Local College Athletes 2017-2018
Anyone who has spent any significant amount of time in this community knows that both Portland High School and St. Patrick School take their sports pretty seriously. I thought it would be interesting to take some time to get a better idea of how many high school athletes from this town have made the transition to playing their sport at the collegiate level for the 2017-2018 school year. I also wanted to learn some more about each of them.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA, reports that as of 2017, the percentage of high school athletes that move on to compete at any NCAA level (I, II or III) is less than 10% for most sports. For example, of 1,083,308 high school football participants, only 6.8% move on to plat at an NCAA level. Of 429,380 women’s basketball participants in high school, only 3.9% move on to NCAA levels. To view all statistics from this study, you can click HERE.
Please keep in mind that the NCAA is only one of the major intercollegiate governing bodies. There is also the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
Regardless of how you look at it, an athlete making it to the collegiate level is an impressive accomplishment.
Below is a list of local athletes from both PHS and St. Patrick School participating in collegiate athletics this year. While we reached out to both high school athletic directors and Portland Beacon readers, and we are relatively confident that this list includes everyone, we do apologize if there are any athletes that we missed.
Name: Mary Brooks
High School: PHS class of 2014
College/University: Alma College
Major: Business Administration
Sport: Softball
Year in school: Senior
Position/Event: OF
Notable statistics:
2017
Started all 39 games, 32 in right field and seven as the designated player.
Led the team with 34 RBI, sixth in the MIAA.
Had a .452 on-base percentage, first on the team and fifth in the conference.
Second on the team with a .393 batting average, fifth in the conference.
Slugged .571, second on the team and eighth in the conference.
Hit three home runs.
Doubled nine times.
Drew 13 walks.
Sport or Academic honors (if applicable)
2017
MIAA Academic Honor Roll
First-Team All-MIAA
All-NCAA Tournament Team, Alma Regional
Quote from college coach: Alma Softball Coach Denny Griffin said, "In addition to being a four-year starter, and one of our key players, Mary has taken on even more of a leadership role as a senior. She has set a good example in the weight room and with our offseason program, as well as on the field. Mary also has a great attitude and work ethic, and we expect another fine year from her."
Quote from the student athlete: Mary Brooks said, “Alma has become a home away from home, I have met great people and had experiences I will never forget. Alma College Softball has been a huge blessing in my life, from the people to learning more than I thought possible about the game. I wouldn't change a thing about my experience at Alma. I am a more well-rounded person leaving here and am so thankful for the opportunities I was given.”
Photos courtesy of Alma College Athletic Department.
Name: Mark Brooks
High School: PHS class of 2016
College/University: Western Michigan University
Major: Integrated Supply Management
Sport: Football
Year in school: Redshirt Freshman
Position/Event: Offensive Lineman
Notable statistics:
Named Academic All-MAC
Played in nine games
Saw 135 snaps, 65 on offense and 70 on special teams
Quote from college coach: “Mark’s done a great job of preparing himself, both physically and mentally for everything that we have asked for him to do. He is a very reliable part of the offensive line and because we trust him so much, he is able to play multiple positions. He continues to develop in his knowledge of the offense, as well as physically and will be counted on in a major way this upcoming season.” - offensive line coach Jake Moreland
Quote from the student athlete: "I'm excited about earning more and more playing time as I develop as an individual player. It's amazing to see a childhood dream start to become true, but I'm more excited to see where we get as a team with all the hard work we are putting in this off season and using last year's 6-6 record as fuel to push ourselves and teammates harder than ever." - Mark Brooks
Photo courtesy of WMU Athletic Media Relations.
Name: Dylan Carroll
High School: PHS class of 2013
College/University: Grand Valley State University
Major: Supply Chain and Marketing. He has already completed these programs, and according to Grand Valley State University Associate AD for Athletic Communications, Tim Nott, Dylan is, “Entering masters program MBA in the fall for his final season of football.”
Sport: Football
Year in school: Junior
Position/Event: Defensive end
Notable statistics:
For 2017 –
Recorded 43 tackles, 5.0 TFL (-24) and 2.5 QB sack (-19).
Notched five tackles, a QB sack and a TFL at Michigan Tech
Tallied season-high eight tackles and a TFL vs. SVSU
Recorded five tackles at Ferris State.
Notched eight tackles, 2.0 QB sacks and 2.0 TFL vs. Northern Michigan.
