Article - High School Sports Scene

By BUTCH HARMON

‘Young but experienced’ is the description of a Grand Ledge girls soccer team that is poised for improvement this season.

With a number of young but seasoned players back this spring, the Comets are in position to improve on last year’s 7-8-3 overall record.

Leading the way for the Comets are a pair of returning first-team all-conference players in junior Sophie Guzman, a talented forward who also earned all-district honors last season, and senior midfielder Kaitlin Irish.

Grand Ledge will be solid in the midfield, as junior McKenzie Lowery is a returning all-CAAC honorable-mention player, as is senior Shannon Staton, who anchors the defense.

Defense is a strong suit for the Comets, as senior Deanna Haigh and junior Taylor Simon return along with junior midfielder Abby Taylor.

The team also has a number of talented newcomers making an impact, including junior forward Maddy Edmunds, freshman forwards Brittany Dale and Sadie Pettinger, and freshman midfielder Allena Parker.

“We are young, but we have an experienced team that has many offensive options,” said coach Scott Dane.

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By BUTCH HARMON

Rebuilding is the name of the game for the Fulton softball team this spring. After turning in a 14-11-1 overall record and 9-6 CMAC record last spring, the Pirates are now in a rebuilding mode.

Many new faces are in the starting lineup, as the entire infield and two of the starting outfielders are gone due to graduation.

The Pirates do have some solid returnees around whom to build. Sophomore pitcher Connor Proctor gives the team an excellent arm in the circle. Senior Gabi Seida returns at catcher. Senior Kaylee Nicholson is also doing some pitching and playing in the outfield. Seniors Brooke Seida and Monica Tabor return to the outfield.

A number of newcomers are also making their presence felt. Juniors Kendra Hungerford and Mackenzie Bracey are filling positions in the infield, with sophomore Kirsten Maniez adding to the outfield depth.

“We look forward to having strength on the pitching mound, with three pitchers that can handle the task on any given night,” said coach Scott Acker. “The senior leadership and skills Gabi Seida brings to us behind the plate and our leading hitter from last season, Brooke Seida, will be big assets.”

How quickly the newcomers acclimate will be critical to the team’s success this spring. “The key to success for 2014 will be getting a relatively new starting lineup playing together as a team,” Acker said. “As always, keeping errors to a minimum with an inexperienced infield and capitalizing on the other teams’ mistakes will be key.”

The CMAC is as tough as ever this season, with league powerhouse Portland St Patrick Catholic bringing back a number of returning players, while Dansville also looks to be near the top of the standings.

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Merrill scored 66 points to take fourth place in the Saginaw Valley State Invitational, Division 3-4, on Friday. Levi Woods won the 300 meter hurdles in 47.12 seconds.

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Farwell scored 124 points to take second place among five teams in the Saginaw Valley State Invitational on Friday, Division 3-4. Tanner Touchtone was first in the 400-meter dash in 55.05 seconds. Farwell won the 4×100 relay in 47.990 seconds and the 4×400 relay in 3:53.67. Shane Wiley won the discus a 109-10.

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Chesaning scored 226 points to take first among five teams in the Saginaw Valley Invitational Division 3-4 on Friday. Travis Young won the long jump in 18-10.5. Harrison Ervin took the high jump at 5-8. Bryan Moore clocked a 11.88 in the 100-meters for first place. Paxton Ruddy won the 800 meters in 2:19.12. Bryce Tomac won the 1,600 meters in 5:03.50. Brody Cragg won the 3,200 meters in 10:54.42. Chesaning won the 4×200 relay in 1:36.25. The 4×800 relay was first in 9:04.86. Alex Forsyth took the shot put at 39-3-5.

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Saginaw Swan Valley scored 38 points to finish seventh among 10 teams in Division 1-2 Friday at the Saginaw Valley Invitational. The 4×100 relay team was first in 44.21

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Midland Dow scored 56 points to take fifth place among 10 team in Division 1-2 of the Saginaw Valley State Invitational on Friday. Michael Carey won the 800 meters in 2:01.83. Dow won the 4×800 relay in 8:22.50.

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Saginaw scored 20 points in Division 1-2 action of the Saginaw Valley Invitational on Friday. Childress Cannon was third in the 100-meter dash at 11.45 seconds and third n the 200 in 23.33.

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Bay City Central finished eighth out of 10 teams in Division 1-2 of the Saginaw Valley Invitational on Friday. Central won the shot put with Alyn Metevia throwing it at 44-9.5 Central was fifth in the 4×100 relay in 46.198 seconds.

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Auburn Bay City Western was fourth out of 10 schools Friday in the Saginaw Valley State Invitational. Brendan Nesbitt was second in the 800 meters in 2:04.11.

The 3,200-meter relay team was second n 8:28.52.

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Grand Ledge girls soccer preview

Fulton Middleton softball preview

Merrill ends up in fourth

Farwell takes second place

Chesaning track team takes first place

Swan Valley finishes seventh

Midland Dow scores 56 points

Saginaw scores 20 points in meet

Bay City Central finishes eighth

Bay City Western takes fourth