​Gaylord’s spring high school sports season closed with the Blue Devils earning another Big North Conference title, marking the first time in six years that the trophy did not go to the softball team. Baseball, softball, and soccer all enjoyed strong campaigns, with soccer producing the standout show by claiming both conference and district titles. Softball extended its district-title streak to six, while baseball came up short in a seven-inning district final against Petoskey. The season’s success carried over to postseason honors, as seventeen Gaylord athletes across baseball, softball, and soccer earned all-conference recognition, led by the co-champion soccer squad with seven selections.
Sophomores Khloe VanOosten and Josie Bensinger, along with senior Madi Augustine, earned first-team nods, highlighting Gaylord’s depth. VanOosten emerged as a leading scorer at forward, Bensinger was recognized for her work in midfield after earning all-state honors, and Augustine, who recently committed to Alma College, was named the conference’s top goalkeeper. Sophomore Raygen Drzweicki and juniors Ella Cherwinski and Piper Drzweicki earned second-team honors, while sophomore Claire Krajniak received honorable mention.
In softball, Gaylord’s dominance in the conference may have ended, but the Blue Devils continued to prove their elite status in Northern Michigan by reaching the regional final for the sixth straight year. They collected five all-conference awards, with first-team selections Makayla Kozlowski and Nora Bethuy leading the way. Kozlowski posted a .411 batting average with four home runs, 43 RBIs, and 47 runs scored, while Bethuy hit .395 with 50 runs scored, 39 RBIs, and 11 wins with 113 strikeouts as a pitcher. Sophomore Piper Wangler earned a second-team honor after posting a .372 batting average with 21 RBIs and 54 runs scored, and senior Lily Ryckman-Hall added a .450 average with nine home runs, 40 RBIs, and 38 runs scored as a second-team pick. Sophomore Brooke Warren received an honorable mention.
For baseball, Gaylord had five all-conference selections: senior Brady Shepherd and juniors Josias Ferrett and Zayden Mullins earned first-team honors, freshman Beau Boulter was named to the second team, and senior Tyler Appold received an honorable mention. Shepherd, who has committed to Mid-Michigan Community College, hit .379 with 36 hits, eight doubles, three triples, and a home run, while also going 5-3 with 58 strikeouts on the mound. Ferrett hit .383 with 36 hits, eight doubles, six triples, and 40 runs scored, along with 12 RBIs; he went 5-1 on the mound, allowing only eight earned runs and striking out 89 in 10 appearances. Mullins, a catcher, batted .378 with 34 hits, 25 RBIs, and 23 runs, and threw out 12 potential basestealers. Boulter finished with a .265 average and 10 RBIs.