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Year in Review &
Athletics Awards

The 2023-24 accomplishments of all 23 school-sponsored sports we offer at HCHS, including boys club volleyball and the three sports under the umbrella of West Ottawa High School--boys hockey and girls competitive cheer & lacrosse.

During the 2023-24 school year, HCHS had 417 student-athletes, or 64% of our student body, involved in at least one of 23 sport offerings.

There were 188 student-athletes, or 45% of our athletes, involved in multiple sports for an average of 1.55 sports per athlete.

145 multi-sport athletes have also maintained a GPA of 3.5 or greater earning them the distinction as a multi-sport scholar athlete!

2023-24 Awards

2024 MHSAA Scholar Athlete Award

This award is the most prestigious honor given by the MHSAA annually to students in Michigan. Out of approximately 1,500 nominations each year, 32 senior athletes earn scholarships based on achievement and leadership in athletics.  In addition to involvement and short answer question responses, the significant portion of the application judging is based on an essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.  The following Holland Christian students are nominees for the MHSAA Scholar Athlete Award.

Alden Baker
Monica Diaz
Rylie Huisenga

Callie Keizer
Hannah Knot
Cortney Leep

Josiah Meyers
Teagan Schoonveld
Joseph Stielstra

Tianna Stygstra
Ellen Wierda

Clare Pott Award

Presented in honor of former Holland Christian teacher, coach, and athletic director, Clare Pott, this award recognizes a female and male athlete with outstanding achievement in varsity athletics, scholarship, school, church, community, and evidence of Christian growth.

This year’s Clare Pott Award recipients are Baylee VanderZwaag (Aquatics & Softball), Megan Grassmid (Golf & Soccer), Michael Haig (Soccer & Basketball) and Nathan Bengelink (Aquatics & Track and Field).

US Marine Corps Award

The U.S. Marine Corps annually honors both a female and male student-athlete who positively represent their branch of the military at Holland Christian. The Distinguished Athlete Award recognizes athletes who display courage, poise and self confidence as an outstanding leader and varsity athlete.

This year’s Distinguished Athlete Award recipients are Teagan Schoonveld (Volleyball & Basketball), Monica Diaz (Golf & Tennis), Luke Michmerhuizen (Football, Basketball & Baseball) and Alden Baker (Soccer, Basketball & Baseball).

Mike Phelps Award

Presented by former Holland Christian teacher, coach, and athletic director Mike Phelps, this award recognizes a female and male student-athlete who exhibit the character traits Mike Phelps valued. His award recognizes exceptional leadership qualities, passion for sport, strong work ethic, sportsmanship, and Christian character.

This year’s Mike Phelps award winners are Tianna Stygstra (Volleyball, Basketball & Soccer), Hannah Knot (Aquatics & Softball), Lake Vander Ploeg (Soccer & Volleyball) and Ethan Abberger (Football & Baseball).

OK Conference Award

The OK Conference includes almost 50 schools and annually has members finish in the top ranks of the MHSAA. Each year the conference recognizes a female and male student from each participating school who demonstrate exceptional ability and achievement as an athlete and positively represent Holland Christian and the OK Conference.

This year’s OK Conference award winners are Lilly DeVries (Tennis), Maria Heeres (Aquatics), Ryder Gravenhof (Football & Basketball) and Eli Boyce (Football & Baseball).

Season Reviews

Fall 2024

Boys Cross Country

OK Black: Champions
All Conference: Will Engbers, Landon Gerritsma, Brayden Rynsburger & Nathan Steen
MHSAA Regional: Runner-Up
MHSAA Finals: 6th Place
MITCA All State: Will Engbers
MITCA Academic All State: Team

Girls Cross Country

OK Black: Runner-Up
All Conference: Avery Engbers, Ellery Lampen & Layla Geurink
MHSAA Regional: Runner-Up
MHSAA Finals: 3rd Place
MITCA All State: Avery Engbers
MITCA Academic All State: Team

Boys Football

OK Black: Runner-Up (3-2, 6-3 Overall)
All Conference: Evan Abberger, Alex Plockmeyer, Will Grant, Gabe Konfara & Josh Bruxvoort
MHSAA District: Semifinalist
MHSFCA All State: TBD

