At the April 13 virtual Zoom meeting of the Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education, Athletic Director Joe Brodie presented a list of students to be honored for Winter Sports Athletics.
He first presented the KLAA Scholar Athletes. He said to be honored in this way a student must be a varsity athletic, must be a 10th, 11th, or 12th grade student-athlete, and must have a 3.25 cumulative grade point average.
The recipient will receive a KLAA Scholar Athletic Patch for the first time only. After the first time, the athlete will receive a certificate.
KLAA Scholar Athletes are:
Sydney Allison, bowling
Nathan Antolin, wrestling
Zsarek Boone, swim/dive
Talarah Brown, cheerleading
Ariana Carson, cheerleading
Kennedy Clark, cheerleading
Trinity Coats, cheerleading
William Cornell, swim/dive
Audrianne Cunningham, cheerleading
Araynah Dover, basketball
Katherine Dybicki, bowling
Abigail Emerson, dance
Megan Fowler, bowling
Anya Fuller, cheerleading
Jessica Harper, dance
Lashez Hawkins, basketball
Jacob Hawley, swim/dive
Heaven Helton, dance
Mario Johnson, basketball
Brooklyn Keele, bowling
Shani Lewis, basketball
Connor Majewski, wrestling
Ellysa Mann, cheerleading
Cole McNulty, hockey
Chelsea Mihaly, dance,
Ashna Patel, dance
Avni Patel, dance
Myla Peterson, basketball
Nicholas Rafferty, swim/dive
William Brock Rhodes, swim/dive
Joshua Richardson, bowling
Katherine Russell, dance
Johnathan Taylor, wrestling
Soraya Taylor, cheerleading
Shane Tinsley, bowling
Marc Titsworth, swim/dive
Alyssa Trybus, dance
DiMarco West, swim/dive
Blake Willisams, wrestling
Nathaniel Wincel, hockey
Athletic Team and Individual Accomplishments
Basketball
Athletic Director Brodie said the Belleville Varsity Boys’ Basketball team had another fantastic season. They went undefeated during East Division play which culminated in their first KLAA East Division Championship.
The team had four Individual All-Conference players:
• Connor Bush, senior guard – a three-year varsity player who has contributed to winning over 50 games during this time. He is an exceptional athlete and a fierce competitor, Brodie said.
• Lorenzo Wright, senior guard – Lorenzo is an excellent floor leader who competes on both ends of the floor, Brodie said.
• DaJon Johnson, sophomore guard – DaJon is a born leader who has become one of the team’s best defenders in his second year on the varsity, Brodie said.
• Mario Johnson, sophomore guard – Mario is a play-maker who truly enjoys making his teammates better. He has also developed into an excellent defender in only his first full year on the varsity, Brodie said.
Wrestling
The Belleville wrestling team has three Regional Qualifiers this season. They were Blake Williams, Connor Williams, and Justice Shafer. Blake Williams also went on to qualify for the State Finals at Ford Field where he made All-State and placed third in the Division 1, 160-lb. weight class.
Bowling
The Girls’ Bowling Team finished in third place at Regionals this year. That was good enough to qualify them for the Team State Tournament. Team members were Brooklyn Keele, Brooke Petty, Megan Fowler, Katherine Dybicki, Sydney Allison, Ka’Lynn Savage, and Shannon Vandalen.
The Girls’ Bowling Team also had three Individual Qualifiers for the State Finals: Sydney Allison, Katherine Dybicki, and Brooklyn Keele.
On the Boys’ side, Bradley Folks was also an Individual Qualifier for States.
Swimming
Jack Haase qualified for the Swimming State Meet in four different events this Winter: the 500 Free, 200 Free, 100 Free, and the 200IM.
Upcoming Events
To view all levels practice schedules, games schedules, forms, contact information and news related to athletics, visit: http://www.vanburenschools.net/o/belleville-high/page/bhs-athletics-homepage
“Fall sports will be here before we know it,” Brodie said. “The Athletic Department would like to remind all athletes hoping to compete in the 2020-21 school year must have a physical on file dated after April 15, 2020.”
Fall Sports Tryout dates are as follows:
• Cross Country – Aug. 12
• Football – Aug. 10
• Girls Golf – Aug. 12
• Boys Soccer – Aug. 12
• Girls Swimming – Aug. 12
• Boys Tennis – Aug. 12
• Volleyball – Aug. 12