Six more Petoskey athletes make it official with collegiate programs

PETOSKEY — College coaches looking to fill their teams like to go to high school programs where they know they’re being taught the right things.

By the looks of it, Petoskey is proving to be one of those programs.

After nearly two dozen athletes signed and committed to collegiate programs a year ago, Northmen athletes have been back at it once again in the class of 2023.

In February, four athletes across a range of sports made their commitment. On Wednesday inside Petoskey High School, six more Northmen made things official with their college of choice.

They ranged from basketball and football, to skiing and swimming.

Athletes signed amongst family, coaches and teammates inside the PHS auditorium. The complete list included:

Grayson Guy, Basketball  

Hope College 

Grayson Guy spent the last three years competing on the Petoskey girls’ basketball team after moving up from Ohio.

In her final season she was named a first team All-Big North and All-Area player and helped lead Petoskey to back to back Big North titles on the hardwood.

She’ll join a Hope College women’s program that’s been one of the top teams at the Division III level for years, compiling a 103-4 record over the last four years, with a 2021-22 National Championship included.

Hope is also widely known as one of the best women’s basketball environments between the Division II and III levels.

“It’s amazing,” said Guy. “I visited some others schools but I really want to play for people and have an atmosphere. I didn’t really want to be stuck in a high school atmosphere my whole life. Hope has one of the best attendances. Their women’s program has the top attendance in all of Division III. They have more than every Division III guys attendance, except for theirs. It’ll be so fun.”

A 6-foot-0 post player, she’s also looking forward to playing under head coach Brian Morehouse and living in Holland.

“As soon as I met coach Mo he was so down to earth and he was able to talk to me about life first,” she said. “I think we talked about life for hours first. I fell in love with the program, the coaching staff and all the players were so welcoming.”

Cassidy Whitener, Alpine Skiing

Northern Michigan University

When Cassidy Whitener takes to Marquette Mountain for daily practice next winter, she should feel right at home getting instruction from NMU head coach Erik Lundteigen.

Lundteigen was once Whitener’s coach at Petoskey, with the four-year varsity skier now on her way to compete under the state-title winning Northmen coach.

Aside from the Petoskey connection, Marquette and NMU just felt like home.

“I loved Marquette, just the small-town feel was a lot like Petoskey and I loved that,” said Whitener. “As well as having a really competitive ski program, they have a good nursing program and that’s what I’m looking to go into, so everything just fell into place really well.”

It also helps that Whitener, an All-State skier who placed third in slalom and earned two top 10 state finishes this past season, is heading to a team that’s just as competitive and driven on the slopes as she is.

“The team has a National Championship in sight,” added Whitener. “They were second this year, so I’m hoping to help with that next year. It’s really exciting.”

Tyler Dohm, Football 

Calvin University 

During his time as a football player at Petoskey, Tyler Dohm was one of those players willing and able to do what it took for the team.

When the Northmen needed a center, Dohm, although undersized for the positon, stepped up and filled the job. He later earned All-Big North honors when his final season this past fall closed.

Now, he’ll bring that same kind of attitude to Calvin University.

“Wherever they need me,” said Dohm on where he’ll play. “I want to play wherever I can be the best.”

Also a linebacker and talented long-snapper, he’ll head to Calvin in Grand Rapids capable of playing both spots for first-year head coach Trent Figg, who takes over Calvin after being at the University of Oregon.

The entire Calvin football program will be new to the school, with the inaugural season coming in the fall of 2023, something Dohm is excited to be a part of.

“I think everybody there wants to be part of something new,” he said. “To be part of the underdog team and maybe win something the first year. Hopefully it’ll go well.

Alyssa Glaser, Swimming

Albion College 

While Petoskey High School does not offer swimming as a sport, that won’t stop senior Alyssa Glaser from moving onto the next level to compete.

Glaser was already well aware of the path to reach the collegiate ranks and now she’ll join her sister, Alexis, on the Albion College women’s swimming and diving team.

Like her sister before her, Glaser has competed throughout her career on the Hammerhead Club Swim Team out of Harbor Springs, which competes within the Michigan Team Swim League (MTSL).

Cade Trudeau, Basketball 

Northwood University 

If you’re a sports fan around northern Michigan and you haven’t come across the name Cade Trudeau yet this year, you likely haven’t been paying attention.

A Free Press and BCAM All-State selection and Area Player of the Year winner as a 6-foot-7 forward on the basketball court, Trudeau put together a season in which he passed some all-time Northmen greats for single-season scoring. He also averaged over 10 rebounds and nearly four assists.

Now, he’ll look to take another jump at the next level at Northwood University in Midland, where he’s looking forward to putting in work to become an even better player.

“I’m looking forward to finding people that are better than me and then striving to get to their level when I get there,” said Trudeau.

A standout on the AAU circuit around the state of Michigan as well, Trudeau has made basketball friends and rivals everywhere he’s gone and has a number of teammates he’ll likely run into while playing at the Division II level in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC).

“Especially through AAU, I feel like I’ve seen a lot of people, met a lot of people, so I’m looking forward to that too,” said Trudeau. “Just seeing people from rival uniforms. I’ve got a lot of friends I’ll run into.”

Caroline Guy, Basketball 

Walsh University

A staple in a Petoskey varsity basketball uniform since her sophomore year, Caroline Guy helped turn Petoskey into a consistent winner.

And now she’ll join one of the top programs within the Great Midwest Athletic Conference in Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio.

“I really liked the culture and when the coaches first reached out to me I thought, ‘Okay, they know what they’re doing.’” said Guy. “They’re a newer coaching staff and they’re going to make me work.”

Guy closed out her career with Petoskey as a two-time All-Big North selection, including first team honors this past season. Petoskey also earned back to back BNC titles with Guy on the floor.

Since entering the G-MAC in the 2017-18 season, Walsh has been one of the top women's basketball teams within the league and all of Division II.

An athletic, 6-foot guard, Guy is excited about playing at a highly competitive level with the Cavaliers.

“I think it’s honestly the best fit for me, especially the school I’m going to,” said Guy. “It’s not too big and I feel like I’ll know my way around the school well.”

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Six more Petoskey athletes make it official with collegiate programs