Who was the top Zeeland East High School athlete of the quarter century?

With the century a quarter done, the Holland Sentinel is selecting its top 25 athletes from the past quarter century.

We will start with the top 25 from each school and move on to the top 25 overall male and female high school athletes from the past 25 years.

Athletes must be graduated to be eligible.

Today: Zeeland East (several are from before the split, so there are more on this list to keep it fair as far as 25 at a specific high school).

Justin Barkel

Class of 2005

In the last class before the Zeeland split, Justin Barkel was a versatile swimmer at the highest level. As a senior, he won the Division 1 state championship in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke. He was all-state multiple years before swimming at Grand Valley State and earning NCAA All-American honors.

TJ Beelen

Class of 2012

As a senior, TJ Beelen became just the second person in state history to record a 200-foot-plus discus throw on his way to the state championship. Finished runner-up in the shot put and was all-state in track and field multiple years. Also was all-state in football as a defensive lineman and went to Southern Illinois to play both sports.

Adam Berghorst

Class of 2019

Adam Berghorst earned all-state honors in football and baseball as defensive tackle and pitcher. Selected in the MLB draft but opted to play both sports at Michigan State. Was dominating run stopper as a defensive tackle on the football field but proved to be even better on the mound.

Johnathan Berghorst

Class of 2017

A two-sport star, Johnathan Berghorst won a state title in shot put and also earned all-state honors in football and track twice before playing football at Central Michigan. Berghorst was a dominant defensive lineman for the Chix, earning all-state honors, then was a multi-year state qualifier in track and field, culminating in a state championship, all while playing baseball in the spring, too.

Aliyah Boeve

Class of 2019

One of the fiercest athletes in area history, Aliyah Boeve won the indoor state shot put title as a senior and was all-state in shot put and discus multiple years (finishing second and third twice) with distances that would have been all-state for the boys. She also was an all-conference volleyball player multiple years. She competes in track and field at Central Michigan.

Boone Bonnema

Class of 2019

Starting as a freshman, Boone Bonnema made his presence known on the football field, flying to the ball as a linebacker. He was first-team all-state linebacker two years in a row and also earned all-state honors in shot put before playing football at Western Michigan.

Tag Bonnema

Class of 2022

Following in his brother's footsteps, Tag Bonnema was also a dynamite defender on the football field and also a strong thrower in track and field. He earned all-state honors at both linebacker and defensive line during his career and was all-state in track and field in the shot put.

Brittany Casey

Class of 2014

Despite her small stature for a thrower, Brittany Casey used her strong, compact frame to become one of the top track and field athletes in state history. She earned four regional titles and three state titles in shot put and discus during her career with five all-state finishes before throwing at Western Michigan.

Drew Coffin

Class of 2009

Claimed back-to-back state titles in the 50 freestyle to lead Zeeland to state championship as a team. Also was part of state title and record-setting 400 freestyle relay before swimming at the University of Michigan.

Betsy DeJonge

Class of 2005

In the final class before the Zeeland split, Betsy DeJonge was one of the top swimmers in area history. As a senior, she was state runner-up in the 50 and 100 freestyles. She earned all-state honors in two relays as well. She was all-state and All-American in multiple events all four years before swimming at Michigan State.

Corbin DeJonge

Class of 2018

Won the state championship in the hurdles. Also was all-state in multiple individual and relay events for the Chix, leading them to a team state championship and multiple state runner-up finishes before running at Davenport.

Jordan Diekema

Class of 2007

For three years, nobody could beat Jordan Diekema in the backstroke. Diekema became the first swimmer in state history to claim three consecutive state titles in the 100-yard backstroke, a feat that has not been matched on the boys side. He was all-state in several other events and relays before swimming at Harvard and earning an NCAA cut.

Emma Drnek

Class of 2025

Was an all-state performer multiple times in cross country and track for the Chix. Led the Chix to a state runner-up finish in cross country as a senior. Will run at Michigan State next year.

Gavin Drenten

Class of 2025

Broke the school record for wrestling wins and earned all-state honors for the third time as a senior. Was named Holland Sentinel Wrestler of the Year as a senior.

Kenzie Fox

Class of 2015

With great vision, Kenzie Fox could do anything on the soccer field, even score on a free kick from near midfield in the state playoffs. She was all-state as a senior and Sentinel Player of the Year, one year after earning honorable mention plaudits. She went on to play at Grand Valley State, helping the Lakers win two NCAA national championships.

Josh Fusco

Class of 2019

Was a first-team all-state running back on the football team, leading the Chix to the state semifinals. Was also a standout baseball player and dabbled in basketball and track as well.

