ROCKFORD ATHLETICS I HOME OF THE RAMS

The Rockford boys varsity tennis team capped off a perfect OK Red Conference dual season on Thursday with a powerful 8-1 victory over the Grandville Bulldogs. With the win, the Rams finish conference play at 5-0 and head into the OK Red Conference Tournament in first place, brimming with momentum and confidence. But this match was about more than just tennis. Rockford used the night to celebrate its eight seniors and also partnered with Grandville in their annual “Be Nice” match, a tradition dedicated to raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. The “Be Nice” initiative, created by the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, emphasizes the importance of four simple but powerful steps: N – Notice, I – Invite, C – Challenge, and E – Empower. Both teams came together to highlight the importance of compassion, support, and taking action when it comes to mental health struggles. For more information about the organization, visit benice.org On the court, the Rams were dominant across the board. Senior Elijah Johnson set the tone at #1 singles, defeating Grandville’s Isaac Renkema 6-1, 6-0. Fellow senior Easton Wurm followed with a gritty 6-3, 6-3 win at #2 singles, while junior Alex Moore cruised at #3 singles with a 6-0, 6-0 shutout. The only Bulldog victory came in a thrilling #4 singles battle, where Grandville’s Nolan Sheriden edged Rockford senior Noah Clark in two close tiebreak sets, 7-6(2), 7-6(6). The Rams swept doubles in commanding fashion, showcasing both depth and chemistry. At the top spot, seniors Quinn Geshel and Sam Martin dominated 6-0, 6-1, while the #2 duo of Jayden Fudge and Joseph Miesiack matched that effort with the same scoreline. Rockford’s younger lineup at #3 doubles, Coen Beickman and Broderik Gee, also won handily 6-0, 6-1. The senior duo of Trae Storms and Carter Drolema closed out #4 doubles with a steady 6-3, 6-2 victory, while #5 doubles featured the night’s longest contest. Scott Julian and senior Liam Storms battled through three sets, ultimately defeating Grandville’s Garcia and Courville 6-1, 6-7(11), 6-3 to finish off the evening in style. For Rockford, the night carried special meaning: a chance to honor a remarkable senior class(Eli Johnson, Easton Wurm, Quinn Geshel, Sam MArtin, Joey Misiak, Trae Storms, Carter Drolema & Liam Storms), bring awareness to a cause bigger than the sport itself, and showcase the growth and unity of the team. Now, with an undefeated conference dual season in the books, the Rams look ahead to the OK Red Conference Tournament, where they will aim to finish what they started.