In his GVSU career –
Played in 40 career games.
Tallied 117 tackles, 26.0 TFL and 13.5 QB sacks.
Sport or Academic honors: 2017 Academic All-GLIAC performer. 2016: All-GLIAC Honorable Mention honoree and Academic All-GLIAC selection.
Quote from college coach: Head coach Matt Mitchell said, “Dylan exemplifies what we want in a student-athlete at Grand Valley State. Dylan is a role model for taking care what he needs to do on and off the field. Dylan has been an outstanding player for us and we are looking for a big senior season from him in 2018 and we expect him to lead our defensive line unit.”
Quote from the student athlete: Dylan Carroll quote “I am so happy that I chose Grand Valley State after completing my career at Portland. I am able to compete at a high level on the football field and be a part of the top football program in the country. In addition, I was able to get a great degree and make contacts within my field and I will be able to start my master’s degree in the fall as I enter my last season of college football. Grand Valley State has the perfect mix of high level athletics and academics.”
Photo courtesy of GVSU Athletics.
Name: Corey Gensterblum
High School: PHS class of 2016
College/University: Kalamazoo College
Major: Business
Sport: Football
Year in school: Sophomore
Position/Event: Defensive Back
Notable statistics: Career high six tackles vs Wheaton Sept. 2016. 2016 MIAA Academic Honor Roll.
Photo courtesy of Kalamazoo College Athletic Department.
Name: Hannah Greenwood
High School: St. Patrick class of 2017
College/University: Aquinas College
Major: Biology
Minor: German
Sport: Volleyball
Year in school: Freshman
Position/Event: Middle Blocker
Notable statistics: Saw time in 10 matches and made one start as a true freshman. Totaled seven kills and eight block assists in limited action.
Quote from college coach: Head coach Rick Schroeder said, “Hannah played her role as a freshman very well this year. When given times to perform early on in the season, we got to see glimpses of what Hannah's college days could look like. Unfortunately, Hannah was hampered by an ankle injury for the second half of the season and was limited with what she could do on the court. Hannah did a tremendous job helping her teammates out from the sideline when she could and worked hard with our trainers to return to the court by the end of the season. I look forward to watching Hannah progress through the off season and how she will impact the team in the fall.”
Photo courtesy of Aquinas College Athletics (#8 back row).
Name: Treyvin Groesser
High School: PHS class of 2017
College/University: Adrian College
Major: Sports Management
Sport: Baseball
Year in school: Freshman
Position/Event: Pitcher
Quote from college: Head coach Craig Rainey said, “Treyvin has had an outstanding freshman year for us. He threw very well on the mound in the fall and will be competing for innings this spring as a freshman. He continues to work hard and develop his pitching abilities. The things, I most like about Trey, is his focus and desire to work hard and get better. We think he has a ton of potential and can end up being a very good college player.”
Other Notes: Per Adrian Athletic department, Treyvin is, “Out with a season ending injury.”
Photo courtesy of Groesser family.
Name: Abby Hampton
High School: PHS class of 2015
College/University: Michigan State University
Major: Psychology and Criminal Justice
Sport: Rowing
Year in school: Junior
Position/Event: Coxswain
Sport or Academic honors: 2017 Academic All-Big Ten Conference
Quote from college coach: Coach Matt Weise “Unfortunately, Abbie is having some health issues so is not practicing or competing for us at the moment. She is a valuable member of our team and I hope to have her back to practice soon.”
Photos courtesy of Hampton family.
Name: Noah Hengesbach
High School: PHS class of 2017
College/University: Albion College
Major: Exercise Science
Minor: Psychology
Sport: Baseball
Year in school: Freshman
Position/Event: Pitcher
Notable statistics: 2017 Pitched a scoreless inning of relief (one hit, one walk) in game one at Hope.
Quote from college coach: Albion baseball coach Scott Carden said “Noah has worked hard to improve over the past several months. We are all expecting that hard work will pay off with a larger role this spring. He had a very good fall and expect him to continue that momentum when we start up next week. Noah will primarily function out of the bullpen and we foresee him throwing significant innings in that role.”
Photo courtesy of Albion College Athletic Department.
Name: Fischer Klein
High School: St. Patrick class of 2016
College/University: Alma College
Major: Engineering and Business
Sport: Football
Year in school: Sophomore
Position/Event: Offensive Line
Notable statistics: 2017 Started all 10 games at left tackle.
