Nominations open for Grand Rapids area’s best senior spring sports athlete

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Each week in the spring high school sports season, readers have weighed in on which Grand Rapids-area players have been most impressive among a wide variety of worthy candidates in our Athlete of the Week poll.

Now, we’re shining the spotlight on the seniors who are closing out their high school athletic careers with a new poll recognizing the top local performers in each grade.

The first story and poll featuring the area’s elite spring sports seniors will debut Tuesday, May 7, followed by stories highlighting the best junior, sophomore and freshman athletes each ensuing week.

Among the area’s top seniors are several future Division-I college athletes, including GR Catholic Central lacrosse midfielder Claire Marosi (Northwestern), Hudsonville centerfielder Megan Beemer (Michigan), Byron Center catcher Sophie Holverstott (Michigan State), Coopersville soccer midfielder Rachael Wright (Michigan State), Forest Hills Northern soccer forward Auden Stauffer (Central Michigan), Ottawa Hills distance runner Selma Anderson (Syracuse), GR Christian distance runner Natalie VanOtteren (Michigan), GR Catholic Central distance runner Emily Tomes (Michigan), Jenison pole vaulter Joey Bonacci (Oregon), GR Catholic Central golfer Will Preston (Penn State), GR Christian outfielder Jackson Isaacs (Western Michigan), GR Christian pitcher Carson Custer (Michigan State), Zeeland East pitcher Trevor Raade (Western Michigan) and Rockford shortstop Andrew Landis (Oakland).

To help ensure no one is flying under our radar, whether it’s seniors, juniors, sophomores or freshmen, you can email nominations and player stats and accolades to Patrick Nothaft at pnothaft@mlive.com.

Below is a look at the spring sports Athlete of the Week winners that we’ve highlighted so far this season.

Allendale girls track sprinter Kennadi Galy

Holland Christian baseball shortstop Caden VanHuis