By Craig Beilfuss
LocalSportsJournal.com
 
MUSKEGON–Muskegon Catholic senior Sam Kartes recently signed his national letter of intent to continue his football career at Kalamazoo College.
 
Kartes will be joining his older brother, Tommy, who is a junior on the Kalamazoo College squad. Kartes will also be joining his Crusader teammate Chase Willer, who announced that he also will be attending Kalamazoo College next fall.
 
Kartes played four seasons of varsity football at Catholic, where he started as a middle linebacker. During his freshman year, he played some games at the jayvee level due to the lack of players.
 
During his four-year career the Crusaders’ compiled a 32-9 overall record and appeared in the MHSAA football playoffs each season under Coach Steve Czerwon.
 
For the past three seasons, Kartes led the Catholic Central defense in tackles, and during the 2022 season, led the Crusader defense with more than 100 tackles.
 
Kartes has also been a part of the varsity basketball and baseball programs at Catholic during his high school career.
 
“I arrived at my decision to go to Kalamazoo College because it’s a great college known for its incredible academics and it’s relatively small like Muskegon Catholic,” said Kartes. “So, I think I would fit in well and be used to it. I also want to play a couple more years of football with my brother.”
 
Kartes has enjoyed his high school sports career at Catholic Central.
 
“Playing sports at Muskegon Catholic was an honor and each team I played with became a second family,” he said. “I just hope I made the community proud on the field, court and diamond.”
 
Kalamazoo College is a member of the MIAA conference and a Division III college. The Hornets compiled a record of 3-7 last season and went 0-6 in league play.
 
Kartes will major in either aerospace or chemical engineering. He has a 3.985 GPA. He is the son of Anthony and Melinda Kartes.

Photo/Mike Banka

Photo/Mike Banka

Caption?Mike Banka

Photo/Mike Banka