GAYLORD ― Soon enough, athletes from around Otsego County will be back in action, as Monday, Aug. 10 marks the official beginning of the high school sports season.
It’ll be a new era for many teams around the Gaylord area, especially those who said goodbye to college athletes from the Class of 2026.
Both Gaylord football and Gaylord St. Mary volleyball are looking to fill the shoes of two remarkable duos, while two colleges are getting the benefit of some of Otsego County’s best athletes.
Gaylord’s Kaven Cole and Jaron Bensinger are headed to Alma College to join the Scots’ Division 3 football team this fall, while GSM’s Kaylee Jeffers and Payton Glasby are joining the Grand Rapids Community College women’s basketball team. Two duos taking two different journeys, but representing Gaylord area athletics at the next level.
And for each of them, having a familiar face joining them means something different.
“Kaylee and I have been playing basketball together for over 10 years,” Glasby said. “Being able to continue at the next level is exciting.”
GHS duo chasing titles in Mid Michigan
In 2025, seniors Jaron Bensinger and Kaven Cole were critical parts in the Gaylord football resurgence, helping the Blue Devils go 9-0 and win a Big North Conference title. Bensinger was an all-state linebacker and the team’s leading tackler, while Cole was the star of the offense as the team’s leading rusher.
Now, they join one of the top football teams in NCAA Division III, hoping to work their way into the rotation for another team chasing titles.
Alma has a 39-7 record since 2022, making multiple appearances in the D3 postseason under head coach Jason Couch. It’s a school that has become home to many Northern Michigan football stars in recent years, and both Bensinger and Cole were intrigued about what their careers could look like in Alma, Mich.
Bensinger led the way, committing to join the team in late January.
“What led me to Alma was the coaches and players, and the standard Alma has,” said Bensinger.
While Cole echoed those sentiments, he also knew having someone like Bensinger on the team would make his transition even smoother.
“I think having Jaorn commit there made me more comfortable to go to Alma because we have so much chemistry, but also Alma was the best for me,” said Cole.
St. Mary duo to continue legacy together at GRCC
Both Payton Glasby and Kaylee Jeffers have their own connections that led them to Grand Rapids Community College: Glasby became familiar with the Grand Rapids area thanks to her siblings attending school at Grand Valley State, while Jeffers had her eye on GRCC specifically after former Snowbird Ava Schultz started her college career there.
However, once both decided it was where they would eventually call home, it was only fitting they held their signing event the same way they’ve done things for over a decade; side by side in Monsignor Kaminski Gymnasium.
“Knowing that I would have an opportunity to continue my college career, not only with one of my high school teammates, but also one of my best friends, really solidified my decision,” said Jeffers.
“There is a level of comfort knowing we’ll be there together; we know each other’s style of basketball and a built-in roommate makes moving easier. I’m excited for our season at GRCC and to play at the next level,” said Glasby.
More Class of 2026 Commits
Nora Bethuy, Gaylord – Indiana Wesleyan Softball
Lily Ryckman-Hall, Gaylord – Spring Arbor Softball
Brady Shepherd, Gaylord – Mid Michigan CC Baseball
Zane Willobee, Gaylord – Indiana Tech Wrestling
Addison McDonald, Gaylord – Kirtland CC volleyball, womens basketball
Madison Augustine, Gaylord – Alma College womens soccer
Marshall Krajniak, Gaylord – Northwood University golf
Kelsen Snyder, Gaylord – Trine University football
Grayson Glazier, Gaylord – Trine University football
Kaden Sullivan, Gaylord – Taylor College Mens soccer
Katie Berkshire, Gaylord – Central Michigan University Cross Country/Track and field
Makayla Kozlowski, Gaylord – Mid Michigan CC Womens Basketball
Laney Wells, JoBurg – Kirtland CC womens basketball
Jaeden Briley, JoBurg – Emory & Henry University Track and Field
Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Pair of duos from Gaylord area joining forces at college level
Reporting by Dylan Jespersen, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dylan Jespersen, The Petoskey News-Review | USA TODAY Network
