Scoring & Sharing, Visser Eyes Eagles' Rise

October 1, 2018

By Dean Holzwarth
Special for Second Half

GRAND RAPIDS – Grand Rapids Christian senior Tommy Visser had a difficult time deciding which aspect of soccer he enjoys the most – scoring goals or distributing.

The question wasn’t easy considering he does both equally well.

“Obviously scoring goals is a ton of fun, but at the same time setting other people up and seeing their reactions when they score or leading up to it is fun,” Visser said. “I think they are pretty equal. Assisting and scoring is a lot of fun.”

Midway through the season, Visser is already in double figures in both goals (11) and assists (15) while helping lead the Eagles to an 11-1 start and No. 2 state ranking in Division 2.

Grand Rapids Christian’s only loss is to top-ranked Forest Hills Northern.

Visser, a four-year varsity player and returning all-state first teamer, is one of the most highly regarded in the state and the catalyst of a veteran Eagles squad that boasts 14 seniors.

“He definitely meets all the hype,” Eagles coach Bruce Pobocik said. “He’s one of the most athletic soccer players I’ve had the privilege to coach, and he’s just a very committed competitor. He has just worked his tail off year after year to become one of the most skilled players, hands down, in the state.”

Visser, who recorded 17 goals and 15 assists as a junior, possesses qualities that set him apart from other players.

Vision, quickness, unselfishness and playmaking abilities are just a few of the attributes that have opposing coaches scrambling to find ways to contain him.

“I’ve had him since his sophomore year, and each year he has continued to get faster, stronger, more technical and more creative with his abilities,” Pobocik said. “He’s our captain, and really is the glue that connects the defense and offense. All play goes through his feet, and he’s a two-touch player who makes the guys around him better.”

Visser is constantly marked by other teams, but he takes it in stride while finding opportunities for his teammates.

“I just continue playing and not worry about it too much,” Visser said. “I have to change up my runs and move positioning, but I think it’s been good because it’s helped me grow as a soccer player. It gives more space and time for my teammates. They have more time to get the ball and attack.”

Pobocik points to Visser’s affinity for spreading the wealth as a reason why he is so hard to stop.

“He looks to connect with his teammates and put them in positions to be successful,” Pobocik said. “And I think that’s why he’s so dangerous. He’s not a player that is going to try and take everyone every time. When he’s double teamed, he’s going to make you pay by putting others in dangerous spots.”

Visser was a highly-recruited college prospect and attracted the attention of several Division I programs.

He received scholarship offers from Michigan State and Western Michigan University, and also considered Calvin College before committing to Butler University.

“For me, Butler was a great fit because it’s a combination of strong academics and a strong soccer program with a coaching staff that I liked,” Visser said.

Visser isn’t thinking about his college future just yet – he’s focused on helping the Eagles make a deeper run in the MHSAA tournament.

Last season, Grand Rapids Christian lost to eventual champion Holland in a Division 2 Regional Final.

“Last year really motivated us to not be satisfied,” Visser said. “We want to go big, and I think it really pushes us to continue working hard each practice and try to get better throughout the season.

“We all get along great and have played together for a while. We have a lot of different players that can impact the game, and all parts of our game are solid.”

While the offense is generated through Visser, the Eagles also have a stout defense behind a superb backline and two capable goalies in senior Daniel Wonder and junior Grayson Parks.

“We knew what we had coming back, and we had big hopes,” Pobocik said. “So far they’re exceeding expectations. Guys have really stepped up in their roles and are playing great team soccer. We’ve had some surprises with guys we didn’t expect to be contributors that are, and that’s been fun.”

The Eagles are two-time reigning Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold champions, but have their sights set on more.

“Losing last year (in the Regional Finals) has us hungry to extend beyond that,” Pobocik said. “They have clear eyes as far as our vision of going deep in the postseason.”

Dean Holzwarth covered primarily high school sports for the Grand Rapids Press and MLive for 16 years and more recently served as sports editor of the Ionia Sentinel and as a sports photojournalist for WZZM. Contact him at [email protected] with story ideas for Allegan, Kent and Ottawa counties.

PHOTOS: (Top) Tommy Visser keys the Grand Rapids Christian offense as a scorer and distributor. (Middle) Visser works to get past an opponent this fall. (Photos courtesy of the Grand Rapids Christian boys soccer program.)

Records May Not Show It - Yet - But Kingsley Soccer Improving, Ready to Rise

By Tom Spencer
Special for MHSAA.com

October 21, 2022

Kingsley did not go on unnoticed this fall in Northwest Conference soccer play.

In fact, many took considerable notice of the Stags.

And, the coaches of the league’s top teams are looking for even bigger things ahead from Kingsley. Quite, frankly, they’re hoping it comes to fruition for their own teams’ sakes.

