Marysville players celebrate during a Class B district semifinal volleyball game Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016 at Marysville High School.
It is a season of thanksgiving.
Blue Water Area residents have plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day.
And that also holds true for local athletes and coaches. As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, here are what local athletes and coaches had to say when asked what they are thankful for.
Ben Al-Gharabally, St. Clair High School soccer player:
“This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my family taking me all over the country just to play soccer and for being a positive influence for me in all aspects of my life. I am also thankful for my friends and my teammates because they always push me to be better.”
Algonac coach Scott Barnhart stands with the team as they pray in the locker room during a Division 5 semifinal football game Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016 at Harper Creek High School in Battle Creek.
Scott Barnhart, Algonac High School football coach:
“I’m thankful for our whole community. The parents, kids, the administrators, the fire and ambulance and police that brought us into town after every game. I’m thankful for the entire community. It’s a great place to live.”
Brooke Smith, Croswell-Lexington graduate and Grand Valley volleyball player:
“What I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving is to be home with my amazing family. We all have very busy schedules and it’s great to be able to take advantage of this time off and be able to have the good quality time with the family. We have a little family tradition we do every thanksgiving, where we go out to see a movie after Thanksgiving dinner. This originally started about seven years ago when my dad was deployed over in Iraq so I’m also very thankful to have him home safe.”
Marysville senior Payton Husson takes a shot over several Center Line defenders during a basketball game Friday, Feb. 5, 2016 at Marysville High School.
Payton Husson, Marysville graduate and Binghamton University basketball player:
“I truly have so much to be thankful for this year. First of all, I’m thankful God has blessed me with such an incredible opportunity that I intended to take full advantage of. I’ve found myself at a university that I absolutely love. I feel truly blessed to be able to play the sport I love at such a high level and for such a great academic school. I’m thankful for the people back at home who have reached out and supported me. I’m thankful for my family who come to see my play and have sacrificed a lot so I could have this opportunity.”
Bulldogs’ Cade Smeznik looks to get by a defender Monday, Mar. 14, during a regional basketball game against Lake Fenton at Imlay City High School.
Cade Smeznik, Yale High School football player:
“This Thanksgiving, I am most thankful for my family and friends. My family continues to be some of my biggest supporters. Two are away at college and one lives away from home. They makes as many of my games as they can. God has also blessed me by not only being coached by my father but my grandfather also. I’m thankful for my friends, who I have grown up with and have made many memories with.”
Central Michigan’s Mark Chapman (3) with MSU’s Demetrious Cox on his back during a game last season.
Mark Chapman, Port Huron High graduate, Central Michigan football player:
“I’m thankful for my beautiful mother. She’s definitely the Canadian superwoman. I’m thankful for all of my family and friends. Everyone who has ever supported me or encouraged me. Everything I do is for them.”
Justin Cardella, local MMA fighter:
“I’m thankful for my spiritual awakening the past two years which has allowed me to be more grateful for my good health, my God given talent in the MMA and the opportunity to help others locally with their health and fitness.”
Kevin Mahn, St. Clair High School softball coach:
First and foremost, I’m thankful for my wife and two kids. Their understanding, patience and love is unreal. I’m also thankful for all of the athletes I have coached. I have been so privileged to be around such great young people.”
Marine City’s Karyssa Austin.
Karyssa Austin, Marine City volleyball player:
“Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on what we are most thankful for. It is a time of the year to think about who makes a difference in our lives, appreciate what we have, and remember what is most important to us. I’m blessed to have my family; my parents, sisters. I would not be who I am without them and I am forever grateful for their support.”
Kendyl Keyes, Port Huron Northern girls basketball player:
“I am most thankful for my family, friends, and basketball. Through the years, my family and friends have provided me with support and belief which has helped guide me through challenges and life, and I am ever so grateful for their lasting commitment which has shaped me into the person I am today and the person I aspire to be. I am also beyond thankful for basketball which has given me the opportunity to play the sport I love, experience unforgettable moments and create lifetime friendships.”
