Bay City area fall sports roundup: Victory is as simple as 1-2-3 for Central

BAY CITY, MI – A look at the high school sports scene in the Bay City area for Sept. 26, 2024. Bay City area coaches are asked to submit results, highlights and comments the night of each event by emailing lthomps2@mlive.com.

SWIMMING: BIG DAY FOR CENTRAL

It was all coming together for Bay City Central.

But the Wolves didn’t know just how well they were doing until the end.

After a series of strong performances – highlighted by 1-2-3 finishes in two events – Central emerged with a 131-44 win over Lapeer and a 93-85 upset of Flint Powers in Saginaw Valley League action.

“The win versus Powers was unexpected, and it was hard-earned,” Central coach Dave Staudacher said.“The team was overjoyed with the outcome.”

Central (3-1) dominated the 200 individual medley, where Lauren Boon, Lauren Klawon and Natalia Luke were the first three to the finish, and piled up the points in diving with Sarai Winchell, Emma Milkowski and Bella Zavala-Davis taking the top three spots.

The Wolves added victories from Lauren Bontekoe in the 200 and 500 freestyles, Coco Salazar in the 50 freestyle, Boon in the 100 freestyle and Klawon in the 100 backstroke. Boon, Salazar, Bontekoe and Klawon teamed to finish the night with a win in the 400 freestyle relay.

SWIMMING: SCHLATTER SHINES FOR BCW

Alexis Schlatter continues to build on her swimming resume.

The Bay City Western senior is now a two-event state qualifier after hitting the standard in the 100 freestyle in a winning time of 56.60.

The Warriors dropped dual matches with Grand Blanc and Midland but had their share of big moments. Schlatter led the way, also winning the 100 breaststroke (1:16.39) and joining Lizzie Rechsteiner, Addy Russell and Ripley Andrus for first in the 200 freestyle relay (1:50.13) and second in the 400 freestyle relay.

Andrus soared to victory in diving (213.15). Rechsteiner added a pair of runner-up showings in the 50 and 500 freestyles while Russell took third in the 200 free and Autumn Lyons was third in the 100 butterfly.

VOLLEYBALL: WARRIORS GET IT ROLLING

Bay City Western found its groove and never wavered, rolling past Midland 25-23, 25-14, 25-18 in Saginaw Valley League play.

“We really stepped up our defensive game and serve receive, which kept us in system most the night,” Western coach Melissa David said. “There was no point of the match where we weren’t in control.”

Western (14-5-1, 3-2) got 19 digs and 32 assists from Breanna David and 10 digs and six kills from Addy Lewandowski. Kate Friedle notched 15 digs while Jenna DeRosia came through with 15 kills, Charlotte Fournier 10 kills and Ava Schmidt six.

VOLLEYBALL: BCC PUSHES DOW TO FIVE

Bay City Central couldn’t quite get the win but played winning volleyball, pushing Midland Dow to five sets – and a bit beyond – in Saginaw Valley League action.

Dow fended off the Wolves in a dramatic fifth set that stretched into extra play, pulling off the 25-15, 22-25, 25-14, 19-25, 19-17 victory.

“Confidencewas finallyshowing,” Central coach Christine Davila said. “We did what we could on offense and performed well without having secondthoughts. I loved the never-give-up mindset they were in. We still have so much to improve on, but I finally feel like everything we have been working on is starting to click and we’re playing together better.”

Anna View fronted a stellar Central defense with 33 digs while Heidi Dahn added 11 and Delaney Hopkins 10. Edy Maciejewski slammed nine kills while Laney Wrzesinski notched seven and Jo Elder and Serenity Apsey added five apiece. Lauren Baranek scored six of the team’s 16 aces in the match.

VOLLEYBALL: ALL SAINTS IS LOCKED IN

Consistency counts for plenty in volleyball, and All Saints consistent to the max.

The Cougars came through with a key Big Thumb Conference victory over Carsonville-Port Sanilac by identical 25-19, 25-19, 25-19 scores.

All Saints was led by Natalie Huiskens with a 10-dig, seven-kill performance. Galilea Costilla tallied 13 digs while Val Costilla notched 19 assists and five kills and Aymarie King contributed four kills and four aces.

VOLLEYBALL: CASS CITY KEEPS CRUISING

No. 4-ranked Cass City was firing on all cylinders, sweeping past Caro 25-6, 25-15, 25-12.

The Red Hawks got stellar serving from Alysa Fritz and Kylie McKee at 100 percent. Fritz added 11 assists and McKee eight digs in the victory.

Shelby Ignash came through with 12 kills and 13 digs, Lexi Champagne was pivotal with nine kills and Isabelle Phillips dished 16 assists.

GOLF: POBANZ FINISHES STRONG FOR GLENN

Noelle Pobanz made the final Tri-Valley Conference tourney her finest of the year.

The John Glenn senior carded personal bests with 45 on nine holes and 96 for 18 holes at Alma’s Pine River Golf Course, finishing 13th on the individual leaderboard.

Olivia Duprey and Alli Caldwell each came in at 110 for the Bobcats while Kahlan Dutkiewicz shot 121 and Sydnie Barron 128.

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