BATTLE CREEK – It is America’s 250th birthday this year.
That gives us a good reason to come up with the 250 best high school athletes ever in Battle Creek. Have high school sports been around in Battle Creek since 1776? Well, no. But there have been 250 athletes who have shined in the city since high school sports did begin and the Enquirer will take this opportunity to come up with a list worthy of this banner year.
The Battle Creek Enquirer combined with other USA Today Network newspapers recently to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States with the top 250 athletes from around the state. You can see that list here, broken down by regions.
But, this is Battle Creek’s 250. We are showcasing the greatest athletes of the ‘last 250 years’ at each school in the city of Battle Creek.
So join us for this 10-part series with each chapter focusing on the top 25 male or female athletes at each of the five current traditional core city schools. All shined throughout their high school careers and beyond. Each list will be in alphabetical order, with Enquirer Readers getting to choose who should be No. 1. There will be individuals left off these lists that some of you would argue shouldn’t be. Our poll will include write-in options and it will be interesting to see who makes that list as well.
VOTE: Vote for top St. Philip girls athlete of all-time, starting Friday in the Enquirer
We are starting from the smallest school in the city and moving up from there – picking a ‘Top 25’ female athlete list and a ‘Top 25’ male athlete list. When we are done with all five schools, we will have Battle Creek’s 250.
Top 25 Female Athletes at St. Philip for the Battle Creek 250:
(Alphabetical order)
Angela Albrecht – Class of 1983
A three-sport star in volleyball, basketball and track, Angela Albrecht was named Enquirer Athlete of the Year in 1983. She shined brightest on the volleyball court, helping St. Philip to a state title. She went on to play at the University of Texas, and played a key role in helping the Longhorns reach the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament in both her junior and senior seasons. She was also a state qualifier in track and a standout on the basketball team.
Brianna Andrews – Class of 2006
A four-year varsity member, Brianna Andrews helped the Tigers reach their first-ever district final as a sophomore in 2003, pitching a two-hit victory over Jackson Christian in the district semifinals. As a junior in 2005, she threw every single pitch for St. Philip, posting 10 wins and 107 strikeouts vs. only 31 walks. As a senior in 2006, she threw three two-hitters and a one-hitter, finishing the season with eight victories and a 3.45 ERA while holding every major pitching school record at the time of her graduation.
Jenny Campbell – Class of 1984
An all-state athlete in both volleyball and track, the 1984 Enquirer Female Athlete of the Year went on to play Division I volleyball at Baylor University. But she also decided to try her hand at softball despite never playing the sport before. Following her freshman year as a walk-on for the Bears, she gave up volleyball and her full-ride scholarship to concentrate on softball. She then posted a team-best .284 batting average and a .989 fielding percentage at third base to earn a softball scholarship, and finished her four-year career at Baylor in 1988.
Shelly Darr – Class of 1992
A defensive specialist on St. Philip’s 1992 Class D state championship volleyball team, Shelly Darr was one of the first great softball players at the school. The shortstop/catcher received all-city and all-league honors in 1991 and 1992, capping off her four-year varsity career by posting a team-best .576 batting average with 29 RBIs and 12 stolen bases as a senior, helping the Tigers win a then-school record 11 games.
Allyson Doyle – Class of 2007
Allyson Doyle was a four-time all-state selection in volleyball, helping St. Philip to the state finals all four years of her career and to a state championship twice. She finished second in the Miss Volleyball voting. Doyle played at the next level at Western Michigan University. Doyle finished as the school’s career leader in points in girls basketball. She was a two-time selection for Enquirer Female Athlete of the Year.
Brooke Dzwik – Class of 2022
Brooke Dzwik was a four-year starter in volleyball, leading the Tigers to Division 4 state championships in each of her final two years. She was a first-team all-stater at her outside hitter position both of those seasons and surpassed the 2,000-kill milestone for her career. Dzwik played at next level at Michigan Tech in volleyball. Dzwik also competed in track and was a standout pitcher on the softball team.