Richmond’s Chase Churchill throws a pass during a football game Friday, September 9, 2016 at Richmond High School.
Chase Churchill, Richmond football, basketball, baseball player:
“I am thankful for the support of my family. I’m thankful for my temmates and coaches, both present and past. I am thankful for the ability to play the games I love and represent Richmond athletes.”
Becki Krause, Brown City volleyball player:
“I’m very thankful for the wonderful support system we have. Coming from such a small town, it’s amazing how close-knit all of the communities are and it’s a great feeling to have their support as well. Without our wonderful student section, parents, and all of our fans, it would be much harder to have a successful season.”
Port Huron Northern graduate Mackenzie Shell
Mackenzie Shell, Port Huron Northern graduate, Oklahoma University track and field:
“I’m thankful for the amazing life I have been blessed with. I’ve been blessed with an amazing family and atmosphere to grow up in. I’m grateful for my siblings that encourage me as well as I am able to encourage them to become better every day. I’m thankful for my church families, for my parents to guide me down the right path and the friends and family I have who bring me close to God.”
Marine City coach Ron Glodich talks with players.
Ron Glodich, Marine City football coach:
“I’m thankful for a family who treats me the same, win or lose and will give me honest feedback when necessary. I’m thankful for a father who has taught me great lessons of perseverance and kindness as he battles stage four lung cancer. I’m thankful for a community that truly understands the lessons that athletic competition can instill in young student athletes.”
Port Huron Northern’s Brett Manis throws a pitch during a regional baseball game Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Anchor Bay High School.
Brett Manis, Port Huron Northern baseball player:
“I’m very thankful for my family and all of their support. Nothing would be possible without them and the Lord who has blessed me with my abilities. I’m also thankful for all the troops that fight for our freedom every day.”
Daniel Everhart, Marine City Cardinal Mooney basketball player:
“First, I thank God for blessing me with the skill set to be able to play and compete at a sport I love. I am thankful for the ability to play for Cardinal Mooney and represent this outstanding program. I am thankful for the opportunity to play for one of the best coaches in the state. I have been blessed with life long memories and friendships.”
Coach Jenna Welke talks with players in a huddle during a Class C regional volleyball game Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016 at Flint Hamady High School.
Jenna Welke, Brown City volleyball coach:
“I am most thankful for my family because they’ve taught me how to be hardworking, determined, and humble. I’m thankful for my friends because they’ve made me realize you can’t always take life so seriously. I’m thankful for Brown City Schools because I get to experience my dream job every day in the classroom. Lastly, I am thankful for my volleyball team(s) that teach me more than I could ever teach them.”
Jacob Cronenworth, St. Clair High School graduate, minor league baseball player:
“I’m thankful for my family, for being so supportive and loving no matter what I am doing and I will always be thankful for the sacrifces they have made to help me get where I am today.”
Marysville’s Paige Ameel throws a pitch during a softball game Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at Marysville High School.
Paige Ameel, Marysville softball player:
“This thanksgiving I am truly thankful for my supportive loving family, amazing friends, being healthy and playing the sport that I love. I am surrounded by incredible teammates and coaches who continue to push me to be my best and I am beyond thankful for that. I am very blessed and grateful.”
Bill Brown, Deckerville football coach:
“I’m thankful for having a great group of kids who would leave everything they had on the field. We were a true family to the very end.”
Croswell-Lexington’s Claire Knapp digs the ball during a volleyball game Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016 at Armada High School.
Claire Knapp, Croswell-Lexington volleyball player:
I am extremely thankful for my family. They have supported me throughout my athletics and have always pushed me to do my best, especially my dad. He’s always been my number one fan, and one of my biggest goals is to make him proud. He never fails to try his absolute hardest to get to every single one of my games, and to see him in the crowd is something that changes the way I play. Without him and all of my other family members, I definitely wouldn’t be the player I am today.”
