LEAVING A LEGACY
Seniors are leaders on this team that impact the future runners on this team. They leave the shed better then they found it. Below is a history of our seniors leaders and what they have done to impact this team.
CLASS OF 2021
"Jacob McCuaig is a senior who has always been positive towards me and the team. While running he is cheerful and joking through the pain and even off the trail he will talk and play a game to spread joy." Nic VanderKodde
"Matthew was the nicest kid on the team. He always said hi to me in the hallway and always there for positive energy. Lorenzo was the funniest kid on the team and laid back and chill, always a good time to talk to him, always made me laugh." Foster Boak
"Matthew Kunzi has been one senior over the two years that I have been on the team with him that has always set a good example for the underclassmen and he also will make an effort to say hi to everybody and include everyone." Evan Ball
"I only ran with Matthew a few times but when I did he was super encouraging to me, saying things line you can do this and I believe in you that really encouraged me." "Dylan Leyendecker
"Lorenzo was always able to cheer me up. Whenever I was feeling down and something Lorenzo would say or do always put a smile on my face and brighten up my day. Matthew was also very reliable, he would always offer to give me rides. Also one time when I was waiting for the other kids to get done Matthew played catch with me. "Yalmaz Javaid
"The senior that showed me that most was Matthew. He told me that cross country is not all serious but its ok to have fun on workouts and recoveries." Issac Vierzen
"Jesper is just overall a great guy to be around. Billy is kind and funny and made me feel welcome when I first joined the team." Parker Moore
"Lorenzo, Matthew, Billy, I chose them because of the way they push us to be better" Noah Reinsma
"Matthew is always willing to help out from the beginning to the end of the season if you have any questions he would have an answer." Aidan Ohanyan
"Matthew made sure he knew who everyone was and made sure everyone felt wanted." Tommy Lobbezoo
"McCuaig was a senior who has impacted me in a positive way. He is the only senior I could hold a conversation with. He always treated everyone with respect and courtesy. He was a good listener and speaker." Tyler Watson
"When I first came in, all the seniors made me feel welcome and since this was my first year I felt I could come to them with I needed help. I give my thanks to all seniors and I wish them the best of luck. " Cayden Apol.
"Matthew also makes practice more fun. If we are ever having a hard practice he is always joyful and tries to make everyone have fun and not worry about running."
Owen Rowell
"Matthew Kunzi has brought everything he was day in and day out. He is an amazing guy and great role model." Jake Rottier
"Billy and Jacob were always pushing me and also always giving me a ride home if I needed it. " Tucker Wolf
"Matthew Kunzi has been a great friend to me even outside of cross country. He is friendly to everyone on the team including underclassmen and myself. Even though Jesper joined the team later then everyone else and suffered injury, he still worked hard and everyone seems to like him even though they haven't known him before." Jaben Bakker
"Matthew has been a lot of fun to hang out with. He always goes out his way to talk to people. He has been nice to me and makes my runs more enjoyable. He is one of the nicest people I know. " Gabe Rowell
"All of the seniors impacted me to push and work harder. Matthew specificaly impacted me by being nice and always pushing to make me a greater runner and person. " Cole Hinterman
"Billy has always been really fun and tries to include everyone. Matthew was always willing to help and clear any confusion." Malachi Kapenga
"Matthew Kunzi has been a great captain this year. He has always pushed me and the team to do our best. Matthew has always been nice and caring to the guys on the team. " Owen Lewis
"The senior I think left a legacy was Matthew, on a hot summer running day I fell behind and Kunzi came and ran with me for the rest of the run. All seniors were very encouraging and supportive. " Dylan Pfeffer
"Matthew Kunzi has been a real inspirational leader. He has always listen to what I said and encourage me. Jesper came from a different country and was really friendly and takes guts to do that." Luke Rottier
"The senior that was the most encouraging to me is Matthew because me and him would laugh and joke all the time. It felt good to laugh and that was always good encouragement to run faster. " Ryan Van Dyken
"A senior I appreciated this season was Matthew. I think he really helped when I started late with helping me understand workouts and is just an all around pretty sick guy." Zach VanDerMeulen
"Someone who has really helped me would be Matthew Kunzi. He was always very kind to the freshmen (unlike others) and showed us the ropes. He was also very supportive to everybody on the team and Im glad I got to be on the same team as him. Im totally not saying this because his dad was my 7th grade math teacher." Garrett Smith
