NEWPORT – Airport’s boys cross country team didn’t have any of the top four finishers in the second Huron League jamboree of the season.
But the Jets walked away from Sterling State Park with the trophy that mattered most on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Airport claimed the team trophy with 57 points.
New Boston Huron was second with 68 followed by Flat Rock with 85, Jefferson 92, St. Mary Catholic Central 106, Grosse Ile 127, Milan 173 and Riverview 208.
Airport runners Easton Danic, Will Dobertin, Hunter Rodak, Andrew Bell and Hayden Bovair ran 5-10-12-13-17. Everett Kessell placed 19th, but only the top five runners count.
Danic ran a personal-best time of 17:09.63 and Dobertin clocked in with a season-best time.
“We didn’t have anyone in the top three, but six guys were in the top 20, which is pretty amazing,” Airport coach Mark Bovair said.
Airport, chasing its first league championship since 2014, has captured the title in both league jamborees. Only the league meet on Oct. 16 remains on the schedule.
“We’ve only got one senior (Dobbertin) this year,” Bovair said. “We’re very young. The guys put in the work over the summer and dedicated themselves to getting fast.”
Christian Craanen of St. Mary Catholic Central was the individual winner with a time of 16:00.76. Jacob Stanislawski Flat Rock was second.
Others in the top 20 were Luke Dulecki (4), Cameron Crane (6), Tanner Kuhn (11) and Garrett Patrick (20) of Huron, Mason Tulik (7) and Jonah Busen (14) of Jefferson, Lucas Taraszkiewicz (15) and Brayden Brodie (18) of Flat Rock, Mason Martin (8) of Milan and Phineas Totten (16) of SMCC.
New Boston Huron’s girls also won their second jamboree, scoring 48 points to finish 20 ahead of Airport. Jefferson was third with 92, SMCC fifth with 104 and Milan sixth with 114.
Huron followed a similar script as Airport’s boys with Avery Turk, Zoey Cheney, Falyn Doss, Ellia Egle, Isa Vargo, Lillian West and Alexis White finishing 4-8-9-13-14-17.
Jefferson’s Claire Miller was the individual winner in 20:16.67 to finish ahead of Bella LaFountain of SMCC and Ella Baker of Airport.
Milan ran 5-7 with Amerie Wilson and Kaily McDaniel.
Also cracking the top 20 were Randee Mulherin (10) of Jefferson, Leah Adkins (11), Kendal Kelman (18) and Brenna Baker (19) of Airport and Juliegh Husby of SMCC.
TUESDAY’S TOP PERFORMERS
VOLLEYBALL
Lilly Motylinski, Dundee: Recorded 21 kills and 5 blocks during a 23-25, 25-15, 20-25, 25-10, 17-15 victory over Ida. “The determination tonight was unbelievable,” Dundee coach Keri Salenbien said. “Even when we were down, they never lost focus or heart. Tonight showed true grit and teamwork.” Maddie Salenbien (13 kills, 9 blocks), Lacey Evans (33 digs), Sophia Nolff (24 digs), and Ella Fowler (33 assists) were other leaders for the Vikings. Brandi Gobrecht logged 32 digs for Dundee and Addy Wilt and Libbie Wolfenbarger led in kills with 8 each, Ella Curry and Karlee Walentowski also played well.
Cady Fischer, Bedford: Was credited with 20 assists and 15 service points in a 25-11,25-9,25-20 win over Ann Arbor Huron. The Mules also got 10 kills from Lucy Monahan, 25 points and 6 aces from Hayden Fausze and 19 digs from Blair Russow. Riley Sucheck and Rilynn Schmenk also played well.
Kailee LaVoy, Whiteford: Notched 13 kills and 4 blocks to lead the Bobcats to a 25-14, 25-19, 16-25, 21-25, 15-12 win over Lenawee Christian, avenging an earlier five-set loss. Both Whiteford and Lenawee Christian are 6-1 in the league. “Huge night for us,” Whiteford coach Janie Bunge said. Other Whiteford standouts were Bailey Spradling (11 kills, 18 digs), Savannah Seevers (24 digs) and Maylie Mullins had (9 kills, 23 digs, 4 aces).
GIRLS SWIMMIMNG
Nikki Rykse, Delani Willey and Sophia Smith, Monroe: Won two events each as Monroe beat Erie Mason-Ida 139-40, Westland John Glenn 145-23 and Wayne Memorial 134-43. Abby Dieckmann, Blayne Lynch, June Brooks, Aurora Bredschneider, Ana Bredschneider, Jozi Willey and Aubrey Nutt also were standouts for the 6-3 Trojans. Mason-Ida beat John Glenn 108-34 and lost to Wayne 89-68. Alexis Etue was the top scorer for the Eagles and Issy Cureton, Abby Arnold, Addy Oberhaus, Myztikal Dusseau and Julia Holbrook hit personal-best times.
