Results from the weekend for Jackson area league teams.
Golf from Friday
Western ladies traveled to Coldwater Golf Course to play in the Coldwater Invitational, on Friday, September 15, 2023. The Panthers finished 9th out of 18 teams with a total team score of 409. Senior, Gabi Davis, led the way with a score of 86 (1 birdie, 8 pars) and finished the invite tied for 4th overall. Kaia Bruneel finished with a 91 (2 birdies, 4 pars). Cami Boldt scored a 114. Junior, Grace Raines, scored a personal best 118. And, senior Ashlyn Yeo finished with a 132. The ladies will spend next week preparing for their I8 Championship which takes place on September 27, 2023, at Cedar Creek Golf Course. Continue to work hard and embrace the “extraordinary” shots! #playwithpassion
Soccer
Saturday night, Western High School celebrated former Varsity Men’s Soccer coach, Ron Rudland, by adding his name to the Panther bowl – now officially called “The Ron Rudland Field at the Panther Bowl”. A distinguished, and well deserved honor for Coach Rudland, as he served as the first coach in program history for 33 years.
The Panthers continued the celebration as they hosted Vicksburg on a beautiful evening. The game began with each team feeling out the game. Western began to control play and establish the tone for the night.
Midway through the first half, Roarke Watterson was fouled outside the box. After regaining his composure, Watterson placed the direct kick in the back of the net for an early 1-0 lead.
Several minutes later, Watterson was able to take on several defenders and slot a pass to a waiting Geo Bowden Fuentes who scored his first goal of the season. The score stayed 2-0 going into halftime.
The second half started out much the same as the first half ended. Challenging play continued from both teams, but Western was able to maintain a threatening presence offensively and thwart any attack Vicksburg could put together. The Panthers completed business with the final score at 2-0.
A strong defensive front allowed for another Aidan Barrett shutout in the net for the Panthers
Western will host long-time rival Northwest Tuesday night at 5:00 (JV) and 6:30 (V). Come out and watch this growing group of Panthers in this sure to be battle.
Volleyball
This weekend the Springport Varsity Volleyball team traveled to Spring Arbor for a tournament where they broke even across the board with 1-1-1 for the night. They won against Camden-Frontier with 25-5 & 25-17, tied to Michigan Center with 16-25 & 25-20, and finally lost to Northwest with 12-25 & 15-25. Starting off with kill stats, Maddux Locke had 21, Areya Dean had 8, and Emma Maher had 6. For Aces, Maddux Locke had 3, Macie Merrill and Emma Maher had 2. And finally with assists, Rylee Siefert had 34, Areya Dean and Maddux Locke had 1. Good job ladies!
On Saturday the Western varsity volleyball team traveled to Spring Arbor University to compete in the annual Cougar Invite. In pool play the Panthers defeated Columbia Central (25-16, 27-25), Concord (27-25, 25-21), and East Jackson (25-15, 25-10). Western received the number two overall seed heading into bracket play and received a bye in the first round. In the semi-finals, the Panthers defeated Michigan Center (25-20, 25-22). Western advanced to the finals but could not finish with a win losing to Homer (25-19, 23-25, 14-16).
Columbia Central Varsity girls competed against Western, East Jackson & Concord today in the SAU Tournament. The girls played well all day facing some good competition. Lost to Western 16-25, 25-27 beat East Jackson 25-17, 25-21 & split with Concord 16-25, 25-22. Unfortunately they only take the top 6 teams & while it came down to 4 teams all having a 3-3 record, it goes by points earned & 2 of the other teams scored more overall points to make us not advance to Quarterfinals.