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Abby Hughes of Sturgis takes a shot against Constantine in prep soccer on Friday.
Sturgis' Gracie Perry serves up a ball in one of her matches on Saturday in the Wolverine Championships.
Mendon's Owen Gorham and Centreville's Dylan Schwartz race to the finish line in the 800 relay on Friday.
Constantine's Laney Gross prepares to send a ball back into play in prep soccer action.
Sturgis catcher Mason Moore receives a pitch while the dust flies against Bronson on Saturday.
Dante Goto of Mendon ran away with the win in the 110 hurdles on Friday.
Bronson skipper Daniel McMichael chats back at the dugout with his team in between innings on Saturday.
Jabari Falls of Colon takes time prior to a relay in Mendon on Friday.
Bella Currier hits a return shot in a match at the conference finals on Saturday.
Marlee Smith celebrated her 18th birthday at the Wolverine Championships on Saturday.
Sturgis first baseman Cameron Duffy puts the tag on an Plainwell runner attempting to get back to the bag.
Will Hulin of Centreville cruises to the finish line as he ran away to win the mile race at the John Green Invitational.
Zak Iobe heads toward the infield prior to one of his races at the John Green Invitational on Saturday.
White Pigeon catcher Devin Smith blocks the plate to record an out against Decatur last week.
Sturgis third baseman Joey Carpenter fires over to first base against Bronson on Saturday.
Centreville's Matthew Bates sets up his blocks before the 400 relay on Friday.
White Pigeon's Brody Block delivers a pitch to the plate against Decatur last week.
Bronson's Reid Stuckey watches on as Sturgis prepares for the start of the second game on Saturday.
DeAndre Stout of Centreville crosses the finish line in front of Cassopolis' Aareenn Buck-Hooper in the 100 dash on Friday.
Ryder Gorham prepares for one of his relay events while dad Matt stands on his blocks before the race.
Bronson's Max Byler makes a running catch to end the inning in Sturgis on Saturday afternoon.
Carter Oswald tosses a pitch in prep baseball action for Sturgis last week.
Constantine goal keeper Ava Hetchler makes a save against Sturgis on Friday night.
Nataliegh Jarratt takes a throw at first base to record an out against Plainwell last week.
Sophia Crites secures a catch for an out against Plainwell last week.
Mazie Sterling hits a return shot at third singles for Sturgis at the Wolverine Championships on Saturday.
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Centreville track teams run away with John Green invite crowns
Colon's Lily Preston takes the baton from Ruby Bower in the 400 relay in Mendon on Friday.
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Centreville track teams run away with John Green invite crowns
Colon's Lily Preston takes the baton from Ruby Bower in the 400 relay in Mendon on Friday.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Sturgis' Briah Stevens sends a ball up the pitch in play against Constantine on Friday.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Julien Lambright makes a snag for an out against Bronson on Saturday.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Warner Wotta delivers to the plate against Sturgis on Saturday. He struck out five in three innings.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
MHSAA starter Bobby Kretschman relays starting information to runners prior to a race on Friday.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Ben Stevens of Bronson tosses a bat to a teammate before heading to the plate on Saturday in Sturgis.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Abby Hughes of Sturgis takes a shot against Constantine in prep soccer on Friday.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Sturgis' Gracie Perry serves up a ball in one of her matches on Saturday in the Wolverine Championships.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Mendon's Owen Gorham and Centreville's Dylan Schwartz race to the finish line in the 800 relay on Friday.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Constantine's Laney Gross prepares to send a ball back into play in prep soccer action.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Sturgis catcher Mason Moore receives a pitch while the dust flies against Bronson on Saturday.
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Centreville track teams run away with John Green invite crowns
Dante Goto of Mendon ran away with the win in the 110 hurdles on Friday.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Bronson skipper Daniel McMichael chats back at the dugout with his team in between innings on Saturday.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Jabari Falls of Colon takes time prior to a relay in Mendon on Friday.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Bella Currier hits a return shot in a match at the conference finals on Saturday.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Marlee Smith celebrated her 18th birthday at the Wolverine Championships on Saturday.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Sturgis first baseman Cameron Duffy puts the tag on an Plainwell runner attempting to get back to the bag.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Will Hulin of Centreville cruises to the finish line as he ran away to win the mile race at the John Green Invitational.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Zak Iobe heads toward the infield prior to one of his races at the John Green Invitational on Saturday.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
White Pigeon catcher Devin Smith blocks the plate to record an out against Decatur last week.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Sturgis third baseman Joey Carpenter fires over to first base against Bronson on Saturday.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Centreville's Matthew Bates sets up his blocks before the 400 relay on Friday.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
White Pigeon's Brody Block delivers a pitch to the plate against Decatur last week.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Bronson's Reid Stuckey watches on as Sturgis prepares for the start of the second game on Saturday.
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Centreville track teams run away with John Green invite crowns
DeAndre Stout of Centreville crosses the finish line in front of Cassopolis' Aareenn Buck-Hooper in the 100 dash on Friday.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Ryder Gorham prepares for one of his relay events while dad Matt stands on his blocks before the race.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Bronson's Max Byler makes a running catch to end the inning in Sturgis on Saturday afternoon.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Carter Oswald tosses a pitch in prep baseball action for Sturgis last week.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Constantine goal keeper Ava Hetchler makes a save against Sturgis on Friday night.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Nataliegh Jarratt takes a throw at first base to record an out against Plainwell last week.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Sophia Crites secures a catch for an out against Plainwell last week.
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See the action from area sports around the area from last week
Mazie Sterling hits a return shot at third singles for Sturgis at the Wolverine Championships on Saturday.
