May 2024 Issue of Varsity Monthly Thumb Magazine

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PROUD TO COVER HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS IN THE THUMB 

May 2024 | Volume 12 Issue 5 

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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 

Croswel-Lexington 

Cass City 

Sandusky 

Lakers 

Reese 

Caro 

North Branch 

Marlette 

Unionville-Sebwaing 

Millington 

Akron-Fairgrove 

Deckerville 

Carsonville-Port Sanilac 

North Huron 

Peck 

Ubly 

Harbor Beach 

Vassar 

Kingston 

Brown City 

Caseville 

Owendale-Gagetown 

Cass City 

Mayville 

Caro 

Frankenmuth 

QR Code to 

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COVER IMAGE: 

Laker Senior Jayce Sears catching against Sandusky on 4-8-24. 

Photo by Kaitlin Gunsell 

PLAY BALL 

After 70 degree days in February, 

we had a wet/cold first week of the 

season, and then a week off for 

Spring break, followed by another 

cold/wet 3rd week. So many of our 

teams didn’t really get going until 

the 4th week of the season, which 

gave us less than 3 weeks to get 

all 30 varsity teams covered for the 

magazine. It was great to be outside 

and see everyone again, and great 

to see our local athletes quickly 

getting into the swing of the spring 

season. Please be sure to shop 

with our magazine advertisers, and 

be sure to tell them you appreciate 

them advertising with us. 

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PLAYERS OF THE MONTH 

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

accomplishments, leadership roles, and community impact. 

LOGAN 

MALLOY 

MARLETTE 

TRACK 

JENNA 

SWEENEY 

REESE 

TRACK 

MARLETTE'S LOGAN MALLOY'S ACCENSION TO 

ONE OF THE TOP POLE VAULTERS IN THE STATE 

HAS BEEN THROUGH STEADY PROGRESSION, HARD 

WORK AND OF COURSE PLENTY OF TALENT. 

Malloy, the 2023 Division 4 state pole vault runner-up, 

entered his senior season as the top ranked vaulter in 

Division 4. During his first meet of the season, at Cass 

City, he showed why with a personal-best 13-6. “He was 

pleased, but he’s still not happy and that’s why he’s as 

good as he is,” said Marlette coach Foster Findlay. “He 

wants to go higher every meet. It’s a fine line with the 

best athletes, they’re never satisfied.” 

Entering this season, Malloy had 12 career wins in the 

event. 

The next step for Malloy will be cracking the elusive 

14-foot barrier. Through the Marlette Invitational, that 

mark has eluded Malloy, but Findlay 

feels it’s only a matter of time and 

getting the right weather conditions. 

“There have been very few kids in 

the Thumb who can go over 

14-feet,” Findlay said. “I think he’s in 

rare company. He’s certainly capable 

of it. That 14-foot mark is kind of the 

benchmark that separates you from 

other jumpers.” 

Helping Malloy achieve elite status 

is his teammate and No. 2 ranked 

vaulter Tyler Izydorek. 

“They push each other to be better,” 

Findlay said. 

As Malloy prepares for the push towards a possible 

state championship, Findlay described what makes him 

so special. “His plant and his swing up is textbook,” he 

said. “Every year, he keeps getting higher. It’s been great 

to see his progression. It’s a testament to the work he’s 

put in.” 

Photo Courtesy of Rummel Portrait Studios 

JENNA SWEENEY WILL LEAVE REESE AS ONE 

OF THE SCHOOL’S MOST DECORATED DISTANCE 

RUNNERS.A MULTIPLE ALL-STATE PERFORMER 

IN CROSS COUNTRY, SWEENEY HAS EXCELLED 

DURING THE TRACK SEASON, AS WELL. 

She enters her senior season as a three-time regional 

champion in the 3,200. Overall, she has 12 career wins in 

the event. 

Sweeney’s first 3,200 race of the season saw her set a 

new personal-best time of 11:56.08 at the Frankenmuth 

Invitational. It was the first time in her career that she 

went under 12 minutes in the event. 

“About 10 minutes before the 

race, we were trying to figure out 

a race strategy because it was so 

windy,” said Reese coach Brandon 

Gnatowski. “She likes to set her goals 

high, so she has to work for them. 

She got stronger and stronger each 

lap. She wasn’t afraid to take the 

chances when she needed to. She 

ran one of the best races I’ve ever 

seen her run.” 

Sweeney’s favorite event is the 

1,600, where she also set a personalbest 

time of 5:27.76 at Frankenmuth. 

Overall, she has nine career wins in 

the event. 

“She was excited about her performance,” Gnatowski 

said. “I love as a coach that she celebrates the victories 

but doesn’t settle. She’s always looking for how she can 

improve.” 

Gnatowski said Sweeney is very receptive to coaching 

and is always striving to get better. 

ARTICLES BY PAUL ADAMS 

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

VIEW FREE ONLINE AT WWW.VARSITYMONTHLYTHUMB.COM PURCHASE PRINTS AT WWW.MISPORTSPHOTOS.COM CONTACT US AT 989-673-5826 May 2024 5

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