Highlighting the top area athletes returning in each sport for the 2022 fall season

With everything that happens in a year, it’s natural to forget things from one sports season to the next.

Sports writers themselves need a little reminder from time to time. Who made a run? Which athletes were named all-state?

Every season brings turnover with teams and athletes making a jump or sometimes just the opposite, though the real standout athletes always seem to live up to or exceed expectations from one year to the next.

But who are the area’s best players returning in each sport? This piece should answer that.

Good athletic groups can sometimes go in waves, with a large crop of volleyball talent graduating last season, the same on the soccer pitch, though each sport returns athletes with all-state accolades, big stats and those to keep an eye on as the 2022 season begins this week.

Here’s 15 of those athletes across each fall sport in Emmet and Charlevoix counties that bring some excitement into the new season:

MORGAN DEMING, Boyne City volleyball

Deming had all the makings of becoming a dominant player during her junior season and she lived up to those expectations.

It’s hard to get anything past the 6-foot-2 middle hitter, evident in her 97.5 blocks, to go with 308 kills and 60 aces last season.

With a strong group back around her, 2022 could be even bigger for Deming.

PATRICK STERRETT, Charlevoix football

There was nothing Sterrett couldn’t and didn’t do in 2021.

A first team all-state selection, he finished with 962 yards on 50 receptions, adding 14 touchdowns, as a receiver. He added six scores and 452 yards on the ground, then also picked off five passes defensively.

Opposing defenses know to gameplan for the electric senior, but they’re still going to need a heck of a lot of luck in stopping him.

CAL BENJAMIN, Harbor Springs cross country

It’s hard to get any more consistent than Benjamin’s been in his career with the Rams.

He returns in 2022 having run seven races last season with a first or second place finish, while also bringing back the area’s top time of 16:11.9.

The now senior will likely build off a runner-up finish in the regional and 16th place finish in the state.

AUBREY WILLIAMS, Petoskey golf

The Petoskey girls’ golf team made another state finals appearance a season ago and Williams was a key piece in getting them there.

She placed top five at the regional and regularly shot within the 80s, which included an overall win in the Petoskey Invite and an 80 in Greenville.

Both Williams and teammate Marley Spence have put in work in the offseason as well and form a strong Northmen duo on the links.

CLAIRE SCHOLTEN, Charlevoix volleyball

The Rayders will lose a lot on the court, but having Scholten back is huge.

A now four-year varsity player, Scholten has run the show as the setter for Charlevoix and run it well, bringing in 893 assists, 97 aces and 113 kills last season.

Scholten might have to take on an even larger role in 2022, but there’s no signs she wouldn’t be able to handle it.

JACKSON JONKER, Petoskey soccer

The Petoskey boys’ soccer team always seems to find a standout keeper.

After earning third team all-state recognition last season, Jonker has proved to be the next great one added to the list.

Behind Jonker’s protection in net and direction in the field, the Northmen made a run to the regional finals, with two district shutouts and a shootout victory survived by Jonker a big reason why.

JOEY MCHUGH, Boyne City football

Talk about bursting onto the scene in 2021. McHugh made himself known to opposing ballcarriers over 100 times during his sophomore campaign.

The young linebacker carried on a strong Boyne tradition and earned all-state honors with 101 tackles and 11.5 for a loss.

Even better in 2022, McHugh is likely to get his hands on the ball in the backfield. So good luck to linebackers on the other side.

GARRETT CAMERON, Pellston football

The Hornets returned to the postseason once again last season and Cameron was a big reason why.

A tough player on both sides of the ball at running back and linebacker, Cameron rushed for just over 1,000 yards and 21 scores, then made 73 tackles and five sacks, along with three interceptions, defensively.

With another year of getting stronger, Cameron should be a rarity at the 8-player level.

AVA TARSI, Boyne City volleyball

It was easy to forget Tarsi was just a sophomore last season because she didn’t play anything like it.

After starting as a freshman, Tarsi took off in 2021, earning all-region honors as a setter with 726 assists and 215 digs. She added 88 kills and 58 aces as well.

There’s a good group back around Tarsi, but it all starts with the now talented junior running the show.

EVAN RINDFUSZ, Petoskey tennis

It’s hard to be any more steady at the top than Rindfusz was for Petoskey tennis last season.

The now senior earned team MVP honors and all-state honorable mention after a 30-9 record against some tough competition.

Expect Rindfusz to continue climbing at No. 1 singles for the Northmen this fall.

TAYLORE WILSON, Harbor Springs golf

The next great Harbor Springs girls’ golfer in a long line of talent in recent years, Wilson was as consistent as anyone last season.

Despite playing on an injured knee, Wilson regularly led the Rams and shot in the 80s and helped the Rams earn a Lake Michigan Conference title.

Wilson should build off her all-state honorable mention campaign in 2022 as well.

AIDAN NORTON, Petoskey soccer

With the loss of leading scorer Dylan Aldridge’s 27 goals, Petoskey is going to need some production from somewhere.

Norton is likely to be a key piece after an All-BNC season, nine goals and six assists a year ago.

In a 1-0 district title victory over Bay City Western last season, it was Norton’s lone goal providing the victory.

AVA MAGINITY, Boyne City cross country

If it feels like Maginity has been at Boyne City for forever, it’s just because she’s been making headlines since day one.

A standout athlete in both soccer and track and field as well, Maginity returns as the fastest area girls runner on course for 2022 with a low time of 18:56.9 last season. She’s also place top 20 in Division 3 three straight years.

MADISON SMITH, Mackinaw City volleyball

A basketball standout that eclipsed 1,000 points as a junior, Smith is just as feared by opponents across the net.

Smith had a breakout season a year ago on the volleyball court, racking up 337 kills and 52 blocks, while also becoming a complete player with 158 digs and an 85 percent serve rate.

A four-year starter now, Smith has yet another year to add to her legacy in Mackinaw.

MASON WILCOX, Boyne City football

Wilcox didn’t see a whole lot of offensive action last season, but he still was always around the ball.

Quarterbacks should have taken note of the ball-hawking corner and might this season after he finished with five interceptions, nine pass deflections and a fumble recovery, along with 32 tackles as a junior.

Look for Wilcox to see even more offensive time in 2022 as well.

Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Highlighting the top area athletes returning in each sport for the 2022 fall season