Girls Golf

OK Black: 3rd Place
All Conference: Elizabeth Van Dusseldorp & Stella Tjepkema
MHSAA Regional: 5th Place
MHSAA State Qualifier: Elizabeth Van Dusseldorp
MIGCA Academic All State: Elizabeth Van Dusseldorp, Hannah Tait & Team

Boys Soccer

OK Black: 3rd Place (7-4-1/12-5-2 Overall)
All Conference: Reuben Plaggemars, Spencer Walraven, Efeson Windemuller & Andrew Lubbers
MHSAA District: Semifinalist
MIHSSCA Academic All State: TBD

Girls Aquatics

OK Lakeshore: 4th Place (4-2)
All Conference: Camryn Siegers, Ruthie Ryden, Sara Algera, Kennie Lewis & Kyla Schippers
MHSAA State: 5th Place
MISCA All State: Camryn Siegers, Ruthie Ryden, Jackie Brink, Kennie Lewis, Mackenzie Mulder, Kyla Schippers & Payton Myrick
MISCA Academic All State: TBD
NISCA All American Consideration: TBD

Boys Tennis

OK Black: Champions (6-0/20-2-1 Overall)
All Conference: Josh Dawson, Henry Langejans, Tyler Hemmeke, Dylan Becksvoort & Gavin Swiftney
MHSAA Regional: Champions
MHSAA Finals: D4 State Champions
MHSTeCA All State: Josh Dawson, Henry Langejans, Tyler Hemmeke, Dylan Becksvoort, Gavin Swiftney, Evan Disselkoen, Nico Grosso, Lucas VanWieren, Michael Gorno, Graham Tanis, Levi King & Jack DeYoung
MHSTeCA All Academic: Josh Dawson, Henry Langejans, Tyler Hemmeke, Gavin Swiftney, Levi King & Team
MHSTeCA Assistant Coach of the Year: Sally Swets & Chuck Brower

Girls Volleyball

OK Black: 3rd Place (8-4/22-13-1 Overall)
All Conference: Kate VanAppledorn & Josilyn Potter
MHSAA District: Champions
MHSAA Regional: Semifinalist
MIVCA All State: Kate VanAppledorn & Josilyn Potter
MIVCA Academic All State: TBD

Winter 24-25

Boys Aquatics

OK Lakeshore: Champions (5-0)
All Conference: Basilio Ledesma, Levi Rozema, Jake Shoemaker, Josiah DeVries, Karsten Huisman, Miles Stock, Seth Windemuller, Christian Huizenga, Parker Schut & Charlie DeHaan
MHSAA State: Runner-Up
MISCA All State: Charlie DeHaan, Parker Schut, Karsten Huisman, Basilio Ledesma, Levi Rozema, Jake Shoemaker, Miles Stock, Josiah DeVries & Andrew Bengelink

Girls Basketball

OK Black: Champions (10-2/20-4 Overall)
All Conference: Camryn VandenBosch, Adelyn Nyhof & Brooklyn Phelps, Kierea Smits (HM) & Kate Van Appledorn (HM)
MHSAA District: Finalists
BCAM Awards: TBD

Boys Basketball

OK Black: 3rd Place (7-5/17-9 Overall)
All Conference: Titus Spencer
MHSAA District: Champions
MHSAA Regional: Finalists
BCAM Awards: TBD

Spring 2024

Boys Track & Field

OK Blue: Runner Up (5-2)
All Conference: Will Engbers, Joe Strabbing, Nathan Bengelink, Josh Bruxvoort, David Van Duinen & Brody DeKruyter
MHSAA Regional: 4th (73 pts)
MHSAA State: 22nd (10 pts)
MITCA Team State: 12th
MITCA All State: Will Engbers, Nathan Bengelink & Brody DeKruyter
MITCA Academic All State: Landon Gerritsma, Josh Bruxvoort, Will Engbers, Nathan Bengelink & Brody DeKruyter

Girls Track & Field

OK Blue: Runner Up (6-1)
All Conference: Adelyn Halma, Avery Brower, Chloe Chesser, Abby Baas, Eliana Stob, Layla Geurink, Grace Fenton, Olivia Hollebeek & Ellery Lampen
MHSAA Regional: Runner Up (99 pts)
MHSAA State: 22nd (10 pts)
MITCA Team State: 12th
MITCA All State: Eliana Stob, Layla Geurink, Ellery Lampen, Olivia Hollebeek & Chloe Chesser
MITCA Academic All State: Eliana Stob, Layla Geurink, Ellery Lampen & Olivia Hollebeek

