Spring sports stars: Who are the top sophomores around Grand Rapids? Our picks, your votes

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - From future Division-I college athletes to state champions, the Grand Rapids area is loaded with prep standouts during this spring high school sports season.

With that in mind, we’re highlighting some that have elevated their game to elite status as part of a multi-week project recognizing the area’s best athletes by graduating class, then giving readers a chance to vote on the one they think stands out above the rest.

This week’s focus is the sophomores, who are looking to take their performances to another level in the upcoming playoffs for their respective sports.

Follow along as we look at 38 of the Grand Rapids area’s best spring sports athletes from the class of 2027, then place your vote at the end.

Readers have unlimited voting until 9 a.m. Monday, May 12, and we’ll publish the winner later in the week. Voting has no bearing on postseason honors, such as the all-conference or all-state teams.

RELATED: Future Division-I college lacrosse player leading GR Catholic Central’s state title defense

If the poll does not appear at the bottom of the story, click here to view it.

Avery Albers, East Grand Rapids girls lacrosse

Albers earned second team all-state honors as a freshman goalie and is putting together a strong follow-up season for the 9-2 Pioneers, who have played one of the toughest schedules in the state, but are allowing just 6.1 goals per game. In her first nine contests, Albers logged a save percentage of .545, including an outstanding performance against defending state champ GR Catholic Central, in which she stopped seven shots in the 8-1 win.

Carli Alexander, Byron Center girls soccer

A starter on last year’s 14-3-2 Byron Center squad, Alexander has returned to her center back position to bolster a defense that has posted eight shutouts and allowed just six goals in 13 games for the 9-1-3 Bulldogs, who are ranked 12th in Division 1.

Ella Alexander, Byron Center girls soccer

The twin sister of Carli Alexander, Ella has provided more offensive punch from her forward position, tallying five goals and 11 assists for the Bulldogs, who have outscored their opponents 54-6 this year.

Keilah Bonga, Hopkins girls track

Bonga placed 14th in the discus as last year’s Division 2 state meet with a throw of 114 feet, 9 inches, and she shattered that mark on Saturday with a toss of 124 feet, 5 inches at the Hopkins Invitational, which currently ranks seventh in D2 and is an early qualifying distance. After seven meets this season, Bonga has yet to finish anywhere but first in the discus.

Aubree Bowers, Forest Hills Central girls track

The younger sister of two-time state pole vault state champion Brooke Bowers, Aubree has also established herself as one of the state’s best in the event by placing third at the Division 1 meet as a freshman with a jump of 12 feet, 6 inches. She hasn’t been able to match that mark this spring, but her season-best of 11 feet, 6 inches still ranks fifth in Division 1.

Mykaila Bradfield, Calvin Christian softball

The ace of Calvin Christian’s pitching staff, Bradfield is 5-3 with a 4.17 ERA, a 1.580 WHIP and 30 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings, and she has also swung a big bat for the 11-7 Squires. Bradfield boasts a .407 batting average with one double, one home run, 15 RBIs and 25 runs scored, while also drawing 16 walks and striking out just six times in 73 plate appearances.

Amaya Brown, Godwin Heights girls track

Brown burst onto the high school track scene by placing fifth in the 100 hurdles at the Division 2 state meet as a freshman, and she currently holds D2’s 10th-best time in the event (15.75 seconds) this season, which is an early qualifying mark for the state meet. Brown has also contributed to the sixth-fastest 800 relay time in D2 this season.

Nahya Daza, Forest Hills Northern girls track

After missing most of her freshman season, Daza has emerged as one of the state’s top sprinters this spring, with her personal-best time of 25.13 seconds in the 200-meter dash ranking 10th in Division 1. Since Daza achieved that time at the GR Elite Challenge, an early qualifying-approved meet, she is eligible to compete at the state meet in that event, regardless of how she runs at regionals.

Izzy DeJong, South Christian girls soccer

An honorable mention all-state pick a year ago, DeJong has continued to establish herself as one of West Michigan’s best midfielders by collecting five goals and five assists this year for a 10-0-3 South Christian squad that is currently ranked sixth in Division 2.

Maddy DeVries, South Christian softball

The shortstop has played a key role in South Christian’s 12-6 start, batting .472 with three doubles, three triples, 10 RBIs and 18 runs scored.

Kenley Doezema, Zion Christian girls soccer

After tallying 12 goals and 17 assists during a freshman season that saw her earn honorable mention all-state recognition, Doezema has followed that up with nine goals and seven assists in 11 games for the 9-2 Mountaineers, who are currently ranked 14th in Division 4.

Cassidy Fisk, South Christian softball

The standout pitcher has played a big role in South Christian’s 12-6 start, posting a 6-2 record in the circle with a 4.44 ERA, 1.610 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in 41 innings, while batting .491 with seven doubles, two triples and three home runs. Fisk has driven in 25 runs and scored 21 more and has an impressive fielding percentage of .952 with three double plays as a pitcher and middle infielder.

