Meet the Sentinel Girls Track & Field Team of Century: Vote for top athlete of 2000s

This summer The Sentinel will release its team of the quarter century for multiple sports. The teams will be comprised of the top athletes from 2000-2024.

Readers are encouraged to vote online for the top athlete of the quarter century.

Next is girls track and field. The team does not include anyone still in high school. Here is the lineup:

Suenomi Norinh, Zeeland East

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.

Allison Liske, Zeeland East

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.

Brittany Casey, Zeeland East

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.

Jamie Kraker, Hamilton

One of the top sprinters in area history, she finished state runner-up and was all-state in multiple sports for the Hawkeyes.

Kylee Poulton, Black River

The top sprinter in area history, won state titles in the 100 and 200 meters. Sentinel Runner of the Year went on to run at Indiana.

Sara Nitz, Zeeland East

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.

Megan Postma, West Ottawa

Was an all-state performer in the 800 meters and went on to run at Grand Valley State.

Ana Capotosto, Saugatuck

Won a state championship in the 800 meters and was all-state in several events during her career at Saugatuck, where she was all-state in basketball and volleyball.

Michelle Kuipers, Holland Christian

Claimed a state championship in the 800 meters for the Maroons and was part of multiple state champion relays. Went on to run at Colorado Christian.

Brooke Eilers, Holland Christian

One of the most elite runners in area history, Brooke Eilers claimed the state championship in the 3,200 meters as a senior. She was also all-state five times in track and field and had three top-three finishes. Also earned all-state honors in cross country before running at the University of Iowa.

Rachele Schulist, Zeeland West

One of the most dominant athletes in local history, Rachele Schulist was an all-state cross country performer all four years, leading the Dux to a state title. On the track, she claimed the state championship in the 1,600 meters and was all-state in multiple events all four years for the Dux, leading them to a runner-up finish as a senior. She went on to run at Michigan State and was an All-American.

Arianne Olson, West Ottawa

Was the state champion in the 3,200 meters and earned multiple Sentinel Runner of the Year awards after several all-state performances in both distance events. Went on to run at Notre Dame.

Gillian Fiene, Holland Christian

As an elite runner, Gillian Fiene starred in cross country and track and field at Holland Christian. Fiene won the 1,600-meter state title twice during her career and was all-state in the 800 meters. She also helped the Maroons win multiple relay state titles. Fiene also was all-state in cross country before heading to run at Grand Valley State.

Kayla Windemuller, Holland Christian

The most dominant distance runner in area history, Kayla Windemuller claimed eight state championships during her career. She won one in cross country and five individual titles in track and field in the 1,600 and 3,200. She also helped the Maroons win two relays, leading the team to a state runner-up finish. Headed to Baylor and then the University of Michigan where she was an All-American in the steeplechase.

Aliyah Boeve, Zeeland East

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.

Taylor Waterway, Zeeland East

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, Zeeland East

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. 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 continues in track and field at Grand Valley State.

Natalie Blake, West Ottawa

Was state runner-up in the pole vault as a senior after multiple all-state performances. Was Sentinel Athlete of the Year and now competes at Michigan State.

Jillian Johnson, Saugatuck

Claimed the state championship in the long jump to earn Sentinel Athlete of the Year honors. Was all-state in multiple events during her career with the Trailblazers.

Caley Vink, Zeeland East

Was Sentinel Athlete of the Year after the last of her several all-state performances in the throws. Was also a standout in volleyball and played in college.

Eva Whiteman, Holland

Earned multiple all-state finishes in the high jump and was named Sentinel Athlete of the Year as a senior. Is competing at the Division I level at Liberty.

Anna Tilden, Zeeland East

Was named Field Athlete of the Year after her second consecutive all-state peformance in the shot put. Was one of area's top throwers in history.

Nicole Zeinstra, Black River

The first Black River athlete to claim an individual state championship, Nicole Zeinstra won the Division 4 state title in the 1,600 meters as a senior. She earned multiple all-state honors in track and cross country before going on to run at the University of Michigan.

Erika Freyhof, Hamilton

One of the top runners in history, Erika Freyhof made her mark in both cross country and track and field. She won the Division 2 state championship in cross country as a junior and finished third as a senior. In track, she won multiple state titles in distance races and was all-state in several events. She went on to run at Nebraska and scored at the Big Ten Championships and was an NCAA qualifier.

