The high school track and field state finals have become a must-see event in the Holland area.
All 10 of the area schools have been represented the past few year and big performances continued this spring.
Here is a look at the Holland Sentinel All-Area Girls Track and Field Team, led by the athlete of the year.
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Novella DeGraaf
SCHOOL: Saugatuck
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Had one of the most remarkable state meets in area history with three top-three finishes in very different events that were all going on at the same time. She was Division 3 state runner-up in the pole vault and finished third in the long jump and third in the 100-meter hurdles. She scored 20 points all by herself to help the Trailblazers finish fourth as a team. All three of her performances were school records. This all on the heels of missing last year with a knee injury.
COACH’S VIEW: “Novella is the real deal. ‘Tremendous athlete’ is an understatement. What her state finals day looked like on paper (versus what it looked like in live time) does not tell the real story. All three of her events were going on simultaneously. She was being threatened with scratches in all of them because there was a 10-minute time limit and she could not be in all three places at once. She was sprinting across the field between pole vault and hurdles, jumping fences to get there. Most teenage athletes, even the best, would have broken. Nova shed a tear at one point, then sucked it up and vaulted a PR and a school record. Then jumped the fence and crushed her own PR in the prelims of the 100 hurdles. She was under extreme stress and pressure and what was being demanded of her was next to impossible. She truly had the most impressive state finals I have seen, given all that transpired. And that says a LOT, because we have had some incredible state finals in our programs. What makes this even more impressive is that she did this just a year after tearing her ACL. She had to take a full year off of frack and field and came back working her butt off to do what she did. She truly is ‘Super Nova’ – she is talented, but she is also a great human being.” – Angelina Bauer
RUNNER OF THE YEAR
Collette Wierks
SCHOOL: West Ottawa
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Finished state runner-up in the 800 meters and was part of two all-state relays. Was conference and regional champion in the 800, the 4×400 and 4×800.
COACH’S VIEW: “Collette is one of those athletes that only happens a few times in your life. She’s an incredible runner with a work ethic that coaches dream of. – Lydia Carson
ALL-AREA FIRST TEAM
Meredith Cook
SCHOOL: Zeeland East
GRADE: Senior
FAST FACTS: One of top 400 runners in the area, she focused on relays to bring more points to the team. Was part of all-state 4×400.
COACH’S VIEW: “Meredith has grown into a leader for our team, both on the track and off. She was the conference champion in the 400 all four years of high school and is the first female track & field athlete in our program’s history to earn all-state honors all four years. She has set the standard high for all future Chix.” – Josh Vork
Lyvia Curtis
SCHOOL: Saugatuck
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Part of the third-place 4×800 relay at the Division 3 state finals. Also key contributor in distance events.
COACH’S VIEW: “Lyvia is the glue of our team. She is always putting the team before herself. She is the one that makes sure everything gets done. Lyv has the ability to keep everyone accountable without being pushy. Her teammates respect her and she has earned every honor she has achieved through her hard work. Watching her earn all-state honors this year after falling just short several times made the world seem as it should be. She is a work horse and a competitor. Every team needs a Lyvia Curtis.” – Angelina Bauer
Mary Dalbow
SCHOOL: West Ottawa
GRADE: Sophomore
FAST FACTS: Was part of conference and regional champion 4×400 and 4×800 relays, which took seventh and third, respectively, at the Division 1 state finals.
COACH’S VIEW: “Mary is the heart of the distance group. She always puts her team first, and a dynamic part of our relays.” – Lydia Carson
Miya DeBlecourt
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Senior
FAST FACTS: Finished fourth at conference, second at regionals and 14th at D2 state finals in shot put. Took second, fourth and 18th, respectively, in discus.
COACH’S VIEW: “Miya joined the HC track team 15 months ago. She quickly showed that she was a stand out athlete with her hard work and determination. She continued her pursuit of excellence and broke the school disc record and placed high in shot and disc in both conference and regionals. She earned her EQ mark for disc and later earned her spot at state in both shot and disc where she competed well.” – James Viel
Lyla Dowling
SCHOOL: West Ottawa
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Part of third-place 4×800 relay at Division 1 state finals. Took third in the OK Red and sixth in regionals in the 800.
COACH’S VIEW: “Lyla has been a core member of our distance team. She continues to succeed in track and cross country.” – Lydia Carson
Jenna Dozeman
SCHOOL: Hamilton
GRADE: Senior
FAST FACTS: Finished 10th in the 400 meters and 21st in the long jump at the Division 2 state finals.
