A distinct chill is diluting what used to be unbearable summer heat but, athletes at Clarkston High School are still working up a sweat as they prepare for the fall sports season.
Varsity girls tennis
The Clarkston girls varsity tennis will not have the element of surprise on their side this season. After ?04 alum Lauren Little, senior Stephanie Parkison and Alyssa Lucas won individual state titles in the number one, two and three singles flights respectively, the word is out statewide on the Clarkston program.
‘We’re not really a sleeper team anymore, people know we exist,? said Clarkston Coach Kyleen Cunningham.
Having other tennis coaches know where Clarkston is on the map also has benefits though.
‘Coaches want to play us now. I struggled to get a full schedule last year, now coaches are calling me to see if I have any open dates,? said Cunningham.
Clarkston finished in fourth place overall at the State finals last year with 20 points, 10 points back of state champion Ann Arbor Huron.
‘I feel more comfortable coming in because I have people who already know my coaching philosophy,? said Cunningham, who took over the girls varsity tennis last year.
The goal for the tennis team this year is another state finals berth, and a first or second place finish at regionals. While their goals may be lofty, Cunningham feels her team has a healthy mix of experience and new talent.
Parkison will take over Little’s spot in the number one singles flight to start the season. Lucas will play in the number two flight, followed by sophomore Darylann Trout and freshman Nicole Janek in the third and fourth flights respectively. Trout made the quarterfinals of the state tournament last year in the number three singles flight.
Cunningham feels the week of tryouts starting on Aug. 15 gave her a good feel for the doubles pairings. Much of the team’s success this year will rely on good showings from the doubles.
The Clarkston tennis team’s first match at Andover on Aug. 23 finished too late for this edition of The Clarkston News. Next up for the Wolves is the Troy Invitational on Aug. 24, followed by a dual meet at Farmington on Aug. 25 and the Holly Invitational on Aug. 27.
Varsity girls cross country
Two straight state championships is a tough feat to top but, this year the varsity girls cross country team is aiming to tack on a third straight title and cement the Clarkston program’s dynasty status.
‘We lost three NCAA Division I runners (Liz Mengyan, Anne Oltman and Gillian Nordquist) and I think we’re going to be just as good if not better,? said Clarkston Coach Jamie Labrosse.
This year, like in the past, the team’s strength lies in their depth; much like the ?03 and ?04 state champion cross country teams. Coming into the season Labrosse feels he has ten girls to pick from for a seven-girl meet roster.
‘I have the opportunity to decide on my seven runners from week to week,? said Labrosse.
Labrosse also hopes that the team’s depth will help keep everyone healthy throughout the season.
‘Our goal is to win the state championship ? we are gearing ourselves for that meet,? said Labrosse.
For now the team will continue to train, while also addressing a host of minor maladies which crept in from summer training. In Labrosse’s words the team is ‘a little banged up? right now.
The rubber meets the road for the first time this season for the girls on Aug. 1 at the Dexter Invitational.
Varsity boys cross country
On the other side of the gender coin, the varsity boys cross country team is also battling minor injuries as training begins in earnest for an OAA I league that looks to be very competitive.
Clarkston lost only one senior from the varsity team last year, but other schools like Lake Orion and Rochester Adams lost only a single senior as well.
‘The only prediction I’m going to make is that the league is going to be very competitive,? said Clarkston Coach Mike Taylor.
The boys program took a big step last year, qualifying for the state finals for the first time in three years. This year 23 runners, including 11 seniors return to the team.
‘We ran real well at the end of the year last year in the regionals,? said Taylor.
As far as the team’s outlook on the dawning season goes, Taylor feels the team will grow into an identity as the season goes on. He is heartened that senior Chris Anderson has taken on a leadership role in the early going.
‘You’re always setting goals during the year. You have a good idea of here you want to go but, you have to adjust along the way as well,? said Taylor.
The first meet for the boys team is Sept. 1 at the Carmen Ainsworth Invitational.
Varsity boys golf
While the varsity boys golf team’s first berth in the state tournament in ten years should be cherished, coach Tim Kaul’s squad has little time to reflect on the past.
Tryouts ended on Aug. 12, the golf team left on Aug. 16 for the Traverse City Invitational, played Aug 17-18.
‘You hope it doesn’t take them very long to get acclimated,? said Kaul of the season’s sudden start.
Clarkston finished 10th out of 23 teams in Traverse City. The team shot a 311 on the Wolverine course on the first day of action, led by Blake Schmidt’s 73.
On Aug. 17, the Wolves did not fare as well, posting a 323 on the High Point course.
‘Almost every team up there did worse at High Point. It’s just a tougher course,? said Kaul.
Senior Rob Ronk led Clarkston, shooting a 78 at Wolverine and a 76 at High Point, and finished 17th overall for the tournament.
‘He’s a grinder. Kids can look at the way he approaches the game and learn from it,? said Kaul of Ronk, who is the Wolves captain this year.
Aside from Ronk, Mike Horn and Zach McDonald both played large roles on last year’s team and return this year.
Not all members of the golf team went on the road trip to Traverse City. To ensure his entire team got a feel for competition early in the year, Kaul entered the five golfers who did not make the trip in the Twin Beach Tournament on Aug. 22. The Wolves ended up third in a 13 team field with a score of 334. The fivesome were led by sophomore Brandon Stone and senior Nick Hedtler who shot 81 and 83 respectively.
From the end of their tryouts to Labor Day, Clarkston will have eight competitions, including the past two tournaments. According to Kaul, the team will be able to work out any kinks after the holiday.
On Aug. 24 the Wolves will take part in the Troy Invitational, which will be their final tuneup before the first OAA Division I Tournament on Aug. 26 at Bald Mountain.
Clarkston finished in second place to Rochester Adams last year in the league standings. Kaul expects the Wolves to contend with Troy High and Adams for the league crown this year.