Kyle Hinds Named January Student Athlete of the Month

Kyle Hinds, a senior wrestler at Portland High School, has been chosen as the winner of the J-Dubbs Signature Subs Student Athlete of the Month award for January.

Hinds earned his 100th career win on January 25th, making him the 39th member of the Portland Wrestling “Century Cub.” He wrestles at the 160-pound weight class and his record so far this season is 34-5 with 13 pins.

Raider Wrestling Coach Mark Holdren said, “Kyle has been a committed and dedicated wrestler over the past four seasons. He has great leadership qualities and has helped to guide the team through a tough competitive schedule.”

J-Dubbs Signature Subs of Portland has partnered with The Portland Beacon to sponsor this award. The monthly winner will receive a free sub of his/her choice from J-Dubbs Signature Subs. Monthly winners will be entered for a chance at the Student Athlete of the Year award, and a free party platter from J-Dubbs Signature Subs.

To be nominated, a student athlete must attend either Portland High School or St. Patrick School, and be a member of a varsity sports program or school-sponsored athletic club at his/her school. Nominations may be made by a member of their high school coaching staff, athletic director, principal, or a school recognized student government organization at his/her school. Nominations are also accepted from The Portland Beacon contributing writers.

This month the winner was selected by a three-person panel consisting of myself and Beacon contributors Robert Lathers and Benjamin Rex Cross. Previously we conducted an online poll to readers to select the winner. This was very popular and received thousands of votes each month, but in a situation like last month, the poll turned into a contest between one athlete from each school. We feel that may have fostered a sense of one school against the other and that is not the intent of this program.

Other talented local athletes receiving nominations for January were:

• Kaylee Becker – PHS Bowling. Per coach William Armour, Kaylee bowled a 429 series of two games on January 25.

• Jack Dalman – PHS Bowling. Per coach William Armour, Jack bowled a 452 series of two games on January 14.

• Brandon Scheurer and Nate Leahy – SPS Basketball. Coach Mark Scheurer said, “I would like to nominate Brandon Scheurer and Nate Leahy. They have been our 1-2 punch for two years now and they feed off each other. I don't know if they can win it together but I think it would be fitting.” Brandon’s season stats: 142 points (14.2 per game), 49 rebounds (4.9 per game), 35 assists (3.5 per game), 32 steals (3.2 per game), 19 three pointers. Coach Mark Scheurer added, “Brandon was a finalist for MHSAA Scholarship and was chosen to take the Presidential Scholarship for SVSU. He is a retuning All State, All CMAC, LSJ Class D 1st Team and Ionia County Co-player of the year.” Nate’s season stats: 123 points (12.3 per game), 52 rebounds (5.2 per game), 28 assists (2.8 per game), 25 three pointers. Coach Scheurer added, “Nate was 2nd Team CMAC, All Ionia County Team, LSJ Honorable Mention Class D Team. They both are proud members and major contributors to the Academic All State Teams the past two years.”

Photos courtesy of AJ Guilford.

The Portland Beacon’s Student Athlete of the Month contest is sponsored by J-Dubbs Signature Subs of Portland.