Catch 22 Zeeland West: Vote for the top Dux athlete from 2001-22

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

Kaylee Bakker

Class of 2020

An elite two-sport athlete, Kaylee Bakker was a force at the net in volleyball and under the net in basketball. She earned all-state honors in volleyball as a senior, powering a Dux resurgence. Meanwhile, she was all-state honorable mention in basketball multiple years and plays basketball at Grand Valley State.

Danny Bauder

Class of 2014

One of the fastest athletes in area history, Danny Bauder made his speed known on the football field and the track. Bauder earned all-state honors as a running back, leading the Dux to the football state championship with four touchdowns in the title game. He was then all-state in multiple track and field events to lead the Dux to another team state championship.

Josh Blanton

Class of 2012

One of the most dominating linebackers in the history of the state, Josh Blanton led the Dux to a state championship with a record 133 tackles. He was injured in the semifinals and that injury affected his career as he moved to Ferris State, but his ability to fly to the ball was spectacular.

Ethan Brooks

Class of 2021

One of the most elegant athletes in the area, Ethan Brooks soared to a state championship in the hurdles, helping the Dux dominate for a state championship. He was an all-state performer in multiple events for multiple years, continuing the dominating legacy of the Dux on the track.

Jordan Bullock

Class of 2012

One of the best water polo players in state history, Jordan Bullock claimed all-state honors three years in a row, also sweeping Sentinel Water Polo Player of the Year honors. She was also an all-state swimmer all four years and earned an NCAA Division I scholarship to swim at Bowling Green.

Morgan Bullock

Class of 2016

Swimming for Zeeland, Morgan Bullock claimed the Division 1 state championship in the 100 butterfly as a senior. She was an all-state performer all four years in swimming and earned all-state water polo honors as a senior. Bullock went on to swim at West Virginia and was an All-American honorable mention.

Micah DeJonge

Class of 2016

Continuing his family's legacy in the pool, Micah DeJonge was a distance specialist. He won the Division 1 state championship in the 500 freestyle and was all-state all four years in multiple events. He also earned all-state honors in water polo before heading to swim at Oakland University.

Samantha Hecht

Class of 2019

The epitome of a power forward, Samantha Hecht was a dominating offensive force on the soccer field. She broke the season scoring record for the Dux and earned all-state and Sentinel Player of the Year honors as a junior. She also earned honorable mention all-state as a senior before playing at Muskegon Community College and leading her team to a national title.

Haley Hoogenraad

Class of 2016

One of the most well-rounded athletes in history, Haley Hoogenraad made her mark in several sports. She was a state meet qualifier in both cross country and track and field. She also was one of the top basketball players in the area during her career. But her best sport was softball. She was all-state for the Dux and ended up at the University of Michigan as a starting outfielder. But her four-sport legacy at Zeeland West lives on.

Carson Gulker

Class of 2021

One of the greatest football players in area history, Carson Gulker was a sensational quarterback who led the Dux to multiple deep runs in the playoffs. He earned all-state first-team honors as a senior and was honorable mention as a junior. Gulker was also the top player on the basketball team, earning honorable mention all-state. He went to Ferris State to play both sports.

Sarah Kamstra

Class of 2012

A strong track and field athlete, but it was on the diving boards that Sarah Kamstra made her mark. She was an all-state and All-American performer at Zeeland before heading to the University of Michigan where she was one of the best divers in the Big Ten and qualified for the NCAA Championships.

Phoebe LaCroix

Class of 2017

One of the most important and magnificent leaders in Holland area history, Phoebe LaCroix became one of the top soccer players as well. She earned all-state honors because of her incredible vision and passing ability from the midfield. She went on to play at Cornerstone University where she also was a captain and an All-American.

Brooke Nienhuis

Class of 2008

One of the elite two-sport stars, Brooke Nienhuis was an all-state softball player at Zeeland West and also one of the best basketball players in the area. She went on to play both sports at Hope College and was an All-MIAA performer in softball.

Jill Pastunink

Class of 2009

Perhaps the best tennis player in area history, Jill Pastunink was all-state on the court for multiple years and was a two time Sentinel Player of the Year before heading to play at Western Michigan.

Darius Perisee

Class of 2016

One of the best running backs in the history of the area, Darius Perisee earned all-state honors for Zeeland West led by his speed and ability to make tacklers miss. He also ran track and was part of both programs' state championship runs.

Sam Plaska

Class of 2015

A blue-collar worker, Sam Plaska made his mark on the track. He won the state championship in the 800 meters as a senior and as a junior, helped lead the Dux to the team state championship. He was a multiple all-state relay performer and also was a standout football player, helping both teams earn a state title.

Rachele Schulist

Class of 2012

One of the most dominant athletes in local history, Rachele Schulist was an all-state cross country performer all four years, leading the Dux to a state title. On the track, she claimed the state championship in the 1,600 meters and was all-state in multiple events all four years for the Dux, leading them to a runner-up finish as a senior. She went on to run at Michigan State and was an All-American.

Jayk Slager

Class of 2017

Another in the long line of dominant line players for the Zeeland West football team, Jayk Slager dominated on both sides of the ball and earned all-state honors as a junior and senior. He went on to play at Grand Valley State where he has scored multiple touchdowns as a tight end.

Jason Tran

Class of 2014

Another multi-sport star, Jason Tran won the state championship in the 110-meter hurdles as a senior, leading the Dux to the state championship. He was a multi-event all-state athlete on the track and was also a strong football player, helping the Dux win the state championship during his career as well.

Jordan VanDort

Class of 2014

Perhaps the most dominant lineman in area history, Jordan VanDort sparked multiple Zeeland West football state championships. He was an all-state lineman and ended up playing at Western Michigan, Hope and GVSU. VanDort also broke the Zeeland West career scoring record in basketball and was an all-state performer in the shot put.

Zach VanValkenburg

Class of 2016

On the football field, there was no escaping Zach VanValkenburg. He was going to bring you down. Same thing in wrestling. It added up to a spectacular career at Zeeland West where he was an all-state performer in both football and wrestling. He ended up playing football at Iowa, was All-Big Ten and signed a free agent deal with the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this year.

Abby Winn

Class of 2022

The most recent stellar multi-sport star for the Dux, Abby Winn saved her best for her senior year. She was honorable mention all-state in volleyball, before earning all-area basketball honors. In the spring, she was a state qualifier in track and field all while earning first-team all-state honors in soccer, leading the Dux to their first regional final. She will play soccer at GVSU next year.

Jeremy Sall

Class of 2008

Swimmer was a state champion and multiple state-runner-up finisher, earning multiple all-state honors each year for Zeeland. Went on to swim at Ohio State.

— 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 Zeeland West: Vote for the top Dux athlete from 2001-22