July 2024 Issue of Varsity Monthly Thumb Magazine

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PROUD TO COVER HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS IN THE THUMB 

July 2024 | Volume 12 Issue 7 

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photos here: 

WALK-OFF

Owner Jason Parmenter 

Magazine Design Alyssa Buhl 

Photo Editor Kaitlin Gunsell 

Office Manager Brenda Tomlinson 

Regularly Contributing Photographers 

Kaitlin Gunsell - Kaitlin’s Klicks 

Jason Parmenter - Quad N Productions 

Amanda Enos - Quad N Productions 

Paul P. Adams 

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Caro 

Bad Axe 

Cros-Lex 

Cass City 

Sandusky 

Lakers 

Reese 

Caro 

North Branch 

Marlette 

USA 

Millington 

Akron-Fairgrove 

Deckerville 

CPS 

North Huron 

Peck 

Ubly 

Harbor Beach 

Vassar 

Kingston 

Brown City 

Caseville 

Owen-Gage 

Cass City 

Mayville 

Caro 

Frankenmuth 

QR Code to 

www.misportsphotos.com 

COVER IMAGE: 

Marlette, North Branch and USA competing in 

the MHSAA Finals (quarters-finals). 

Photos by Jason Parmenter 

WALK-OFF 

What an amazing end to our 2024 Spring 

Sports Season! We had a number of teams 

and individuals advance deep into the 

playoffs which kept us busy all of the way 

until Softball Finals at MSU! USA Varsity 

Softball ended our season with a walk-off 

double off the outfield wall as they won 

their 5th straight State Championship. We 

are incredibly grateful that we get to cover 

the amazing athletes and coaches in the 

Thumb. Please be sure to thank our 

advertisers for making it possible for us to 

do so. We can always use additional 

advertisers, so if you have a business, please 

reach out to us for more information. 

Congratulations to all of our spring athletes 

on a great season. We are looking forward 

to capturing all of the summer activities as 

they prep for next Fall. 

www.misportsphotos.com

PLAYERS OF THE MONTH 

Athletes are selected as the Players of the Month for their athletic 

accomplishments, leadership roles, and community impact. 

Layla Bolzman 

USA - 100 & 200m Dash 

Congratulations! 

State Champions 

Olivia Findlay 

Marlette - High & Long Jump 

Photo Courtesy of Mike Gallagher 

Gabe Vanderlip 

Sandusky - Trap 

JAKE 

VANDERHAAR 

FRANKENMUTH 

BASEBALL 

OLIVIA 

FINDLAY 

MARLETTE 

TRACK 

Photo Courtesy of Mike Gallagher 

JAKE VANDERHAAR LEAVES FRANKENMUTH AS 

PERHAPS THE BEST CATCHER TO EVER WORK 

BEHIND THE PLATE FOR THE EAGLES. DURING 

HIS THREE-YEAR VARSITY CAREER, VANDERHAAR 

PROVIDED THE TEAM WITH A STEADY PRESENCE ON 

BOTH SIDES OF THE PLATE. 

“I’ve coached 30 years and he’s probably one of 

the best defensive catchers I’ve ever coached,” said 

Frankenmuth coach Tim Smith. “Umpires love him 

because none of the balls make it to them. All pitchers 

have to do is keep runners fairly close, Jake has a pretty 

good throwing arm. We didn’t give up a lot of stolen 

bases because of that.” 

As a junior, VanderHaar helped Frankenmuth to 

only its second-ever regional 

championship. 

“As with most years, the catcher is 

one of the most important players 

on the field,” Smith said. “Our 

pitchers knew they could throw 

a curveball in the dirt and Jake 

would pick it. Jake made it easy for 

pitchers to throw.” 

At the plate, VanderHaar batted 

.346 with 38 RBI. 

VanderHaar was a vocal leader, 

according to Smith. 

“He’s a very good teammate,” he said. 

VanderHaar recently signed to continue his career with 

Cleary University. 

He leaves some big shoes to fill for the next varsity 

catcher at Frankenmuth. 

“Replacing Jake is going to be very tough,” Smith said. 

MARLETTE TRACK & FIELD HAS A RICH TRADITION 

OF PRODUCING TOP CALIBER ATHLETES. BUT 

OLIVIA FINDLAY MAY STAND ABOVE THEM ALL. 

FINDLAY LEAVES THE RED RAIDERS WITH ONE 

OF THE BEST CAREERS THE PROGRAM HAS EVER 

SEEN. 

She is a three-time state champion, winning the Division 

4 high jump in 2023 and 2024, while winning the long 

jump in 2024. 

As an individual athlete, she has reached the podium at 

the state level eight times. 

“I was impressed with how 

focused she’s been the last couple 

of years,” said Marlette coach 

Cathy Storm. “She knew going into 

this year, the pressure that she had, 

and I was impressed with how she 

stayed composed and attained her 

goals.” 

Added Storm on the 2024 state 

finals: “Long jump was like an 

added bonus. Obviously, we knew 

she would do well, we just didn’t 

know she would get two championships. So, that was 

pretty amazing.” 

Findlay has amassed 39 career wins in the high jump, 

including four regional championships, four league titles, 

two state championships, a state runner-up (2022) and 

third place (2021). 

Her career best of 5-6 came at the 2024 Thumb Meet 

of Champions. 

In the long jump, Findlay has 30 career wins, including 

four league and regional championships, and three 

state podium finishes, to go along with her 2024 state 

championship. 

USA Softball 

2024 MHSAA Division 4 State Champions 

Annie Bowman 

USA - Trap 

ARTICLES BY PAUL ADAMS 

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48 July 2024 CONTACT US AT 989-673-5826 VIEW FREE ONLINE AT WWW.VARSITYMONTHLYTHUMB.COM PURCHASE PRINTS AT WWW.MISPORTSPHOTOS.COM

July 2024 Issue of Varsity Monthly Thumb Magazine

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