BATTLE CREEK -- The B.O.B. is ready for spring sports.
The Best Of Battle Creek series in the Enquirer is being expanded this year to include the top players on girls soccer teams throughout the area.
Each week, throughout the spring, we are going to ask, "Who is the Best of Battle Creek?" as we look at each position in girls soccer among the city/area high school teams.
Nominations for each position have come from the city/area coaches with a little information on each player. Then it will be up to the Enquirer readers to decide who is the B.O.B.
Each week we will give readers choices and open our online poll for voting, with a winner decided by the following Thursday with polls closing at noon.
Next up are the midfielders for the city/area girls soccer teams:
Isabella Calderon
School: Lakeview
Class: Junior
Why she is the best midfielder in the city/area: The engine of the team's transition play, Isabella Calderon excels at controlling tempo and dictates the flow of the game from the center of the pitch. Her impact goes beyond offensive stats as the junior has helped Lakeview to standout season so far this year.
Maddie Coats
School: Gull Lake
Class: Sophomore
Why she is the best midfielder in the city/area: Maddie Coats has established herself as one of the most impactful midfielders in the area, combining physicality with a high-level feel for the game. She plays with strength and toughness, consistently winning challenges and setting a tone that opponents struggle to match for a state-ranked Gull Lake team.
Leah Downey
School: Calhoun Christian/St. Philip
Class: Sophomore
Why she is the best midfielder in the city/area: Leah Downey is a key playmaker for the Calhoun Christian/St. Philip co-op team in the midfield who provides constant pressure and helps control the pace of the game. A sophomore captain, she has seven goals and eight assists so far.
Kilee Halladay
School: Gull Lake
Class: Sophomore
Why she is the best midfielder in the city/area: Kilee Halladay has set herself apart as the top midfielder in the area with a level of technical ability that is rarely seen. Her touch, control and precision on the ball allow her to dictate play and stay composed in even the tightest spaces and has helped Gull Lake become a state-ranked team this year.
Jaimarie Hopkins
School: Battle Creek Central
Class: Freshman
Why she is the best midfielder in the city/area: Having an impact season as a freshman, Jaimarie Hopkins provides good speed on the field for a young Battle Creek Central team. Her ability to distribute the ball is exceptional and helps her teammates to succeed.
Ariana Kilgore
School: Pennfield
Class: Junior
Why she is the best midfielder in the city/area: Providing some experience for a young Pennfield team, Ariana Kilgore has had a good junior season at the wing position as she has a goal and six assists so far.
Addison Mitchell
School: Harper Creek
Class: Sophomore
Why she is the best midfielder in the city/area: Showcasing good speed and ball control, Addison Mitchell dominates her position for Harper Creek. The sophomore leads the team in assists and is among the leaders in goals scored.
Raegan Murphy
School: Pennfield
Class: Freshman
Why she is the best midfielder in the city/area: Providing some new talent for a young Pennfield team, Raegan Murphy come on to the scene and has had a good freshman season at the attacking mid position for the Panthers as she has five assists so far.
Jordyn St. John
School: Marshall
Class: Senior
Why she is the best midfielder in the city/area: An all-area and all-league selection a year ago, Jordyn St. John is a key leader for Marshall from her defensive midfield position. Her role doesn't show up with offensive stats, but her ability to possess the ball has helped Marshall sit on top of the league so far this season.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.