" All five seniors on our team have been very impactful. Billy has always been super kind and funny. McCuaig has always been a good person to talk with . Matthew is super kind and is the team dad basically. Lorenzo is always funny and cool. Jesper is super cool funny and kind as well." Liam Van Houten
"Jesper was really nice when we first met. And he is really polite and respectful and very committed for someone in a new country. " Jordan Stankus
"Matthew Kunzi has been very encouraging and thoughtful throughout the season. He didnt do something big, but did lots of small meaningful things. He cheers me on at races and includes me in conversations. Overall he is very kind." Logan Toland
"When I went to concessions Jacob really helped me out and since I came late. His personality is really nice and I wish him the best of luck after high school. " Jason VanDyken
"Matthew Kunzi will be a person I will never forget as being the friendliest guy on the team. He included everyone, talked to everyone and has made a huge impact on my running life. " Grayson Lentner
"I think Matthew Kunzi was a great leader and was very encouraging at practice and in races." Brady O'Brien
"Matthew Kunzi is a senior who has not once felt a negative impact on me. He is incredible captain but what has left more of an impact on me is how he's always carried the responsibilites of a captain in getting to know everybody and keeping everybody together as well as just being a great dude, long before he was actually a captain. Matthew brings excitement to recovery runs and he always finds a way to make practice more energetic and he has always seen the epitome of what a cross country runner should be. " Luke Martin
CLASS OF 2020
"Someone that impacted me personally is Kyle Merrihew. He took the responsiblity to take me home every single day from practice. Another is Logan Campbell he was always someone you could talk to, he was always supportive and nice. In the end I think every senior this year has been nice and helpful and very supportive."
- Foster Boak
"Logan Campbell goes to my church, helped me have a connection between my normal life and xc when I was starting up. And he carpooled with me in summer and I didn't know anyone." -Nic Vanderkodde
"Almost all the seniors have impacted me personally, but mainly it was Tyler Raterink and Brett Baine. Both have positive attitudes and run amazingly fast (especially Brett) They are very encouraging." - Ryan VanDyken
"I would like to nominate Lightning as one of the seniors who impacted me. Lightning Brett Baine. He is always encouraging to us underclassmen. Brett's pure speed. It lightens the spirit of exhausted runners. His quick wit and joyful personality makes him an amazing person to be around." - Owen Lewis
"They have made running fun. Kyle made me laugh. Quinn helped me fit in. Tyler was an amazing leader that I looked up to. " - Brendan Lafrenier
"Logan is always joking around with us and making it fun. He encourages us and makes running more enjoyable. Quinn is always making us laugh and is fun to be around. " - Gabe Rowell
"I think that Jack Kennedy has been a great influence this season. He encourages me and makes cross more fun. " - Caden Raterink
"Domenic Wyllys has been very kind to everybody and would always pick up things and just help everybody out. He would also help me outside of cross in woodworking class." - Evan Ball
"There's two seniors that come to mind when I think of people that have left a true lasting impact on me. Tyler Raterink and Domenic Wyllys. Mr Beemer told me of a quote from John Adams that has stuck with me all year. " You can't guarantee success, but you can deserve it." Both of them chase are this ideal everyday and you can see it in their workouts. See in in their 5k times. They work hard to get where they are and never slack. And Tyler even after going on summer science managed to get varsity letter for our team. He deserved it more then anyone. Both of them live selflessly and acknowledge everyone with respect and such they receive the same respect from everyone around them. Dom and Tyler thank you for
everything." - Luke Martin
"Quinn impacted me personally, he was always there to cheer me up after a race. He never held back to make my day better. Great job and Thanks Quinn" - unknown
"Quinn has been a very encouraging teammate to me, and he always gives myself and the team something to laugh about" - Jaben Bakker
"Kyle always brought everything in on a workout day and I wanted to stay with him the whole time. So it made me bring everything on a workout day." - Jake Rottier
"Brett Baine brought positivity and fun to the team and I really enjoyed it" - unknown
" Tyler Raterink went around learning everyones names" - Liam Van Houten
"Tyler Hook helped me through church and xc. He's a friend." - Chris Butera
"Who I think was very fun and impacting was Logan. Logan was super nice and I could always talk to him. He also would always say hi to me in the hall and would make my day." - Jason VanDyken
"Brett Baine has brought a super positive, fun, and supportive quality to the team. He encourages others and tries hard on workouts while having fun at the same time. - Brady O'Brien
