For the past three months I have taken in some of the finest sports camps the Clarkston area has to offer, but it’s not the same as being on the sidelines for Friday night lights over at the stadium. Or trying to keep up with the pace at the Wolves? volleyball matches.
Sitting outside on a hot summer night watching Clarkston defeat Detroit Catholic Central, I was thankful that my ‘real? office is not an office at all. It’s a set of aluminum bleachers with no backing- and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Clarkston, you have some good teams and some stand out players coming back this fall. This year might look a bit different with the season changes going on. If you for some reason haven’t heard, the Michigan High School Athletic Association has switched various athletic seasons to comply with a lawsuit filed by a parents group, a case which in litigation for nine years, which was finally settled in April (Read ‘Athletic Equinox? online at www.clarkstonnews.com for more information).
Volleyball, boys tennis and girls golf have moved to fall and boys golf and girls tennis have gone to the spring. Girls basketball will now be played in the winter season alongside their male counterparts.
‘First up, the Wolves will again be an OAA contender on the gridiron, albeit in a different division. Clarkston shed foes Rochester Adams and Farmington Hills Harrison, but pesky Lake Orion remains their biggest intra divisional opponent in OAA Red Division. The Dragons aren’t likely to have forgotten the spanking they got in the district finals on their home turf either. October 12 is the date, circle, star it, put a sticker on, whatever. Just be there at Clarkston Stadium by 5:30 for the week eight meeting, or you may be left to stand for the night. If you go to one Wolves game all season, be at this one.
‘Clarkston will again be a force to be reckoned with in girls cross country. A sixth-place finish in the state last season with an extremely young squad was a good building block, don’t be surprised by a top-three finish come November.
‘The boys cross country team is also another year wiser after last season and should keep up their OAA I kin.
‘Novi Det. CC coach Joe Nora referred to Clarkston’s soccer team as a powerhouse the other day. 2006 (15-4-2 and a berth in the district championship game) was a monumental move in the right direction for the Wolves and it left a lasting impression on opponents too. A tight OAA I race came down to the last game of the regular season last year, don’t expect for the Wolves to let Rochester Adams take it again. Having one of the best players in the state in Oliver Kupe doesn’t hurt either.
‘Kelly Avenall and the volleyball team are hoping to rebound from an early exit in the district playoffs. Carrying three sophomores as regulars last season should begin to pay dividends this season.
‘After qualifying swimmers or a diver in nine state meet events, Clarkston should start placing higher this year. Oh yeah, they haven’t lost a dual meet in two seasons either.
‘Minjoo Lee looks to lead the Wolves back to the golf state finals after qualifying individually in the spring.
‘Boys tennis has undergone a bit of restructuring as No. 4 singles player of a year ago (four months ago really). Erik Ejups is moving to No. 1 and the top flight doubles team of Matt Graczyk and Scott Dutcher has split up to become No.s 2 and 3 singles players.
With that being said, Clarkston, sadly I must leave you again. Thanks for the fond memories and good luck!