COACH’S VIEW: “Jenna had a perfect season. She trained tirelessly from Jan. 1 through the state meet with the intent to break 60 seconds in the 400, and she was able to achieve that at state in her home stadium. She’ll carry this excitement with her as she competes for Indiana Wesleyan next year.” – Matthew Field
Avery Engbers
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Sophomore
FAST FACTS: Finished seventh in the state in the 1,600 and 10th in the 3,200. Won regional titles in both events.
COACH’S VIEW: “Avery runs with a competitive fierceness that is fun to watch. Her grittiness is essential to her success in distance running. She ended her strong sophomore season with all conference honors, placing first in the 1,600 and 3,200 at regionals, and qualifying for the state in both events.” – Lizzy DeBoer
Layla Geurink
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Senior
FAST FACTS: Part of state-champion 4×800 and fourth-place 4×400. Was third at regionals and 20th at state in the 800 meters.
COACH’S VIEW: “Layla was the only senior on our women’s distance team this year. Her leadership and work ethic on a young team had a huge influence on the team’s success, including winning MITCA team state and placing second at the MHSAA state meet. Her personal accomplishments this season include all conference honors, state champion in the 4×800, and all state honors in the 4×400. – Lizzy DeBoer
Adelyn Halma
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Won the OK Black Conference title in the long jump. Placed fifth at regionals and 17th at the Division 2 state finals.
COACH’S VIEW: “Adelyn is the current school record holder at Holland Christian for long jump and continued with great form this season, placing 1st in long jump at conference. She had a season best of 16’9.25″. Her discipline and leadership helped propel our young jumps crew to an excellent overall season, and she set an excellent example of consistency and hard work for every girl on our team.” – Jared Piersma
Ellyse Heyser
SCHOOL: Saugatuck
GRADE: Freshman
FAST FACTS: Part of third-place 4×800 relay at Division 3 state finals. Key distance runner in individual events all season.
COACH’S VIEW: “Ellyse was an under-recognized secret weapon of ours. She will be a name to watch in the coming years. She was steady and reliable, and brought that ‘freshman magic’ with her – unafraid of anyone, and eager to run fast. Several times she had to come straight out of the 3,200 to run the 4×400 – something I do not often ask of a freshman. She handled it with such poise and toughness, often being one of our fastest legs of the relay. She is a team player and we are elated that we have her for three more years.” – Angelina Bauer
Lily Huizenga
SCHOOL: Zeeland East
GRADE: Sophomore
FAST FACTS: Won Division 1 regional title in shot put and took fourth at state. Was third at conference and regionals in discus.
COACH’S VIEW: “Lily is keeping our tradition of throws alive and well. She shows up every day with a positive attitude and ready to do whatever it takes to get better. Her ceiling is incredibly high and I can’t wait to see what else she will accomplish over the next two years.” – Josh Vork
Sophie Jones
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Sophomore
FAST FACTS: Finished third in conference, second at regionals and 15th at Division 2 state meet in high jump.
COACH’S VIEW: “Sophie is a dedicated track athlete that is always looking for ways to get better. As a sophomore that qualified for state finals in high jump, clearing a max height of 5-2 overall this season, and achieving three personal bests within four weeks to do so, she still has untapped potential that only the coming years can reveal. And when she is not also running a 400 or subbing in for a relay leg, she is cheering on any teammate she can find.” – Nate TenBrink
Rogue Kraker
SCHOOL: Zeeland East
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Was state qualifier in long jump, finishing 19th. Was also second in the OK Black in the long jump. Also competed in the high jump.
COACH’S VIEW: “Rogue grew a ton this season as an athlete and as a leader. She gained valuable experience in championship meets that will pay dividends for her next year in jumps. Additionally, we will be looking to her to step into more of a leadership role as she has shown that she has what it takes in that department.” – Josh Vork
Ellery Lampen
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Part of state champion 4×800 relay. Was fourth at conference, second at regionals and ninth at the state meet in the 3,200.
COACH’S VIEW: “Ellery is a hard working athlete who sets an example for her teammates with her positive attitude and willingness to trust her training. All her hard work paid off in the form of several big PRs in the 1,600 and 3,200 at the end of the season. Ellery also competed on the state champion 4×800 relay team.” – Lizzy DeBoer
Laura Maartense
SCHOOL: Zeeland East
GRADE: Senior
FAST FACTS: Finished eighth at D1 state finals in shot put. Was top five in both throws at conference and regionals.
