BATTLE CREEK – There was a lot to cheer about this past year, from local high schools having historic seasons to individuals the sports world was watching closely.
2023 was a memorable year for Battle Creek sports in many ways. As we head into the new year, he looks back at the moments and stories that caught our attention at the Enquirer over the past 12 months.
Let’s take a look back at 2023 in local sports.
memorable season
2023 has been a memorable season for several high school programs, with programs not progressing in years or going places they haven’t been in a long time.
Battle Creek Central won the citywide wrestling tournament for the first time in 22 seasons. The Bearcats placed him first in the all-city division of the annual event. BCC last won an All-City title in the 2000-01 season.
“They worked hard and deserve this award,” BCC coach Liam Knapp said. “This lends credence to what we are trying to do at Battle Creek Central High School. We are trying to make our school the best wrestling school in the city, and today I It was our day.”
It had been nearly a decade since Harper Creek had earned All-City hardware in softball. They won a walk-off in the bottom of the seventh inning, defeating Lakeview 13-12 and winning their first city championship since 2014.
“It’s been a while,” coach Bill Britt said. “It’s been a goal to win this for a while. We’ve been competing all year, and we knew if we played like we could, we could win.”
And it was the first championship for the Harper Creek athletic program. The Beavers won volleyball’s first district championship since 2020, but only in Division II. This championship was the first since the team was promoted to Division 1. Harper Creek defeated Coldwater 25-18, 25-13 to hoist the district championship trophy. 15-25, 25-18.
The Beavers proved they have a lot to celebrate in 2023 as a whole, as they became the first women’s soccer team to win a league title in the sport (women’s or men’s).
“We talked about it at almost every practice, every game. Every time we step on the field, we get one step closer to our goal of winning our school’s first league championship,” coach Tom McNeil said. We had them in mind and wanted to capitalize on our shots with this team this year. We told them there aren’t many chances to make history. ”
The wait wasn’t long, but Battle Creek Central won its first boys basketball district title since 2017. The senior-led Bearcats team defeated Harper Creek in the district final at BCC Fieldhouse, ultimately advancing to the regional final.
“The last time we won was probably about six years ago, so it’s good to bring a win back to Cereal City,” coach Durant Crum said.
More local sports:
Battle Creek Enquirer 2023 Male and Female Athlete of the Year
state championship performance
Lakeview’s Andrew Berryhill proved to be the best player in the state for the second year in a row.
Berryhill is a strong 6-foot-1, 300-pounder who won a state title in the shot put a year ago at 57 feet, 9 inches. In his senior year, he topped that pitch and broke his own school record, which now stands at 60-0. With that momentum, Berry Hill won its second consecutive state championship at the 2023 state tournament this spring with a pitching record of 58-0.25.
Berry Hill was named the Battle Creek Enquirer Male Athlete of the Year and Peyton Rice of Harper Creek Girls Soccer was named the Female Athlete of the Year.
More local sports:
In 57th year, Harper Creek’s legendary wrestling coach humbles himself at event honoring him.
unique event
Current and former wrestlers, athletes from rival programs, friends and family all gathered at Harper Creek Gym to honor longtime Beavers coach Dave Studer.
Dubbed “Rivals United for Stud,” the tournament pitted Albion College and Alma College against each other in a doubles game at Battle Creek and touched the lives of both teams’ current head coaches and countless others. I paid tribute to the coach. In his 57 year career.
In a unique sequence of events, Harper Creek played football for the first time at Ford Field in Detroit. As part of a showcase event called the Prep Bowl featuring teams from the Catholic High School League, Harper Creek was invited to play against perennial power Lumen Christi, and the Beavers put up a good fight, losing 21-14. I showed you. eventual state champion Titans;
“Obviously we didn’t get the win and it hurt, but it was a great day for Harper Creek to play in this stadium and have this experience,” coach Mason Converse said. “At the end, our boys were sad and disappointed that they couldn’t make it. But I just said to them, ‘Look around you. You’re here at Ford. You’re on the field. Enjoy the experience. Embrace the moment.”
the beginning of something new
There were some new faces and some new buzz in local sports in 2023.
