Charlie Maze of the Essexville Garber baseball team for 2025.

BAY CITY, MI — Each week through the 2025 high school spring sports season, we spotlighted athletes from baseball, softball, girls soccer, boys lacrosse, boys golf, girls tennis and boys and girls track and field with our MLive Bay City Athlete of the Week project.

We recognized athletes for a job well done and gave readers a chance to decide the weekly honor. For our final poll, we off a second chance for those who either finished second in a previous poll or garnered a high vote total.

Cast your vote for our final spring sports Athlete of the Week as often as you’d like until the poll closes at 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 20.

BROCK BARTLETT, STANDISH-STERLING (JUNE 2)

The No. 2-ranked Standish-Sterling baseball team has a multi-purpose weapon in Bartlett. The senior provides a solid glove, a potent bat at the heart of the lineup and reliable pitching. “Brock has been the most consistent player for us throughout the year,” coach Ryan Raymond said. “I am confident with him at every position on the field, minus catcher.” Bartlett fired three shutout innings in a win over defending state champion Flint Powers. He knocked two doubles and drove in two runs in a win over Ogemaw in the district final.

Calee Lijewski of the Bay City Western softball team for 2025.

SETH BETZOLD, ESSEXVILLE GARBER (MAY 20)

It was mission accomplished for Betzold with the Garber boys track and field squad when he qualified for the state finals in both the 1600 and 3200 races over the weekend. The sophomore found a new gear and posted personal-best times while placing second in the regional in the 1600 (4:25.30) and third in the 3200 (9:44.69). “Seth had a great week of preparation and was laser focused on his strategy,” coach Brian Anderson said. “His season-long goal, even dating back to last year’s regional, was to qualify for states this year. Not only did he achieve his goal, he did it twice on the same day.” He also owns a PR of 2:05.93 in the 800, where he has won four of six entries this season.

KARTER BOX, JOHN GLENN (MAY 13)

John Glenns Hadley Keister (6) picks up a ground ball during a high school softball game on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

It became quite clear quite early that Box was taking his game to new heights this season for the John Glenn boys track and field team. Just a sophomore, he was blown last year’s PR of 9 feet in the pole vault out of the water, clearing 11 feet, 6 inches. “Karter Box is an awesome kid who works so hard at his craft,” coach Matt Bolles said. “It is really cool to see him, Annabelle Werner and his dad, Coach Box, everyday training the way they do. It is very apparent that what they are doing is working.” Box matched his season-best at the Tri-Valley Conference Red Championship to win the crown.

AVA BRIGGS, TAWAS (APRIL 22)

The junior gives the Tawas soccer team a strong captain who is willing to take on any challenge for the team. “She is that player you can put in any position and you can count on her to get the job done, the true definition of a utility player,” coach Adrianne Dittenbir said. “I even played her as keeper last year in a pinch with a hurt goalie and she was able to make saves on some incredible shots.” Briggs is a sweeper by nature but can be an offensive weapon with her strong foot and accurate placement.

Bay City Western's Preston Giorgis (18) celebrates with his teammates in the dugout after getting a Macomb Dakota player out during a D1 baseball semifinal game at McLain Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, June 13, 2025. Macomb Dakota won the game 6-2.

OLIVIA DELMOTTE, LAKER (MAY 6)

Delmotte has a nose for the goal for the Laker girls soccer team. And sometimes her goals come in bunches. The sophomore caught fire last week, scoring six goals and adding three assists for her 8-1-1 squad. “She has great footwork and can score from multiple areas on the field,” coach Rebecca Krohn said. “Olivia is very quick and skilled as a ball handler.” As skilled as she is offensively, Delmotte also has a defensive mentality and can be shifted to the back line as needed. She’s a pivotal part of Laker’s chase for the Big Thumb Conference White title.

BLAKE FRANCIS, JOHN GLENN (APRIL 22)

The John Glenn boys track and field team has a promising up-and-comer in Francis. The sophomore made a splash last week by surpassing the 20-foot barrier with a long jump of 20 feet, 5 inches to win in a dual with Essexville Garber. “Blake is the epitome of what hard work in the weight room and having an elite competitive drive can do for you as an athlete,” coach Matt Bolles said. “Blake has a very bright future ahead of him.” Francis has competed in four career meets and went beyond 19 feet each time.

Blake Francis of the John Glenn boys track and field team for 2025.

PRESTON GIORGIS, BAY CITY WESTERN (JUNE 10)

John Glenns Karter Box competes in pole vault during the Bay County Track and Field Championship on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Bay City Western High School in Auburn. Bay City Western took both titles. They won the boys title with 145 points and the girls with 186.

Don’t overlook the guy behind the mask for the Bay City Western baseball team. Giorgis has emerged as a key figure in Western’s run to the final four. “Preston has been a workhorse this year,” coach Tim McDonald said. “Defensively, he’s been outstanding handling our pitching staff.” The senior has delivered some key at-bats at tournament time and made two outstanding throws in the regional final. He threw out a runner trying to take an extra base in the sixth inning then gunned down a would-be basestealer in the seventh as Western preserved a one-run victory over Hudsonville.

Dylan Paul of the Bay City All Saints baseball team for 2025.