Sport or Academic honors: 2016 MIAA Academic Honor Roll.
Quote from college coach: Co-Offensive Coordinator Danny Wernick said, “Fischer is one of our top OL and has had a productive career. He is one of the leaders on the offensive side of the ball and we expect great things from him going into his Junior year. He was voted OL MVP in the 2017 season.”
Photo courtesy of Alma College Athletic Department.
Name: Travis Moyer
High School: St. Patrick
College/University: Alma College
Major: Business Management
Minor: Mathematics
Sport: Baseball
Year in school: Sophomore
Position/Event: Right Handed Pitcher
Quote from college coach: Alma head coach Jake Sabol said, “Travis came to Alma with a lot to learn as a pitcher and has made some nice progress since his freshman year. His strong work ethic should allow him to take on a more impactful role as a sophomore.”
Photo courtesy of Alma College Athletic Department.
Name: Brendan Schrauben
High School: St. Patrick class of 2016
College/University: Alma College
Sport: Baseball
Year in school: Freshman
Position/Event: Catcher
Quote from college coach: Alma head coach Jake Sabol said, “We expect Brendan to compete for innings behind the plate for us early on in his freshman season. He is a very talented kid with a super athletic skillset that we are working with to help mold him into a complete player at the catcher position.”
Photo courtesy of Alma College Athletic Department.
Name: Danielle Simon
High School: St. Patrick class of 2014
College/University: Kalamazoo College
Major: Business
Minor: Math
Sport: Basketball
Year in school: Senior
Position/Event: Point Guard
Notable statistics:
Two-time team captain.
Averaging 10.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists this season
Currently leading the MIAA in assists and third in steals and rebounds
Last season led the team in rebounds, assists, and steals
Three career double doubles
Recorded her first career triple double against Adrian on 1/20/18
Member of the Athletic Leadership Council Executive Board
Started every game for K since her sophomore year
Quote from college coach: Head coach Katie Miller said, “Dani is one of the hardest working and most competitive players I have ever coached. She does a little bit of everything on the court for us. She is currently ranked in the MIAA (Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association) in a number of statistical categories, including assists, rebounds, and steals. She is an exceptional leader and team captain and will be impossible to replace when she graduates. She is truly the heart and soul of our team and I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to coach her these past 4 years.”
Quote from the student athlete: “Continuing my basketball career at Kalamazoo College has been the best decision I have ever made. I cannot imagine my life without the coaches and teammates that I have gained over the short four years I have been here.”
Photo courtesy of Kalamazoo College Athletic Department.
Name: Jalon Simpson
High School: PHS class of 2016
College/University: Olivet Nazarene University
Major: Sports Management
Sport: Football/Track & Field
Year in school: Sophomore
Position/Event: Linebacker/Javelin
Notable statistics: Outdoor Javelin - Personal Record 61.09m (200'5")
Sport or Academic honors: 2017 NAIA All-American (4th), #1 Freshman in the NAIA, CCAC Conference Champion
Quote from college coach: Track & Field Coach Mike McDowell said, “Jalon is an extremely positive individual which directly affects his athletic performance. Finishing 4th as a freshman in the javelin at last year’s NAIA National Championships is evidence regarding his expectations for this year’s outdoor season. He is currently nearing the National qualifying mark for the indoor 35lb weight throw which is a strong sign of great things to come during the outdoor season.”
Quote from the student athlete: “I love my Coaches, both Football and Track! They are more than just an authority figure and coach, but a great friend and role model in my life. Constantly helping and guiding me as a Christian student athlete. I am very blessed to be a duel collegiate athlete!”
Photos courtesy of Olivet Nazarene University Athletic Department.
Jordyn Spitzley
High School: PHS class of 2017
College/University: Becker College (Mass.)
Major: Animal Care
Sport: Soccer
Year in school: Freshman
Position/Event: Goalkeeper
Photo courtesy of Becker College Athletic Department.
While they are not actually participating in intercollegiate athletics this year, there are two more athletes I wanted to list in this piece. PHS graduate Trevor Trierweiler was a member of the Kalamazoo College baseball team last year. Trevor has transferred away from Kalamazoo to pursue other academic opportunities. Olivia “Liv” Roe was a member of the Davenport University basketball team last year. Due to injury, Liv has ended her playing career.
