Springing into new season

Wolves are preparing for their first competition after practicing in their spring sports for the past week.
The Lady Wolves soccer teams are up first as they host Waterford Mott on Thursday at Clarkston High School. It is the first game for both teams in the season.
“I am excited and looking forward to it,” said Clarkston Girls Varsity Soccer Coach Sarah Wasilk. “Mott beat us pretty bad last year. I think the girls are looking forward to playing them again this year and earn some respect back.”
She added a lot of factors will go into the first game especially since the team is fairly young.
“They are really eager and hard-working,” Wasilk said. ‘We do have a good core group of seniors who also provide good leadership. It’s the first game and you never know.”
The boys and girls track and field teams open their season with the Oakland Indoor Relay on Friday and the Huron Relays at Eastern Michigan University on Saturday.
Both meets will prepare them as they head to their first OAA Red meet against Lake Orion on Tuesday.
“I am anxious to see how our new girls and freshman are going to help us out and see how much our veterans have improved from last year,” said John Yorke, head coach for the Lady Wolves Track and Field team. “It is a good opportunity for our returners to step up for the girls who graduated. Lake Orion might have surprises we don’t know about.”
Their key returners Erin Billette, Molly Jeffers, Franzi Loetzner, Maddie Wilson, Maicey Peterson, Tessa Manilla, Taylor Beach, Lynsie Gram and Taylor Mullins.
“We have a good group of freshmen this year who will help us a lot this year, too,” Yorke added.
The boys team will go up against the returning state champions from last year’s Lake Orion team.
“It is a good test for our guys right away,” said John Bennink, head coach for the boys team. “Hopefully we will have good times and see a good competition. Hopefully the weather permits and there is nice weather.”
Guys to look out for are Mitchell McCord, Caine Watlington, Blake Sutherland, Merrick Canada, Ian Eriksen, Tim Cason, Andrew Swanson, Allen Gray, Dan Billette, Nick Moore, Austin Draving, David Posawatz and Scott Cousino.
“We will be very competitive,” Bennink added. “We are good in all areas. I am excited. I like all of our kids and they really work hard in practice.”
The boys varsity lacrosse team start their journey for the regional title with their season this Saturday at Utica Eisenhower, followed by a game on Monday at St. Mary’s Preparatory.
“We are excited about our core,” said Brian Kaminskas, head coach, adding they have a larger squad this season. “We have more guys fighting for positions and really pushing each other. I think a lot of people are expecting us to take a step back since we graduated 12 kids last year. I think we will stay at the same level.”