BAY CITY, MI — Each week through the 2025 high school fall sports season, we spotlight athletes from volleyball, boys soccer, girls golf, boys tennis, girls swimming and boys and girls cross country with our MLive Bay City Athlete of the Week project.
We recognize athletes for a job well done and give readers a chance to decide the weekly honor. Cast your vote as often as you’d like until the poll closes at 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 22.
IAN ANDERSON, BAY CITY CENTRAL
He may not be the star of the team, but the Central boys tennis program has a full appreciation for Anderson. The senior has always been willing to step in as needed, delivering a four-year varsity career. “He never misses practice, and he has come a long way since freshman year,” coach Mark Hellebuyck said. “Ian’s dedication to the game and his team sets the standard for what it means to be on a varsity team.” He is competing at No. 2 doubles this fall for the Wolves.
TREVIN BILLINGSLEY, PINCONNING
Billingsley got a chance to show a hidden talent and ran with it for the Pinconning boys soccer team. A standout on defense, the junior was moved to the other end of the field and immediately thrived. He scored the first two goals of his varsity career while leading the Spartans past Gladwin and Hemlock. “Trevin is the ultimate team player, serving as a role model for our younger athletes with his outstanding work ethic, his determination to succeed and his athletic skill,” coach Mike Stoneback said.
ELIZABETH BRICKER, JOHN GLENN
There’s a certain standard on the John Glenn girls swimming team, and Bricker is meeting it and passing it on to her teammates. “Her strong work ethic in practice, her sense of humor and ability to motivate teammates make her a true leader on our team,” coach Bob LaRocque said. “Her consistent performances in the pool and commitment to pushing herself and others have been a key part of our team’s success.” The senior was a four-event runner-up in the Bay County Championship and a four-event winner in a dual with Alma. She placed 11th in the Bobcat Pentathlon.
EVIE ENGELHARDT, ESSEXVILLE GARBER
Engelhardt is still a young player but she has already stepped forward as a leader for the Garber volleyball team. Just a sophomore, the 6-foot middle hitter is certainly a good one to follow. “Evie is leading our three freshmen as a mentor to the fast pace of varsity volleyball,” coach Kim Kokaly said. “Evie is a born leader. She’s a no-excuses, what-can-I-do kid.” Engelhardt is getting it done on the court, hitting at a .427 clip during a recent quad against top competition.
REESE LEPEAK, BAY CITY WESTERN
Improvement is the goal and Lepeak is constantly chasing down that mission for the Western boys cross country team. “After an early-season injury, he’s come back with more focus and practices with more intention,” coach Mike Nesbitt said. He made continual strides a year ago, improving his personal-best five times. At the recent Saginaw Valley League Jamboree at Delta College, he took it a step further, dicing a whopping 48 seconds off his season-low while placing 22nd in a PR of 18:14.1.
ROBERT RAUSHI, ESSEXVILLE GARBER
The Garber boys soccer team needed someone to step forward in goal this season and Raushi has done so with gusto. “He has dedicated himself to working with one of our coaches one-on-one to improve his skills this season,” coach Brent Betzold said. “His improvement has been astonishing. He has improved footwork, field vision and diving ability.” In his first year as a full-time keeper, Raushi has made some stunning stops. He made a diving save on a penalty kick against John Glenn.
KAILEE RUGENSTEIN, PINCONNING
The sophomore is still fairly new to the game of volleyball, but she has proven to be a quick learner for Pinconning. “I often forget she is only a sophomore because she carries herself like an upperclassman and impacts our team like a seasoned veteran,” coach Annie Powers said. “Her ball control and ability to read the ball are so natural and impressive. And she brings an energy and consistency that our team relies on every match.” The outside hitter possesses a powerful shot and complements it with sensational defensive skills.
REAGAN SCHACHER, BAY CITY CENTRAL
Schacher is an on-the-go student-athlete, taking part in multiple sports and multiple student activities. But golf earned her full focus last week. Honored as the lone senior on the Central girls golf team on Senior Day, she proceeded to shoot 56 and spark the Wolves to a season-low team score of 221 and a tie with Essexville Garber. “Reagan is always willing to improve as a player and wants to do well,” coach Kurt Legner said. “She has an internal drive that successful athletes have.” She ranked second on her team a year ago with a 60.1 average.
BROOKLYN WERNER, BAY CITY WESTERN
It’s safe to say Werner is back in top form for the Western girls cross country team. Werner came out blazing as a freshman in 2022 and set a personal record that would stand into her senior year. But she turned it up a notch at the Northwood Invitational, finally setting a new standard at 20:37.0. “After not being on varsity a year ago, she was our fourth runner and helped the team to a two-point victory over last year’s D2 state champion Goodrich,” coach Mike Nesbitt said. Werner also posted a 12th-place finish at the recent SVL Jamboree.
MERRICK YOUNG, BAY CITY WESTERN
An veteran performer with the Western boys tennis team, Young has shown the willingness and ability to take teammates under his wing. “Merrick has been a great mentor to younger players on our team,” coach Mike Rohde said. “Last year, he partnered with Luke LaCourse. It was Luke’s first year playing tennis and Merrick was very helpful in getting Luke up to speed. This year, he is doing the same thing with his sophomore partner (Logan Gilles).” Playing at No. 2 doubles this season, Young surpassed the 40-win mark for his four-year career. He also serves as drum major for the Western band.
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