Charley Hassenrik, GR Christian girls soccer

A second team all-state selection as a freshman, Hassenrik has continued her high level of play this year, collecting nine goals and six assists through 12 games for the 5-6-1 Eagles, who have played a schedule that includes eight state-ranked teams.

Londyn Hebner, South Christian girls soccer

Another one of South Christian’s talented players from the class of 2027, Hebner is following up her honorable mention all-state season with a strong sophomore campaign that has included one goal and four assists as a midfielder for the undefeated and sixth-ranked Sailors.

Meredith Helmus, South Christian girls soccer

Rounding out South Christian’s trio of all-state sophomores is Helmus, who earned third team honors from the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association last season and currently has nine goals and seven assists through 13 games this year for the 10-0-3 Sailors.

Harris Hoekwater, South Christian boys golf

After tying for fourth place with rounds of 76 and 69 at last year’s Division 2 state finals, Hoekwater has continued to impress during his sophomore season. In 23 nine-hole rounds, he’s averaging 37.9 strokes, while averaging 76.3 strokes through nine 18-hole rounds.

Addison Howard, GR Catholic Central softball

The hard-hitting corner infielder has played a big role in Catholic Central’s 14-3 start and leads the team in batting average (.577), hits (30), doubles (10), RBIs (38) and runs scored (27), while ranking second in home runs with four. Howard has also shown exceptional plate discipline by drawing 10 walks and striking out just twice in 62 plate appearances.

Alexa Hyler, Greenville softball

The standout centerfielder has helped Greenville post a 10-6 record so far by batting .528 with two doubles, eight triples and one home run, while scoring 23 runs and driving in 22 more. Hyler has drawn five walks against five strikeouts and has showed off her speed by stealing nine bases without getting caught.

Daelyn Jones, GR Christian girls track

After battling an injury during her freshman season, Jones has established herself as one of the state’s best sprinters, and her personal-best time of 12.24 seconds in the 100-meter dash currently ranks fourth in Division 2, while her PR of 25.74 seconds in the 200 dash is seventh in D2. Jones has also anchored D2’s fifth-best times in the 400 and 800 relays, giving her a good chance to reach the all-state podium in multiple events later this spring. In total, Jones has won each of her 14 races this season.

Jack Klimek, Forest Hills Eastern boys golf

Klimek came through with rounds of 76 and 74 at last year’s Division 2 state finals, which was good for 13th individually, and he’s been playing quality golf through the first half of the current season, averaging 38.3 strokes for 12 nine-hole rounds and 78 strokes in three 18-hole rounds.

Kyla Kobrzycki, Unity Christian girls soccer

As a freshman, Kobrzycki earned a starting role on Unity Christian’s Division 3 state title team and finished her rookie season with 14 goals and nine assists, and there has been so signs of a sophomore slump for the talented forward. Through 13 games, Kobrzycki has six goals and five assists for the 11-0-2 Crusaders, who are currently ranked No. 1 in Division 2.

Kaelyn Koelling, West Michigan Aviation Academy girls soccer

Despite playing less than two years of soccer at WMAA, Koelling already ranks fifth in school history for career goals, with 10 coming last season and another 13 already on the board this year, including four against state power Calvin Christian and another three against Hastings. The midfielder also added six assists last season and has helped out on four goals this year for the 10-4 Aviators, who are currently ranked 12th in Division 3.

JP Levan, East Grand Rapids boys golf

Levan capped his freshman season with a seventh-place finish at last year’s Division 2 state finals thanks to rounds of 73 and 74 at Forest Akers West, and his scores have been similar this season. In four 18-hole rounds, Levan is averaging 74.8 strokes, while averaging 37.2 strokes in 13 nine-hole rounds.

Ella Leyendecker, Byron Center girls soccer

Another member of Byron Center’s ultra-talented 2027 girls soccer class Leyendecker is a returning starter on the back line that played a big role in last season’s 14-3-2 record and has limited opponents to six goals in 13 games for the 9-1-3 Bulldogs this year.

Caden Livermore, Grandville boys track

The star distance runner has made his mark at Grandville this season, breaking longstanding school records in the 800-meter run (1:54.35) and the 1,600 run (4:12.50), the latter of which is currently the top time in Division 1. Of his 10 races so far this season, Livermore has won eight of them.

Zennia Nembhard, Forest Hills Eastern girls soccer

At 7-3-2, Eastern is off to its best start through 12 games since 2022, and Nembhard’s play has been a big reason why. The sophomore forward has eight goals and four assists in a season that has included a win over Division 3 No. 4 GR Catholic Central and ties against D2 No. 3 Forest Hills Central and D2 No. 14 East Grand Rapids.