"Quinn has been a real teammate and a great person all year. He's always been at practice and smiling all the time. Tyler has always been a rock. Solid support this year, always running his best no matter what. He's just a great team mate and leader. - Elijah Tuttle
- Foster Boak
"Logan Campbell goes to my church, helped me have a connection between my normal life and xc when I was starting up. And he carpooled with me in summer and I didn't know anyone." -Nic Vanderkodde
"Almost all the seniors have impacted me personally, but mainly it was Tyler Raterink and Brett Baine. Both have positive attitudes and run amazingly fast (especially Brett) They are very encouraging." - Ryan VanDyken
"I would like to nominate Lightning as one of the seniors who impacted me. Lightning Brett Baine. He is always encouraging to us underclassmen. Brett's pure speed. It lightens the spirit of exhausted runners. His quick wit and joyful personality makes him an amazing person to be around." - Owen Lewis
"They have made running fun. Kyle made me laugh. Quinn helped me fit in. Tyler was an amazing leader that I looked up to. " - Brendan Lafrenier
"Logan is always joking around with us and making it fun. He encourages us and makes running more enjoyable. Quinn is always making us laugh and is fun to be around. " - Gabe Rowell
"I think that Jack Kennedy has been a great influence this season. He encourages me and makes cross more fun. " - Caden Raterink
"Domenic Wyllys has been very kind to everybody and would always pick up things and just help everybody out. He would also help me outside of cross in woodworking class." - Evan Ball
"There's two seniors that come to mind when I think of people that have left a true lasting impact on me. Tyler Raterink and Domenic Wyllys. Mr Beemer told me of a quote from John Adams that has stuck with me all year. " You can't guarantee success, but you can deserve it." Both of them chase are this ideal everyday and you can see it in their workouts. See in in their 5k times. They work hard to get where they are and never slack. And Tyler even after going on summer science managed to get varsity letter for our team. He deserved it more then anyone. Both of them live selflessly and acknowledge everyone with respect and such they receive the same respect from everyone around them. Dom and Tyler thank you for
everything." - Luke Martin
"Quinn impacted me personally, he was always there to cheer me up after a race. He never held back to make my day better. Great job and Thanks Quinn" - unknown
"Quinn has been a very encouraging teammate to me, and he always gives myself and the team something to laugh about" - Jaben Bakker
"Kyle always brought everything in on a workout day and I wanted to stay with him the whole time. So it made me bring everything on a workout day." - Jake Rottier
"Brett Baine brought positivity and fun to the team and I really enjoyed it" - unknown
" Tyler Raterink went around learning everyones names" - Liam Van Houten
"Tyler Hook helped me through church and xc. He's a friend." - Chris Butera
"Who I think was very fun and impacting was Logan. Logan was super nice and I could always talk to him. He also would always say hi to me in the hall and would make my day." - Jason VanDyken
"Brett Baine has brought a super positive, fun, and supportive quality to the team. He encourages others and tries hard on workouts while having fun at the same time. - Brady O'Brien
"Quinn has been a real teammate and a great person all year. He's always been at practice and smiling all the time. Tyler has always been a rock. Solid support this year, always running his best no matter what. He's just a great team mate and leader. - Elijah Tuttle
CLASS OF 2019
" Christian Vande Gutche taught me how to have fun while running and that its all about the people you run with that make XC fun." - Logan Campbell
"Ryan Nibbelink was always kind and encouraging and made me feel like a part of the team." - Alex D.
"Luke Kachele was a good friend and a very nice teammate." - Franklin Ploeg
"Steven St. John always congratulated me after I finished a race and Asher Berends always pushed me harder during a race, so I did better." - Ryan Van Dyken.
"Christian Vande Gutche has always been able to put a smile on my face and has made long runs go by faster and much more tolerable. You know know what weird topic you talk about or what interesting adventures you go on during a run. I really value his friendship and I think I speak for everybody when I say he'll be missed."
- Kyle Merrihew
"Asher Berends has offered me rides home almost every day and has been a fun person talk to on the long bus rides and at practice." - Matthew Kunzi
"2018 Senior Casey Olson helped me work hard and get fast" - Quinn Berghorst
" Asher Berends and Christian Vande Gutche both helped me feel welcome to the team freshmen year." - Jacob McCuaig
"Asher was very nice." David Palenzuela
"Asher was one of the few seniors to talk to me at the beginning of the summer. He was always someone who would give me some worthy piece of advice or tell a great story. He worked hard and he inspired me to put in the work. He had an amazing impact on me as a runner and a person." - Luke Martin
"Carter Sabin always brought me joy and Will Harper always fun to be around with."
