Petoskey’s Thomas, TC Central’s Burkholder split top honor

BY BRIAN FREIBERGER

Special to the Record-Eagle

PETOSKEY — The 2025 boys lacrosse season was one to remember. From brilliant goals to incredible saves, these local athletes left it all on the field.

CHARLIE THOMAS, PETOSKEY (CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR)

Petoskey senior Charlie Thomas was a force to be reckoned with all season, earning him co-MVP honors.

Thomas is a standout player who moved to the area from Connecticut and has been leading the charge ever since elementary school.

“(Thomas) just keeps getting better and is one of the best players in northern Michigan,” Petoskey coach Brian Main said.

Thomas led the team with 45 goals and 44 assists while earning all-state honorable mention for a second consecutive year.

Thomas will be heading to Centre College in Kentucky to play lacrosse at the Division III school.

The Northmen had a couple of tough losses, including one to Midland.

Some of his favorite moments were earning big wins in Traverse City West and Central.

“I think the whole team was just super excited to finally get the rivalry and you know, finally win it,” Thomas said.

Thomas hopes the program continues to grow and that more attention is given to the sport in northern Michigan.

KAELIN BURKHOLDER, TRAVERSE CITY CENTRAL (CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR)

Traverse City Central senior Kaelin Burkholder earned a co-MVP position thanks

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Petoskey lacrosse player Charlie Thomas.

Special to the Record-Eagle

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to his dominant defense that had opposing offenses dreaming of scoring.

“(Burkholder) was a game changer for everybody,” Traverse City Central coach David Dobreff said. “Amongst all the players in the region, he had the most consistency, every game he was impactful.”

Burkholder is known as a clearing machine, which is unusual for a defender.

“He was always sure-handed, picking up ground balls and picking off passes; there was no better defender,” coach Dobreff said.

“I’m very grateful to have a lot of great coaches,” Burkholder said. “They’ve helped me get to where I am today and continued to develop me. I’m grateful for that and I feel more prepared for life after the lacrosse with all the lessons that I’ve been taught. My favorite moment was getting ready for our game against TC West, especially the first one because it was the first time ever. The pregame feelings were high and just anticipation and it was so super fun.

DREAM TEAM

CAMERO N MIENK, TRAVERSE CITY WES T

Titan junior attacker Cameron Mienk was all over the field for the Titans’ inaugural lacrosse season.

“(Mienk) is one of the smartest lacrosse players that we have,” coach Schaub said. “(Mienk) is a fighter. He wants to win every game, and he goes out there and puts it all on the line for us.”

Mienk is known for taking games over when he starts clicking, and the ball finds itself in the back of the net.

Mienk was an All-State honorable mention and was talked about as a potential MVP.

WILL MASTIN, PETOSKEY

Mastin scored 41 goals and assisted his teammates 29 times. Will, alongside his brother, Peter, had an incredible transformation from their freshman to senior seasons.

“What made him special compared to a million other guys that probably deserve it was the transformation he had from his freshman year up until his senior year.”

Mastin did receive an POTY vote from the coaches.

“I’ll take with me all the things that my coaches and my teammates taught me and the bonds that I’ve created with them. It’s been pretty good couple four years,” Mastin said. “My advice to younger players) is don’t be afraid to try something new and mess up. Put yourself out there because I started doing that towards the end of my junior season and it started to click.”

KEATO SHIPMAN, TRAVERSE CITY WES T

Traverse City West attacker Keto Shipman was voted team offensive MVP for the Titans at the X position, behind the goal.

Shipman also earned captain status and was a great distributor for the team.

“A great leader and a distributor for the team,” Traverse City West coach Casey Schaub said.

LOGA N LAHAIE, PETOSKEY

Petoskey senior Logan LaHaie stormed his way to all-state honorable mention while having an 81% face-off win percentage, plus scoring 19 times and earning nine assists.

LaHaie tilted close games in the Northmen’s favor by gaining possession.

Logan plans to work as an electrician, and we hope he will help coach if he stays in the area (he’s great working with our youth players).

AUSTIN KLINGELS MITH, PETOSKEY

Petoskey senior goalie Austin Klingelsmith has a 63% save percentage on the season.

Anything over 50% is considered good in lacrosse.

Klingelsmith is going to play at Aquinas next season and join his brother, Brandon.

SIRUS RITOLA, TRAVERSE CITY WES T

Sirius Ritola was voted the Titans’ defensive MVP and finds himself on the Dream Team. He was also voted as the overall team MVP.

SAMUEL TURSMAN, TRAVERSE CITY CENTRAL

Traverse City Central junior Sam Tursman finished the 2025 campaign with 34 goals and six assists on the season.

ZACH HARDING, TRAVERSE CITY CENTRAL

Zach “EGGO” Harding was dominant in the net with a 70% save percentage for the Trojans and snagged honorable mention all-state honors.

SECOND TEAM

Plenty of boys’ lacrosse players filled the second team with skill.

Petoskey defensive enforcer Peter Matsin didn’t allow much action on his side of the field.

“It’s always good when you don’t notice anything happening where they are,” Petoskey coach Brian Main said.

Petoskey’s Griffin Riconto, Landon Bingham, Nick Anderson and Jack Shaw also earned second-team honors.

Traverse City West midfielder Grady Ellis is a do-itall player for the Titans and has a motor that never quits.

“He is one of those guys that you wish you had a whole team of because he just doesn’t slow down. He doesn’t get tired,” TCW coach Casey Schaub said.

The Titans also received significant contributions from Dane Lewandowski, Brady Vaughan and Coleton Ritola, earning them second-team mentions.

For Traverse City Central, junior Oliver Dobreff knocked in 26 goals and 20 assists on the season.

Josh Vezza, Drew Zrimec, Payton Waller and Paxton Boyer also earned secondteam honors.

TC United’s Kaelan Burkholder (16) defends East Kentwood’s Maclin Stidolph (27) in the second quarter of Friday’s game at Thirlby Field.

Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump