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Bay County prep roundup: Archrivals Central and Western in sharing mood
@Source: mlive.com
BAY CITY, MI – A look at the high school sports scene in Bay County for May 6, 2025. Bay County coaches are asked to submit results, highlights and comments the night of each event by emailing lthomps2@mlive.com.
TENNIS: CENTRAL-WESTERN ON EQUAL TERMS
Bay City Central and Bay City Western are always fighting for the upper hand.
But, on this day, it seemed only fitting to call it even.
The longtime rivals shared a Senior Day, shared a meal, then equally shared in the winning with a 4-4 tie in their girls tennis showdown at Jopke Park.
“The girls were pumped up and ready to play,” Central coach Jane Klawon said. “We always have competitive matches with Western along with good sportsmanship. The girls knew it would be a battle, and both teams played very well.”
RELATED: Central lacrosse win is 15 years in making
Each team saluted its seniors prior to the match – with Hall of Fame announcer Mike Vincent handling the emcee duties -- and then joined in a cookout after the match. In between, the action was fast and furious.
Central nearly swept the singles but was denied. Western almost ran the table in doubles but was rebuffed.
Central scored singles wins from No. 1 Lauren Klawon 6-2, 6-3, No. 2 Lorena Tapia 6-1, 6-3 and No. 4 Edy Maciejewski 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 and got a crucial doubles win from No. 1 Aerabella Zavala Davis and Johanna Elder 6-1, 6-1.
Western countered with doubles victories from No. 2 Ally Clifford and Brianna Hennerd 6-2, 6-4, No. 3 Lauren Gehoski and Kate Friedle 6-0, 6-2 and No. 4 Ava Schmidt and Khloe Schmidt 6-0, 6-0 as well as the vital singles triumph from No. 3 Madi Offenbecker 6-4, 6-1.
In records dating back to 2010, this was the first tie between the rivals in Saginaw Valley League play. Western leads the series 9-4-1 during that stretch.
SOCCER: STANDISH ON CUSP OF HISTORY
Standish-Sterling stands on the verge of history.
With a 5-1 win over neighboring rival Pinconning, the Panthers are a breath away from becoming the first Jack Pine Conference girls soccer champions.
“Tonight was a good win for us,” Standish coach Kacey Bentley said. “We still need to iron out a few mental mistakes. We have to be better and I think the girls know this, too. The end goal is to be ready for postseason play.”
Standish-Sterling (13-1, 10-1) needs just one win or tie in its final three league games to secure the JPC title. The Panthers travel to second-place Ogemaw Heights for that chance at 5 p.m. tonight.
Analeis Ming came up big once again for Standish, scoring four goals and delivering one assist in the win over Pinconning (3-7-4, 2-5-3). Charlotte Ming added one goal and joined Kennedy Kuberski, Lily Thurlow and Addison Schaenzer in notching an assist. Lydia Arbuckle registered 10 saves for the victory.
TRACK: TWO RECORDS FALL FOR CENTRAL
Delaney Hopkins soared to history, becoming the first Bay City Central girls pole vaulter to clear 10 feet.
Hopkins, the senior who earlier this year broke the school record of 9-3 set by Brenna Leahy in 2013, took it to new heights while winning the event in a Saginaw Valley League dual with Mount Pleasant.
Patrick Ruhland also made his mark for the boys team, clocking in at 11.44 in the 100 meters to become Central’s fastest freshman ever. He joined fellow ninth grader Navir Cleveland and sophomores Aaron Bessiake and Stephon Smith to go 44.73 in the 4x100 relay.
“Our young relay team is showing signs of growing up fast by posting the fastest time in 11 years,” coach Tracy Archer said.
The Central boys scored first-place finishes from Bessiake in the 400 (53.72), Carl Villegas in the 3200 (13:49.85), Tommy Paul in the shot put (40-5.5), Cleveland in the high jump (5-10) and Jayvin Campbell, Ocean Williams, Jeremiah Johnson and David Carroll in the 4x200 relay (1:33.10).
The Central girls got wins from Jaden Buckey in the 3200 (16:26.89) and Lindsey Rule, Liviana Campos, Breanna Gregus and Lauren Boon in the 4x100 relay (1:03.75). The girls lost the dual 80-35 while the boys lost 93-43.
Sports Calendar
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7
Essexville Garber at Hemlock, 4 p.m.
John Glenn at Birch Run, 4 p.m.
All Saints at OwenGage, 4 p.m.
Bay City Western at John Glenn, 4 p.m.
Essexville Garber at Hemlock, 4 p.m.
Girls Soccer
Bay City Western at Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 4:30 p.m.
Saginaw United at Bay City Central, 4 p.m.
Track and Field
Tri-Valley Conference Red at Alma, 4 p.m.
SVL Jamboree at Currie, 9 a.m.
THURSDAY, MAY 8
Bay City Central at Lapeer, 4 p.m.
John Glenn vs. Valley Lutheran at Dow Diamond, 4 p.m.
John Glenn vs. Alpena at Dow Diamond, 6 p.m.
Pinconning at Beaverton, 4 p.m.
Saginaw United at Bay City Western, 3:30 p.m.
All Saints at Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 4 p.m.
Coleman at John Glenn, 4 p.m.
Lapeer at Bay City Central, 4 p.m.
Pinconning at Beaverton, 4 p.m.
Saginaw United at Bay City Western, 4 p.m.
Girls Soccer
Essexville Garber at Alma, 4:30 p.m.
Freeland at John Glenn, 7 p.m.
Pinconning at Midland Bullock Creek, 4 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse
Bay City Western at John Glenn, 6 p.m.
Flint Powers at Bay City Central, 6 p.m.
Track and Field
SVL Championship, 9 a.m.
Girls Tennis
SVL Championship at MTC
FRIDAY, MAY 9
Ithaca at Essexville Garber, 4 p.m.
Ithaca at Essexville Garber, 4 p.m.
Girls Soccer
Pinconning at Hemlock, 6 p.m.
John Glenn at Essexville Garber, 3 p.m.
Girls Tennis
Tri-Valley Conference meet
*Subject to change
*Does not include all games for all sports
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