Performance: Birch Run's Kalyn Breckenridge
May 23, 2016
Kalyn Breckenridge
Birch Run junior – Soccer
Shutting down opponents has become the norm for Birch Run and third-year goalkeeper Breckenridge, who had 29 shutouts in goal heading into this season – and has since added 16 more to tie her previous single-season shutout record set in 2015 (she also broke it originally with 13 as a freshman). Birch Run’s 1-0 win over rival Frankenmuth on May 11 was her 11th straight of a since-ended shutout streak and earned her the Michigan National Guard Performance of the Week for May 9-15.
Breckenridge had 12 saves in the win over the Eagles, and to that point Birch Run had outscored its opponents this season 64-1. The Panthers are ranked No. 8 in Division 3 and clinched a second straight Tri-Valley Conference East championship last week with a win over North Branch, after finishing 16-1-3 last year while losing only in their District Final. Birch Run is 17-3 heading into Monday’s game against Otisville-LakeVille.
Kalyn, along with twin sister Kyla and also-junior Madison Enderle, is part of a strong nucleus that should put the team in MHSAA title contention both next month and again next year. Kalyn Breckenridge earned a Division 3 all-state honorable mention last season and also has broken the school’s career shutouts record (formerly 36) this season. She also plays basketball and has played volleyball during her high school career, and carries a 3.5 grade-point average. Although she has another year to decide where, Breckenridge is interested in a career in law enforcement, possibly with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Coach Duane Enderle said: "(Shutouts are) always a combination of the team, but what separates her from other goalkeepers is when it comes down to making those critical saves, she's able to step up and make those saves. A lot of goalkeepers, you see great defenses in front of them and great numbers too. But when it comes down to facing the 1 v. 1 quick striker at the high school level, a lot of times they don't make those saves. She's been solid (for three years) but is even progressing to a higher level; she has a very high ceiling."
Performance Point: “I’ve been able to get some action this year more than I did last year, and I feel I’ve just improved throughout my season. Also, my defense and the rest of the team has (improved), and the shutouts have really been a team effort – me doing my job, and also (them doing) theirs. Beating Frankenmuth was a great setup for us. We wanted to win the TVC again this year, win back to back, so it was a special moment for me and the team.”
Have no fear: Breckenridge has played keeper since she was 10. “I also used to be a catcher in softball. I’ve always been hand-eye coordinated. I’ve never been afraid to throw my body out in front of any ball, even if it’s going 30, 40 miles per hour. I’ve always been known to be fearless.”
Play them all: “I was introduced (to all my sports) at a really young age. My sister and I always have been very into athletics. We would hate not doing anything at all. We’d usually go from one practice to the next, and we played softball too, so we were playing four sports at a time and we absolutely loved it. We’ve always had a love for sports; TV or something like that has not been interesting for us.”
Sisterly bond: “It’s definitely special. I get to share with her how we did in the game. When we get home I’ll tell my sister how great she did, and she’ll tell me how great I did. We can share wins together. We’ve always been super close. We’ve never been the arguing type of twins.”
Serve and protect: “I’d like to be an FBI agent or some type of police detective. I used to always want to serve my country in some way. I always wanted to help people, and I guess that really pushed me to do something. ... My dad, grandpa, all my uncles have served our country in a way, and that’s made me want to step up and do the same thing.”
– Geoff Kimmerly, Second Half editor
Every week during the 2015-16 school year, Second Half and the Michigan National Guard will recognize a “Performance of the Week" from among the MHSAA's 750 member high schools.
The Michigan Army National Guard provides trained and ready forces in support of the National Military Strategy, and responds as needed to state, local, and regional emergencies to ensure peace, order, and public safety. The Guard adds value to our communities through continuous interaction. National Guard soldiers are part of the local community. Guardsmen typically train one weekend per month and two weeks in the summer. This training maintains readiness when needed, be it either to defend our nation's freedom, or protecting lives and property of Michigan citizens during a local natural disaster.