STURGIS — The Sturgis girls tennis team made their goals at the beginning of the season.
At the top of the list was returning to the MHSAA state finals. That meant the Trojans needed to hold serve on their home turf as Sturgis was hosting one of the Division 3 regional tournaments.
On Wednesday, despite windy and cold conditions, the Trojans stayed hot on the courts and piled up 28 points to win the regional championship. It was the first regional crown for Sturgis since 2015. Parma Western finished second with 25 points, the Panthers also qualified for the MHSAA Division 3 state finals.
The Sturgis tennis team celebrated its first regional championship since 2015 on Wednesday.
The Sturgis tennis team celebrated its first regional championship since 2015 on Wednesday.
First doubles team of Katelyn Halling and Mya Eicher chat after winning a match on Wednesday.
First doubles team of Katelyn Halling and Mya Eicher chat after winning a match on Wednesday.
"It means a lot, the girls have really worked hard all season and we have a good senior group who led us here," Sturgis coach Andy Phillips said. "It's been a long time coming. The last few years have been tough on us in Division 2 regionals, but we made it a point to succeed again this year."
Sturgis dropped back to Division 3 this year following several in Division 2. Additionally, Sturgis dropped a 6-2 match heads up to Parma Western earlier this year and Phillips said it was nice for his team to rebound from that.
"For us to be able to come out ahead of them today is a lifetime memory for our girls," he said. "This team has been consistent. We aren't flashy and we don't have anyone that is going to knock the fuzz off the ball, but we play smart and you can win a lot of tennis playing smart."
Sturgis is back at the state finals for the first time since 2021, when the Trojans earned two points. Prior to that, Sturgis last finished inside the top 10 at the finals in 2015 when they tied for seventh.
On Wednesday, Sturgis had representatives in all eight flight finals. That included four regional champions and four runner-ups. Seniors Gracie Perry and Bella Currier both won regional titles as individuals.
Bella Currier hoists the regional championship trophy after Sturgis secured a spot in the state finals.
Bella Currier hoists the regional championship trophy after Sturgis secured a spot in the state finals.
"Honestly, this feels awesome. Never in my four years on varsity have we come close to this," Currier said. "It's an awesome feeling. We are just so connected as a team and we are really excited to be going to state."
Currier is 22-0 on the season at fourth singles.
Wednesday was the final day of high school for the seniors at Sturgis and the Trojan tennis players had to miss it in order to play in the regional tournament.
"Yeah, it's kind of a bummer, but here we are, going to state," Currier said with a smile. "I'd say it's worth it."
Currier beat Madison Kanouse of Vicksburg 6-0, 6-3 in the finals. To get there, she won matches over Hannah Shull of Edwardsburg 6-2, 6-1 and Emmie Tucker of Charlotte 6-0, 6-1.
Perry won a close match in the finals over Ellie McCollum of Parma Western at 7-6, 6-3. To get there, she won over Ava Vozar 6-3, 6-2 and then Jenna Schramer of Vicksburg 7-6, 6-0.
"It means a lot for us, we have worked so hard to get here. We had a plan at the beginning of the year and we stuck to that plan," Perry said. "We reached our goal of getting to state. It took everything we could do as a team to make this happen."
Cora Phillips smacks a return shot at first singles on Wednesday.
Cora Phillips smacks a return shot at first singles on Wednesday.
Sophomore Cora Phillips cruised to a title win at first singles. She beat Chehek Bharatiya of Parma Western 6-2, 6-0 in the finals. To get there, Phillips won over Cameron Fuller 6-2, 6-0 and Jade Phillips of Harper Creek 6-0, 6-1.
Sturgis' fourth doubles team won a regional title. Lilly Whitehead and Stella Barry defeated Parma's team of Grace Smith and Genevieve Davis 6-2, 6-0 to win the title. Sturgis' team won over Three Rivers 6-0, 6-1 and Harper Creek 6-1, 6-0 to reach the finals.
Sophomore Mazie Sterling was second overall at third singles. She fell to Elise Howard of Vicksburg in the finals 6-4, 6-3. To get there, Sterling won matches over Estella Peterson of Eaton Rapids 6-2, 6-0 and Taylor Bradley of Parma 6-2, 6-4.
The first doubles team of Katelyn Halling and Mya Eicher finished second as well. They fell to Becca Brushaber and Sophia Nguyen of Parma 6-2, 6-4 in the finals. Eicher and Halling beat Pennfield 6-1, 6-1 and Harper Creek 6-1, 6-4 to reach the finals.
Marlee Smith returns a shot in the second doubles finals with Hannah Ritchie on Wednesday.
Marlee Smith returns a shot in the second doubles finals with Hannah Ritchie on Wednesday.
At second doubles, the Sturgis team of Hannah Ritchie and Marlee Smith finished second. They fell to Anna Wilcox and Anna Willinger of Parma in the finals at 6-1, 6-2. Ritchie and Smith reached the finals by beating Eaton Rapids 6-3, 6-1 and Harper Creek 7-5 and 2-1 as Harper Creek had to retire in the match because of injury.
Third doubles also finished second. The team of Ella Whitehead and Bailey Cates won over Three Rivers 6-1, 6-0 and then Vicksburg 6-3, 6-1 to reach the finals. There, they were upended by Parma's team of Karly Foster and Natalie Hyde 6-0, 6-2.
The Division 3 finals will be held June 5-6 at the Midland Tennis Center. All four Lower Peninsula state finals will be played there over the course of two weekends.
"We're all happy with each other and we have such a close and tight bond with everyone else on the team," Perry said. "We pushed through it. We knew we could win if we kept pushing and kept working."
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at bwatson@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
