Meet The Holland Sentinel All-Area Boys Cross Country Team
The Holland Sentinel All-Area Boys Cross Country Team
Jonas Ballard
SCHOOL: Black River
GRADE: Freshman
FAST FACTS: Finished 12th at regionals to qualify for D3 state meet. Top time of 16:42.
COACH'S VIEW: "Isaac took a big jump to become one of the best freshmen in the state." - Wes Diener
Aidan Brinks
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Had a top time ot 16:36 on the year. State qualifier in Division 2.
COACH'S VIEW: "Aidan brings energy and excitement to the team. His leadership and ability to rally the troops is energizing. Aidan has a great work ethic and will continue his leadership role as a senior." - Dave DeKruyter
Jack DeKruyter
SCHOOL: Zeeland West
GRADE: Senior
FAST FACTS: Top time of 16:10. Was eighth in OK Green, 13th in regionals and 94th at Division 1 state meet.
COACH'S VIEW: "Jack is a leader for our program. He models what it takes to be daily diligent in the face of adversity. He consistently improved throughout his career and is in a strong position to continue running at the next level." - Phil Hoover
Robert Dodd
SCHOOL: Zeeland West
GRADE: Sophomore
FAST FACTS: Finished fourth in OK Green, 10th at regionals and 96th at D1 state meet. Top time of 16:10.
COACH'S VIEW: "Robb is a dedicated member of our team who consistently puts in the work. He had a very consistent season that culminated in him placing as the 15th-fastest sophomore in the D1 state meet." - Phil Hoover
Abatu Dykstra
SCHOOL: Hamilton
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Finished 46th at D2 state meet. Was all-conference and academic all-state.
COACH'S VIEW: "Abatu is a gifted natural runner. He run year round and is committed to excellence." - Kevin Spotts
Isaac Edgington
SCHOOL: Black River
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Top time of 16:29. Sixth at D3 regionals and all-state in Division 3.
COACH'S VIEW: "Athlete who took the jump though great off-season training." - Wes Diener
Will Engbers
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Top time of 15:51 this season. Was second in OK Blue, fourth at regionals and 56th at D2 state meet.
COACH'S VIEW: "Will is such a talented and hardworking athlete. He comes to practice each day, ready for whatever the workout is, bringing a positive attitude. Will keeps a balance of seriousness and silliness on the team. He has the second-fastest time in school history as a junior and looks forward to an exciting senior year." - Dave DeKruyter
Carson Hauch
SCHOOL: Zeeland West
GRADE: Senior
FAST FACTS: Top time of 16:41. Was ninth in OK Green, 22nd at regionals and 210th at Division 1 state meet.
COACH'S VIEW: "Carson has been a consistent contributor to our program for several seasons. He brings a positive attitude and strong desire to compete. His consistent improvement throughout his high school career will continue as he runs in college next year." - Phil Hoover
Levi Jongekryg
SCHOOL: West Ottawa
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Top time of 16:38. Finished 20th in OK Red and 20th at Division 1 regionals.
COACH'S VIEW: "Levi combines a strong work ethic with a competitive edge. He joins teammates Max VanGrouw and Ethan Gerlach to make it onto the record board for WO this season." - Chris Knoll
Sawyer Monroe
SCHOOL: Saugatuck
GRADE: Freshman
FAST FACTS: Finished sixth in SAC, 12th at regionals and 27th at state to earn all-state honors in Division 4.
COACH'S VIEW: "Sawyer is only a freshman but he races and trains like a seasoned runner. Sawyer was a dual sport athlete, running cross country and playing soccer. He saved his best race for state finals running 16:51 to move to 18th all time at Saugatuck and the fifth-fastest freshman in school history. Sawyer is a leader on and off the cross country course." - Rick Bauer
Noah Schipper
SCHOOL: Calvary
GRADE: Freshman
FAST FACTS: Led Calvary to second place at D4 state meet. Top time of 17:03 to finish 33rd at state.
COACH'S VIEW: "Noah is a fantastic runner and teammate. He has put in a lot of quality work over the last few years. He always comes to practice with a smile on his face and never complains." - Richard Laninga
Keagan Smith
SCHOOL: Zeeland West
GRADE: Sophomore
FAST FACTS: Top time of 16:21. Finished fifth in OK Green, 12th at Division 1 regionals and 114th at D1 state meet.
COACH'S VIEW: "Keagan showed a strong improvement from his freshman season to his sophomore season. He consistently ran in the 16s throughout this entire season. He has shown he has what it takes to be a high level competitor as he moves forward in high school." - Phil Hoover
Max VanGrouw
SCHOOL: West Ottawa
GRADE: Senior
FAST FACTS: Fifth-fastest performer in school history with a best time of 16:14. Took 19th in OK Red, 14th at D1 regioanls and 119th at D1 state finals.
COACH'S VIEW: "Max proved that hard work and determination can lead to success in cross-country. He has pushed himself from slow times as a freshman and sophomore to the fifth-fastest time in school history as a senior." - Chris Knoll
Riley Weed
SCHOOL: Calvary
GRADE: Freshman
FAST FACTS: Led Calvary to second place at D4 state meet. Top time of 17:03 to finish 34th at state.
COACH'S VIEW: "Riley is a strong leader. He is really focused on the process of becoming a better runner. He cares about his teammates and does his best to help them improve." - Richard Laninga
Gibson White
SCHOOL: Calvary
GRADE: Freshman
FAST FACTS: Led Calvary to second place at D4 state meet. Top time of 17:13 to finish 38th at state.
COACH'S VIEW: "Gibson is one of our most improved runners this year. He put in a lot of running in the summer which really led to his improvement. He gets along with all of his teammates really well, and is really encouraging. I am really excited to see what Gibson is going to do for us in the future." - Richard Laninga
Will Whitmore
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Junior
FAST FACTS: Top time was 16:36. Qualified for state in Division 2.
COACH'S VIEW: "Will has had an outstanding season, improving his time and consistency as a varsity runner over last year. His confidence in his ability continues to improve and with another season, Will is on track to be in the top 10 all time fastest at HC." - Dave DeKruyter
SECOND TEAM
Caleb Adkins, Calvary
Sam Ashby, Zeeland West
Levi Benson, Black River
Alessandro Castillo, Holland
Cole Coffman, Holland Christian
Ethan Dalman, Zeeland West
Nate Davis, Zeeland East
Sam DiLaura, Zeeland West
Jake Follett, West Ottawa
Sammy Gamboa, Saugatuck
Ethan Gerlach, West Ottawa
Landon Gerritsma, Holland Christian
Caden Guffey, Zeeland East
Isaac Johnson, Black River
Eli Laninga, Calvary
Brennan Nor, Saugatuck
Christian Getz, Calvary
Rian Powers, Holland
Grant Rehkopf, Saugatuck
Brayden Rynsburger, Holland Christian
Marcus Silva, Saugatuck
AJ Sneller, Zeeland West
Nathan Steen, Holland Christian
Owen Stimer, Black River
Dylan Walters, Zeeland East
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Meet The Holland Sentinel All-Area Boys Cross Country Team