Battle Creek Central debuted a unique new soccer field with “Bearcat Blue” turf at CW Post Field. The turf, which features dark blue artificial turf and blue and gold print in the end zones, is a major change from the previous green, which was one of the first synthetic soccer turfs in the area in 2008. . Coach and athletic director Lorin Granger hopes that uniqueness continues. It becomes a regional and state topic.
“There’s a lot of excitement around the grass because of the color scheme,” Granger said. “This is a way to promote our facility and show off our school colors.”
Penfield College also debuted a new football facility, joining the ranks of city schools with artificial turf fields.
“We are very grateful for the community support provided to Penfield schools as the bond ends in November 2021. With the bond theme of ‘Unity and Putting Students First’, , we are excited about the opportunity to renovate our athletic fields. “This complex will provide what our students, their families, and our community need,” said Superintendent Penfield. Stephanie Lemmer said.
In addition to the new field, the City Football team welcomed two new head coaches during the season, with Robbie Huttan replacing Pennfield and Brett Vernon now leading Lakeview.
Other high school sports:
Lakeview softball coach Brian Ratliff retires after 25 seasons.
Lakeview’s Heather Sawyer retires as volleyball coach
parting words
There were some new coaches, but two longtime Lakeview coaches planned to step down.
After 25 seasons, Brian Ratliff coached his final softball game in the spring. He won 370 games and shared the field with his daughter, Paige Ratliff, who committed to play at Lake Forest University in his final season. Ratliff explained that one of her reasons for leaving was to watch her daughter play in college.
“Looking back, I really didn’t know if I would make it to 25 seasons,” Ratliff said. “But as I got closer, I wanted to get to 400 wins. I was so close. But when it’s time to go, it’s time to go. My daughter is more important than a few more wins. But , I’m going to miss it.” “
Longtime volleyball coach Heather Sawyer also announced her retirement after 22 seasons. She will serve as a teacher until the end of the school year and this spring will enjoy her final year in a long-time role as an assistant coach for the women’s track and field team.
“I’ll turn 60 next Friday,” Sawyer said with a laugh during the announcement. “It’s time. I feel like it’s time for a lot of reasons… Did I mention I’m turning 60?”
Sawyer won 794 games, eight district championships and five league championships. She also won eight city titles. And she looks like she’s in great shape. The volleyball star, who has played or coached volleyball for the past 50 years, led Lakeview to more than 30 wins in each of her past three seasons, including her two wins in district and city. Contains title.
live the dream
The dream was to be a part of the NFL when the 2023 season begins. That dream has become a reality for Brandon Booyah Randle of Battle Creek.
The 2016 Battle Creek Central graduate signed his first NFL contract in late August, becoming a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad.
“It feels good to sign, it feels good,” Booyah Randle said. “Actually signing the papers means it’s actually happening. It’s really amazing. It’s like a relief. We were able to accomplish what we set out to do.”
Breuerlandre is the first BCC graduate to sign as a free agent or be invited to an NFL camp since Larry Capers II and Anthony Rashad White in 2013.
Booyah Randle has yet to play in an NFL game and was signed to the Washington Commanders’ practice squad in November.
stay and go
Battle Creek’s two major events went in different directions in 2023.
The NABF World Series will be held for the last time in the summer of 2023 after it was announced that the 109th annual baseball event will not be returning to Battle Creek for the first time in 10 years. It also marks the beginning of an adult tournament that has been played at Bailey Park for decades, dating back to the Stan Musial World Series, which was first held in the city in 1937 and won a national championship at Battle Creek in 71 seasons. It also signals the possibility of an end to the Baseball World Series tournament.
With no current plans to leave Battle Creek, the Epson Tour Firekeepers Casino Hotel Championship was held at Battle Creek Country Club in June to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the local women’s professional golf event.
Amber Ballard, co-chair of the 2023 event, said, “We’re thrilled to be continuing this event for another 10 years.” “We have a great team here of Firekeepers staff and volunteers and Battle Creek Country Club staff and members that allow us to keep coming back and continue to bring this great event to Battle Creek. Masu.”
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter:@billbroderick.