Stella Oviatt, NorthPointe Christian girls soccer

A second team all-stater a year ago, Oviatt has followed up her impressive freshman season with a strong sophomore campaign that has included six goals and nine assists through 14 games for the 8-6 Mustangs.

Evie Price, West Ottawa girls tennis

Price capped her freshman season as the Division 1 state runner-up in No. 3 singles and has made the move to No. 1 this season, where she holds a 10-5 record, including six wins over returning state qualifiers, for the state’s No. 8-ranked team.

Allison Raison, Lowell softball

The utility player has logged innings at catcher, third base, left field and right field this season and has batted in several different spots in the order, but her production has remained consistent. Through 14 games, Raison is batting .453 with two doubles, one triple and one home run, while driving in 10 runs and scoring 19 more for the 13-1 Red Arrows. She has also stolen five bases without getting caught, and defensively, she boasts a .980 fielding percentage with just one error in 50 total chances.

Lorenzo Reynolds, East Kentwood boys track

After placing ninth in the long jump at last year’s Division 1 state meet, Reynolds appears to be a title contender in the event this year, with his personal-best distance of 23 feet, 0.5 inches currently ranking second in Division 1 this season. He also qualified for the state meet in that event by clearing 22 feet, 7 inches at Saturday’s Ken Bell Invitational.

Logan Richardson, East Kentwood girls track

The star sprinter is coming off a freshman season that saw her place second at the state meet in the 100-meter dash and 200 dash and take third in the 800 relay. This year, her season-best time of 12.23 in the 100 dash ranks ninth in Division 1, and her season best of 24.88 in the 200 is fifth. Richardson also anchors East Kentwood’s 400 relay team, which has the fourth-fastest time in Division 1, and the 800 relay team, which has the third-best time in the division. Through early qualifying, Richardson has already secured her spot at all four events in the Division 1 state meet.

Trent Smith, Hopkins baseball

The middle infielder, pitcher and leadoff hitter has played a big role in Hopkins’ 13-6 start, posting a .429 batting average with one double, one triple, 10 RBIs and 23 runs scored, while also emerging as a reliable pitcher that boasts a 3-0 record with a 1.87 ERA, 1.200 WHIP and 19 strikeouts in 15 innings.

Eliana Stob, Holland Christian girls track

Stob qualified for three events at last year’s state finals, highlighted by a fifth-place finish in the 3,200 relay, and she’s on track to return to the podium again this year. Her personal-best time of 2:20.65 in the 800-meter run currently ranks 10th in Division 2, and she led off D2’s eighth-best time in the 3,200 relay.

Linus VanDenBerg, Holland Christian boys golf

VanDenBerg’s rounds of 75 and 79 added up to 22nd place at last year’s Division 2 state finals, and they were just the start of a promising prep career that has continued this spring. In 12 nine-hole rounds, VanDenBerg is averaging 37.2 strokes, while averaging 74 in three 18-hole competitions.

Keaton VanKampen, Byron Center baseball

VanKampen has played shortstop and third base this season, in addition to his pitching duties, and those different responsibilities have not distracted him from delivering at the plate, as he holds a .409 batting average with two doubles, two triples, 12 RBIs and eight runs scored for the 16-3 Bulldogs. On the mound, he has a 3.50 ERA and 1.250 WHIP with 12 strikeouts in 12 innings.

Maraya VanOverloop, Covenant Christian softball

The sophomore shortstop and leadoff hitter has played a big role in Covenant Christian’s 16-6 start, boasting a .403 batting average and team-best 31 hits, including eight doubles, three triples and four home runs, while driving in 23 runs and scoring 31 more. VanOverloop has also showed good plate discipline by drawing eight walks and striking out just five times in 85 plate appearances. On the basepaths, she has stolen 11 bags without getting caught, and she has also been solid defensively, posting a .909 fielding percentage and turning one double play at a demanding position.

Collette Wierks, West Ottawa girls track

After running the opening leg of West Ottawa’s state championship-winning 3,200-meter relay team last year, Wierks has gotten off to a strong start this spring, with her personal-best time of 2:13.27 in the 800-meter run currently ranking second in Division 1. Wierks has also contributed to three relay teams that have posted some of the best times in D1, including the 3,200 relay (second at 9:21.53), the 1,600 relay (third at 3:57.58) and the 800 relay (ninth at 1:44.29). Of her 22 races this year, Wierks has won 17 of them.

Lilah Zaskowski, Forest Hills Eastern girls tennis

As a freshman, Zaskowski was the only ninth grader in the No. 1 singles draw at the Division 3 state finals, and she finished as the state runner-up to top-seeded Detroit Country Day junior Sophia Grzesiak, which capped a 25-4 campaign. This year, she holds a 10-4 record at No. 1 singles, including wins over state qualifiers, for the state’s seventh-ranked team in Division 3.