Noah Simpson Named May Student-Athlete of the Month

Noah Simpson, a junior on the Portland High School track and field team, has been selected as the Portland Beacon and J-Dubb’s Signature Subs Student-Athlete of the month for May 2022.

Noah was nominated by PHS Track Coach Bart Simpson. Noah’s achievements include:

Portland Invite (2 events) 1st Place

Eaton Rapids Duel (2 events) 1st Place, 1st Place

Sexton Duel (2 events) 1st Place, 1st Place

Bath Invite (2 events) 1st Place, 5th Place

Regional Meet (2 events) 2nd Place, 6th Place *2nd State Qualifier

CAAC Championship (1 event) 1st Place *1st Team All-Conference

Lansing Area Honor Roll (1 event) Tuesday May 31st

State Finals (1 event) Saturday June 4th

Bart Simpson said, “He only threw Shot and Discus this year because he wasn't cleared from broken leg to run until last two meets. He ran on 4x100 relay and turned in best two times of year.”

To be nominated for this award, 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.

The monthly winner is selected by a panel of Beacon contributors. The winner receives a free sub thanks to our sponsor, J-Dubb’s Signature Subs.

Monthly winners are entered into the student-athlete of the year contest. The winner for the year receives a party platter from J-Dubb’s Signature Subs.

Monthly winners for the 2021-2022 school year include:

September - Derec Fedewa SPS Football

October - Laynie Meredith SPS Cross Country

November - Ethan Patrick PHS Football

December - Lydia Meredith SPS Basketball

January - Ashley Bower PHS Basketball

February - Drew Miller PHS Wrestling

March - Jessie Whitford PHS Bowling

April – Kenzie Fedewa SPS Track and Field

Other nominations for the month of May include:

Alyssa Jack – PHS Tennis

PHS Tennis coach Crystal Lowe said, “I would like to nominate my #1 singles player, Alyssa Jack. During the month of May, she helped our team to win our 3rd League Championship in a row as well as our 3rd Regional Championship in a row.”

“She was League and Regional Champion at #1 singles (3rd season in a row as a League & Regional Champ, just different flights every season).”

Jayden Townsend – PHS Softball

Nominated by PHS Softball coach Brandee Novara

Batting Average - .457

37 hits

27 rbi

9 doubles

6 triples

3 homeruns

25 runs

Madison Luxmore – PHS Soccer

PHS Coach Chris Roof said, “Maddie has 14 goals and 6 assists on the season. Pretty impressive as a center defender. Four-year varsity player and second year as one of the team captains. Has been a starter all four years and was our second leading goal scorer last year as well. As a leader on the field, she is also a leader off the field and strives in academics as well with a 4.0 GPA.”

Izzy Kissane – SPS Track and Field

Coach Dawn Fedewa said, “As a sophomore on the St. Patrick track and field team, the work that Izzy put in during the beginning of the season is paying dividends now. Izzy started the month of May by winning Athlete of the Meet at the Portland Invitational. At the meet, Izzy won the 200, 400, 4x400 & 4x800. She ran her fastest split of the year as the 4x800 relay team set a new school record at the meet. Izzy followed up that performance a two weeks later at the Regional Meet at Coleman where she medaled in the 400, 4x200, 4x400 & 4x800, qualifying for State Finals in all four events. As part of the 4x800 that day, she helped the team shave another 5 seconds off the school record. And, in one of the most competitive races of the day, Izzy anchored the 4x400 relay, racing hard to out lean Fowler at the line, finishing as Regional Champion. Stil not done for the month, Izzy competed at the Greater Lansing Honor Roll meet in the 400, 4x200 and 4x400, earning medals in all three events as a top 8 finisher against the best athletes in the area.”

Fedewa added, “Izzy is just beginning to see what she is capable of. We're so excited to see what goals she will achieve yet this year and in the years still to come.”

Addie Scheurer – SPS Softball

Coach Jocelyn Rockey said, “We’d like to nominate Addie Scheurer for our May player of the month. Addie is our starting catcher and puts a tremendous amount of time and effort into our season. She’s an unbelievable athlete, hard worker, and leads the team with her communication, grit and ability to help our pitchers execute pitch plans.”

Rockey added, “Addie has earned the respect of our league and holds runners to bases. Her arm strength is well known as is her challenge to all runners to try to steal. This season Addie has adjusted her swing and is a great 5 hitter in our lineup. We appreciate and admire all that she does to make our program successful.”

Courtesy photos.