Boys Lacrosse

OK Tier II: 9th (1-8/5-9 overall)
All Conference: Nick Zahn & Kelden Alferink (HM)
MHSAA Regional: Quarterfinalist

Girls Soccer

OK Blue: 3rd Place (4-2-1/10-8-1 Overall)
All Conference: Sarah Geerlings, Megan Grassmid, Amelia Hanczuk (HM) & Kylie Reed (HM)
MHSAA District: Champion
MHSAA Regional: Champion
MHSAA State: Semifinalist
MIHSSCA All State: Sarah Geerlings (2nd Team) & Elliot Slenk (3rd Team Coach of the Year)

Boys Baseball

OK Blue: 5th Place (11-10/14-20 overall)
All Conference: Kyle Smith, Parker Leeuw & Hudson Lubbers (HM)
MHSAA District: Champion
MHSAA Regional: Semifinalist

Girls Softball

OK Blue: 6th Place (3-11/13-16 overall)
All Conference: Kierea Smits & Hannah Knot (HM)
MHSAA District: Finalist
MHSSCA Academic All State: Hannah Knot, Baylee VanderZwaag & Team

Boys Golf

OK Blue: 4th Place
All Conference: Linus VanDenBerg, Landon Bergsma & Brady Schut (HM)
MHSAA Regional: 5th Place (329)
MHSAA State: Linus VanDenBerg 22nd Place (154)
MIGCA All State: Linus VanDenBerg (HM)

Girls Tennis

OK Blue: Champions (5-0-1)
All Conference: Lilly DeVries, Monika Diaz, Cortney Leep & Esmay Klingenberg
MHSAA Regional: Champions (22 pts)
MHSAA Finals: 7th (10 pts)
MHSTeCA All Academic: Lilly DeVries, Monika Diaz, Cortney Leep & Team
USPTA Midwest Pro of the Year: Coach Lynn Bender

Girls Lacrosse with West Ottawa

All Conference: Noel Sprick
MHSAA Regional: Quarterfinalist

Boys Volleyball Club

Lakeshore Division: Champions
All Conference: Chase Brink, Jason Koops, Grant Vanderzee, Spencer Walraven & Simon Langejans (HM)
MI State Tournament: Semifinalist
MI All State: Grant Vanderzee & Spencer Walraven

2023-24 Multi-Sport Scholar Athletes

The following individuals combined the achievements of participating on multiple athletic teams and maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5.
*Senior Multi-Sport Scholar Athletes also earn distinction as OK Conference Scholar Athletes.

Freshman

Zachary Apotheker
Lewis Boerman
Leila Brandsen
Emma Brower
Greyson Busscher
Viola Cassel
Cole Coffman
Gavin Dannenberg
Levi DeKruyter
Jesiah Delao
Lillian Delcalzo
Charley deVries

Clay DeWeerdt
Finn Granzetto
Leyton Gritter
Jonathan Haig
Adelyn Halma
Amelia Hanczuk
William Heyboer
Olivia Hollebeek
Jordyn Huisenga
Mackenzie Huizenga
Charlee Keen
Allison Lamer

Ellery Lampen
Carter Leep
Griffin Leeuw
Joseph McAboy
Levi Meyers
Dominic Nauta
Luke Overway
Aubrey Perton
David Pierce
Cameron Rynsburger
Kyla Schippers
Camryn Siegers

Leah Smith
Eliana Stob
Chloe Tait
Graham Tanis
Wyatt Taylor-DeNooyer
Ella Terpstra
Rylan VanDenBeldt
Linus VanDenBerg
Sophie VanDoorne
Caleb Vargas
Mia Westerbeke

Sophmores

Davis Alderink
Jackson Bishop
Cora Boerman
Benjamin Bouws
Jackie Brink
Ashton Brown
Jackson Busscher
Annalise Capestany
Abigail Coxon
Olivia Culver
Miya DeBlecourt

Isaac DeMaster
Evan Disselkoen
Sadie DuBois
Noah Feak
Levi Gabrielse
Samuel Geenen
Landon Gerritsma
Layla Geurink
Ava Helms
Jake Holcomb
William Johnson

