News Summary
Benny Rodenbaugh, a McBain High School graduate, has announced his transfer to Grand Valley State University from Trine University. Focused on high jumping, Rodenbaugh aims to excel in track and field, having already made a name for himself as a state champion. With plans to major in exercise science, he looks forward to breaking records while enjoying the added benefits of athletic scholarships available at Grand Valley.
McBain, Michigan – Benny Rodenbaugh, a recent graduate of McBain High School, has announced his transfer from Trine University in Indiana to Grand Valley State University in Michigan. This move comes as Rodenbaugh seeks to dedicate his athletic career to track and field, specifically to high jumping, an event where he has already made a significant mark at the state level.
During his time at McBain High School, Rodenbaugh excelled in various sports, particularly basketball and football. However, he gained notable recognition as an elite high jumper, capturing the MHSAA Division 3 state championship at Kent City High School on May 31. Throughout his high school career, he set a personal record height of 6 feet 10 inches in high jump, which he achieved in several competitions, including the prestigious Cadillac News Memorial Day Meet. His performance qualified him for the Nike Outdoor Nationals in Oregon, where he successfully cleared a height of 6 feet 7 inches.
Initially, Rodenbaugh had committed to playing basketball at Trine University, which is known as a Division III powerhouse and the defending national champions. Although he expressed a desire to compete in high jump while at Trine, he had uncertainties regarding whether he could effectively balance both sports. These concerns led him to reevaluate his college choices.
Rodenbaugh ultimately decided to transfer to Grand Valley State University to focus exclusively on track and field. He cited several reasons for this decision: the availability of scholarship opportunities, the university’s broader focus on athletics, and the closer proximity to his hometown. Unlike Trine, which participates in Division III athletics, Grand Valley is a Division II school that offers athletic scholarships for its student-athletes. This shift significantly improved Rodenbaugh’s scholarship prospects, allowing him to pursue his athletic goals with financial support.
At Grand Valley, he plans to major in exercise science, reflecting his ambition to become a chiropractor in the future. Although he acknowledges that he will miss playing basketball, Rodenbaugh is enthusiastic about dedicating himself to high jump. He aims to break the seven-foot barrier in his freshman year at Grand Valley, a significant milestone that would further establish his prowess in the sport.
Rodenbaugh’s achievements have already eclipsed the previous McBain high jump record, which was held by graduate Andy Herweyer, who cleared 6 feet 8.5 inches in the late 1990s. Over the course of his high school track season, he consistently broke school records and excelled in various competitions, solidifying his status as one of the top high jumpers in the area. His performance captured the attention of Grand Valley’s coaching staff, who had been communicating interest in him even before he broke the school record in May.
In addition to Rodenbaugh’s success, other McBain athletes have shown strong performances. His former teammate, Braden Prielipp, a leading competitor, will also be joining the Grand Valley track team, further strengthening its lineup.
The strong showing of McBain’s boys’ and girls’ track teams this season, which also saw significant achievements from the girls’ squad, highlights the robust athletic culture at McBain High School. The girls’ team secured multiple events and championships, paralleling the accomplishments of Rodenbaugh and his fellow competitors.
As Benny Rodenbaugh prepares for his transition to Grand Valley State University, the McBain community remains proud of his accomplishments and looks forward to witnessing his future successes in track and field.
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Additional Resources
- Cadillac News: Rodenbaugh Will Do High Jump at GVSU
- Wikipedia: High Jumping
- Cadillac News: Rodenbaugh Sets McBain High Jump Record
- Google Search: Benny Rodenbaugh
- Cadillac News: Change of Plans for Rodenbaugh
- Google Scholar: High Jump Athletics
- Detroit Free Press: MHSAA Boys Basketball Semifinal
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Track and Field
- Cadillac News: McBain Athletes Vie in D3 State Meet
- Google News: McBain High School Athletics
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