Brooke Formsma – Class of 1997
Opening some eyes early, Brooke Formsma was voted Enquirer Female Athlete of the Year as a sophomore in 1995. In that year, she helped the Tigers to a state title in volleyball as well as winning three state championships in track, taking first in the long jump, the 400 relay and the 800 relay. Overall, Formsma led St. Philip to three state titles in volleyball and was all-state as a senior. She went on to play volleyball at Lansing Community College. She also earned All-City honors in girls basketball twice.
Amiee Greene – Class of 1999
Amiee Greene was the Tigers’ leading hitter and an all-city selection all four years. She batted .410 as a freshman with 27 RBIs and one strikeout in 105 at bats. As a sophomore, she hit .400 while stealing 12 bases. As a junior, she hit .414 while scoring 29 runs. She had her best season as a senior in 1999, hitting .462 with 19 RBIs, 31 runs scored and 17 stolen bases. The three-sport standout went to Albion College where she played tennis.
Jessica Greene – Class of 2005
By the time she graduated, no St. Philip basketball player had experienced as much success as Greene. As a sophomore, she helped the Tigers reach the Class D state semifinals – the deepest postseason run in program history. Upon her graduation, her 1,035 career points and 97 games played were a program record, and she was a four-time All-City selection and four-time district champion. She received Class D All-State recognition in 2005 and was the Enquirer Female Athlete of the Year.
Vicky Guerra – Class of 1985
As a senior, Vicky Guerra earned All-City honors in basketball, volleyball and softball and was voted Enquirer Female Athlete of the Year in 1985. She reached the top by helping the volleyball team win three straight state championships in volleyball, earning all-state honors. She also helped the basketball team to an All-City crown and a league championship. Guerra was a three-year standout on the track team, before switching over to softball her senior year in the first season the school had the sport. She went on to play basketball and volleyball at Kellogg Community College.
Shari Haan – Class of 1981
Named the 1980 Enquirer Female Athlete of the Year as just a junior, Shari Haan was a three-sport star. Haan helped the Tigers advance to the state semifinals in volleyball in Class D, she was all-city in both volleyball and basketball. In track, she was named at the Most Outstanding Performer at the All-City Meet as a junior, winning four events and was second in the state in the 100-meter hurdles. She signed to play volleyball at the University of Miami.
Mimi Hibbard – Class of 2024
Mimi Hibbard was an Enquirer Athlete of the Year from St. Philip in 2024 as the rare athlete with 16 varsity letters excelling individually and winning championships in four different sports – cross country, basketball, track, soccer. Hibbard helped St. Philip win a district title in both basketball and soccer. Hibbard qualified for the MHSAA state finals in both cross country and track four times each.
Ryian Hubbard – Class of 2011
A starter on four Class D state championship teams, Ryian Hubbard was a setter for the Tigers. She earned all-state honors all four years and was nominated for Miss Volleyball her senior season, during which she had 1,156 assists for 8.3 per game, with 138 aces, 156 digs and 179 kills. She signed to play at Michigan State University and competed for the Spartans for four years.
Sierra Hubbard-Neil – Class of 2014
Sierra Hubbard-Neil was a standout on the volleyball team. As a senior, she won her fourth state title in her high school career as the Tigers won an eighth straight state crown. She was the Enquirer Athlete of the Year as as senior. Was a runner-up selection for Miss Volleyball. Hubbard-Neil earned all-state first-team honors all four years at St. Philip. After high school, she committed to play at Western Michigan University.
Alex Kersten – Class of 2022
Overall, Alex Kersten earned 18 varsity letters at St. Philip, competing in volleyball, basketball, soccer, cross country and track. Kersten was a four-time state qualifier in cross country, as she helped the 2018 St. Philip team win a regional championship. She was a three-time state qualifier in track. She was part of back-to-back state championships in volleyball. Also a three-time all-city basketball player and a starter on the girls soccer team. She was named Enquirer Athlete of the Year in 2022.
Mary Lantinga – Class of 1990
One of the top female distance runners ever at St. Philip, Mary Lantinga was the Enquirer Athlete of the Year in 1990. Lantinga won two straight Class D state titles in track in the 1,600 meters. She also won the 3,200 run at the state finals as a senior and captured the mile and was the two-time champ at the All-City track meet, being named Outstanding Female Athlete. In cross country, she won the Class D state title as a senior. She went on to run track and cross country at Michigan State University.