- Tait Cuthbertson
" Carter Sabin was very welcoming and kinda became my friend over the season."
- Aaron Spears
"Christian made me feel welcome on my first practice, he came up to me and started talking to me and it made me a lot less nervous and I felt like I belonged."
- Gabe Rowell
"Asher Berends was friendly to every teammate and took time to cheer for jv runners during races and knew every team mate by name." - Jaben Bakker
" Will Harper is funny and made me feel welcomed." - Billy Scholten
"Carter Sabin is amazing because he would push me to push myself in workouts."
- Brett Baine
"Christian Vande Gutche was the first person and friend I made on the team and he really welcomed me and made me feel part of the team." - Noah Molchan
"Asher Berends was always kind to us as freshmen and he leads by example and always encouraged me to do my best. He has inspired me, I want to be like him when im a senior." - Owen Lewis
"Steven St. John impacted me as a cross runner and high school student. He taught me that high school and sports are all about having fun, but you gotta for work it."
- Riley Van Sprange
" Carter Sabin encouraged you to do your best and took cross country seriously, but at the same time had all too fun with everybody." - Brady O'Brien
"Carter Sabin is always doing the right thing and also has fun at the same time."
- Will Knoth
" Christian Vande Gutche made me feel welcome every single day." - Jake Rottier
"Jackson Lobbezoo really helped me stay motivated." Bryce Morningstar
"Ryan Nibbelink was always kind and encouraging and made me feel like a part of the team." - Alex D.
"Luke Kachele was a good friend and a very nice teammate." - Franklin Ploeg
"Steven St. John always congratulated me after I finished a race and Asher Berends always pushed me harder during a race, so I did better." - Ryan Van Dyken.
"Christian Vande Gutche has always been able to put a smile on my face and has made long runs go by faster and much more tolerable. You know know what weird topic you talk about or what interesting adventures you go on during a run. I really value his friendship and I think I speak for everybody when I say he'll be missed."
- Kyle Merrihew
"Asher Berends has offered me rides home almost every day and has been a fun person talk to on the long bus rides and at practice." - Matthew Kunzi
"2018 Senior Casey Olson helped me work hard and get fast" - Quinn Berghorst
" Asher Berends and Christian Vande Gutche both helped me feel welcome to the team freshmen year." - Jacob McCuaig
"Asher was very nice." David Palenzuela
"Asher was one of the few seniors to talk to me at the beginning of the summer. He was always someone who would give me some worthy piece of advice or tell a great story. He worked hard and he inspired me to put in the work. He had an amazing impact on me as a runner and a person." - Luke Martin
"Carter Sabin always brought me joy and Will Harper always fun to be around with."
- Tait Cuthbertson
" Carter Sabin was very welcoming and kinda became my friend over the season."
- Aaron Spears
"Christian made me feel welcome on my first practice, he came up to me and started talking to me and it made me a lot less nervous and I felt like I belonged."
- Gabe Rowell
"Asher Berends was friendly to every teammate and took time to cheer for jv runners during races and knew every team mate by name." - Jaben Bakker
" Will Harper is funny and made me feel welcomed." - Billy Scholten
"Carter Sabin is amazing because he would push me to push myself in workouts."
- Brett Baine
"Christian Vande Gutche was the first person and friend I made on the team and he really welcomed me and made me feel part of the team." - Noah Molchan
"Asher Berends was always kind to us as freshmen and he leads by example and always encouraged me to do my best. He has inspired me, I want to be like him when im a senior." - Owen Lewis
"Steven St. John impacted me as a cross runner and high school student. He taught me that high school and sports are all about having fun, but you gotta for work it."
- Riley Van Sprange
" Carter Sabin encouraged you to do your best and took cross country seriously, but at the same time had all too fun with everybody." - Brady O'Brien
"Carter Sabin is always doing the right thing and also has fun at the same time."
- Will Knoth
" Christian Vande Gutche made me feel welcome every single day." - Jake Rottier
"Jackson Lobbezoo really helped me stay motivated." Bryce Morningstar