Genavieve Bylow, SMCC: Won the backstroke and took third in the 50-yard freestyle during a 102-62 loss to Riverview. Katelyn Rutkowski placed second and third and Peggy Jo Gessner had a third for the Kestrels. Raven Hinkle and Lauren Gildersleeve each had a pair of personal bests.
CROSS COUNTRY
Madison Slade, Gibraltar Carlson: Took sixth place to help the Marauders take second place in a Downriver League jamboree at Willow Metropark. Carlson ran as a pack as Giada Fioritto, Harper Jackson, Livia Boucher and Ada Cain ran 7-9-10-11. Wyatt DelValle, Jack Dunwoody and Collin Jakula finished 7-8-18 for Carlson’s boys, who placed third.
MONDAY’S TOP PERFORMERS
BOYS SOCCER
Johann Vasquez Martinez, New Boston Huron: Scored one goal and assisted on the other as Huron completed an undefeated run through the Huron League with a 2-1 win over Grosse Ile. “Grosse Ile brought everything they could tonight and made it a super close game,” said Huron coach Matt Lividini. “Huron increased their excitement and enthusiasm (in the second half) and began to win the middle of the field.” Ian Petrick scored the other Huron goal and the only shot that got past goalkeeper Ian Ankenbauer came on a penalty kick. “Ian Ankenbauer was fearless between the pipes making saves and coming out full speed to help his amazing defensive line staffed by Ryan Marvaso, Shayne Diegel and the twin towers – Jordan Stasak and Mason Jasinski,” Lividini said.
Brady McBride, Flat Rock: Racked up six goals and an assist in a 7-6 win over St. Mary Catholic Central. Cyrus Rollins had the other goal and registered an assist for the Rams. Mac Mlotha assisted on two of the goals by McBride and Conner Wilde one. “Great win for the boys,” Flat Rock coach Sean Sturgeon said. “That makes four straight wins by one goal.” Carson Welker recorded his first career hat trick SMCC. Joe Lajiness added a pair of goals and Nick Vogel netted the other. Laginess, Vogel, Jacob St. Pierre, and Brennen Menzies had assists. “I’m really proud of the way that the boys are playing right now,” SMCC coach Jon Pederson said.
Luke Bishop, Dundee: Scored three times on senior night to spark a 5-0 win over Onsted. Mason Cousino and Kia Hoxey scored the other goals and netminder Ethan Ellis posted a shutout. “We had the biggest crowd we have ever had for a soccer game,” Dundee coach Richard Arecheja said. “Our boys played hard and selflessly.”
Fred Brown, Milan: Accounted for half of his team’s goals in a 4-1 win over Airport. Tanner Lambers and Andre Sanchez also scored and Dagon Reams had an assist.
Luke Rains, State Line Christian: Scored a pair of goals as State Line beat Bowling Green Christian 5-3 for its ninth consecutive victory. “Since I’ve been coaching starting in 2017, we have never won that many games in a row,” said State Line coach Andy Yglesias. Jacob Baker added a goal and an assist for the 11-3-1 Patriots. Austin Nowak and Trey Heaton also scored.
VOLLEYBALL
Lana Pacholke, Milan: Ended the second set with a kill, then reeled off eight straight points from the service line in the third to ensure a 25-17, 25-23, 25-13 win over Airport. Milan also got contributions from Laila Frye, Emma Walline, Madison Slack and Aubree Higgins. “Before the game we talked about grit, positive moment and playing as a team. And we went out and did just that.” Milan coach Sarah Eliason said.
Sarah Giroux, Flat Rock: Produced 16 kills, 10 digs, 3 aces and 2 blocks during a 25-11, 28-26, 25-15 victory over Jefferson. Other standouts were Reagan Higdon (11 kills, 6 digs, 4 aces) and Jaclynn Motyka (7 kills, 3 aces).
Ava Ryan, New Boston Huron: Rang up 27 assists in a 25-16, 25-23, 25-19 triumph over Riverview. Other leaders were Simone Cicotte (16 kills), Brianna Holbrook (21 digs) and Claire Ryan (8 kills, 14 digs).
GIRLS GOLF
Ashken Aaron, Monroe: Carded a 94 at Eagle Crest Golf and Resort to place 11th in the Southeastern Red Meet to secure a spot in the league’s top nine for the season. Her teammate Molly Casey shot 98 for 14th pace and Monroe wound up sixth in the team standings. Bedford was seventh as Ragan Oscar and Sophie Kops both finished with 102.
