BAY CITY, MI -- Each week through the 2025 high school spring sports season, we spotlight athletes from baseball, softball, girls soccer, boys lacrosse, boys golf, girls tennis and boys and girls track and field with our MLive Bay City Athlete of the Week project. We recognize athletes for a job well done and give readers a chance to decide the weekly honor. Cast your vote as often as you’d like until the poll closes at 12:01 a.m. Friday, May 2. KATE BEAGLE, UNIONVILLE-SEBEWAING Beagle doubles as both a table-setter and a run producer at the No. 2 spot in the lineup for the USA softball team. The junior is a key figure in the team’s No. 1 state ranking. “She’s highly competitive and a great team player,” coach Marc Reinhardt said. “She can play almost any position, short of pitcher.” Primarily a second baseman and catcher, Beagle also gets it done with the bat. She delivered two hits, two runs, two RBIs and a home run during USA’s tournament action at Ithaca. JOHANNA ELDER, BAY CITY CENTRAL When the Bay City Central girls tennis team needs an ounce of motivation, it can watch its No. 1 doubles team in action. Elder and partner Aerabella Zavala Davis play the game with heart and passion. “She is a fierce competitor on the court,” coach Jane Klawon said. “Her net play is key to their success. She reads the court so well and makes sure every point is fought to the end.” Elder is a senior captain in her second season in the program. She won five of her first seven matches this season and recently took first place at the Lapeer Quad. PRESTON KANN, STANDISH-STERLING The Standish-Sterling baseball team totes a No. 5 state ranking, and Kann is a big part of the equation. The lanky junior plays a huge role both as shortstop and pitcher for the Panthers. “Preston is smooth in everything he does,” coach Ryan Raymond said. “He can throw three pitches for strikes and is a very good competitor.” In the past week, Kann went 6-for-13 at the plate with nine RBIs. He delivered a dominant performance on the hill, striking out 15 batters in a five-inning victory over Ogemaw. MATTHEW PAWLACZYK, ESSEXVILLE GARBER Pawlaczyk has emerged as an impact player for the Garber baseball team in a variety of ways, namely by setting a strong example with attitude and effort. “He’s a good even-keeled kid who comes to practice every day willing to work and get better,” coach Eric Debo said. “He could run for president and I would vote for him.” The junior is a steady right fielder who recently earned his first pitching win. He also provides a solid bat in the middle third of the lineup. LEAH SCHUMANN, BAY CITY WESTERN The Bay City Western softball team has a dangerous hitter at the heart of the order. Schumann has been locked in of late, giving the Warriors a tremendous punch as cleanup hitter. “Leah just loves the game of softball,” coach Bill Sebald said. “She will stay and hit in the cage all day if you allow her. And that sure is showing results this year.” The senior first baseman went wild last week. She batted a whopping .571 with five doubles, six RBIs and five runs scored, good for a slugging percentage of .929. ARROW VANWAGONER, JOHN GLENN One thing the John Glenn boys track and field team already knows is that VanWagoner can fly. The junior is setting a torrid pace in all of his events for the Bobcats. “Arrow has really become the kind of runner our staff believed he could be,” coach Matt Bolles said. “The kid is a tireless worker. Arrow demands you critique every practice run and also his long jumps. He is a perfectionist and works his butt off every day in practice to improve.” He has posted PRs of 11.36 in the 100 and 22.57 in the 200 and soared beyond the 20-foot milestone in long jump. He was a state qualifier in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays last year. ELLA WALLAKER, JOHN GLENN When the John Glenn girls soccer team needed it most, Wallaker showed what true leadership is all about. Playing shorthanded due to injury and illness, the Bobcats saw their senior elevate her game and lead the way to five straight victories. “Wallaker was the leading voice in keeping things positive and focused and rallying the team to support each other and celebrate different people stepping up and changing positions to find success,” coach Matt Kraft said. In a three-game stretch, she played all 240 minutes, tallying five goals and five assists, including a hat trick in a 3-2 win over Freeland. ANNABELLE WERNER, JOHN GLENN Werner has already exhibited that this is going to be a big season for her with the John Glenn girls track and field team. The sophomore hit a milestone by clearing 10 feet in the pole vault at the Oiler Invite. “She has been a top performer in each of her individual events all season,” coach Ted Lind said. “She leads through her example and, as a sophomore, she’s bound to be a team leader for several more years.” Werner also cleared 5 feet in high jump and posted a PR of 13.59 in the 100 this spring. JACK WETTERS, ALL SAINTS The third-year varsity performer is the ultimate leader for the All Saints baseball team. He sets the tone on the field and off, getting the Cougars to aim for high standards. “He’s the cut-and-dry leader of our team,” coach Brian Good said. “He’s everything a coach wants in a leader. The kids thrive off him. As he goes, they go – and he’s going very well right now.” Wetters is batting over .600 on the year with more extra-base hits than singles. The junior gives the Cougars a next-level catcher and a dominant ace on the mound. JAYCE WOODS, ESSEXVILLE GARBER The Essexville Garber girls tennis team is in the midst of a successful season, and it all starts at the top. Woods sets the tone for the Dukes were her play and leadership at No. 1 singles. “No. 1 singles is the toughest position in tennis and Jayce has the perfect on-court attitude for the job: positive, does not complain, and can objectively evaluate her match,” coach Joe Ricard said. “Jayce always has something to add to any team discussions.” Woods is in her fourth season in the varsity lineup. MLive player polls are non-scientific ventures, designed to promote fun, fandom and discussion. The winners receive no prize and the results have no bearing on postseason awards. Use of any form of automated voting is contrary to the intent and is not allowed. Votes are not always tabulated immediately. If you receive a “Thank you for voting” message, your vote will be counted. There is no voting by email! If you would like your local high school sports news delivered free to your inbox daily, click here and sign up for one of our local high school sports newsletters. Love reading about local sports? Don’t miss any of the excitement from the season ahead. Purchase your subscription now and get full access to every story on MLive!