Three Ferndale Athletes To Watch Next Spring

The high school spring sports season came to an end last weekend with the last round of state final games. Ferndale had one team make it to regionals this year (baseball) and the boys and girls track team both were represented in the state finals.

But what about next year? Ferndale Patch takes a look at three athletes to watch for next spring.

1. Noah Reiter, Senior; Baseball - Reiter did it all in his junior year. He batted over .400 and led the team in stolen bases as the Eagles leadoff hitter. He also pitched over 40 innings, leading the team in strikeouts and picking up four wins.

When he wasn’t on the mound, he was arguably Ferndale’s top defensive player. He patrolled centerfield with ease. His speed and solid instincts helped him make difficult plays all year. 

“He just makes it look easy out there,” Ferndale coach John Sibula said.

Sibula will count on Reiter for similar contributions next season. He’ll also look to Reiter to provide some senior leadership on a team that will try to defend its district title. Ferndale fans won’t have to wait until spring to see Reiter compete for the Eagles. He is on the boys varsity soccer team in the fall and the hockey team in winter.

 2. Lexie Brisson-Fast, Senior; Soccer – Brisson-Fast has been one of the top offensive players for the girls soccer team over the last two seasons.

This year she battled an ankle injury that forced her to miss a few games at the beginning of May. When she came back she never seemed like she was 100 percent. The junior’s injury coincided with 1-6-2 slide for Ferndale over their last nine games.

The midfielder was a captain this season and her position as a leader on the team will be even more important next year. Nearly half (seven seniors) are graduating from this the Eagles roster. Ferndale didn’t have a deep bench to begin with, so there will be a lot of new faces looking for guidance.

 Brisson-Fast’s experience will be just as important as her talent.

3. Hannah Carney, Senior; Softball – The inexperienced Ferndale softball team struggled at times this season. Nearly half of the team’s roster was made up of freshman and it was a very up-and-down season for the squad. With only three players graduating, there will be a lot of returning faces next year.   

And Carney will be one of the team’s anchors. She was a co-captain of the team this year as a junior and the Eagles’ main starting pitcher.

Teams that do well in high school softball rely on good starting pitching. Carney will have another offseason to improve and will be one of the key ingredients next year for Ferndale to make a run in its division and in the district tournament.  

Honorable Mentions – Kelsey Wilson (Senior), Soccer; Micaela Ellis (Sophomore), Soccer; Emma Whipple (Senior), Soccer; Hannah Reiter (Junior), Softball; Chynna Garland (Junior), Girls Track, Alia Rice (Senior), Girls Track; Earl Tillford (Senior), Boys Track; Luc Hammerle (Sophomore), Baseball