‘Silver lining’ for CC teams in pandemic
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on prep cross country hasn’t been all bad.
Team building and meets held on school grounds have been positive trends, according to coaches who have had to guide athletes through protocols mandated at state and local levels.
“There’s always a silver lining,” Utica girls coach Chris Scott said.
Runners don’t typically see one another during the school day with virtual and hybrid learning going on, Scott pointed out.
“Practice becomes the most important part of the day for them, because they can be together,” he said.
Mike Buslepp, coach of the Romeo boys and girls teams, said cross country is about “more than just running,” a point underscored for his athletes and him during the pandemic.
“If you start planning too far ahead, it canbite you really quick,” Buslepp said. “We’re just trying to enjoy each other and enjoy the moment.
“I think the kids have probably handled it better than I handled it. I’m inspired by them daily.”
Romeo was the host for MAC Red Division boys and girls jamborees on consecutive days last week.
Runners competed on a relatively new 3.1-mile course laid out at the site of the new Romeo High School off 29 Mile Road.
Dakota has held two meets at its campus on 21 Mile Road.
Anchor Bay’s annual James Cleverley Invitational is Friday at the Tars’ home on County Line Road.
Limits on the number of runners allowed in a single race and protocol orders have made holding events at public and private parks a challenge, according to coaches.
“I think we might see a movement shifting back to people running at their high schools,” Dakota boys and girls coach Mike Timpa said.
“There are a lot of advantages. You have an infinite amount of parking. You have access to golf carts … to use whenever you want. It doesn’t cost anything to get in. Everything is in-house. It gives you a home course advantage.”
Spectators are limited at most prep events because of the pandemic.
Timpa said holding meets on school grounds might encourage attendance once the health crisis is over.
“Maybe more people will come and spectate,” he said.
Scott said athletes have done well adapting to changes.
“Current seniors don’t have the shock that last year’s seniors did,” Scott said. “They’ve had time to work around things and embrace changes and make themost of what they can and accept what they have.”
Soccer
EISENHOWER 2,
CHIPPEWA VALLEY 0
DominicNalout andGjon Melakuqi scored a goal
apiece and Evan DeJong made six shutouts to lead Eisenhower to the MAC Red Division victory. Devin
White and Liam Smith had an assist apiece. The Eagles are 2-1-2 in the Red.
ANCHORBAY4, FORD0
Jake Ursitti scored two goals and Tommy Mittelstadt and Brendan Perry added one apiece to lead Anchor Bay. Sal DiLorenzo, Kian Collins, Tanner Hodgson and Mittelstadt had an assist apiece and keeper Evan Linsley had four saves for the shutout.
COUSINO 3, ROMEO 1
Endri Haxhiu scored two goals and Akaad Yohkanna had two to lift Cousino to the MAC White victory. Haxhiu had an assist. The divisionleadingPatriots are4-0-1 for 13 points in theWhite.
PORT HURONNORTHERN 6, STERLING HEIGHTS 3
Joe Dedvukaj scored on a penalty kick and Hermez Benjamin and Kristjan Juncaj also scored a goal apiece for Sterling Heights in the MAC Blue. Sam Tripon assisted on a goal. The Stallions
are 2-2 in the Blue.
NOTRE DAME PREP 6, ARMADA 0
Notre Dame Prep won the non-league game.
Volleyball
COUSINO QUAD
Utica went 3-0 with victories over Warren-Mott (2-1), WarrenWoods-Tower (2-0) and Cousino (2-0). Kayla Jacob had 19 kills, 26 serve receptions and 24 digs; Bri Confer nine kills and seven receptions; Mikayla Paul 21 assists; Alaina Mancini three kills; Alyssa Jacob 55 receptions and 55 digs; Alyssa Paluzzi eight digs, and Shelby Skrzypczak 17 digs. The Chieftains are 4-1.
LUTHERANNORTH3, BISHOP FOLEY 0
Julia Valenti made 14 kills and Kiley Comiskey 10 to lead visiting Lutheran North to a 25-20, 25-10, 25-16 victory. Megan Marshall had eight kills and 16 assists; Madi Link 27 digs, andMadison Hempel 11 assists and eight digs.
Tennis
ANCHORBAY8, FORD0
SINGLES: Lucas Michalowicz def. Shaan Singh, 6-1, 6-0; Jack Leslie def. Braeden McLeod, 6-1, 6-0; Steven Motura def. Joey Melaragni, 6-4, 6-3; Matheu Morrison def. Hien Nguyen, 6-0, 6-0. DOUBLES: Brady Zarb-Joshua Thorpe def. Josh Byars-Andrew Lowry, 6-3,
6-2; Ryan Cornman-Ethan Angeles def. Gabe Dautovi-Nick Tripi, 6-0, 6-2; Aiden Evans-Mitchel Morrison def. Andrew Modrak-Andrew Middlebrook, 6-4, 6-3; Ryan McNamara-Daniel Garner def. Ethan Stoneman-Christian Fakhoury,