Julie Rogers, Marysville swim coach:
“I am thankful that I serve a personal God who chooses to walk with me through this crazy life. I am thankful for my godly husband and healthy children. I am thankful for my teaching job and the amazing people whom I have connected with in the past year and a half. Finally, I am thankful for the many, many students and families whom I have had the privilege of working with as a result of my years of coaching in our community.”
Erin Shuboy, Richmond all-state softball player:
“I’m thankful for my supportive and loving family, my close friends and the people that help to make me a better person.”
Addis Habtewold and Jon Davidson pose at the St. Clair High School football game Friday night.
Jon Davidson, St. Clair cross country coach:
“As a father and a husband, I am thankful for an amazing wife and four awesome children and a grandson who is the coolest baby in the world. All of them give me reasons every day to be proud of them. As a high school teacher and coach, I am thankful for the opportunity to work with outstanding young people. Young people today are harder working, more intelligent more aware and more concerned with humanity than we were at their age. It gives me great confidence of a bright future for our nation and the world.”
Cros-Lex coach Garrett Grundman talks with Justin Johnston during a football game.
Garrett Grundman, Croswell-Lexington football coach:
I have many, many blessings in my life. The best blessing is to be thankful for, is a very supportive family, especially my wife, Nicole. She is a great mother to our three boys, Mason, Clay and Trey, and an amazing wife. She keeps the family afloat during football and basketball seasons. I could not have asked for a better spouse and best friend. I thank God everyday.
Algonac senior Morgan Beadlescomb is the Times Herald Track Runner of the Year.
Morgan Beadlescomb, Algonac High School graduate and Michigan State University runner:
“First and foremost, I’m thankful for my friends and family. My parents especially, for raising me how they did and supporting me all of this time. My teammates, who have become both friends and family. I’m also thankful for all of my coaches, both past and present, for helping me develop into both the athlete I am and teaching me everything they know.”
Cardinal Mooney coach Michael McAndrews smiles and looks up at the scoreboard as they widen their lead over Marine City during a basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015 at Cardinal Mooney High School.
Mike McAndrews, Marine City Cardinal Mooney boys basketball coach:
This Thanksgiving I am thankful for the continued opportunity to coach the fine young men of Cardinal Mooney basketball. I am also extremely grateful to have such a loving and supportive wife who makes such a big sacrifice for our family and me during all the time spent away during basketball season. Lastly, and most importantly, I am thankful this year that my wife and I have been blessed with the birth of our beautiful daughter Marielle, who is the light of our lives.”
Coach Amanda Busch talks with players in a huddle during volleyball practice Thursday, August 11, 2016 at Marysville High School.
Amanda Busch, Marysville volleyball coach:
I am blessed to have had the opportunity to work closely with my mentor (John Knuth) and learn from him. I am grateful to have coached 13 amazing young girls this volleyball season. I’m thankful to get to walk into a gym everyday and have a team of hard working, driven girls that are beautiful inside and out. It is a blessing better than I could have possibly imagined.”
St. Clair sophomore Ben Davidson takes a shot over a host of Port Huron Northern defenders during a basketball game Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at St. Clair High School.
Ben Davison, St. Clair High School basketball and football player:
“I’m just thankful to have everyone in my life that cares. I’m thankful for my parents and grandparents. I’m thankful for Ferris State giving me an opportunity to go to college on a scholarship. And I’m just thankful to live such a meaningful life.”
Richmond coach John Kocher hugs Matt Poppe after losing a regional final football game to Flint Powers Catholic Friday, November 13, 2015 at Richmond High School.
John Kocher, Richmond football coach:
“I am thankful for my wife, Carole, and our two daughters, Alex and Liz. I am thankful for my friends and the relationships I have formed through the great game of football. I am thankful for every day.”
Contact Joseph Hayes at (810) 989-6268 or at jahayes@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Joseph_Hayes11.
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