John Groendyk

Class of 2017

Always on the run, John Groendyk claimed the state championship in the 800 meters, leading the track and field team to the boys state championship as a senior and a sophomore. He was all-state in several events during his career and starred in cross country, too. He runs at Grand Valley where he has earned All-American honors.

Leah Gruppen

Class of 2004

Gruppen was one of the top softball pitchers in area history. She set numerous Zeeland High School records in the circle before the high school split and went on to star at Cornerstone University.

Carter Hinson

Class of 2021

In 2021, for the first time since 1977, a Zeeland wrestler claimed a state championship. Carter Hinson won the Division 2 state title at 160 pounds after a dominating career that saw him finish all-state multiple times.

Brad Horling

Class of 2011

Before making his mark as a defensive back at Grand Valley State, Brad Horling was a dominant running back at Zeeland East, claiming Sentinel Offensive Player of the Year honors as well as first-team all-state honors. He was also a dominant defensive back, making him one of the top two-way players in area history.

Tyler Keelean

Class of 2011

The top male diver in area history, Tyler Keelean won the Division 1 state championship in a D1 state record on the 1-meter board. He was conference and regional champion multiple times, earning multiple all-state honors. He went on to dive at Eastern Michigan.

Brooke Leonard

Class of 2014

While many softball pitchers dominate with speed, Brooke Leonard used her guile and arsenal of pitches to become one of the top softball players in area history. She earned all-state honors as a sophomore, junior and senior and was named Sentinel Softball Player of the Year three times before pitching at Cornerstone.

Allison Liske

Class of 2007

Ushering in the dominant era of throwing for Zeeland East, Allison Liske still holds the school record in the shot put and discus despite several other Chix claiming state championships. Liske was a state champion in the shot put and three times a runner-up in the shot put and discus to future Olympian Mary Angell. Also was all-conference in basketball before competing in track and field at the University of Michigan.

Meg Morehouse

Class of 2019

In a display of elite defense on both the basketball court and soccer field, Meg Morehouse became one of the top defensive two-sport athletes in area history. She earned all-state honors in basketball multiple times and is the Chix record holder for assists and steals. She was all-state in soccer as a senior defender, leading the Chix to their first regional final. Morehouse plays basketball at Hope College and helped the Flying Dutch to the 2022 NCAA championship.

Sara Nitz

Class of 2009

A three-sport athlete, Sara Nitz made her biggest mark with her leaping ability. She won the state championship in the high jump as a senior and was all-state multiple times. Also was an all-conference basketball and volleyball player. Went to Michigan for track and earned All-Big Ten honors in the high jump.

Suenomi Norinh

Class of 2019

One of the most versatile athletes in the history of the state of Michigan, Suenomi Norinh was named Miss Track and Field of Michigan as a senior when she won the state championship in the high jump, long jump and 100 hurdles, while finishing runner-up in 300 hurdles. She won the high jump as a junior as well and was all-state three years in track and field. Also played volleyball before running track at Missouri.

Jenna Plewes

Class of 2004

This all-state basketball player set the Zeeland High School scoring record before going on to break records at Cornerstone University and earn a spot in the Cornerstone Athletics Hall of Fame.

Sophie Riemersma

Class of 2018

One of the most dominant athletes in one sport, Sophie Riemersma was also dominant in multiple sports despite her volleyball focus. She was all-state in volleyball three times, including being named a Miss Volleyball of Michigan finalist as a senior. She was honorable mention all-state in basketball, scoring more than 1,000 points in her career and breaking the school record for rebounds. She also was all-state twice in the high jump before heading to Miami (Ohio) for volleyball.

Korey VanDussen

Class of 2009

Leading Zeeland East all the way to the state finals at the Breslin Center, Korey VanDussen was one of the top basketball players in area history. He was first-team all-state and led the Chix to unprecedented success. He went on to play at the NCAA Division I level at UNC-Greensboro.

Taylor Waterway

Class of 2019

Another dominant thrower for the Chix, Taylor Waterway won the state championship in the discus and earned all-state honors multiple years in track and field in the shot put and discus. Her best throw would have been all-state in the boys meet her junior and senior years. Also played volleyball before throwing at Indiana Wesleyan.

Paige Westra

Class of 2022

Making history, Paige Westra became the first female to earn first-team all-state honors in football in the state of Michigan. She was also all-state in soccer and track and field, concurrently in a stunning spring. She set the Chix season and career scoring record in soccer with 65 goals in just three years and was state runner-up in the shot put, earning all-state track and field honors for the fourth time. She will continue in track and field at Grand Valley State.

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’[email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as  Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.   

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Who was the top Zeeland East High athlete of the quarter century?