COACH’S VIEW: “Laura is an outstanding thrower who showed some speed as well, running the 100 for us a few times this season. She’s a hard worker and has been a leader amongst the throwers these past two years. Her presence in the circles will be missed.” –
Alina Martinson
SCHOOL: Saugatuck
GRADE: Senior
FAST FACTS: Finished fifth at the Division 3 state finals in the 400 meters to earn all-state honors. Part of the third-place 4×800 relay. Key runner at all distances this season.
COACH’S VIEW: “Alina is one of the fiercest competitors I have ever had the pleasure of coaching. When she is locked in, she is an animal. She thrives off positivity, loves to compete, and brings the upbeat vibe to us on race days.” – Angelina Bauer
Johanna Mulder
SCHOOL: Holland
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Broke school records that stood since the 1980s in both the 1,600 and 3,200. Was OK Black Conference champ in the 3,200 and third at regionals in the 3,200.
COACH’S VIEW: “Broke two individual school records from 1985 and 1986 in the 1,600 and 3,200. She was anchor leg on the 4x800m relay team that set a new school record.” – Mary Busscher
Kate Murphy
SCHOOL: Zeeland East
GRADE: Senior
FAST FACTS: Won the OK Black Conference title in the pole vault, was fourth at regionals and 13th at the Division 2 state finals.
COACH’S VIEW: “Kate had an impressive season, breaking our school record in pole vault multiple times during the year, improving on the previous record by nine inches. She has been a great mentor to our younger vaulters and her leadership will be missed next year.” – Josh Vork
Adalyn Raab
SCHOOL: Zeeland East
GRADE: Sophomore
FAST FACTS: Won conference and regional titles in the 800 and 1,600. Was fifth at the Division 1 state meet in the 1,600 and part of the all-state 4×400 relay.
COACH’S VIEW: “Adalyn is among the very best distance runners in the state and has proven that she can run and compete against anyone. Her resilience was on display during the 1,600 at the state finals – getting tripped once and spiked later – but we’ve seen it throughout the season with her racing multiple highly competitive races at both dual and championship meets and always performing well. She is both hard working and coachable and I look forward to her taking more of a leadership role for the team next year.” – Josh Vork
Camryn Siegers
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Won the OK Black Conference title and regional title in the high jump. Finished Division 2 state-runner up in the high jump.
COACH’S VIEW: “Camryn is a next-level high jumper consistently clearing state qualifying height all season long. She took first place at the conference, regional, and team state meets this year. And continued to follow that up by taking second at state finals with a jump of 5-7 to not only exceed her personal best, but also to break the school record, rank herself 4th in the state, and to qualify for nationals. She is able to accomplish all of this while being even more of a dominating force in the swimming pool.” – Nate TenBrink
Kamryn Sixberry
SCHOOL: Saugatuck
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Part of third-place 4×800 relay at the Division 3 state finals. Key distance runner all season for the Trailblazers.
COACH’S VIEW: “When I think of Kamryn, I think of the word humble. She shies away from the spotlight but she has one of the biggest presences when she is racing. Kamryn has the ability to kick like crazy when you do not think she has anything left to give. She can always find another gear. She cares deeply about her team and her sport. ‘Hard worker’ does not do her work ethic justice. In all my years coaching her I have never heard her complain. Without Kamryn we are not the team that we are. She is a standout athlete but is content to do her job without asking for the glory. Watching her earn all-state honors this year just felt right.” – Angelina Bauer
Isabelle Sliter
SCHOOL: Fennville
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Took second at Division 3 regional in 3,200 meters and third in 1,600. Finished 21st at the state finals in both events.
COACH’S VIEW: “Isabelle showed great heart while competing through injury and illness this season at state. It was her third year in a row making it to state.” – Josh Sliter
Annika Stob
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Sophomore
FAST FACTS: Part of the state champion 4×800 relay and fourth-place 4×400. Finished fourth at regionals in the 400.
COACH’S VIEW: “Annika grew a lot as a runner during her sophomore season, dropping significant time in her middle distance events. Her positive attitude, determination to win, and team-centered attitude contributed to her success this year. Playing a key role on the 4×400 and 4×800 relays, Annika ended the season with all conference honors, all state honors in the 4×400, and a state champion in the 4×800.” – Lizzy DeBoer
Eliana Stob
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Part of state champion 4×800 and fourth-place 4×400 at D2 state finals. Was second at regionals and 10th at state in 800 meters.