HADLEY KEISTER, JOHN GLENN (MAY 27)

The John Glenn softball team packs some serious pop at the top of its lineup in Keister. The second baseman doesn’t just get on base, she often clears the bases with six home runs on the season. “She does everything asked of her,” coach John Busch said. “She takes pride in preparing during practices and in the offseason. Her dedication has put her in position to do great things.” Keister batted .474 with 34 RBIs from the leadoff spot, helping the Bobcats to their first winning season since 2019.

Seth Betzold of the Essexville Garber track and field team for 2025.

CALEE LIJEWSKI, BAY CITY WESTERN (APRIL 15)

Bay City Western's Brayden Simmon stands in the on-deck circle during the showdown with Bay City Central.

After missing last season with an injury, Lijewski is a welcomed addition to this year’s Western softball team. She is off to a hot start with the bat, hitting .667 with two doubles, five runs scored and five RBIs. “She’s a great leadoff hitter,” coach Bill Sebald said. “She gets on and she’s one of the best baserunners. Any chance she has to take an extra base, she does.” Lijewski came through with a bases loaded double in the Bay County Championship title game against Garber.

CHARLIE MAZE, ESSEXVILLE GARBER (APRIL 15)

Just a sophomore, Maze has shown the grit to handle shortstop duties for the Essexville Garber baseball team. He’s expected to be a vital cog in the lineup at the No. 2 spot as well. “He’s off to a good start with the bat,” coach Eric Debo said. “He has a good attitude and has the potential to be a good leader.” Maze delivered three hits, two runs scored and three RBIs, helping the Dukes to a 2-1 record in the Bay County Championship.

DYLAN PAUL, ALL SAINTS (APRIL 15)

The Bay City All Saints baseball team has a clutch hitter in Paul, who has shown a knack for delivering the big hit the past two years. The junior outfielder has this season off to a stellar start, leading the team with a .529 average. “Dylan is a guy who is continually working to get better, always asking for an extra bucket of balls in the batting cage, putting in real time on the tee and just working on mastering the craft of hitting.”

BRENNAN PEASE, ALL SAINTS (MAY 13)

The Bay City All Saints baseball team is on a roll, and Pease has emerged as an integral part of the equation. The sophomore not only gives the Cougars a reliable glove at shortstop but he’s been on point as a pitcher. “When Brennan is locked in on the mound, there’s not a lot that other teams can do,” coach Brian Good said. “He really knows how to take control of the game and keep opposing hitters guessing with his offspeed. He has definitely earned a huge role with us as a guy I can count on to get the job done.” Pease showed his value as a reliever while leading the Cougars to the Sand Lake Invitational title, striking out an eye-popping 16 batters in 6.2 innings.

BRAYDEN SIMMON, BAY CITY WESTERN (MAY 6)

The No. 1-ranked Bay City Western baseball team has weapons all over the field, and Simmon is among the primary ones. A strong hitter who plays first base and outfield, he has set himself apart with his pitching as a senior. “Brayden has been lights out in his last couple outings,” coach Tim McDonald said. “He could be an ace on many pitching staffs, and he’s been huge for us when we’ve needed him.” The southpaw went eight innings for a two-hit, 11-strikeout gem in a 2-1 win over state-ranked Flint Powers then came back with a two-hit shutout over Lapeer. He is signed with SVSU for next season.

Standish-Sterling's Brock Bartlett (15) pitches as Mason faces Standish Sterling in a state semifinal baseball game at Kobs Field in East Lansing on Thursday, June 12 2025.

ARROW VANWAGONER, JOHN GLENN (APRIL 29)

One thing the John Glenn boys track and field team already knows is that VanWagoner can fly. The junior is setting a torrid pace in all of his events for the Bobcats. “Arrow has really become the kind of runner our staff believed he could be,” coach Matt Bolles said. “The kid is a tireless worker. Arrow demands you critique every practice run and also his long jumps. He is a perfectionist and works his butt off every day in practice to improve.” He has posted PRs of 11.36 in the 100 and 22.57 in the 200 and soared beyond the 20-foot milestone in long jump. He was a state qualifier in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays last year.

JACK WETTERS, ALL SAINTS (APRIL 29)

The third-year varsity performer is the ultimate leader for the All Saints baseball team. He sets the tone on the field and off, getting the Cougars to aim for high standards. “He’s the cut-and-dry leader of our team,” coach Brian Good said. “He’s everything a coach wants in a leader. The kids thrive off him. As he goes, they go – and he’s going very well right now.” Wetters is batting over .600 on the year with more extra-base hits than singles. The junior gives the Cougars a next-level catcher and a dominant ace on the mound.

MLive player polls are non-scientific ventures, designed to promote fun, fandom and discussion. The winners receive no prize and the results have no bearing on postseason awards.

Use of any form of automated voting is contrary to the intent and is not allowed.

Votes are not always tabulated immediately. If you receive a “Thank you for voting” message, your vote will be counted.

There is no voting by email!

If you would like your local high school sports news delivered free to your inbox daily, click here and sign up for one of our local high school sports newsletters.

Love reading about local sports? Don’t miss any of the excitement from the season ahead. Purchase your subscription now and get full access to every story on MLive!