Previous 2015-16 honorees
May 11: Morgan Beadlescomb, Algonac boys track & field - Read
May 4: Abby Krzywiecki, Farmington Hills Mercy softball - Read
April 27: Mike Mokma, Holland Christian baseball - Read
April 20: Abby Divozzo, Cadillac girls soccer - Read
March 30: Cassius Winston, Detroit U-D Jesuit boys basketball - Read
March 23: Kierra Fletcher, Warren Cousino girls basketball - Read
March 16: Jacob Montague, Grosse Pointe South swimming & diving - Read
March 9: Kyle Tuttle, St. Charles boys bowling - Read
March 2: Brittney Schnicke, Caledonia girls bowling - Read
Feb. 24: Kamari Newman, Detroit East English boys basketball - Read
Feb. 17: Jason Whitens, Powers North Central boys basketball - Read
Feb. 10: Rachel Hogan, Grand Ledge gymnastics - Read
Feb. 3: Nehemiah Mork, Midland Dow swimming & diving - Read
Jan. 27: Mardrekia Cook, Muskegon girls basketball - Read
Jan. 20: Sage Castillo, Hartland wrestling - Read
Jan. 13: Rob Zofchak, Dexter swimming & diving - Read
Jan. 6: Tyler Deming, Caro wrestling – Read
Dec. 15: Jordan Weber, East Jordan boys basketball – Read
Dec. 8: Kaitlyn Geers, Kent City girls basketball – Read
PHOTOS: (Top) Birch Run's Kalyn Breckenridge dives to make a stop against Frankenmuth during a 1-0 shutout on May 11. (Middle) Breckenridge goes into traffic to make another stop. (Photos courtesy of the Frankenmuth athletic department.)
Headed Toward A History-Making Finish
June 12, 2012
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Nine Grandville Calvin Christian seniors faced their final high school season this spring, and with it exciting possibilities.
Their team had won four straight league titles and looked good for a fifth. The Squires also had moved into a different MHSAA division, with new playoff opponents and new championship opportunities.
It would've been easy to look far ahead. But those seniors knew better than to look past the first steps that have brought them to the season's final week for the second time in school history.
Calvin Christian knocked out two ranked teams in last week’s Regional – first No. 8 St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic 7-0 and then No. 2 Kalamazoo Christian 7-2. At No. 4, the Squires are the highest-ranked team left in Division 4 with only two more wins needed for a first MHSAA championship.
“We’ve known from the beginning that something special could be in order. Not in terms of advancing far in the tournament, but in having a capable team and taking every opportunity to play together,” Calvin Christian coach Tim TerHaar said. “What these seniors have done, they haven’t been consumed with a tournament run all season. They’re focused on going out and enjoying playing with each other.”
The Squires (23-2-1) can earn one more game together by defeating Muskegon Western Michigan Christian in Wednesday’s Semifinal at East Kentwood High School. Calvin Christian has never advanced to an MHSAA Final; this is the second time the Squires have made it this far, matching their Division 4 run in 2000. (Click for all Semifinal pairings.)
Don’t assume this run has been a product of merely moving into Division 4 (the team also played in Division 4 during TerHaar’s first two years, 2001 and 2002). Calvin Christian has won its league in 11 of TerHaar’s 12 seasons – although the Squires then frequently ran into six-time Division 3 champion Hudsonville Unity Christian or Grand Rapids South Christian during the tournament.
But the Division 4 road is tough as well, with obstacles like four-time MHSAA champion Kalamazoo Christian, which Calvin Christian lost to 2-1 after a 6-0 start this spring. The Squires were missing one of their best scorers for that game, but also had trouble capitalizing on offensive opportunities that did present themselves.
“Having played them and lost to them was a huge motivating factor for all of us,” TerHaar said. “In some ways, it could’ve been a blessing.”
Seniors Katie Klunder, Jenny Holsem, Riley Gortsema and Morgan Noordyke have played on the varsity all four seasons and bring a 73-14-5 career record into this week.
Klunder – who has signed with reigning Division II national runner-up Grand Valley State – has scored 51 goals this spring, tied for sixth in the MHSAA record book for one season. Her 75 points is third. The team has outscored its postseason opponents 36-2 and put a ball in net during the first five minutes of all five playoff games.
The team’s defense has been similarly record-setting. Calvin Christian has 21 shutouts – including 20 by senior goalkeeper Lydia VerStrate, with that total tied for third in the MHSAA record book for one season. In front of her are seniors Gortsema and Noordyke and freshman Morgan Buursma, and a strong midfield led in part by Holsem.
The Kalamazoo Christian loss taught them and their teammates a lesson about the importance of mental sharpness. And that was evident in the rematch Thursday, when the Squires immediately brought the attack.
“I think it speaks to the fact that we have nine seniors, and this is their chance – their last chance, really,” TerHaar said. “I’m pleased that haven’t taken anything for granted. They’ve made the most of every opportunity.”
PHOTOS: (Top) Calvin Christian senior Jenny Holsem (6) deflects the ball during Thursday’s Regional Final against Kalamazoo Christian. (Middle) Squires coach Tim TerHaar presents the trophy to his team after the 7-2 win over the Comets. (Photos courtesy of Calvin Christian soccer.)