In Jamie LaBrosse’s first year serving as head coach he figured he’d come back for seconds.
LaBrosse, who served as an assistant for several years and head girls cross country coach for the Wolves, helped lead the Wolves to their second straight league title ? well, almost.
The Wolves still need to finish in third place or higher, LaBrosse said to capture their second straight OAA I title, but for all intents and purposes Clarkston is the league champion. The Wolves defeated league rival Pontiac Northern 69-59 May 11 at Clarkston High School which helped them cap off a 7-0 dual meet record on the season.
‘It was a great meet. It was exciting,? assistant coach John Yorke said.
While Clarkston won the league last year as well, the Wolves fell to Northern in their dual meet, but won the league at the OAA I league meet, LaBrosse said.
‘I think there was a bit of a revenge factor for us,? LaBrosse said. ‘We knew what the distance kids could do coming into this season, but the sprinters and the throwers came up big for us and really stepped up. That pretty much was the league meet for us.?
Among the key events for the Wolves was Megan Garrett who had throws of 117 feet on the discus and 32 feet on the shot put. Yorke said Garrett improved her throw in the discus by about eight feet.
Also adding to the Wolves? win was the hurdling and long jump efforts of Stephanie Parkin, who beat out two Pontiac Northern girls, who Yorke said were traditionally about even with Parkin in both events throughout the season. Parkin won the 100 hurdles with a time of 15.6 and won the 300 hurdles with a time of 47.2.
‘Parkin’s performance was a big part of the day for us,? Yorke said.
Additionally, Yorke noted the second place performance of Laura Kupe in the 100 meter as being a big part of the Wolves? win.
Other key contributors to Clarkston’s win over the Huskies included the 3,200 relay team of Elle and Mo Kuhta, Beth Hoekstra and Gillian Nordquist. Jenna Leach won the 1600 meter. Elle Kuhta also won the 800 with a time of 2:28.4. Also winning her event was Anne Oltman in the 3,200 with a time of 11:43.4.
LaBrosse held practice on a damp, dreary day Friday May 14, but instead of his athletes complaining about being stuck outside continuing to hone their skills, they went about their business smiling, joking and having a good time, which is a good way to summarize his team’s attitude this season.
‘They could be out here moaning and complaining, but they continue to work and have a good attitude and that says a lot about them. They’re really starting to buy into what we’re doing around here,? LaBrosse said.
The Wolves resume action this weekend with regionals at Holly High School. The Wolves will get an opportunity to win back-to-back league meets May 25 at West Bloomfield High School.