Reeths-Puffer golfer voted MLive Muskegon Fall Sports Athlete of the Week

MUSKEGON, MI – Sophia McCollum made sure she closed out her golf season in style this past weekend as the sophomore standout for the Rockets finished 17th overall with a two-day score of 168 at the Division 2 state finals at the Meadows in Allendale.

McCollum shot an 81 on the opening day of the tournament, which featured more than 108 total golfers and carded three birdies throughout the round. She added an 87 on the second day of the statewide event, including two birdies on the first three holes.

“I am very proud of Sophia,” said Reeths-Puffer head coach Matt Pallett. “She was one of just a few underclassmen to make it to the state finals as an individual. She had a great year and gained a lot of experience this weekend. She played very well in stretches. I am looking forward to seeing how she progresses over the next two years.”

McCollum qualified for the state tournament by carding an 85 to finish sixth overall at the Division 2 regional at the Cedar Chase Golf Club. Prior to her strong postseason run, the sophomore standout earned all-conference honors in the O-K Black with a nine-hole average of 42 at league jamborees.

She also finished third overall at the Sydney Carfine Memorial Tournament earlier this fall, carding a 1-over-par 74 at the Meadows.

McCollum caught the attention of plenty of MLive and Muskegon Chronicle readers with her impressive finish to the 2024 season, as they flocked to the polls in support of the Reeths-Puffer standout.

She closed out the week with more than 48 percent of the total votes cast to claim the MLive Muskegon Fall Sports Athlete of the Week for Oct. 9-15.

Oakridge volleyball standout Cami Guenthardt finished runner-up in the voting process with more than 37 percent of the total votes after she recorded 10 kills and 11 blocks in a tri-match against Morley Stanwood and North Muskegon.

Whitehall girls golf standout Riley Shafer finished third overall in the final results after she carded an 86 to finish third at the GMAA city tournament at White Lake Golf Club on Monday.

Reeths-Puffer girls cross country standout Jersi Bilek finished fourth overall in the voting process after she posted a time of 20:16.30 to finish third overall at the GMAA city meet and added a Top 12 finish at the O-K Green Conference meet with a time of 20:09.0.

Mona Shores volleyball standout Grace Allen rounded out the Top 5 vote-getters this week after she recorded 15 kills in a five-set match against Byron Center and added 11 kills and 14 digs in a five-set match against Caledonia.

To see all of this past week’s nominees, click here.

Below are the final results of this week’s poll.

NOTE: Coaches are encouraged to send nominations to jvandyke@mlive.com to be considered for this week’s upcoming Fall Sports Athlete of the Week award.

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