Grand Haven Tribune

10:24 AM Jun 20, 2011

Whitecaps fall in 13-inning marathon

The West Michigan Whitecaps ended the first half of the 2011 season with a 13-inning marathon at Fifth Third Ballpark, ultimately losing to the Lake County Captains, 10-5, in front of a Father's Day crowd of 6,925. West Michigan (32-37) missed out on the series sweep with the loss, but still heads into the All-Star break with 11 wins in their last 15 games. The Whitecaps held four separate leads on Sunday afternoon, but could not pull away as Lake County (28-41) rallied back to snap their 10-game losing streak.

12:12 AM Jun 18, 2011

GH's Smith to be a 'Hometown Hero' at MIS

Staff Sergeant Daniel Smith has plenty of stories to tell, and he'll get a chance to share some of those stories with quite an audience at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday. Smith, a 2000 graduate of Grand Haven High School and a decorated member of both the Marines and the U.S. Army, has been chosen to represent the Army at the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race.

12:08 AM Jun 18, 2011

Golf finals roundup: Fry's stellar round has SL in contention in Division 2

Spring Lake junior Marcus Fry joked that the cup kept getting in the way of his ball during the first round of the Division 2 state finals at Forest Akers East Golf Course at Michigan State University in East Lansing. That was a welcome mistake for the Lakers' standout, as he finished with a 2-under 70, placing him second overall among individual scores. Chris Noble of NIles was first with a 68. His round also was a considerable boost for a Lakers' team that otherwise struggled with their putting.

12:03 AM Jun 18, 2011

GH, SL players shine in MCC All-Star softball game

Several Spring Lake and Grand Haven girls participated in Thursday's Muskegon Community College All-Star softball game. Spring Lake's Rachael Adams helped the Gold team defeated the Blue squad, 11-5. Adams, who played shortstop and outfield, had a bunt single and scored a run. Grand Haven's Sarah Deal was also on the Gold team, as was Spring Lake's Sam Weerstra, who threw three scoreless innings.

11:10 AM Jun 17, 2011

SLIT to tee off 90th year on Monday

One of the oldest women's match play golf events in the country returns to Spring Lake Country Club next week. The Spring Lake Invitational will hold its 90th tournament when this year's event kicks off with 18 holes of qualifying stroke play on Monday. Flighted match play will follow on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. According to event organizer Mary Kay Taylor, the SLIT has become so popular over the last several years that another flight was added for this year's event.

11:07 AM Jun 17, 2011

Cougars to honor cancer survivor at home opener

The Lakeshore Cougars' home-opening football contest at Buccaneer Stadium in Grand Haven on Saturday will hold special meaning to the team. The matchup against the Grand Rapids Thunder has been designated as a "Cougar Cancer Awareness' game. Donations will be collected from fans in attendance and pink balloons will be sold to benefit the family of Keegan Bulk.

11:03 AM Jun 17, 2011

Hurley pro surf team to stop in Grand Haven

The Hurley pro surf team will be making its lone stop in the Midwest with a visit to Grand Haven on June 30, as part of the "Rip My Shred Stick Tour.' The event is held in conjunction with MACkite. The 17-stop tour, which started in Puerto Rico on Saturday, gives 16-and-under surfers a chance to hang out with the pro surfers from Hurley, test-drive their boards and compete in a no-pressure, fun surfing event.

10:48 AM Jun 16, 2011

Fruitport's top prep athletes recognized

Fruitport High School recently named seniors Aaron Covert and Lindsey Timmer as its Senior Student-Athletes of the Year during the Trojans' senior awards banquet. Timmer enjoyed success in four different sports at Fruitport, with her top accomplishments coming in competitive cheer. She was the team's co-captain and a first-team all-conference selection in the Lakes Eight Conference this winter. She also ran track and played volleyball for three seasons, and was a sideline cheerleader this fall.

10:44 AM Jun 16, 2011

VanderWerp's team on top at MBVT

Grand Haven's Stevo VanderWerp and his teammate, Evan Engle of California, teamed up to win the Men' Pro Division at Saturday's Midwest Beach Volleyball Tour stop at Grand Haven State Park. VanderWerp and Engle went unbeaten on the day, winning in the finals by a score of 21-14, 21-13 against brothers John and Paul Kessenich of Ann Arbor. In the Women's Pro Division, Kellie DeMerrit and Vicki Vega of Royal Oak edged the local team of Lori Armstrong and Megan Sharp.

10:39 AM Jun 16, 2011

WMC golf out to claim first state title

Western Michigan Christian has won a plenty of state titles in its 55-year history, but one that has eluded the school is golf. The Warriors have been state runners-up in golf twice, but have never returned home with the big trophy. This year's team has a chance to change that at the Division 4 state meet on Friday and Saturday at The Meadows Golf Course in Allendale. This will be the school's fourth-straight appearance in the state final.

10:36 AM Jun 16, 2011

Burris, Burnside lead teams to wins in West Michigan All-Star Classic

Western Michigan Christian teammates London Burris and Omari Lewis played against each other Wednesday night in the West Michigan All-Star Classic with Burris' Blue team winning an 89-88 thriller at Muskegon Community College's Bartel's Rode gymnasium. The contest featured recent high school graduates from around West Michigan.

8:46 AM Jun 16, 2011

Bitner's passion for coaching golf still on course

If there's a comfort zone for George Bitner, it's found on the golf course. There's really no other choice for a man who has spent his entire childhood and adult life learning, idolizing and teaching the game that he loves.

10:35 AM Jun 15, 2011

Grand River Kayak Race enjoys successful year 2

Coming off a successful debut, the Grand River Kayak race added new attractions in its second year and race organizers were pleased with the response. The race was held Saturday with ideal weather for the field of competitiors.

10:18 AM Jun 14, 2011

SL Heritage Festival 5K all about inspiration

Todd and Diane Losee have plenty of experience putting on running events through their company, Inspirational Racing. The Spring Lake couple already organize the Coast Guard Park Trail Run and the Octoberfest marathon and half marathon. Add the Heritage Festival 5K run and walk to that list. The run takes place Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. on North Fruitport Road, next to Central Park in Spring Lake.

9:42 PM Jun 13, 2011

Wagenmaker steps down as GH baseball coach

Grand Haven varsity baseball coach Morey Wagenmaker revealed to his team after Saturday's regional tournament loss that he was stepping down as coach. "I wanted them the first to know,' he said. "I feel the decision comes at a right time. It's the best for myself and my family.' Wagenmaker has guided the Bucs' varsity program for the past four seasons. Prior to that, he was the JV coach for six years. A personal highlight during his tenure, he said, was an opportunity to coach his son, Heath, for two seasons on varsity.

10:40 AM Jun 13, 2011

SL softball loses on walk-off home run

There was no controversial call to save the Lakers this time. A week after a potential game-winning home run was overturned during Spring Lake's district championship victory over Orchard View, the Lakers were on the short side of another late-game blast on Saturday afternoon.

10:36 AM Jun 13, 2011

GH baseball suffers 4-1 setback in regional semifinals

Grand Haven's varsity baseball team needed some breaks to fall its way to shed its underdog role in the Division 1 regional semfinals against Forest Hills Central at Jenison High School Saturday morning. Grand Haven had opportunities, but the Bucs stranded six base runners, had a pair of runners thrown out stealing and struck out eight times against Rangers' pitcher Jonah Lakatos in a 4-1 loss.