BATTLE CREEK – Who is the G.O.A.T? Who is the Greatest Of All Time at each of the traditional city schools in Battle Creek? Or, to be more specific. Who is the greatest athlete of all time at each school?
Here at the Enquirer, in recent years, we have asked that question in regards to a specific sport, like the ‘Top 10’ football or volleyball players of all time at a certain school. But now, we are going beyond that. Who is the G.O.A.T in terms of an all-around athlete? These might be athletes in an individual sport that didn’t show up on our lists that included team sports like baseball and softball. These are also high school stars that might have played multiple sports. They weren’t just great in one sport, they were great at everything they did.
MORE:Who are the Battle Creek Enquirer 2024 Male and Female Athletes of the Year?
This is the ‘greatest’ of the Greatest Of All Time lists.
Candidates are graduates of the traditional Battle Creek city high schools. All shined throughout their high school careers and beyond.
We are limiting our list to the last 50 years – 1974-2024.
We will state our case for why each of the athletes belongs on the list with a short bio. Once we complete the top 10 list, in alphabetical order, it is then up to the Battle Creek area to vote for their No. 1 athlete. There will be individuals left off these lists that some of you would argue shouldn’t be. Our poll will include write-in options and it will be interesting to see who makes that list as well.
We are starting from the smallest school in the city and moving up from there – picking a ‘Top 10’ male athlete list and a ‘Top 10’ female athlete list.
The Greatest Of All Time Top 10 Female Athletes at St. Philip:
Angela Albrecht – Class of 1983
A three-sport star in volleyball, basketball and track, Angela Albrecht was named Enquirer Athlete of the Year in 1983. She shined brightest on the volleyball court, helping St. Philip to a state title. She went on to play at the University of Texas, and played a key role in helping the Longhorns reach the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament in both her junior and senior seasons. She was also a state qualifier in track and a standout on the basketball team.
Allyson Doyle – Class of 2007
Allyson Doyle was a four-time all-state selection in volleyball, helping St. Philip to the state finals all four years of her career and to a state championship twice. She finished second in the Miss Volleyball voting, graduating as the school’s leader in kills and blocks. Doyle played at the next level at Western Michigan University, earning all-league honors. A multiple-sport standout, Doyle finished as the school’s career leader in points in girls basketball. She was a two-time selection for Enquirer Female Athlete of the Year.
Brooke Formsma – Class of 1997
Opening some eyes early, Brooke Formsma was voted Enquirer Female Athlete of the Year as a sophomore in 1995. In that year, she helped the Tigers to a state title in volleyball as well as winning three state championships in track, taking first in the long jump, the 400 relay and the 800 relay. Overall, Formsma led St. Philip to three state titles in volleyball and was all-state as a senior. She went on to play volleyball at Lansing Community College. She also earned All-City honors in girls basketball twice.
Vicky Guerra – Class of 1985
As a senior, Vicky Guerra earned All-City honors in basketball, volleyball and softball and was voted Enquirer Female Athlete of the Year in 1985. She reached the top by helping the volleyball team win three straight state championships in volleyball, earning all-state honors. She also helped the basketball team to an All-City crown and a league championship. Guerra was a three-year standout on the track team, before switching over to softball her senior year in the first season the school had the sport. She went on to play basketball and volleyball at Kellogg Community College.
Alex Kersten – Class of 2022
Overall, Alex Kersten earned 18 varsity letters at St. Philip, competing in volleyball, basketball, soccer, cross country and track. Kersten was a four-time state qualifier in cross country, as she helped the 2018 St. Philip team win a regional championship. And she was a three-time state qualifier in track. She was part of back-to-back state championships in volleyball. Also a three-time All-City basketball player and a starter on the girls soccer team. She was named Enquirer Athlete of the Year in 2022.
Mary Lantinga – Class of 1990
One of the top female distance runners ever at St. Philip, Mary Lantinga was the Enquirer Athlete of the Year in 1990. Lantinga won two straight Class D state titles in track in the 1,600 meters. She also won the 3,200 run at the state finals as a senior and captured the mile and was the two-time champ at the All-City track meet, being named Outstanding Female Athlete. In cross country, she won the Class D state title as a senior. She went on to run track and cross country at Michigan State University.
Amanda McKinzie – Class of 2012
Amanda McKinzie was a four-time state champion in volleyball. Her best year at St. Philip came as a senior in 2012. In that final year, she helped set the program record for wins in a season at the time at 73 – the 10th most in state history. A three-time All-State selection, she became the second St. Philip player to be recognized as the Miss Volleyball Award winner. She was one of the most decorated volleyball players at a school known for volleyball and was a high school All-American and was recruited by some of the top Division I schools in the country and played at the next level at Virginia Tech University.
Lena Oliver – Class of 2010
A star in volleyball and basketball, Lena Oliver went on to make an impact at the next level as an all-conference player for the Western Michigan University volleyball team. She was a three-time all-state selection as a libero in volleyball, finished fourth in the Miss Volleyball voting and was part of four state titles. She graduated as the school’s all-time leader in career points in basketball as a point guard, earning all-state honors. As a senior, she helped the team to an undefeated regular season. She was Enquirer Female Athlete of the Year in 2010.
Cathie Petrucco – Class of 1979
The first winner of the Enquirer Female Athlete of the Year, Cathie Petrucco was a three-sport star at St. Philip, excelling in volleyball, basketball and track. As a senior, she helped St. Philip to a state title in volleyball. She earned All-City honors in volleyball and set a city record in the 440 dash at the time at the All-City track meet. She also helped St. Philip win a state title in track in the mile relay. In basketball, she helped the Tigers to four district titles overall and a regional championship her senior year. When she graduated, she was the school’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder, earning all-state honors. She went on to play volleyball at the University of Alabama.
Allyson Riley – Class of 2003
Allyson Riley was one of the best overall athletes ever at St. Philip, starring in both volleyball and basketball. She was all-state three times in volleyball, helping the Tigers reach the state finals twice. In basketball, she helped the Tigers reach the state semifinals for the first time in school history, also earning all-state honors. She graduated as the school’s all-time leader in career points in basketball. She was also nominated for the Miss Volleyball Award and went on to play volleyball at Grand Valley State University. She was named Enquirer Athlete of the Year in 2003.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