“It’s always beneficial to have a solid conference – as it helps teams prepare for playoffs,” said Rob Sirrine, coach of this year’s league title winner, Leland. “We expect them to improve in the next few years.

“Kingsley has had a rough go of it the last few years – not unlike other schools in our conference that also have football teams,” he continued. “I think they have some potential based on the coaches they have brought in and volunteers that are helping out the program.”

Second-year Kingsley head coach Tim VanWingerden welcomed Mike Alanson as a volunteer varsity assistant coach and two middle school coaches — Bert Baker and Lars Mitchell — this fall. Baker and Mitchell had kids on the Stags’ middle school squad this season. 

League opponents, including the varsity coaches, noted big differences already.

Buckley coach John Vermilya, whose Bears finished second this year after winning the crown a year ago, echoed Sirrine.

“Kingsley has shown incredible resilience over the last three seasons,” Vermilya said. “This season they bounced back with an influx of young players, and you can see their growing tactical awareness along with technical ability.”

Youth soccer is growing in the Kingsley community as well, adding to the excitement. In fact, VanWindergen has two boys —Ted, 10, and Gunnar, 9, playing in the youth program. Tabatha VanWingerden, wife of the Stags’ head coach, is the coach of the U-12 team.

This fall’s Kingsley soccer team. Mitch Miggenburg, Kingsley’s athletic director, is pleased to see the growth in numbers as the Stags move through “a 3-5 year” plan to become more competitive in soccer and cross country. He’s hoping those sports can find success similar to that of the Stags’ football team.

Kingsley is 6-2 on the gridiron and looking ahead to the football playoffs again. The Stags are fielding a full squad of cross country runners this fall after some lean years.

With an enrollment of well under 500, Kingsley has been able to involve 62 boys in football, 10 in cross country and 17 in soccer. Miggenburg noted cuts had to be made to the school’s co-ed middle school team this fall.

“I think we’re headed in the right direction,” Miggenburg said. “If you look at our record, you might not see it.

“This is not something that is going to happen overnight,” he continued. “In order for us to develop the way we want to develop, we’ve got to put some time in outside the season. And we have some coaches willing to help and do that, and it will only benefit us in the future.”

The Stags have not won a game the last two seasons, but VanWingerden believes success, as defined by wins, is right around the corner. He knows his team has shown moments of brilliance in every contest before the goals mounted against the Stags.

VanWingerden and Kingsley have been praised for outstanding sportsmanship by referees, opposing players and coaches. 

Other bright spots in 2022 included outstanding play by freshman goalie Nate Lamie and stellar defense by senior captain Zakkeus Bedford. The Stags will have to overcome the loss of Bedford, their only senior this year, who played with tremendous drive and was the leader on the field.

But, they should return rest of the squad hungry for wins. And, they’ll add some solid incoming freshman players.

(Below) Zakkeus Bedford lines up a kick this fall.“I think next year is going to be a big turnaround,” VanWingerden predicted. “So the next two, three years, we’re going to start turning some heads.”

Despite not experiencing wins either of the last two seasons, the Stags have enjoyed playing soccer.

“There is a camaraderie there with these kids I just can’t quite put my finger on, but it’s part of what binds them better, facing that adversity on a regular basis and getting though it together as a team,” VanWingerden said. “They’ve come to practice the next day determined to work hard and try to improve little by little. 

“The common goal to get better pulls them together and gives them a determination that is hard to find.”

Many conference games this year were played 9 vs. 9 or 10 vs. 10 per conference agreement. Benzie Central and Glen Lake played with fewer than 11 players in every contest this season. Benzie Central, Glen Lake, Kingsley and Suttons Bay all compete in cross country, football and soccer. Leland and Buckley do not field football squads.

The Comets won a District championship 1-0 on Thursday at Suttons Bay. The Bears are playing in a District Final on Saturday in Lakeview. Kingsley’s 0-19 season ended with a Division 3 District-opening loss to Boyne City last week.

The Stags have already begun working on next year. Offseason plans include drop-in soccer and participation in a newly-developed strength and conditioning program.

“The program is not going to move forward unless we put in a ton of work,” VanWingerden acknowledged. “We’ve had glimpses into what we could be if we did it on a regular basis.

“It is really encouraging.”

Tom Spencer is a longtime MHSAA-registered basketball and soccer official, and former softball and baseball official, and he also has coached in the northern Lower Peninsula area. He previously has written for the Saginaw News, Bay County Sports Page and Midland Daily News. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Alcona, Oscoda, Crawford, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Charlevoix and Emmet counties.

PHOTOS (Top) Kingsley’s Rolando Torres works to gain possession against Traverse City Bulldogs’ Tyler Ritola (17), Jonathon Scott (27) and Syrus Ritola (19), as Josephine Arrowood officiates. (Middle) This fall’s Kingsley soccer team. (Below) Zakkeus Bedford lines up a kick this season. (Photos courtesy of the Kingsley athletic department.)