Brendan Quealy

Jan 3, 2025 | record-eagle.com | Brendan Quealy

TRAVERSE CITY — Every year comes with changes, and 2024 was no different for the sports landscape in northern Michigan. One of the biggest that had far-reaching effects on several area high schools was the dissolution of the Lake Michigan Conference and the creation of the Northern Shores ConferenceSix of the eight Lake Michigan Conference chose to form their own new conference, finding two new schools to jump on for the state’s newest league.

Jan 2, 2025 | record-eagle.com | Brendan Quealy

BUCKLEY — The Kalkaska Blazers will have a shot at the championship of the annual Buckley Holiday Tournament after pulling out a nail-biter of a comeback win against Manton on Thursday. Trailing the Rangers (0-7) by 15 at halftime, the Blazers (4-3) managed to win by the slimmest of margins in a 55-54 final at Buckley. Kalkaska managed to take the lead in the waning minutes and weathered a last-second shot from the Rangers that would have won the game had it not rolled off the rim.

Dec 31, 2024 | record-eagle.com | Brendan Quealy

TRAVERSE CITY — November was a good month for volleyball in Traverse City. Check that, make it a great and historic month. Traverse City St. Francis made a second straight run to the state championship game in Division 3. For the first time in program history, the Traverse City Central Trojans won a Division 1 regional title and earned a spot in the state quarterfinals.

Dec 28, 2024 | record-eagle.com | Brendan Quealy

TRAVERSE CITY — Zach Ripley proved for the third straight year that he is made of championship material, winning the 2024 Bayshore Marathon in May. Ripley made one rather significant change to his training regimen ahead of the 2024 Bayshore, even though it would seem there shouldn’t be much for the 35-year-old from Rockford to tinker with after he won the men’s full marathon at the 2022 and 2023 Bayshores.

Dec 26, 2024 | record-eagle.com | Brendan Quealy

TRAVERSE CITY — The growth of women’s sports isn’t limited to just the WNBA, especially in northern Michigan. On the heels of the growing girls wrestling programs across the area, the Bay Reps girls hockey team and the Traverse City United girls lacrosse team proved in 2024 that there is still more to come. After their inaugural season got underway, it was clear the Bay Reps would make some noise on the girls hockey circuit.