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, April 25. AVA BRIGGS, TAWAS The junior gives the Tawas soccer team a strong captain who is willing to take on any challenge for the team. “She is that player you can put in any position and you can count on her to get the job done, the true definition of a utility player,” coach Adrianne Dittenbir said. “I even played her as keeper last year in a pinch with a hurt goalie and she was able to make saves on some incredible shots.” Briggs is a sweeper by nature but can be an offensive weapon with her strong foot and accurate placement. JOSE COSTILLA, BAY CITY CENTRAL Costilla is an impact player in a variety of ways for the Bay City Central baseball team. The sophomore is a pesky leadoff hitter, always working the count and giving the lineup a chance to see a lot of pitches. “He has been our most consistent guy so far,” coach Brady Neitzel said. “We can count on him to do the little things right. He’s always working to get better at the game. And he’s a great teammate to have, always encouraging others.” Costilla doubles as a shortstop and pitcher. He’s the team’s go-to reliever. BLAKE FRANCIS, JOHN GLENN The John Glenn boys track and field team has a promising up-and-comer in Francis. The sophomore made a splash last week by surpassing the 20-foot barrier with a long jump of 20 feet, 5 inches to win in a dual with Essexville Garber. “Blake is the epitome of what hard work in the weight room and having an elite competitive drive can do for you as an athlete,” coach Matt Bolles said. “Blake has a very bright future ahead of him.” Francis has competed in four career meets and went beyond 19 feet each time. CARSON KOIN, STANDISH-STERLING Standish-Sterling baseball fans have to survey the entire field to find out where Koin is playing each game. He could be anywhere on the diamond for the No. 5-ranked Panthers. “Carson is as versatile of a player as I’ve ever coached,” coach Ryan Raymond said. “He catches, pitches and can play any infield position. He is like a coach on the field for me.” The junior went on a tear last week, batting .579 over six games, driving in 10 runs. He also rung up 13 strikeouts in 7.1 innings on the mound. JACK LeCLAIR, OSCODA The Oscoda golf team got a dazzling display on the links from its senior leader, who has claimed medalist honors at the first two North Star League meets. “It truly might go down as one of the greatest weeks an Owl golfer will ever have,” coach Dean Caldwell said. “He is having a heck of a year.” LeClair fired 78 in the Frankenmuth Invite then carded 1-under 34 in the NSL meet at Rogers City Country Club. He came back with 84 at Red Hawk and an even-par 72 at Huron Breeze to finish third in the Tawas Two-Day Invitational. BREELIE LOUIS, REESE The Reese softball team has a strong example to follow in Louis, who comes to compete every day. She is an impact player whether taking the ball as pitcher or playing first base. “She works hard at both positions and continually leads by example,” coach Andy Behmlander said. “She made a diving catch in foul territory the other day against John Glenn from her first base position that was as good of catch as I have seen.” Louis is batting a robust .500 from the No. 5 spot in the lineup and totes a 5-0 record in the pitching circle. MASON MEIER, GLADWIN Every game is a celebration for Meier with the Gladwin baseball team. And the fact that he’s repeatedly turned in dominant performances is just a plus. “He worked extremely hard to come back from three ACL injuries,” coach Alec Gary said. “He brings a great attitude despite the adversity and wants nothing more than to play baseball with his teammates.” An outfielder when he’s not on the hill, the senior sports a 2-0 record with a 1.27 ERA, ringing up 18 batters on strikes through his first 11.0 innings. KARA SCHULAR, ALL SAINTS Schular is known for her competitive spunk, a trait that makes her a tone-setter for the Bay City All Saints softball team. “Known best for her basketball skills, Kara brings the same playmaking ability to the softball field,” coach Jason Proctor said. “As a pitcher, Kara battles with heart and determination, setting a great example for our team.” A junior at Bay City Academy, Schular batted .444 from the leadoff spot in the past week and blasted her first varsity home run. She fired a four-hitter with five strikeouts in a win over Mayville. KYRA SMITH, BAY CITY WESTERN The senior is off to a scorching start for the Bay City Western softball team. In the past week, she batted a whopping .750 with five RBIs and seven runs scored. On Monday, she delivered a walkoff RBI single to complete Western’s 10-run rally in a 13-12 win over Saginaw Heritage. “She works hard at whatever she does,” coach Bill Sebald said. “And it’s showing results.” Smith was also a perfect 15-for-15 at fielding her shortstop position. CARTER ZEIEN, AU GRES Zeien is making his return to baseball a triumphant one for Au Gres. “Carter’s been a big part of our success for our first games, both at the plate and on the mound,” coach Chad Zeien said. “It’s been even a little more meaningful coming off a knee injury that kept him sidelined last year.” He has posted a 2-0 record on the hill, giving up zero earned runs in two starts. The senior is also batting .636 with 10 runs scored and eight stolen bases while helping the Wolverines to a 4-0 start. 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!