Southwest Michigan High School Sports Spotlight
Kalamazoo-area high school athletes are being recognized for their impressive spring sports performances as MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette launches its third Athlete of the Week poll of the 2026 season.
The poll features 42 standout athletes across track and field, baseball, softball, golf, and tennis from schools throughout Southwest Michigan. Voters can cast their ballot for any of the candidates as often as they like, with the poll closing at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 1.
"The spring sports season is in full swing and athletes around Southwest Michigan are continuing to impress," according to the poll description.
The field includes top performers who have delivered spectacular individual performances in recent meets and competitions.
Track and Field Standouts
Several athletes have made waves on the track. Jackson Lam of Loy Norrix broke his own school record at the Don Lukens Invitational, posting the fastest time in the state in the 1,600 at 4:10.61, which was also a new personal best.
Clara Slattery of Kalamazoo Hackett won both the 100 at 15.68 and 300-meter hurdles at 43.93 at the Charlie Janke Invitational, while also earning a new personal record in the 200-meter dash at 25.01.
Jamar Dobbins of Kalamazoo Central grabbed a new personal record and won the 110-meter hurdles at 14.60 at the Grand Ledge Comet Classic.
Field Event Stars
Rachel Anderson of Portage Northern won both the shot put at 33 feet 9.5 inches and discus at 110 feet 8 inches at the Don Lukens Invitational.
Matthew Bates of Centreville won both the shot put at 51 feet 5 inches and discus at 159 feet 9 inches at the Union City Invitational.
Alex Robbins of Otsego earned a new personal best in the discus at 184 feet 7 inches at the GR Elite Challenge, winning the event.
Softball and Baseball
Lauren MacKellar of Paw Paw was nearly unhittable in the circle last week, throwing a complete game no-hitter with 14 strikeouts in a 9-0 win over Coloma.
Gannon Deanda of Kalamazoo Central came up clutch with a walk-off base knock with the bases loaded in a 3-2 win over Loy Norrix, finishing the week with four doubles and three RBIs.
Tennis and Golf
Ana Cheng of Mattawan improved her overall record to 12-0 thanks to six victories last week, including a 6-2, 6-0 win over three-time state qualifier Mai Meghea from East Lansing.
Connor Lam of Portage Central earned individual medalist honors with an even-par 72, helping the Mustangs win the Greater Kalamazoo Championship.
Brixton Devries and Ian Riggs of Kalamazoo Christian both finished tied for medalist honors with one-over 73 at the Lawton Blue Devil Invitational, helping the Comets take first overall.
Other Notable Performers
Kardae Stuckey of Portage Central won the 100-meter dash at 11.09 and finished second in the 200 at 22.36 at the Don Lukens Invitational.
Jayden VandenAkker of Allegan won both the 100 at 15.29 and 300-meter hurdles at 46.68 at the Rising Stars Invitational.
Landon Madden of Delton Kellogg won both the 110 hurdles at 15.58 and 300-meter hurdles at 40.09 at a tri-meet, while also winning those same events at the Rising Stars Invitational.
Bailee Dilley of Allegan grabbed a new personal record by winning the pole vault at 11 feet 6 inches at the Rising Stars Invitational.
Veyda Conley of Martin grabbed a new personal record by winning the 3,200-meter run at 11:30.75 at the Kent City Invite.
"If you'd like to nominate an athlete for future considerations, please email stats to MLive sports reporter Matthew Ehler at mehler@mlive.com," the poll description notes.
The poll allows readers to recognize individual excellence throughout Southwest Michigan's high school sports community. Cast your vote at MLive's sports section before the Friday morning deadline.