Stella Klooster
Jonathan Knot
Dane Kolk
Zachary Larsen
Nickolas Leegwater
Quinten Matheny
Kaitrin Miedema
Isaiah Myaard
Jacob Nicely
John Oosterhouse
Kylie Reed

Jayden Rees
Cora Rigterink
Samuel Saldivar
Oliver Schaap
Addison Slagh
Stella Tjepkema
Kate VanAppledorn
Samuel VandeWege
Jacob VanDuinen
Ella Westerbeke

Juniors

Sara Algera
Maxwell Apotheker
Tyler Bostrom
Avery Brower
Joshua Bruxvoort
Austin DeHaan
William Engbers
Grace Fenton

Tyler Hemmeke
Christian Huizenga
Sabrina Iverson
Evelyn Klingenberg
Gabriel Konfara
Ashlynn Laarman
Henry Langejans

Adelynn Nyhof
Gabriella Rooks
Caden Ruiter
Ruth Ryden
Liam Shook
Kierea Smits
Reid Spooner

Nathan Steen
Gavin Swiftney
Colin Taylor-DeNooyer
Grant VanderZee
Caden VanHuis
Spencer Walraven
William Whitmore

Seniors

Alden Baker
Nathan Bengelink
Eli Boyce
Chase Brink
Luke Bushouse
Brody DeKruyter
Monica Diaz

Megan Grassmid
Michael Haig
Jaylyn Harsevoort
Zachary Kern
Hannah Knot
Simon Langejans
Cortney Leep

Josiah Meyers
Luke Michmerhuizen
Sylvie Mulder
Samuel Plockmeyer
Teagan Schoonveld
Joseph Stielstra

Tianna Stygstra
Lake Vander Ploeg
Baylee VanderZwaag
David Van Duinen
Ryan Vos
Ellen Wierda

MHSAA State Championships

Boys

Baseball

2016 Division II State Champions (Jim Caserta)

Boys Basketball

1934 Class C State Champions (Al Muyskens)
1935 Class C State Champions (Al Muyskens)
1939 Class C Runner Up
1954 Class B Runner Up
1961 Class B Runner Up
1968 Class B Runner Up

Boys Cross Country

1999 Class B Runner Up

Football

2008 Division IV State Champions (Willie Snead III)

Boys Soccer

1986 Class B-C State Champions (Dan Walcott)
2003 Division II State Champions (Jack Heyboer)
2022 Division III State Champions (Dave DeBoer)

Boys Swimming & Diving

1988 Class BCD State Champions (Kimble/Klaasen)
1989 Class BCD State Champions (Kimble/Klaasen)
1990 Class BCD Runner Up
2011 Division III Runner Up
2018 Division III State Champions (Smeenge/Tolsma)
2019 Division III State Champions (Smeenge/Tolsma)
2021 Division III Runner Up
2022 Division III Runner Up

Boys Tennis

1953 Class B State Champions (Clare Pott)
1954 Class B State Champions (Clare Pott)
1961 Class B Runner Up
1962 Class B Runner Up
1963 Class B State Champions (Clare Pott)
1965 Class B State Champions (Clare Pott)
1990 Class B Runner Up
1998 Division III Runner Up
2024 Division IV State Champions (Steve Gorno)

Girls

Competitive Cheer

2005 Class B Runner Up
2007 Division II State Champions (Beth Cunningham)

Softball

1976 Class B State Champions (Dennis Spoelman)

Girls Swimming & Diving

1996 Class BCD State Champions (Walters/Klaasen)
1997 Class BCD Runner Up
2022 Division III Runner Up

Girls Tennis

1993 Class B State Champions (Tom Buursma)
2001 Division III Runner Up
2005 Division III State Champions (John Knoester)
2006 Division III State Champions (John Knoester)

Girls Track & Field

2018 Division II Runner Up
2019 Division II Runner Up

Volleyball

1994 Class B Runner Up
2007 Class B Runner Up
2008 Class B State Champions (Amy Berkenpas)

Watch us in Action!

We offer live athletic games and events through the quality HC Live! online channel. HC student volunteers produce high quality live video programming of a variety of events at Holland Christian, including frequent home athletic events, so that grandparents and friends can remain connected to HCS athletics even when unable to attend in person.

HC Live!