersma and Robertson each hauled in five rebounds apiece to lead the team. Robertson added six assists, as well. WMAA is now 1-0 on the season.

 

Sam Ver Steeg chipped in with nine points for the Aviators, who also got points from Niklass Kurth (3 points), Bakar Dadiri (2), Zach Ellis (2) and Darnell Frye II (2).

 

West Michigan Aviation Academy continues its non-conference slate with Tuesday’s home match-up with West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science.

 

Many of the private schools also are starting before Labor Day

It is not just the local school that will be starting before Labor Day, but many of the area’s private schools as well.

 

Both Wyoming and Kentwood are home to several faith-based and charter schools. Most of these schools will be opening Aug. 28. Those schools include: Grand River Prep, Potters House, South Christian High School, West Michigan Aviation Academy, West Michigan Lutheran ad Legacy Christian School. West Catholic and Catholic Central High Schools also are starting on Aug. 28.

 

 

Grand Rapids Christian High School started before everyone — and this includes public schools as well — on Aug. 16, while the first day of school for all the Calvin Christian schools is Aug. 29

 

Tri Unity Christian High School is one of the only private schools scheduled to start after Labor Day on Sept. 5.

 

Michigan law mandates that public schools may not start before Labor Day. However, districts may seek a wavier with the Michigan Department of Education reporting a record number of waivers for this school year totaling 123. This included 99 school districts and charter schools and 24 intermediate school districts, which includes Kent Intermediate School District. The Kent Career Technical Center is started on Monday, Aug. 21.

 

A for a list of the public school start dates, click here.

West Michigan Lutheran defeats West Michigan Aviation Academy in featured WKTV girls basketball game

West Michigan Lutheran defeated West Michigan Aviation Academy in a featured WKTV girls basketball game Jan. 3. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

 

In WKTV’s featured high school sports game of Tuesday, Jan. 3, West Michigan Lutheran got 19 points from junior Maddie Guis and defeated host West Michigan Aviation Academy 44-20. WML  is now 4-1 on the season. The Mustangs also had double-figure scoring from junior Darian Blanchard with 10 points and sophomore Payton Goldbold with 11.

 

WKTV videos and broadcasts several games each week during high school sports season.

 

Each Tuesday game will be broadcast that night on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 at 10:30 p.m. throughout the Grand Rapids Metro Area and repeat on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. on  WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood. Every Friday game will be aired that night on Live Wire 24 at 10:30 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV 25 and AT&T U-verse 99.

 

For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action in January, see now.wktv.org/sports/

 

DVDs of each game are also available for purchase at $20 including shipping. For more information, visit WKTV.org