Amanda McKinzie – Class of 2012
Amanda McKinzie was a four-time state champion in volleyball. Her best year at St. Philip came as a senior in 2012. In that final year, she helped set the program record for wins in a season at the time at 73 – the 10th most in state history. A three-time all-state selection, she became the second St. Philip player to be recognized as the Miss Volleyball Award winner. She was a high school All-American and played at the next level at Virginia Tech University.
Lena Oliver – Class of 2010
A star in volleyball and basketball, Lena Oliver went on to make an impact at the next level as an all-conference player for the Western Michigan University volleyball team. She was a three-time all-state selection at St. Philip as a libero in volleyball, finished fourth in the Miss Volleyball voting and was part of four state titles. She graduated as the school’s all-time leader in career points in basketball as a point guard, earning all-state honors. As a senior, she helped the basketball team to an undefeated regular season. She was Enquirer Female Athlete of the Year in 2010.
Cathie Petrucco – Class of 1979
The first winner of the Enquirer Female Athlete of the Year, Cathie Petrucco was a three-sport star at St. Philip, excelling in volleyball, basketball and track. As a senior, she helped St. Philip to a state title in volleyball. She also helped St. Philip win a state title in track in the mile relay. In basketball, she helped the Tigers to four district titles overall and a regional championship her senior year. When she graduated, she was the school’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder, earning all-state honors. She went on to play volleyball at the University of Alabama.
Megan Reetz – Class of 1993
Was given the Miss Volleyball Award in 1993 as she capped off her senior year with two straight state championships for the Tigers in Class D. As a four-year varsity player, she helped St. Philip to a 213-45-25 record, making it to four state semifinals. She signed to play at the next level at Grand Valley State University. She was named Enquirer Athlete of the Year in 1993.
Sarah Reetz – Class of 1997
The Enquirer Athlete of the Year in 1997, Sarah Reetz was a standout in volleyball and basketball. Reetz won three state titles in volleyball in Class D with the Tigers. She was all-state two seasons in volleyball. She was the key player on a girls basketball team that won a district title and advanced to the regionals, earning all-league and all-city honors in that sport as well.
Allyson Riley – Class of 2003
Allyson Riley was a standout in both volleyball and basketball. She was all-state three times in volleyball, helping the Tigers reach the state finals twice. In basketball, she helped the Tigers reach the state semifinals for the first time in school history, also earning all-state honors. She graduated as the school’s all-time leader in career points in basketball. She was also nominated for the Miss Volleyball Award and went on to play volleyball at Grand Valley State University. She was named Enquirer Athlete of the Year in 2003.
Liz Sherzer – Class of 2009
Liz Sherzer was a three-sport star at St. Philip and a state champ in multiple sports, which earned her the honor of Enquirer Athlete of the Year in 2009. She shined brightest in track as a state champ in the 100-meter hurdles, while also earning all-state honors in the 300 hurdles. She finished as the school record holder in both. Sherzer went on to sign to compete in track at the University of Michigan. In volleyball, she helped the Tigers to two state championships and earned all-state honors in that sport as well. An all-city selection in basketball, her team also won a district title her senior year.
Ava Strenge – Class of 2017
Ava Strenge was a multiple-time state champion in both cross country and track at St. Philip, as she signed to compete at the next level in Division I at Mississippi State University in both sports. Strenge was the state champion in Division 4 in cross country in both 2014 and 2016 and won the Division 4 state title in the 3,200-meter run in her junior and senior year. She has the school record in both the 3,200 and the 1,600 at St. Philip. She won the female division in the Grand Rapids Marathon in 2025.
Kristin Zull – Class of 2008
A four-time Class D all-stater in volleyball, Kristin Zull was a finalist for the Miss Volleyball Award in 2007. Zull helped St. Philip to back-to-back state titles in volleyball. Zull was part of a unique career when volleyball switched from the winter season to the fall season and helped the Tigers win two state titles in one calendar year.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Top 250 athletes in Battle Creek. Which girls made the list from St. Philip?
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
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By Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
