Read Newsletter (136 KB)

Pictures

The flu has made its way to the high school. While the elementary schools are recovering and increasing their attendance rates, the high school is starting to decline. This progression is fairly typical. The little ones get hit first and then the high school kids get it a week or two later.

The girls volleyball team won last night and will face Shelby on Wednesday at 5:30 at Newaygo. I wish I could be there but I was asked to substitute at GVSU for the night and will follow through on my promise. I hate missing those big games. On Friday, I will be joining the cross country team at MIS. The team always goes down the night before and I serve as the district representative. That means I won’t be able to see the girls volleyball team on Friday if they win on Wednesday. Too many good things going on this week!

In the coming weeks, you’ll start hearing about a new community service day at FHS. The staff and I were presented with a community service idea from Tressa Wenk. The staff overwhelmingly supported the idea. The plan is to take one day out of our calendar and perform community and environmental projects. The goal is to teach students about community responsibility and being good stewards of our environment. We hope for it to become an annual project.

Sorry this is out late, but I was abducted by a pirate and witch upon getting home and forced to go in search of candy.  A great way to end off a great day.

At Benzie Central HS
The boys stepped up to the plate and ran a great race.  Going in we felt like we could win if we ran to our capabilities.  On paper we were also slightly favored.  But in our only head to head meeting with Gaylord at Portage, we got spanked.  We had a really good freshen up workout on Thursday so I think the boys were feeling good about things.  We have also been able to avoid the flu that is going around so far.  The weather was pretty adverse – mid 30s, high winds and alternating rain, hail and sleet.  The flat course held up pretty well for all the rain we have had, with just a few muddy spots.  We had to juggle our warm up a little as things got 1/2 hour behind schedule, and the boys managed it very well.

Our starting box was position two down from Gaylord so we knew we would be able to keep an eye on them right from the start.  At the gun the race went out fast, very fast.  Nick Butcher assumed the lead 200 m in and was laying on the pace.  Just past the 1000, Jake Featherstone was positioned nicely in the top 5 with our pack of 3, Sam Schuiteman, Tommy Jewett, and Charlie Fias, grouped in the top 20, intermingled with Gaylord’s pack of 5.  Tyler Green was looking good in the 50s, with Calvin Crowley getting a decent start to put him in the 70s.  The next time I was able to see the athletes was just before the 3000.  At this point Nick was starting to pull away from a couple of freshmen studs, one from Big Rapids the other Cedar Springs.  Jake was leading a tightly bunched group of 5 in 5th place.  Sam and Tommy were working well together having moved up into 11th and 12th.  Charlie had fallen off the pace just a little and was fighting for a place in the top 20.  Tyler Green had moved up into the 40s and Calvin was holding position in the 70s.  At this point if we could hold it together over the final mile we would win as we had 4 in front of Gaylord’s 1st.

We ran well over the last 1000 to seal the victory.  Nick answered some challenges to win by 7 seconds.  Jake was unable to hold off the pack but battled well to finish 8th.  Tommy and Sam stayed together holding their positions to the line, while Charlie, Tyler and Calvin all had strong finishes to move up in position.  Tyler and Calvin both ran PRs, Tyler to break 18:00 and Calvin to break 19:00.

1  Nick Butcher 16:13
8  Jake Featherstone 16:43
11 Tommy Jewett  16:53
12 Sam Schuiteman 16:55
20 Charlie Fias  17:16
37 Tyler Green  17:55
72 Calvin Crowley  18:52

Team Scores
Fremont 52
Gaylord 91
Big Rapids 120

Goals going into the meet were to put 5 in the 16s, 5 in the top 15, and 4 ahead of Gaylord’s 1st.  We were close.

These boys and the athletes of the past 8 years have strung together 9 consecutive Regional Championships.  I have been pretty lucky to have been able to work with kids willing to put in the hard work to achieve these rewards.

The work continues on as we get ready for the State Championships on Saturday at MIS.
Hope to see you there,
Coach

Fremont – 9th Straight Regional Championship

Local reports | The Muskegon Chronicle, October 31, 2009 10:07 p.m.

Fremont’s boys cross country team is seemingly immune to the weather – especially at regionals.
The Packer boys team won its ninth-straight regional championship on Saturday, capturing the 15-team Division 2 regional at Benzonia-Benzie Central with 52 points.

Nick Butcher led the way for Fremont with the overall title in 16:13.

Jake Featherstone took eighth, Tommy Jewett 11th, Sam Schuiteman 12th and Charlie Fias 20th to round out the Packers’ scoring.

"The boys stepped up to the plate and ran a great race," said Fremont coach Cliff Somers. "Going in we felt like we could win if we ran to our capabilities."

Gaylord took second (91), Ludington was eighth, Whitehall 10th, Fruitport 11th, Orchard View 12th and Grant 14th.

Whitehall’s Greg Madendorp placed fourth, Ludington’s Adrian Martinez (10th) and Luke Johnson (16th), Fruitport’s Kevin Kyle was 22nd and Orchard View’s Chris Zitka (28th) and Brandon Keur (32nd). Grant’s Kyle Starr took 38th.

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/3375789640069771256/boys-cross-country-roundup-fremont-kent-city-mason-county-central-moving-on-to-state-finals/

Here’s the final race report and results of the 2009 Girls Cross Country Adventure. 

It is hoped that plans be made to attend the MHSAA State Cross Country Championships next week at Michigan International Speedway near Jackson.  Your attendance will support Fremont’s tradition for excellence in Cross Country, the Regional winning boys team, and perhaps a spark of inspiration for the girls to set goals to one day return as a team to the championship event. 

Thanks for your contributions to the 2009 Adventure. 

Coach Herbert Lindsay

Regional Meet (75 KB)

MHSAA Regional Results (53 KB)

Big Rapids downs Fremont in High School Football

from local reports | Muskegon Chronicle, October 30, 2009 10:34 p.m.

FROM LOCAL REPORTS

Fremont wasn’t able to keep its season rolling against Big Rapids on Friday night, losing to the visiting Cardinals, 40-7.

The Packers fell behind 14-0 after the first quarter and trailed 36-0 by halftime against Big Rapids, which is coached by Holton graduate and former Muskegon Thunder standout Mitch Cumings.

Justin Currie led Big Rapids, scoring on a pair of touchdown runs, finishing with nine carries for 138 yards rushing.

Quarterback Joey Frendo managed the strong wind, going 14-for-32 passing for 178 yards, connecting for the Packers’ lone touchdown on a 15-yard pass to Ethan McCarthy in the third quarter. 

Ryan Ansorge led the ground attack for Fremont with 86 yards on 18 attempts and Tyler Krim posted four receptions for 74 yards. Tyler Gotts led Fremont’s defense with nine tackles.

Fremont finished 7-3.

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/-1555550042993606843/big-rapids-downs-fremont-in-high-school-football/

Pictures

Pictures

8 A
8 B