COACH’S VIEW: “Eliana runs with confidence, grit, and determination. Her strength and dependability as the first leg in our 4×400 and 4×800 was essential to the success of the team in both of those events, leading the team to all-state honors in the 4×400 and state champions in the 4×800.” – Lizzy DeBoer
Avery Towne
SCHOOL: Zeeland West
GRADE: Sophomore
FAST FACTS: Finished 24th at D1 state meet in 800 meters. Was fourth in 800 at regionals and fourth at conference in the 400.
COACH’S VIEW: “Avery is developing into an elite mid-distance runner. Her calm and competitive nature makes her a lot of fun to be around, and she makes any relay—from the 4×200 all the way up to the 4×800—significantly better the moment she steps on the track. She had a fantastic year, but she is still just scratching the surface of what she is capable of running.” – Aaron Kenemer
Kate Van Appledorn
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Senior
FAST FACTS: Won the OK Black Conference title and Division 2 regional title in the shot put and discus. Took fourth in the shot put and 15th in discus at the D2 state finals.
COACH’S VIEW: “Kate joined the HC track team 15 months ago. Placing seventh at last year’s MHSAA state meet, she was hungry to improve on that mark. Kate rebroke her school record in shot multiple times and ended up snagging the disc school record from Miya as well. Kate placed first in shot and disc at conference and regionals while also earning her EQ in both events. She competed very well and narrowly sector fouled a massive throw in disc at the state meet. However, she came back and competed well in shot and ended up placing 4th in a very deep field.” – James Viel
Esther Vanderbilt
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Freshman
FAST FACTS: Finished second in the OK Black, second at D2 regionals and fourth at the D2 state finals in the 100-meter hurdles. Took third, second and 10th, respectively, in the 300 hurdles. Part of fourth-place 4×400 at state.
COACH’S VIEW: “Esther has already established herself as one of the most versatile athletes on our team. She placed fourth in the 100 hurdles and 10th in the 300m hurdles at the MSHAA state meet while repeatedly breaking her own school records throughout the season. With her sheer determination, work ethic, and overall attitude, Esther’s future in the sport is bound to be exceptionally bright.” – Josh Ennen
Lizzie Watkin
SCHOOL: West Ottawa
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Won the OK Red Conference title in the shot put and discus. Was regional champion in discus and second in shot put to qualify for state in both events.
COACH’S VIEW: “Lizzie is one of the best throwers to come through West Ottawa. She continues to be a powerhouse dominating our conference and region.” – Lydia Carson
Olivia Weiss
SCHOOL: Holland
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Qualified for Division 1 state finals in 3,200. Was part of school record 4×800 relay.
COACH’S VIEW: “Olivia is a terrific two-sport athlete who also plays on the varsity soccer team (in the spring).” – Mary Busscher
Ella Wierks
SCHOOL: West Ottawa
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Finished third in the state in the 800 meters and was part of two all-state relays. Was conference and regional champion in the 800, the 4×400 and 4×800.
COACH’S VIEW: “Ella is another one of the athletes that only comes around a few times in your life. She shines on the track and is an exceptional athlete who is incredibly hard working.” – Lydia Carson
ALL-AREA SECOND TEAM
Amaya Brott, Zeeland West
Annaliese Capestany, Holland Christian
Brienne Cole, Zeeland East
Alyssa Danek, West Ottawa
Taryn DiLaura, Zeeland East
Emily Graves, Zeeland East
Olivia Hollebeek, Holland Christian
Evie Kleinheksel, Zeeland West
Sam Koppenol, Zeeland West
CC Kuras, Zeeland East
Skyla Kuras, Zeeland East
Ayla Miller, West Ottawa
Kensie Mulder, Holland Christian
Kamilla Munoz, Zeeland East
Libby Post, Zeeland East
Chloe Powers, West Ottawa
Karis Rietema, Hamilton
Isabelle Rondon, West Ottawa
Alison Rotman, Calvary
Terra Schuberg, Zeeland East
Kelsey Simpson, West Ottawa
Harmonie Slenk, Holland Christian
Rowan Sloothaak, Zeeland West
Savannah Vandenberg, Saugatuck
Abby Van Dusseldorp, Holland Christian
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Meet the Holland Sentinel All-Area Girls Track and Field Team led by Novella DeGraaf, Collette Wierks
Reporting by Dan D’Addona, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dan D'Addona, Holland Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
