In a year of thrilling sports stories we celebrate local athletic stories that reached above and beyond the call of excellence throughout 2023.
1. GLEN LAKE WINS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
“Slam the door.” The number one sports story of the year was easy to decide. In a year of remarkable stories the Lakers girls basketball team stands on top of the mountain. For the first time in nearly 40 years, the Glen Lake girls basketball team captured a state championship in March.
Glen Lake defeated Adrian Lenawee Christian and Baraga in the MHSAA Division 4 girls basketball state championships semifinals and finals at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
The Lakers slammed the door on the Baraga Vikings 60 to 42 to capture the state championship for the first time since 1978-79.
2. LELAND ADVANCES TO VOLLEYBALL FINAL 4
Leland volleyball took the fall prep season by storm, capturing all the attention as the Comets went on a remarkable run all the way to the state championship game.
The Comets fell to Clarkston Everest 27-25, 25-18, 23-25, 19-25, 12-15 in a heartbreaking loss.
Leland coach Laurie Glass retired after the remarkable run by the Comets. Glass has amassed more than 1,100 wins and three state championships in her 29 years leading the Comets In the state semifinal, Leland showed grit and defeated Crystal Falls River 25-17, 17-25, 25-18, 21-25, 15-9.
3. LELAND SOCCER FALLS IN SEMIFINALS
The Leland soccer team fell to familiar foe Muskegon Western Michigan Christian (WMC) 3-0 in the MHSAA Division 4 state championship semifinal at East Kentwood high school in Grand Rapids in November. It was the second straight year the Comets lost in the state semifinals.
Even though Leland knew the mountainous task ahead of them the Comets certainly didn’t back down under the bright lights.
In the first half of the state semifinal, Leland competed shot-for-shot with the private school.
The Comets ended a successful season as Northwest Conference, district, and regional champions.
4. ST. MARY SOFTBALL WINS FIRST REGIONAL
Lake Leelanau St. Mary softball had to play their best game of the season to capture a regional softball championship in June.
The Eagles bats were swinging against the East Jordan Red Devils in the regional semifinal by scoring five runs in the first inning and never looked back.
St. Mary had to wait for Holton to defeat Onekama 10-0 before battling in the regional championship. Holton was a heavy favorite to come out of the region, but St. Mary didn’t get the memo.
The Eagles didn’t waver under pressure from a highpowered Holton team winning 5-4 in thrilling fashion.
Holton popped out deep into center field, where St. Mary junior Cathryn Mikowski was waiting at the warning track to make the final out and solidify St. Mary’s first regional championship in school history.
5. GLEN LAKE WRESTLES FOR FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS
Glen Lake wrestling returned to the mat for its first competition in nearly 22 years at the Manton Invitational in December and the results were surprising.
Glen Lake finished fifth out of 18 teams at the tournament.
The Lakers will be sporting both a boys and girls team for the 2023-24 winter prep season.
The opportunity of wrestling at Glen Lake has already had an immediate impact with over 20 students competing on the team.
