Sports
For sports schedules, please visit the Athletics Website: Upcoming Sporting Events
On April 6th, the girls' soccer team hosted Bronson at home and faced a tough matchup, falling 0–5. Despite the score, the Lions continued to compete throughout the match, working to maintain defensive pressure and create opportunities on offense.
On April 7th, the varsity baseball team traveled to Bronson for a doubleheader and split the day with one win and one loss.
In Game 1, the Lions put together a strong all-around performance to earn a 7–2 victory. Solid pitching, steady defense, and timely hitting allowed Maple Valley to control the game from the early innings and secure the win.
Game 2 proved to be more challenging, as Bronson pulled ahead and the Lions fell 5–11. Despite the loss, Maple Valley continued to compete and gained valuable experience against a tough opponent on the road.
On April 9th, the varsity baseball team hosted Bath High School at home and came away with two impressive wins in a doubleheader sweep.
Game 1 was a defensive battle, with the Lions shutting out Bath in a tight 2–0 victory. Strong pitching and clean defense set the tone, while timely hits provided just enough offense to secure the win.
In Game 2, the Lions’ bats came alive as they powered their way to a 17–7 win. Consistent hitting, aggressive baserunning, and smart situational play allowed Maple Valley to pull away and complete the sweep on their home field.
On April 7th, the varsity Track & Field team traveled to Olivet High School to compete against Quincy High School, Morrice High School, and Olivet in a competitive multi-team meet filled with strong performances across the board.
For the boys, Kelvin Davis had an outstanding day in the hurdles and jumps, placing 2nd in the 110m hurdles (16.76), winning the 300m hurdles (43.15), and clearing a personal best 6’4” to take 2nd in high jump. Grady Wilkes turned in a huge performance in distance events, finishing 4th in the 3200 meters with a personal best time of 12:44.82 after also running the 1600 earlier in the meet. Ben Mater recorded a personal best 13.15 in the 100 meters and contributed in the 800 and long jump, while Holdyn Clinkscales ran a personal best 26.75 in the 200 and a personal best in the 800. Gavin Swift added points in multiple events, including an 18’ long jump for 3rd place and a personal best in shot put.
The Lions showed strength in the throwing events as Tyrese Robinson-El placed 6th in shot put with a season best 38’9” and 4th in discus with a throw of 112 feet. Andrew Phenix added a season best in discus, and several younger athletes gained valuable experience in the ring. The 4x800 relay team of Ben Mater, Iziah Hall, Quincy Page, and Ayden Betancourt worked together for a solid 4th-place finish.
On the girls’ side, the relay teams stood out with two runner-up finishes. The 4x200 relay team of Lydia Emerick, Melanie Jones, Sienna Lowe, and Audrey Burpee placed 2nd with a time of 1:59.60, and the 4x400 team of Lowe, Jones, Emerick, and Burpee followed with another 2nd-place finish in 4:47.93. The 4x800 relay also earned a podium spot, finishing 3rd.
Individually, Melanie Jones placed 2nd in the 400 meters, while Lydia Emerick, Noelle Clinkscales, and Sienna Lowe all contributed strong sprint performances. Izabelle Soper led the distance group by competing in the 800, 1600, and 3200, placing as high as 5th in the 3200. In field events, Abby Harvey had a standout day with a personal best 23’8” in shot put and a season best 76’6” in discus. Audrey Burpee cleared 4’6” in high jump, and Lilly Rosin competed in pole vault, clearing 6 feet.
Overall, the Lions demonstrated depth, versatility, and continued improvement across events as the outdoor season gains momentum.
On April 10th, the varsity Track & Field team competed at the Hanover-Horton Comet Track & Field Invite and turned in another impressive showing filled with personal bests, podium finishes, and strong relay performances.
For the boys, Kelvin Davis once again led the way, winning the high jump at 5’10”, placing 2nd in the 110m hurdles (16.42), and taking 1st in the 300m hurdles with a time of 42.58. Josh Miller had a standout day as well, running a personal best 25.70 in the 200, placing 5th in the 400 (55.68), and finishing 3rd in the 110m hurdles. Grady Wilkes showed major improvement in distance events, setting personal bests in both the 800 (2:39.96) and 1600 (5:46.32), while also competing in the 3200. Gavin Swift contributed across multiple events with strong finishes in the 200, discus (92’5”), and long jump (16’3.75”). Caydan Burpee added a personal best in the 200 and a solid mark in long jump, while Kale Keiffer and Connor Thomason represented the Lions in shot put.
The girls matched the success with several top finishes. Melanie Jones captured 1st place in the 400 meters with a time of 1:05.70 and helped power two relay teams to runner-up finishes. The 4x200 relay team of Noelle Clinkscales, Melanie Jones, Audrey Burpee, and Lydia Emerick placed 2nd in 1:59.59, and the 4x400 team of Lilly Rosin, Jones, Emerick, and Burpee also took 2nd in 4:43.74. The 4x800 relay team added another 2nd place finish with a time of 12:51.18.
Individually, Lydia Emerick ran a personal best 29.24 in the 200, while Noelle Clinkscales and Lily Diaz each recorded season bests in the 100. Izabelle Soper had a strong meet in distance events, placing 2nd in the 1600 and 3rd in the 800, while Lilly Rosin added a 4th place finish in the 800 and won the pole vault with a personal best clearance of 6’6”. Audrey Burpee continued her strong season by winning the 300m hurdles and placing 2nd in high jump with a season best 4’8”.
In field events, Abby Harvey and Annabelle Staley led the shot put group, while Harvey also placed 5th in discus. With consistent improvement across events and multiple top-two finishes, the Lions continue to build momentum as the season progresses.
Senior Highlights
Izabelle Racine
After graduation, Izabelle plans to begin her journey in elementary education by attending Kellogg Community College for one year while also enrolling at The Salon Professional Academy. After completing her first year, she plans to continue her education at Northern Michigan University.
During her time at Maple Valley, the staff member who had the biggest impact on Izabelle was Mrs. Webb, who consistently encouraged her to do her best in every aspect of her life. Izabelle says she is most looking forward to meeting new people after graduation and starting this exciting new chapter.
Her advice to incoming freshmen is simple: try your best and get your work done. One of the highlights of her senior year was interning during Mrs. Ava Bennet’s 3rd hour, an experience that helped shape her plans.
Fraust Varney
After high school, Fraust plans to pursue his dream of becoming a professional pilot so he can travel the world, visit friends who live far away, and take his family to places they may never have the chance to see otherwise. He is especially looking forward to returning to Florida to begin preparing for flight training and reconnecting with family and friends.
During his time at Maple Valley, the staff member who made the biggest impact on him was Mr. McClintock. Fraust shared that Mr. McClintock always listened to his concerns without judgment and took the time to explain difficult math problems in a simpler way when he was struggling.
His advice to incoming freshmen is to live high school to the fullest because it goes by quickly. He encourages students to take chances, try new things, and never let others discourage them from pursuing what they love. One highlight of his senior year was attending a concert for one of his favorite country artists, Bailey Zimmerman.