Emily Oren, Hamilton

The MHSAA scholar-athlete of the year as a senior, Emily Oren was on the run. She earned multiple all-state finishes in cross country, helping the Hawkeyes to a state runner-up finish. She also was all-state multiple years in multiple events for track and field. She went on to run at Hillsdale where she claimed multiple NCAA championships in the steeplechase and has qualified for multiple Olympic trials and USA national meets in the event.

Molly Oren, Hamilton

Running alongside her sister, Molly Oren claimed multiple all-state finishes in cross country and track and field. She helped the Hawkeyes to a runner-up finish in cross country before heading to Belmont then Hillsdale to run, where she was a three-time All-American in the steeplechase, finishing as high as NCAA runner-up.

Aerin Baker, Saugatuck

Perhaps the most explosive athlete in Saugatuck history, Aerin Baker used her incredible leaping ability to be a two-sport all-state athlete. She earned all-state volleyball honors and Sentinel Player of the Year honors. She also was all-state in track and field in the hurdles and the long jump and was one of the area's top high jumpers in history. Is playing volleyball at Calvin.

Kara VandeGuchte, Hamilton

One of the most versatile and elite athletes in area history, Kara VandeGuchte was a three-sport star. She was all-state in volleyball twice, leading the Hawkeyes to the regional final. She also earned all-state honors in track and field, one of the top hurdlers in area history. She went on to play volleyball and run track at Hope. She was all-region in volleyball, helping Hope to the Final Four. She also earned All-American honors in the heptathlon.

Sydnie Avery, Saugatuck

After earning all-state honors in track and field as a junior, Sydnie Avery had a stellar senior season, winning the state championship in the pole vault, the first field event state title for a Saugatuck female.

Lauren Jenkins, Saugatuck

One of the top runners in school history, Lauren Jenkins was a four-time all-state performer in cross country and also earned all-state honors in track and field multiple times. She went on to run at Michigan State and helped the Spartans claim the NCAA cross country championship.

Thea Johnson, Saugatuck

Was all-state in multiple events all four years and was part of eight school records. Went on to run at Michigan.

Lydia Brower, Zeeland East

Was state runner-up in the shot put and went on to compete at Michigan State.

Carmen Tencate, Fennville

Was regional champion and all-state performer in the long jump.

Chelsea Miskelley, Black River

Was part of school records as a sprinter, middle distance runner and long jumper to earn all-state honors. Went on to become an All-MIAA performer and NCAA qualifier at Hope College.

Nicole Diekema, Zeeland West

All-state sprinter used her speed to lead the Dux to the MITCA team title for the first time.

Mady VanderZwaag, Holland Christian

Was all-state in the jumps and middle distances to help the Maroons to multiple top five finishes at state.

Franesha Robinson, Hamilton

Was a state qualifier in the throws and would also hop on the track and run relays for the Hawkeyes, showing incredible athleticism.

Sophie Riemersma, Zeeland East

Was all-state in the high jump for three years. This incredible athlete was also all-state in volleyball three times and an all-conference basektball player.

Sydney Del Valle, Black River

Was elite distance runner who was all-state multiple times before running at Western Michigan then Hope College.

Hayley MacDonald, Zeeland East

One of the elite hurdlers in area history was all-state multiple times and nearly claimed a state title.

Carissa Verkaik, Holland Christian

The Maroons elite athlete was all-state in the hurdles and jumps and went on to be an NCAA qualifier at Calvin.

Madison Werley, Zeeland West

Was all-state multiple times in the middle distance and distance races, finishing in the top three.

Rayah Blood, Hamilton

Was third in the state in the 100 meters and also took third in diving, one of the most versatile athletes in area history.

Amanda Geerlings, Zeeland East

Was all-state in the throws multiple times for the Chix.

Shelby Ulven, Zeeland East

Was all-state in the throws multiple times for the Chix before becoming All-American at GVSU.

Heather Price, Saugatuck

Was elite distance force that was all-state a plethora of times before running at Michigan.

Danielle Groendyk, Zeeland East

One of the top middle distance runners who could also run distance, was all-state for the Chix.

Sarah Venlet, Holland Christian

Was all-state in multiple events for the Maroons before going on to become NCAA qualifier at Hope.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Meet the Sentinel Girls Track & Field Team of Century: Vote for top athlete of 2000s