Athletic Facilities
Quest Center Brings New Opportunities for Athletics Programs
The Quest Center, Grand Rapids Christian Schools' new gymnasium and fitness facility located on the high school campus, opened in September 2008 thanks to the generosity of more than 2,400 donors.
The 48,000-square-foot facility was introduced to the community during opening ceremonies that included the dedication of a new Veterans Memorial Flagpole, sports clinics for young athletes with visits from two former Orlando Magic NBA stars, and a performance by Team Acrodunk, a high-energy squad of extreme basketball dunkers.
The facility's first year of operation brought new opportunities for student athletes, including the ability for GRCS to host two Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) tournaments - the girls' volleyball quarterfinals in November followed by the boys' quarterfinal basketball game March 24.
The Quest Center is designed with multi-purpose space for many sports including basketball, volleyball, wrestling and competitive cheer; spectator seating for more than 1,800; ample athletic training and physical education space; locker room facilities; concessions and generous storage areas.
Eagles Stadium
The three-year-old Eagles Stadium earned the distinction of serving as the only MHSAA site for both a state semifinal game as well as the state final games in girls' soccer.
"These types of MHSAA tournaments could never have occurred in our previous facilities," said Supervisor of Athletic Facilities and Events Dick VanderKamp. "It is because of our reputation of running state tournaments very well, in combination with our new facilities, that great opportunities like these present themselves."
2008-2009 Grand Rapids Christian High Sports Teams Make School History
The 2008-2009 swim season was a year of firsts for the GRCHS boys' team.
The team finished third in the state meet - marking the best finish in the school's history. They sent more swimmers to the meet than ever before. And the school had the largest swim club that coach Jack Pyper can remember, with 42 members.
Although the team loses four seniors this year, there are plenty of juniors, sophomores and freshmen waiting in the wings. "It's good for the future," Pyper said.
One team member, Geoff Ludema, was the state champion in the 100-yard breaststroke. Others making the all-state roster were: Dallas Hansen, Erik Arent, Sam DeVries, Jono Jonker, Nate Leppink, Jon Nelson, Keeton Tatum and Jack VanAllsburg.
Other GRCHS sports highlights of the year include:
- Competitive Cheer - Placed seventh at the state meet; second consecutive top-10 finish, the first two in school history
- Girls' Cross-Country - Placed second at the state meet; fourth consecutive top-three finish
- Girls' Volleyball - Second consecutive year reaching 40-win plateau; second time in school history
- Boys' Tennis - Placed fifth in the state meet; highest finish by a boys' tennis team at GRCHS
- Boys' Track - 3,200-meter relay team of Kevin Peterson, Gabe Gunnink, Daniel McElheny and Josh Garvelink placed second at the state meet and set a new school record
