Catch 22 West Ottawa: Vote for Top Panthers from 2001-22

Editor's Note: Did you catch these 22 at West Ottawa? The Holland Sentinel has released its list of the top athletes from the past 22 years from each school. Vote for the top athlete below. The top boys and girls vote-getters will be announced at the end of the series. Remember, the series is from 2001-2022. Vote at hollandsentinel.com. 

Tabahn Afrik

Class of 2015

Ushering in a new era in West Ottawa swimming, Tabahn Afrik spearheaded a resurgence for the Panthers as a state power. He won the Division 1 state championship in the 100 freestyle twice, also claiming state titles in the 50 freestyle and 200 freestyle once each. That doesn't include relay state titles. Afrik was a national and junior national qualifier and went on to swim at Notre Dame and became an All-American for the Fighting Irish.

Nicole Artz

Class of 2013

Since West Ottawa does not have a varsity gymnastics program, and very few do anymore, Nicole Artz made her presence known on the club gymnastics scene. Artz was a Level 10 national qualifier and national champion before moving on to the University of Michigan where she was a multple All-American and NCAA qualifier and one of the top gymnasts in the history of the Wolverines.

Tyler Bosma

Class of 2018

One of the most well-rounded athletes the area has ever seen, Tyler Bosma made a huge mark in multiple sports for West Ottawa. On the basketball court, he earned all-state honors as a senior and led the Panthers to the Class A state championship game, the school's best finish. He was perhaps even better on the mound, earning all-state baseball honors and pitching at Miami (Ohio) and then the University of Kentucky.

Spencer Carl

Class of 2017

One of the most powerful athletes in the pool, Spencer Carl used his strength to claim multiple state championships during his career. He won the Division 1 state title in the 500 freestyle twice and won the 200 IM and 200 freestyle once each on his way to four state titles. He was a USA national and junior national qualifier and went on to swim at Louisville and Michigan.

Ato Condelee

Class of 2013

It didn't matter what the sport was, Ato Condelee was going to show his athleticism. In track and field, he was the Division 1 state champion in the long jump as a senior after multiple all-state finishes in the long jump and high jump. He also played football and basketball for the Panthers and ended up playing football at Ferris State University.

Natalie Dunn

Class of 2019

One of the most athletic multi-sport athletes in recent memory, Natalie Dunn helped transform the volleyball and basketball programs at West Ottawa. She was an all-state volleyball player and all-state guard in basketball, setting multiple school records in both sports. She also starred in track and field but decided to play volleyball in college, earning an NCAA Division I scholarship at Furman.

Ameer Ismail

Class of 2002

One of the top football defenders in the state, Ameer Ismail was a one-man wrecking crew as a linebacker. He also rushed for 1,544 yards and 25 touchdowns as a sohomore before setting the career mark at 2,920 yards and 44 touchdowns. He finished with 12 varsity letters and broke six school track and field records before playing football at Western Michigan where he was an All-American linebacker. He also played basketball and was one of the leading scorers in the OK Red.

Shelby Lacy

Class of 2011

The fastest breaststroker in area history, Shelby Lacy claimed back-to-back Division 1 state championships in the 100-yard breaststroke, a feat no one has matched at Division 1. She also was part of West Ottawa's state champion 200 medley relay. She went on to swim at Michigan State where she broke the school record in the 100 breaststroke.

Cortney Lokker (Naber)

Class of 2004

Making her home on the court, Cortney Lokker was a two-time all-state volleyball player for the Panthers, amassing several school records along the way, becoming one of the top players in school history. She also was a strong basketball player, earning three varsity letters and Holland Sentinel Dream Team honors in both sports. Played volleyball at Grand Valley State and led the Lakers to the 2005 NCAA championship.

Derek Maas

Class of 2019

In one of the biggest performances in the pool, Derek Maas claimed the Division 1 state championship in the 200 IM and 100 butterfly, plus was part of two winning relays as West Ottawa won the team state title in 2019, capping a spectacular career. Maas went on to swim at Alabama and was the SEC champion in the 100 breaststroke as a junior and an NCAA All-American after qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Kevin Maas

Class of 2022

Following in the footsteps of his older siblings, Kevin Maas claimed back-to-back Division 1 state championships in the 50 freestyle and led the Panthers to a winning 200 freestyle relay during his fast career with the Panthers. He also was a junior national qualifier and earned a scholarship to swim at the University of Michigan.

Kyle Maas

Class of 2016

Overshadowed by teammates and one of the best swimmers in the history of the state, Kyle Maas proved to hang with the best as a four-time individual state runner up in Division 1. He was a junior national and national qualifier before heading to Alabama. He qualified for the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in 2016 and 2020.

Mike McClure

Class of 2009

Making his noise on the mat, Mike McClure was one of the top wrestlers in the history of the state. As a senior, he went undefeated (55-0) at heavyweight on his way to the Division 1 state championship and national runner-up finish. He was a multiple all-state athlete and went on to wrestle at Michigan State, where he earned All-American honors. Also played football for the Panthers.

Adam Mena

Class of 2008

One of the few athletes of the series still active as a professional, Adam Mena was one of the top soccer players in the history of West Michigan. He earned all-state honors on the pitch, playing all over the field, before moving on to play soccer at Notre Dame, then on the professional level for nearly a decade.

Desmond Morgan

Class of 2011

One of the top defenders in the state, Desmond Morgan was a dynamite linebacker and an all-state performer in Division 1. He also was the leading rusher for the Panthers on the offensive side of the ball and played hockey and lacrosse at West Ottawa before heading to the University of Michigan where he was a four-year starter at linebacker for the Wolverines.

David Nykerk

Class of 2004

One of the top arms in local history, David Nykerk was an all-state pitcher who led the Panthers to their first state championship in baseball. He was the Sentinel Player of the Year and earned a scholarship to pitch at the University of Michigan.

Mackenzie Stephens

Class of 2011

A powerful force at the net, Mackenzie Stephens was one of the top middle hitters in area history. As a senior, she was a Miss Volleyball of Michigan finalist on her way to breaking school records for kills and blocks. Landed an NCAA Division I scholarship at Marist University where she was a captain and all-conference performer.

Natalie Stitt

Class of 2006

Doing her best work on the boards, Natalie Stitt was the Division 1 state champion in diving as a junior. She was all-state three times and was a multiple regional champion. She also earned all-state honors in the pole vault before heading to Notre Dame where she became one of the top divers in school history, as an NCAA qualifier and school record holder.

Dani VanderZwaag

Class of 2014

Continuing the success of the West Ottawa diving program, Dani VanderZwaag was one of the tops in school history, claiming the Division 1 state championship in 2013 to help the Panthers win their first ever girls state title in swimming and diving in one of the biggest upsets in state swimming history. VanderZwaag went on to dive at the University of Michigan and was one of the top platform divers in the Big Ten.

Jake Van Tubbergen

Class of 2017

A first-team all-state basketball player in Division 1, Jake Van Tubbergen was arguably the best basketball player in school history. He led the Panthers to a resurgence and a regional final berth, where they lost a heartbreaker his senior season. He went on to play at Grand Valley State and was an NCAA Division II All-American and one of the all-time leading scorers and rebounders in GVSU history.

CJ Van Wieren

Class of 2003

A multi-sport master, CJ Van Wieren was an elite all-around athlete. On the football field, he was an all-state quarterback that set eight school records. He also earned all-state honors in basketball, playing at Ferris State in both sports, still the second-leading rusher by a quarterback in school history. Van Wieren also earned all-state baseball honors as a senior, making him one of the rare three-sport all-state athletes in Holland area history.

Xavier Wade

Class of 2018

One of the fastest and most explosive athletes in West Ottawa history, Wade was all-state in multiple sports. He led the football team to the best finish in school history as an all-state wide receiver. He also was all-state in basketball, helping the Panthers reach the state title game, also the school's best finish. He went on to play football at Ferris State, helping the Bulldogs with the NCAA Division II championship this year.

Spencer Nadolsky

Class of 2002

One of the top wrestlers in area history, Spencer Nadolsky was a state champion and multiple state finalist on the wrestling mats to earn multiple all-state honors. He was also all-state honorable mention in football before going on to wrestle at Michigan State and then North Carolina.

— Contact Sports Editor Dan D'Addona at Dan.D'Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDAddona and Facebook @Holland Sentinel Sports.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Catch 22 West Ottawa: Vote for Top Panthers from 2001-22