RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe Sentinel continues its America 250 project with another spin on celebrating the history of the Holland area.
We have done the big lists. Now, we are unveiling a Mount Rushmore for each high school, boys and girls, so each school will have four faces. Athletes must be graduated to be considered.
Fans will be able to vote for the athlete they think is missing (to make it a top 5).
Here is a look at the high school boys Mount Rushmore pick:
Holland High School
Chris DeJong: State champion swimmer was hundredths of a second from making the U.S. Olympic team in 2004.
Scott Appledorn: Was the No. 1 singles state champion in 1980, leading the Dutch's best team in history.
Corey Willis: Led Holland football to its best season as an all-state, dual-threat quarterback before playing receiver at CMU and making NFL practice squad.
Demetrius Lake: This sharp shooter was a three-time all-state honoree and the all-time leading scorer in area history with more than 2,000 career points. He plays professionally in Europe.
West Ottawa
Ameer Ismail: All-State football player who became an All-American linebacker at Western Michigan.
Derek Maas: State champion swimmer was an All-American at Alabama before his fifth year at NYU where he won an NCAA championship.
Rob Renes: State champion wrestler was also a starting defensive tackle for Michigan's 1997 national championship football team.
Tabahn Afrik: State champion swimmer went on to compete at Notre Dame, earning All-American honors
Holland Christian
Kirk Cousins: Star quarterback started at MSU before a long career in the NFL that resulted in multiple Pro Bowl selections.
Kyle Steigenga: All-state in basketball, football and track, went on to become the all-time collegiate scoring leader in the state of Michigan at Cornerstone.
Mike Mokma: Pitched the Maroons to a state championship before heading to Michigan State and the minor leagues.
Chris Mokma: Was a freshman on the state title team before being drafted and playing multiple years in the minors.
Zeeland East
Jim Kaat: A Baseball Hall of Famer, Kaat was a star pitcher at Zeeland High School. He won 283 games in his big-league career and 16 Gold Glove awards before making Cooperstown in 2022.
Jay Riemersma: A multi-sport star, he was a star quarterback in high school before converting to tight end at Michigan, leading to a nine-year NFL career.
Adam Berghorst: A star baseball and football player, he was all-state in both. Drafted by the majors, he opted to play both baseball and football at Michigan State.
Ron Essink: State champion wrestler played football at GVSU then seven years for the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL.
Zeeland West
Owen Stevens: Five-time state champion swimmer qualified for junior nationals and now swims at Louisville.
Zach VanValkenburg: All-State wrestler and football player starred at Iowa before signing with the Rams in the NFL.
Jordan VanDort: All-state in football, VanDort graduated as the basketball school-record-holder for points. Led the Dux to a state football title before playing at WMU, GVSU and Hope.
Carson Gulker: An elite basketball player, he made a bigger mark in football where he was all-state before leading Ferris State to multiple NCAA titles. Just transferred to MSU.
Hamilton
Grant Wolfram: Star in basketball and tennis, he was better on the diamond, earning multiple all-state honors before playing at CMU and Davenport. He currently pitches for the Baltimore Orioles.
Kevin Haverdink : Was part of state champion basketball team in 1984, went on to play football at Western Michigan then several years as an offensive lineman in the NFL for the Saints.
Nick Carlson: Won two golf state titles and was runner-up his other two years. Plays professionally overseas.
Dustin Smith: A three-sport star, the running back played basketball at Calvin, then football at Hope.
Fennville
Richie Jordan: The best basketball player in area history, he is a member of the National High School Hall of Fame.
Wes Leonard: Starred at quarterback and in basketball where he was all-state and led the Blackhawks to an undefeated regular season.
Lucas McFarland: An all-state running back that led the area in rushing.
Travis Martin: Another multi-sport athlete that was elite everywhere for the Blackhawks.
Saugatuck
Blake Dunn: All-state in four sports, he was the best quarterback and pitcher in school history. Was a state champion hurdler and plays in the majors for the Cincinnati Reds.
Benny Diaz: Won multiple state championships in sprints and hurdles before competing for the University of Michigan.
Corey Gorgas : State champion runner represented the U.S. in the Pan American Games (U-20).
Brad Dunn: Was a four-sport star, an all-state receiver and state champion hurdler.
Black River
James McCann: All-state runner went on to star at the University of Detroit.
Sam Sharnas: All-State runner went on to compete at the NCAA Division I level.
Brandon Beacham: All-state soccer player helped launched the strong River Rats program.
Jamison Huizenga: Earned all-state second team in basketball as a senior last year and will play college hoops.
Calvary
Tyler Maat: Basketball's all-time leading scorer.
Nic Wedeven: Dominating scoring threat, especially in the postseason.
Aaron Johnson: The first sharpshooter in the program, he reached 1,000 points.
Josh Wedeven: A star basketball player, he could score and was a great rebounder.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’[email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSport s.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: America 250: High school boys sports Mount Rushmore picks for each school: Vote for top 5
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